Americans and their nationalities?

[no one]

I pose this question to the non United Staters, but all are free to add any input or insight. 

Americans tend to consider themselves the nationality of their parents, I have seen some internet chatter regarding the subject, and the rest of the world seems to disagree. The way they see it, even if your parents are German immigrants, you are still American as you were born there. I am a second generation American. My parents were born here, their parents were not. 

Now the place I work at has the hoomans from all over the planet. At least 30 different countries. The ones I work with directly, on a daily basis hail from, Taiwan, Japan, The Philippines, Viet Nam, China, Laos, Mexico, India, Fiji, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, The Ukraine, Russia, Poland, Peru, and there are several other departments where I do not know anyone, but I know that the countries I mentioned are not the only countries that are represented here. Now, many on them are first generation immigrants, and even though their children are born in the United States, they themselves, still consider their children to be whatever nationality they are, their children are not considered "American". Is this solely an American phenomenon? Or do immigrants to other countries do the same thing?

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I’m not sure I understand the question, but I’ll have a lash at it

In a practical sense, my nationality is New Zealander, because that’s where I live, work and pay taxes. In a legal sense, I’m also a citizen of Ireland and a British subject. My heritage is Irish.

So, I guess it’s dealer’s choice.

Boru

[no one]

Thank you for the reply. As you stated your heritage is Irish, many Americans consider themselves to be Irish because their parents are. It seems to be an American only thing.

[arewethereyet]

I am definitely American. One side of my family has been here since 1650. That pretty much makes me American. The most recent immigrant was my paternal grandfather who came here from Germany.

My maiden name truly reflects my German heritage though I think it may have been slightly bastardized at Ellis Island.

On one side is a long line of people of German descent. On the other is English, Irish, maybe Scottish. So my heritage is that of a mutt.

[Ivan Denisovich]

I'm a Pole - by law people born to Poland citizens are Poles too. If I would immigrate to another country I would remain a Pole as that is how law works; I do not consider myself to be Pole, I simply am one. Ukrainians I work with also name themselves Ukrainians despite working in Poland and to be honest I would consider doing differently to be extremely strange.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Thank you for the reply. As you stated your heritage is Irish, many Americans consider themselves to be Irish because their parents are. It seems to be an American only thing.

I think that may be more of a heritage or a background thing than a nationality.

Boru

[AFTT47]

I am an American by place of birth and citizenship. My mother was the child of two Portuguese immigrants, my father of Irish immigrants. My heritage means nothing to me, nor does my nationality other than for practical purposes.

The older I get, the less use I have for anything tribal. I sure as hell don't self-identify by any of it. I might call myself a nerd, a space enthusiast or a Star Trek fan but never American, part Irish, part Portuguese or Caucasian.

[Nanny]

First generation natural born USA citizen. I also hold Irish citizenship as that is where my old man was born.

My nationality is american. My ancestry is Irish.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Tangentially, some people (generally those who get their news from political memes) are claiming that Kamala Harris doesn’t qualify to be president because she’s not a natural born citizen.

Boru

[Mister Agenda]

Hopefully all Americans understand that they're Americans. Etnicity/heritage/culture is something many American take pride in. America is more like a salad bowl than a melting pot. OTH, I am completely melted, a Heinz 57 with ancestors from too many countries to be anything than just American.