Geri Dale
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Americans think all Brits sound like Hugh bl**dy Grant and Liz Hurley for goodness sakes! I concur with some of the previous comments posted whereby the majority of Americans have never left their own country, don't have a need to, don't care to and hence don't have a reason to learn about the world at large. Arrogance and Ignorance?
That is why it irks me when you see "London, England" posted in films when the next shot clearly shows MI5 or The Houses of Parliament. What's that all about?! (lol) Americans must be so dense! |
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Ian M
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I suspect it's because few Americans ever travel abroad. Remember that only 14% of Americans have a passport.
In the UK almost everyone has a passport, even if they only use it for their annual holiday in Spain.
Ian M |
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pirataviejo
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EIGHTY PERCENT of HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS can't find the STATE THEY LIVE IN on a world map... so how would you expect the dysfunctional, marginally educated morons to know where WALES is? |
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diamonds
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lol...the US is SO massive..i just don't think they are that great at world geography....they thought i was from Australlia when i was there & i am from England.
still...my old boss (English) - asked me once if Denmark was in Holland...i nearly fell off my chair laughing - and he was serious!! - ha ha!! |
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I like the big purple one
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David d - Bad news for you. We all know that you are an out and out IRA supporting Irish republican who most of the rest of Ireland has no time for, but I must inform u that Ireland, whether you like it or not, is part of the British Isles. Also it DID used to part of the UK, and part of it (Northern Ireland) still is.
So if you can't give an intelligent answer, please refrain from posting at all as it just makes you look silly, dear. |
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DON'T VOTE BNP
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Lol do they? oh dear...
Many also seem to think Britain=England. I'm English and I find that annoying! It is not just England that makes up Britain!
fionasta- I'm English and I have never called the UK England in my life, I am educated I know the difference! |
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morpheus8250
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Just basic ignorance about the world as a whole.
I bet some of these buggers still think we Londoners walk round in the fog wearing deer-stalker hats. |
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Andrew B
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Ignorance I suppose. Compared to their country ours is tiny. |
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Micky
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the same reason that girl gave that really stupid answer at that miss usa pangeant... |
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Mike B
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The same reason I guess that although I am English, with some Irish blood, I get the British thing, or even worse, as often happens to me in Germany, I get mistaken for an American!
As for Wales being a 'different' country, that's a matter for debate as it hasn't been a separate country for a very long time. |
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Lily
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I live in London to be precise and I personally think they confuse themselves since they are so close. No offense to Americans but they never do check a map correctly so they probably saw them close and immediately thought Wales was a place in England. |
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Steven J
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i remember yrs ago i was in spain and i was talking to an american guy he thought scotland was an island |
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Kyle A
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Technically Wales is part of England and has been since the 1300's. Thats why the Welsh flag doesnt appear on the union jack. |
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WENDEL HOMES
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Don't feel affronted, just remember they live miles away and think miles away because they are miles away and they are pretty limited in their thinking. |
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Col
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There is still a general misconception not just abroad like the States but much closer to home that England and Britain are synonymous . Bearing in mind that England has some 85 % of the population of the United Kingdom and has had for multi decades , it is perhaps not surprising that identificationn was and indeed is common . Not perhaps as bad as it was back in the 1900s when the politicians tried to rebrand Scotland " North Britain " . |
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Alan M
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Its worse if you are from N. Ireland. They think you are Irish yet its all British !!!! |
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DayOldHate.
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Because theyre just stupid yanks. What did you expect! |
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Riggahgoo
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I feel your pain. I'm from Scotland and whenever I go to America they always ask "Oh I love your accent, where are you from?" And I say "Scotland". And they reply "Oh I love England, I've always wanted to go!" Just ignorance I suppose, a lot of Americans don't understand the concept of The United Kingdom, how we can all be separate countries, yet join together to make the United Kingdom.
The best way i've discovered to explain to them is Saying Scotland (Or in your case Wales) is in England, is like saying America is in Canada. |
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paulcryo
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Wales is really only a princapality |
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SarahMarie
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I have to agree with 'I like the big purple one'. The British Isles refers to Great Britain and Ireland(it also includes the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man), although there is a lot of controversy over Ireland being included, as we fought for our freedom etc with many people preferring the term British and Irish Isles. Also The Act of Union in 1800 meant that Ireland was part of the UK until I believe 1922 when the Anglo-Irish Treaty created the Irish Free State.
However, when even people in England think that Ireland is still part of Britain and the UK. And most Year 8 students don't know the capital cities of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Is it really THAT shocking that Americans think Wales is part of England? |
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Lizzie J
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It's annoying, but I really wouldn't worry about it.
Most European countries know where Wales (and Scotland) are, and know we are not part of England. Which is a good thing, as the English are hated on the continent, due to their arrogance, ignorance of other cultures and appalling behaviour abroad. But they like the Welsh! So that's a consolation.
Also, in my experience, when I've told Americans I'm Welsh and they don't have a clue what it is, as soon as I tell them 'we have our own language, culture etc' they are so interested!
Also, you are probably not aware of how may people in America study Welsh culture. Here are some websites.
http://www.wasnc.org/
http://www.wales-usa.org/
http://www.idahowelshsociety.org/welshamerican.htm
http://www.welshnepa.org/
Also, Wales will be featured in a festival on the Mall, in Washington this Summer, where they can learn our language, our culture, our history. http://www.folklife.si.edu/festival/2009/Wales/index.html
Also, Welsh mythology is studies across the world. Especially the Mabinogi. Also, Dr. Who and Torchwood are really popular in the US, so not only do they know where Wales is, but also Cardiff! So it's put us on the map.
Paid a phoeni!
Don't worry!
Fionastar- I agree with you. Some English can't decide whether they're English or British. You'd never see a Union Jack in Wales or Scotland, but the English fly it like it's their own. Therefore, adding to the 'Britain is England' idea. They also sing the British anthem, whereas Wales and Scotland sing their own. Spot on. |
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david d
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foxy lady - Ireland is neither part of the UK (never was) nor the 'british isles'
Ireland is the mainland of the Irish isles.
If some English people can't get it right, how do you expect people from further afield to know? This is not anti-English or anything like it, just a statement of fact, and as the Irish give the English nation it's due respect, we expect it to be reciprocated.
The UK as a political entity was created by the English govt to extend their control beyone their own borders, knowing that the political control of England would not be diluted due to the smaller populations in Scotland and Wales. It's an outdated idea which is starting to come apart, and this will benefit all involved, be they English, Scotish or Welsh.
Purple One - Ireland was occupied by the UK, not part of it (no mandate from the people, the Act of union was passed in Endland). |
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froggequene
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Quite possibly because they don't need to know. Do you really think they care if they p*ss off a few tourists? |
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foxy lady
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Forgive me but I always thought England Ireland Scotland and Wales are collectively The United Kindom or also known as The British Isles |
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Pheonix
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Where does Wales begin and England end? |
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fionastar08
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They think it about scotland aswel l
It's so annoying when you see it on tv & stuff.
It's the English fault, they call the UK england, so we all get labelled under the same boat.
The Canadians have the same problem - A lot of British folk think Canada is in America |
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