Am I Politically Correct?

[Anh map 2,098]

I am a British Citizen but usually the only people who would use that term are not from the British Isles. Black British, Asian British etc.

Unlikely americans will understand the nuances.

Kind of an arrogant statement. Why don't you explain your assertion for the unwashed masses?

[rocks 494]

I am a British Citizen but usually the only people who would use that term are not from the British Isles. Black British, Asian British etc.

Unlikely americans will understand the nuances.

I don't understand? I'm a British citizen, do you mean that people refer to being English/Scottish/Welsh rather than British?

[Boiler 45,695]

Tell that to a Scot!

[Sandra G. 5,051]

She is a Vietnamese national and part of the ethnic group Khmer Krom!. When people ask if she is Vietnamese the right answer is "Yes she is Vietnamese", if they ask "To what ethnic group does she belong? then is correct to say Khmer Krom.

[Boiler 45,695]

Kind of an arrogant statement. Why don't you explain your assertion for the unwashed masses?

In my experiences most Americans do not have a clue where Wales is, for example. No idea about St George or St Andrew, the only one they know is St Patrick.

There are exceptions, but they are few and far between.

I have lost count how many times I have been asked what a Jubilee is.

[rocks 494]

I have lost count how many times I have been asked what a Jubilee is.

Have you been asked if you know the queen? I love the questions people come out with.

Tell that to a Scot!

I'm English but I have Scottish and Welsh family, I'd rather refer to myself as British. Most people, not just Americans, call us all "English" though.

[anita_t 4]

What you are describing had happened to me so many times. I am from Romania but I am Hungarian. And the concept is so foreign to people in the US since here everybody is identifying themselves as Americans. When people ask me where I am from I say Romania but I tell them I am an ethnic minority. Even my husband was having trouble with this idea. He lived in my country for a while and he would say that he can't believe people share the same skin tone but we still have minorities. My advice is just omit the details to acquaintances if you are not ready for a long explanation.

And to the previous poster it is not just a whim for most ethnic minorities. I grew up speaking a different language learned and lived in a different culture. And if I were in Europe everybody would understand where I am coming from. Borders sometimes are redrawn but that does not mean I have to give up my heritage.

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Vanessa, there are people in this world who live in countries but consider themselves as a separate group of people. Think, for example, of the Kurds. The kurdish person I know wants to say "I am a Kurd from Turkey." He does not want to say he is Turkish. You can decide it's dumb, but it's very important to him. It's totally different from lineage.

<snip>

I don't know the OP, but it sounds like his wife does not want to be Vietnamese. It sounds very important to her, and to dismiss it as silly seems very short-sighted. OP, any thoughts on my comment on how to explain politely?

First, you didn't quote me so I didn't see this till now. Secondly, I said "it just seems a bit rude to be so pedantic about it, especially as it's YOU who's doing the explaining and not her. If it were her it would be different" so yes, if it's important to HER and SHE was explaining, it's different, but for him, and for most people, it's really not that big a deal to specify.

As i said (and several others) though, nationality is not the same as ethnicity. To say someone is Vietnamese to most people only means "someone from Vietnam". I don't think any deeper than that... Ethnicity is a totally different kettle of fish. I will admit though if someone asks for deeper I like to specify state I'm Victorian, that makes a difference

[VanessaTony 3,567]

Tell that to a Scot!

I am a Scot. I still refer to myself as British. There's no need to be be specific about it because most people don't give a toss. THOUGH I will admit just about any time I have EVER said British Australian people have assumed "British" actually means English, THEN I correct it.

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

Nationality and ethnicity are not the same. No reason to go into a deep debate/discussion if you aren't interested. For example, lots of people describe themselves as (Irish/Polish/German/Italian, etc.) Americans. Nationality: American. Ethnicity: Irish, etc.

No, they usually just pipe up and claim to BE Irish, or Polish, or German, or Italian.

Leaving out the bit of course that this happened about six generations back. At least.

[Holly2234 66]

Have you been asked if you know the queen? I love the questions people come out with.

I'm English but I have Scottish and Welsh family, I'd rather refer to myself as British. Most people, not just Americans, call us all "English" though.

Ive been asked "Do those men in the hats really not speak?" Honestly, ive never tried talking to one! (The guards in London)

I always say British too. I have some Scottish family but i have always lived in England. British kind of covers it all! Though somebody asked me if i was Australian once when i was in the US!

Edited June 3, 2012 by Holly2234

[Rebecca Jo 1,962]

First, you didn't quote me so I didn't see this till now. Secondly, I said "it just seems a bit rude to be so pedantic about it, especially as it's YOU who's doing the explaining and not her. If it were her it would be different" so yes, if it's important to HER and SHE was explaining, it's different, but for him, and for most people, it's really not that big a deal to specify.

As i said (and several others) though, nationality is not the same as ethnicity. To say someone is Vietnamese to most people only means "someone from Vietnam". I don't think any deeper than that... Ethnicity is a totally different kettle of fish. I will admit though if someone asks for deeper I like to specify state I'm Victorian, that makes a difference

I don't think it's pedantic at all. You can only "be" something if you "are" something.

[rocks 494]

No, they usually just pipe up and claim to BE Irish, or Polish, or German, or Italian.

Leaving out the bit of course that this happened about six generations back. At least.

If I had a dollar for every time I had heard someone say that...

[Holly2234 66]

No, they usually just pipe up and claim to BE Irish, or Polish, or German, or Italian.

Leaving out the bit of course that this happened about six generations back. At least.

Quite right. Everybody in America is descended from, or is an immigrant (apart from Native Americans obviously). So the last names people have always tend to link to a certain country. Ours is Italian but it doesnt mean theyre all Italian (mines by marriage only). There is a whole lot mixed in there by now because the family first went there around 100 years ago. So they just say "We're American" Because thats what they are now.

[rocks 494]

Ive been asked "Do those men in the hats really not speak?" Honestly, ive never tried talking to one! (The guards in London)

I always say British too. I have some Scottish family but i have always lived in England. British kind of covers it all! Though somebody asked me if i was Australian once when i was in the US!

I've never tried talking to one either. My husband was asked if we had Easter and another person asked if we had Thanksgiving in the UK.