Proud American

"She's African."
"Africa's a big place, can you be more specific?"
"She's Ethiopian."

In this example dialogue, we see the difference between continental identity and national identity. Kenny and I have been taking Spanish classes, and one of the classic introductory exercises is talking about where you are from. Our luminous instructor Maria states, "I am from Mexico. I am Mexican." Now it's our turn, "I am from the United States. I am... American...?"

It's hard to look a Mexican in the eye and say "I am American", as we do share the continent. I think it's wild that the English language doesn't have an adjective to describe someone or something as being from the United States of America. (England, Great Britain...English, British). I asked Maria if such a word exists in Spanish -it does! United States translates to "Estados Unidos" and the adjective version is "Estadounidense". I guess that would be "Unitedstatesan" in our language? Doesn't exactly roll off the tongue.

It makes me rethink terms like "African-American" and "Mexican-American". But don't worry, I won't rethink too hard about it.

Tangent-
Our class of six had three Germans and three Unitedstatesans, including Kenny and me. We learned a lot about our cultural differences. Maria asked each of us what we "do" and what our life goals are:

German #1: I am a flight-attendant. I want to be happy.
German #2: I work in a chemical plant.
German #3: I study economics, and I want to save the world.

US Citizen #1: I studied literature... I've been out of school for about a year...
German #3 (perplexed): Yes, but what do you do? Do you want to write a book?
US Citizen #1: Nah, I don't really want to write... I'm thinking of going to Grad School...
Maria: Maybe he'll become a teacher. Kenny, you're next.
Kenny: I want to own a vegetable farm.
PJ's eyes: What??
Maria: Where will that be?
Kenny: Mexico, or maybe California.
PJ: Wow Kenny, will this farm have a restaurant?
Kenny: Yes.
PJ: I don't have a job, but I want to be an artist.

In conclusion, Germans have their shit together, but US Citizens have more fun.

-PJ