Satuf

First of all, do white Americans see America as a continuation of the European civilisation? Or is it distinct?

Do they identify themselves as European still or just American? Any passion for the mother continent?

AMIGAGOD

I would imagine that white Americans will continue to see themselves as European stock for a while yet. At least until all family ties are long gone into history. Many Americans today are still only third or fourth generation Americans and so can still trace family trees and perhaps living relatives in Europe. A few generation yet i think.But then i`m not American.

Wenge

Well, I am an American. Does that answer your question?

Satuf

How far is your culture from the European one? How long has it been?

Patton

When you ask most White Americans their nationality, and its pretty typical to be asked that as you grow casual with someone, you will typically hear them proudly reply "German", "Irish", "English", followed by a brief family history. I personally never heard a white American tell me their nationality is American. From there you have a varying degree of attachment. Some I know, make it a goal to make a pilgrimage back to the fatherland; more often than not however, you find indifference.

Though my loyalties are unquestionably to the U.S, I would be lying if I didn't say I have some emotional attachment and a bit of solidarity concerning the old world.

infavilla

I suppose strictly speaking I descend from Europeans, begrudgingly. I don't so much view European culture as a different culture all together, maybe just as a primitive form of American perfection .

Let's just say that on most demographic polls, there are terms like "African American" or "Asian American," but there are no blanks for "European Americans;" in that sense, Americans do not consider themselves European at all.

Wenge

The United States of America was not even a thought when my people came to the western hemisphere. I do not think I am an unusual case. I come from Virginia and it is rare to find any person who identifies with their ancestors. The hyphenated heritage/nationality has little importance there. I think it is more important in larger cities where the influx of newbies is a constant reminder of where people came from.

d'artanian

Everyone is different, of course, but I do think most Americans are somewhat attached to their heritage - even if their ancestors arrived in the 1600's. Often our surnames keep us attached too. For example; a Jones or a Jenkins came (at some time or another) from Wales. An O'Brien from Ireland, a Kowalski from Poland, a Zimmermann from Germany, etc. Attachment to the country of your heritage would depend on the individual and, as mentioned, whether you still had relatives in the old country.

Jake10

I acknowledge that Spain is where my origins are, but my home, culture, loyalties and what I love are in America.

DeliciousTomatoesYay

I'm a Chinese American and if people ask me I would say I'm Chinese xD
The "White" Americans I ask, they say they're Irish, German, English, Scottish, bla bla bla, and usually thrown in a "part -insert native american here-"

I also wondered... Unless you're a Native American I don't know if anyone is actually going to call themselves American :O One time a person called me half Chinese and half American and it felt really weird!

However some of my friends "white" friends said they were part Canadian, so I wonder if any Americans in Canada would say "I'm American"? Would they say they are American in other countries but in America they don't say it?

I've been pondering this for a while~