Does it irk you when we say "I'm ____-American"?

[Ó Cathasaigh]

Ask any American what he is and you'll get a response like "I'm German" or "I'm Scottish" etc based on what their ethnicity is. Now natural born citizens of these countries often dislike this.

Why? Wouldn't you think that the home nation of the millions of families in America would be proud to be remembered as the original homes of these family names?

Explica por favor.

[Kiljan Arslan]

I say I am American but with Anglo, Scottish, German, Irish, and welch ancestry.

Peolpe shouldn't say they're african american they should say they are an American of African descent, same goes for all my fellow peolpe of european descent who seem to put their anscestors country of origin first.

[Cúchulainn]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

[Sosobra]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

Wow you really get worked up over nothing. Who cares what people call themselves it doesn't detract from your heritage, hell imitation is the highest form of flattery. Geesh try some decafe before posting.

I call myself American (even though I am Mexican and German, equally) and only say my ethic background if people are interested

[Cúchulainn]

Wow you really get worked up over nothing. Who cares what people call themselves it doesn't detract from your heritage, hell imitation is the highest form of flattery.

But it pisses me off when people call themselves "Irish" and have no idea about the country.

It's the same ****ers who funded the IRA for 30 years.

Morons who know nothing about the situation.

[Sosobra]

But it pisses me off when people call themselves "Irish" and have no idea about the country.

It's the same ****ers who funded the IRA for 30 years.

Morons who know nothing about the situation.

I'll give you that and amend what I said before , Ireland and any other countries with "Troubles" do have an influx of money from natives living abroad and not feeling the brunt of what their money does.

I think someone who is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation has the right to call themselves a -American, although it depends on how much of the old country
they hold on to.

[NaptownKnight]

I'll give you that and amend what I said before , Ireland and any other countries with "Troubles" do have an influx of money from natives living abroad and not feeling the brunt of what their money does.

I think someone who is a 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation has the right to call themselves a -American, although it depends on how much of the old country
they hold on to.

My great grandmother immigrated from Poland in the twenties or early thirties, and I do not not know anyone in my family who thinks of themselves as Polish, or even Polish Americans. Not even my great aunt.

[King Edward III]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

HELL YES!

We 100% agree, for once

[haney591]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

Actually you are correct, there are more Irish in America than in Ireland. Around 40% of white Americans indentify themselves as being of Irish ancestry. Some studies show a remarkable level of accuracy in this "self-identification", over 90%. If one takes into account the numbers of Irish who emigrated, there initial reproductive rates, and the rather persistent tendency to isolation; it becomes clear that all these "Irish-Americans" simply could not be "1/16th". The fact is that there are more Irish in America than any other single ethnic group with the exception of German.
I have a modified Irish surname and can trace my ancestry back to Ireland. Why this fact should offend a native of Ireland I am at a loss to understand. The sentiment seems to be "you don't know what we've been through maaan" to which I would have to agree; however, I do know, and better than you, what Irish in America have been through and it this group which I identify myself with.

[LoZz]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

100% spot on

[Dunecat]

I am actually of Scotch-Irish/Bohemian ancestry, though. I have a bit of german, french, and czech blood in me as well, but that is only because of my bohemian ancestor's journey to the US...

To say I lack an intimate knowledge of modern Scottish or Bohemian culture would be correct, but to claim I should not be proud of my heritage is absurd. Immigrants are proud to be Americans because they adopt it as their home and the move is life-changing. The descendants of those immigrants cherish the history of their family for the same reasons anyone is patriotic of the country they live in. It's about being part of history and a greater movement.

Though I don't understand St. Patrick's day either... You're not a practicing catholic, and you don't have any irish ancestry (let alone basic knowledge of the country's history), so why are you dressed up in a green suit again?

Actually, I understand why the day exists as it does (commercialization), just like Halloween, but I don't understand why those who shouldn't actually buy into it...

*EDIT*- 999th post... Here it comes *cringes*...

[LoZz]

I am actually of Scotch-Irish/Bohemian ancestry, though. I have a bit of german, french, and czech blood in me as well, but that is only because of my bohemian ancestor's journey to the US...

