Why do people think this?!?

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tree hugger;

Ignorance, I guess?
A lot of people just don't know their geography.
Some people don't even know that Egypt is a country in AFRICA.
xD
They're just not informed, or they like ticking people off.
Either way, it's not really a huge deal.
But everyone I know knows that Ireland is not the same as Britain.

Clayton

Because Americans don't learn their geography.

Brady

Ignorance, refusal to get informed.
Ireland is NOT part of UK or England. Ireland isn't even on the same island as England.

Ugh single 'blah'

Because most americans are so ignorant they can't comprehend what it means and don't care. I am american and I think it is just as annoying. But other most American's can not understand most of anything ugh....it is hard living in a ignorant country.

Hellcat Daykin N. Nim

Because people can be extremely stupid. A lot of people don't care about what is not right outside of their own front door and never bother to learn it. Speaking as an American, our education system for kindergarten through 12th grade is quite lacking on geography. It is taught a little, but often only as a side topic in history class - and these were the honors courses! And I went to a good school. Americans don't even know most of their own geography. They think Chicago is the capital of Illinois (it's Springfield) or worse that Chicago is the STATE! And then they can't even pronounce Illinois when they figure out it's a state. They get Ohio and Iowa confused. I have lived all over the US, and each area of the country has its own special brand of stupidity, ignorance, and stereotyping of other parts of the country. Don't feel too bad. At least they know Ireland exists! It's a start.

Jillusional - I can just about top that, sadly. Years ago, I had read an article about Americans and their lack of geographical knowledge. To illustrate the point, the article talked about a test given to college students in Florida. They were handed a blank map of the US. I never knew if the map had the sates outlined and unlabelled or if the map was devoid of outlines. However, you'll see it doesn't really matter. They were asked to point out Florida - the state they were in remember. A large percentage (been too long to recall numbers) could not. How they couldn't at least figure out that it is the big thing hanging into the water was and is still beyond me.

Jillusional

Haha, I love that!
I mean, I'm Canadian and I know quite clearly where Ireland and Britain are on a map. And yes... there is a huge difference.
Must be Americans who think that, because apparently a bunch of them can't even point out their own country on the map.

hanghangeara

We look alike. Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom, which also consists of Great Britain(England, Scotland and Whales.) It's commonly accepted that people will refer to the whole state as simply Britain. The Republic Of Ireland is a separate state.

Flying mop dog

It does annoy me but not half as much as people from the Republic who think Northern Ireland should leave the UK. I think that's for them to decide.

Aisling xx

Just Ignorance, then again I heard a girl ask another girl in my class last week, whats the capital of Canada and the girl said America! They're both 16.
A lot of girls i know my age wouldn't even have heard of Ottawa, and they aren't dumb.
It works both ways

Medea's biggest fan

People get mixed up with Northern Ireland.

George B

Hmmm. Never met anyone who thought that but I reckon I'd be fairly pissed off if I did.