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Word for the day - covering words you may want to avoid, as their meaning is not well taken.
American or Americano
I learned very quickly, upon arrival, that people were quite offended when I told them that I am American. Argentinian people in general will give you a warm welcome as a foreigner, but that can quickly turn to a "cold shoulder" if you say the wrong thing. The conversaion usually goes like this...
Where are you from?
I am an American
So am I.
Not much will be said after that. Anger will be displayed as you claim rights to all three "Americas". The conversation will be quite one sided.
Though the people here are very quick to display the Argentinian flag, suddenly they have a new nationality, that being 'of the Americas' and therefore, Americans. I have yet to see their American flag though.
Actually, there is no way to describe where you are from in conversation. The general terms in common use are "norte-americano" or, much more difficult to promounce, "estadounidense". North American would include Canadians as well. United Statesian may be related to the other countries which have united states. Non- specific, if you ask me.
Food for thought if you are visiting...
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1 comment:
We could say that saying that you are American does actually mean you are from the American continent. The fact that movies and other products from the united States have used the "American" for people form the United Sates and pretty much have gotten the world used to it dosn't make an Argentinian, Peruvian, Canadian or Mexican less of an American, just makes them less cocky not to take up ownership of the continent ;)... Kinda like going to Mar del Plata and saying you come from Buenos Aire, you'll get the same answer "you are in Buenos Aires".
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