1. Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

What Do Canadians Think?

Discussion in 'Other Discussions' started by Rippon, Jun 13, 2009.

Top Posters
  1. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Yesterday an American chided me for calling my country America. No Canadian was present when he scolded me. He said that a Canadian would be highly offended if I would have referred to my country with the word "America".

    In my time in South Korea I have met some Canadians who questioned my use of the word "America" to refer to my home country. I don't think they felt insulted though. They just tried to say that the word could just as easily be applied to folks in South America or other parts of North America. They attempted to give me a broader perspective on the matter.

    But the word is commonly understood by people around the world. Should I be PC about this or do you think that Americans need to be more sensitive about applying this word to their own country?

    I need to know what you Canadians BB'ers think about this subject -- my fellow North Americans.
     
    #1 Rippon, Jun 13, 2009
  2. Magnetic Poles

    Magnetic Poles New Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2005
    Messages:
    10,407
    Likes Received:
    0
    I am not Canadian, but I think it could be viewed as a negative. But it is a lot easier to say than "United States of American".
     
    #2 Magnetic Poles, Jun 13, 2009
  3. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    From a British/Canadian, in both countries we automatically call USA citizens, Americans. Now, I can only account for 82 years, but I did get it from my parents.

    Yank is the one term we avoid in England. It means "stupid" in England. That bloke is a bit alright but a bit yank.

    During the Korean war we called Americans, well, American, and it was readily understood as a citizen of the USA. I don't see the problem, even if we all live in America.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
    #3 Jim1999, Jun 13, 2009
  4. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    Bump. Jim, I appreciate the reply -- but I was specifically asking about the word "America" -- not American(s).

    Do any other Canadians wish to weigh in?
     
    #4 Rippon, Jun 17, 2009
  5. Crabtownboy

    Crabtownboy Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2008
    Messages:
    18,441
    Likes Received:
    259
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I have a friend in Brazil who said, "You folk from the USA are so arrogant. You think you are the only Americans. South America has the word America in it, so we are Americans also."
     
    #5 Crabtownboy, Jun 17, 2009
  6. Rippon

    Rippon Well-Known Member
    Site Supporter

    Joined:
    Dec 12, 2005
    Messages:
    19,715
    Likes Received:
    585
    Faith:
    Baptist
    But there is no nation called South America, while America is indeed a country.
     
    #6 Rippon, Jun 17, 2009
  7. donnA

    donnA Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2000
    Messages:
    23,354
    Likes Received:
    0
    The whole continent is the americas. In crabtownboys post, the guy in south america even recognizes, it is part of the americas, meaning more then the USA.
     
    #7 donnA, Jun 17, 2009
  8. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

    Joined:
    Aug 10, 2002
    Messages:
    15,460
    Likes Received:
    1
    In Canada, everyone knows who we mean when we say "America". We may also just refer to the country as the "states". or US of A. Depends on who we are talking with and what mood we are in.

    Some people refer to England as being a part of Europe, when it clearly isn't, but we don't get excited about it.
     
    #8 Jim1999, Jun 17, 2009
  9. BigBossman

    BigBossman Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 8, 2009
    Messages:
    1,009
    Likes Received:
    0
    Faith:
    Baptist
    I never would have thought that I'd have to be so politically correct about where I'm from. I generally say United States. If I were a president addressing the nation, I would say "America" as in "Wake up, America".
     
    #9 BigBossman, Jun 19, 2009
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Loading...