Why do people (especially Americans) think that the UK and Great Britain are just England?

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karenmaryrfds

It's not just americans. Germans can't tell the difference either. My brother's so-called geography teacher has even said Scotland belongs to England!!! So he told her it wasn't but she was adament it was. So he had an argument with her for 15 minutes trying to convince her that Scotland is it's own country. We may only have some rights as a country when it comes to politics and sports (commonwealth games/football etc) but we should be classed as a country and if anyone calls me english they'll know about it, you can bet on it!

I'm fed up with people saying Scotland belongs to England, if they said Britain or UK then fine but we are NOT ENGLISH!!! And another thing: the news channels/reporters are just as bad saying the whole country this that and the next thing when all the time they only mean England.
PS We're expat Scots living in Germany, just in case you're a bit confused! And I've got plenty of english friends so nothing against them, just I'm not one of them...

Jackieinphilly

Because we are ignoramuses' who don't care to learn the difference. Even if we did learn it, we'd still call UK England.

McHaggis's hubby

I just don't think Americans have much knowledge about anything that goes on outside their own country, I think we know quite alot about their country. It's quite annoying though.

kayley

maybe because they prefer england to the rest

cutiepie

They are misinformed and uneducated.

chasqui

It's not just the Americans, the English also tend to refer to the whole of the UK as England, and if I point out that Edinburgh is in Scotland, not England regard me as if I'm being picky

Mappy~Jazz

ACTUALLY WHILE YOU ARE ON THE SUBJECT,
IN APPLICATION FORMS, ETHNIC MINORITY FORMS ETC, WHY IS THERE NOT A _WHITE_ --- _ENGLISH_ SECTION,

AND WHY IS THE 'UNITED KINGDOM' OR 'GREAT BRITAIN' REGARDING AS BEING COUNTRIES, BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT.
ITS NOT VERY POLITICALLY CORRECT, WHEN ENGLAND, SCOTLAND AND WALES HAVE THERE OWN CABINETS.

Richard B-H

Interesting, haven't heard the name "England" in some time.

Natalie R

that drives me insane! especially since i live in scotland. and especially when it's celebrities who have the oppurtunity to be so well travelled.

Dr Zoidberg

Whatever happened to...

"The sun never sets on the British Empire."

Just wonderin'.

Jenny

I know and isn't the most annoying thing! I don't know why people assume it's just England suppose it's just ignorance.

amanda c

Same eason why some people think that the Dutch Netherlands are just Holland, or that the former soviet Union was just Russia.

alan m

You are right. Most people abroad seem to forget all the parts of the uk. The reason is actually simple. They are not very clever and probably had no education. Simple. Try to avoid these people so that your intelligence remains high. You are a cool person.

thecharleslloyd

The whole Nation is under treat. Isn't it time to stop talking a 300 year old problem and worry about the new one. It's time for the UK to Focus. Doesn't matter if we are English, Scottish, Welsh or Irish, we should be looking out for each other. Think about it.

shunniem74

I can't help you there. My school taught that the UK is comprised of multiple countries. I'm from the US and most people that I know are aware of this, also. Then again, my friends are ordinary folks - not a single celebrity in the bunch.

Joseph N

Because american schools do not emphasize study of geography, most of them think of the British Island as one country (England) with no other territorial possession.

American also think that Gibraltar is spanish

cndnchop75

It's probably because every time you watch tv and the uk comes up it's always about England they should start having some programs about the rest of the uk. My husband is of scottish decent he would love to see more programs about Scotland.

starvic7

Just like people call The Netherlands "Holland" when only 2 provinces in The Netherlands are actually called Holland. It's just what people say

I would like to refer everyone to a Question I have asked .. missd05 is right in what he says..

greentrees

Maybe some Americans are like that, but not all of them i know that for a fact becse im an American U jackass!!!

pinklemonaid911

Such broad statements for little minds...."what do you mean by "especially Americans". That's the same stereotypical remarks I've read and/or heard, "why do Brits have bad teeth?" Let us stop placing blanket remarks on countries, cultures, religions and ethnicity's. I'm an American who has travelled to the UK and have tried to keep an open mind despite unpleasant experiences with food, rudeness, and bad customer service but do not blame a whole country or culture for the sins of a few. And some say "ignorant rednecks" exist only in the U.S.

pharriesand

united kingdom... I generally think Scotland, Ireland, England and Wales... you know as in a united kingdom...

Ananke402

Didn't England conquer you all?

Seriously tho, the words have simply become interchangeable. I'm sorry this offends......... but think about how many say America.............. isn't the US on North America? Should we call Americans something like Uniteds? or perhaps Staties.

rehobothbeachgui

Because many people (not just Americans) are woefully ignorant of geography or political history. Most Americans can't even name all fifty states in their own country!

I am and American and have traveled all over the world, many people I encountered overseas think that the US consists of only New York, Dallas and LA.

Don't get offended, just pity the poor deluded fools

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