To say I lack an intimate knowledge of modern Scottish or Bohemian culture would be correct, but to claim I should not be proud of my heritage is absurd. Immigrants are proud to be Americans because they adopt it as their home and the move is life-changing. The descendants of those immigrants cherish the history of their family for the same reasons anyone is patriotic of the country they live in. It's about being part of history and a greater movement.

Though I don't understand St. Patrick's day either... You're not a practicing catholic, and you don't have any irish ancestry (let alone basic knowledge of the country's history), so why are you dressed up in a green suit again?

Actually, I understand why the day exists as it does (commercialization), just like Halloween, but I don't understand why those who shouldn't actually buy into it...

*EDIT*- 999th post... Here it comes *cringes*...

its one thing to state your ancestry and be "proud" of it. but to imply that you ARE from such a place and you ARE irish/welsh/tomato is something else.

[Dunecat]

its one thing to state your ancestry and be "proud" of it. but to imply that you ARE from such a place and you ARE irish/welsh/tomato is something else.

Tomato? lol

[Osceola]

I detest it.

Like "I'm Irish".

NO, NO your not.

You know nothing of Ireland, just because your 1/16 Irish, that doesn't make you one.

Christ, there are more "Irish" people than there are Irish people.

What about all those Irish Americans up in New York? For ****s sake man stop being so anal, half those kids families still have grandparents that speak Gaelic.

They look Irish, have Irish last names, all their really missing is the damn accent.

Not to mention the IRA itself was founded by Irish American immigrants. Founded not just funded. And I'm talking back in the late 1800's.

---------------------------------

As for me I look German, I have a German last name, my family before coming to Venezuela first in the 1700's to found a plantation (somewhere along the line a good chunk of us moved to America along with the other German immigrants of that time), comes from a noble German family from Swabia, our name in present form first popping up in the 1100's. There is evidence our last name might go back to the Roman Empire in Germania actually, but thats a long story at 1:30 in the morning.

While my mom's side is French, and aristocratic as well, descended from 3 noble Norman families who had participants at the Battle of Hastings, and won land in Soligny, France from Willy himself.

So when I'm asked my ethnicity I say German, if it gets to a real conversation I'll add in my French side.

Really just a proud Germanic bastard here. ;p

[King Edward III]

What about all those Irish Americans up in New York? For ****s sake man stop being so anal, half those kids families still have grandparents that speak Gaelic.

They look Irish, have Irish last names, all their really missing is the damn accent.

Not to mention the IRA itself was founded by Irish American immigrants. Founded not just funded. And I'm talking back in the late 1800's.

They *look* Irish eh?

[Cavalier]

I think that, if you were born in a specific country, or have lived there 90% of your life, just call yourself American instead of example: "Irish-American with Irish, Swedish, English, German, Jewish bla bla ancestry.."

That bugs me sometimes.

[Cúchulainn]

What about all those Irish Americans up in New York? For ****s sake man stop being so anal, half those kids families still have grandparents that speak Gaelic.

They look Irish, have Irish last names, all their really missing is the damn accent.

Plastic Paddys.
And they know it.


So a Grandparent makes you Irish.

Well I have a Grandparent who's English.

I'm not English.
I take pride in that I'm not.

Not to mention the IRA itself was founded by Irish American immigrants. Founded not just funded. And I'm talking back in the late 1800's.

That was the IRB(Irish Republican Brotherhood)

Which was founded by James Stephens.
An Irishman for Co. Kilkenny.

No Plastic Paddies there!!

And don't question me on Irish history.

They *look* Irish eh?

They're ginger.

[Earl of Rochester]

In America is someone asked me what I am I would say Scotch-Irish

If it was someone outside of the country I would say American.

Seems like pretty standard conventions to me..

[Thanatos]

I proudly say that "I'm American."

If I'm pressed, then I'll tell them my ethnicity.

[Kanaric]

If someone wants to know my ethnicity I tell them. I dont say i'm "german-american" or anything foolish like that.

If you are living in this country and its obvious you are not foreign or an immigrant you are american pretty much. You don't need to reiterate that fact.

If someone asks you your ethnicity (not nationality) saying american doesn't make much sense.