Rant about Nationalities.

[Little Motel]

IslandGinger50

Little Motel

"Ethnicity" and "nationality" are two completely different things.

Nationality is whatever country of which you're a citizen. I can be German but if I live in America then my nationality is American.

Ethnicity is your ancestral roots.
Unless you're an actual Native American, your ethnicity cannot be "American".

Quite true. But, don't forget some countries allow dual citizenship. So, then what is nationality? And, Canada gives a chuld boub to an American & Canadian marriage dual citizenshup.

I never really implied that you could only have one. neutral

[Shadow Ra Warrior]

A Letter From Janelle

So I was just thinking:

"If I'm born here in America, I am American. However, my ancestors come from many different places...So therefore I am that nationality as well, inherited."
Statement is correct, yes?

Ok now, thinking this :
My boyfriend is from Ukraine. Of course he's Ukrainian. He moved to the United States and became a citizen. To most people (including me) , Yes, he would be considered American because he became a citizen.

But at the same time I think this:
But how would I add a nationality to oneself? It simply cannot be done. Just because I'd move to a different country doesn't make me that nationality.
...Or could I be wrong?

My mind contradicts me, so I'm looking for other people's responses to the matter.
stressed

His is Ukrainian-American (if i said that right).

[ChocoPastry]

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

I'm of mostly Russian decent thanks to my mother's side of family, my dad's dad's dad at least i think was one too.~ I don't like America. I know my friends from Latvia, and Ukraine would think I was nuts to renounce my citizenship seeing as though they arrived here to study abroad for 2 yrs in Oct.~ But, you have to either hate america by living here or hate the people in general. I want to move to Finland, and maybe back to Russia, I've been there twice before for more then 4 months total. Money isn't an issue, however job opportunities, and the slight language barrier are.~ My mother was born in Kiev, apparently when it was part of the Soviet Union. My Ukrainian friend was from there too.~

America is kinda in bad shape since the past few years, economic and government wise.. and America seems to be the world police since forever and a day, so it doesn't surprise me that it could be "hated" or "disliked".

Being an American citizen my whole life, I have mixed feelings about it all. I see my best friends enlist and fight wars I wish we weren't exactly in.. I see the prices of food and gas rise... But I also see the work that has been done to make this country what it is.. or was..
However, I can't help but dream about what it's like outside these borders of my country. I'd love to travel to, you said it, Finland and Ukraine/Russia. I'd love to see where my boyfriend was born and raised.. and I've always thought Finland was a cool place to live.


I don't know what its like to be a foreigner coming to US. So I have no idea really what opinions others have. What all do you like about Russia that's different from America? [Just curious...As I am planning to visit there eventually... sweatdrop ]

Ah, I just noticed the Russian in your signature.~ X3 Well, let's see. Nobody will give you a fake smile. Because smiling is reserved for people you know, like friends and family.~ The land out in the country, and the nature is beautiful too if you know where to go. (outside the major cities) Parts of the country, like other European ones, have immaculate areas you just like to immerse yourself in for the fact alone.~ Shopping is interesting, and there are numerous memorials to visit.~ Besides St. Petersburg, and Moscow (whose people can be really rude, and spoiled) Visiting a village would be interesting. When I was there we did the sight-seeing, then after we looked at the Volga river, we would always go to the beaches. They're not to impressive in the Vladivostok oblast.~ There are these taxi vans, that your assigned a number to.~ Also, the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting way to bond with people.~ warning: don't mess with the babushkas, the train lady coming to you at the TSRR is not usually a good sign, Moscow people can be mean, people won't smile at you for no reason.~ "If you smile a lot your American, or an idiot

Heh. I'm trying to learn Russian.. but it's hard to grasp really. It's unlike any other language I've tried to master (that's saying I've tried six languages so far...)

I think it's amazing that no one will give a fake smile. I see so much of it, even within my family.... It's strange and just uncomfortable. See. I think that's a great idea really.. Why should you fake something? razz But Most Americans would think you all are serious and are always depressed or something. Woah culture shock.

I'd love to travel to the city, just to see the rush..But I heard that Moscow was one of the richest cities in Europe ( or at least the higher priced )... No wonder you said that they can be rude. It's the same in NYC and other top cities in the US... But, of course I'd love to travel to the country side and visit different landmarks and learn about the history in general. What I'd love..is to try a traditional meal. I have a bit of them whenever Roman's (My boyfriend) mom makes food for us.

I cant say I've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway... I'd love to see it though. I had to laugh. You warned me about the babushkas.. If I'm correct... Grandmothers?? Haha.. that'd be funny if I'm right. I imagine a grandmother rushing towards me. razz

Da, they are the old surviving cold war women, and the grand-mothers who most likely lost at least one son, and their husbands.~ They are scary sometimes. They get $50 from the government to live on each month, so they sell foods like pickled jars of this or that, honeys, and sunflower seeds.~ This one babushka corned us at our apartment asking for something. i called her baba yaga lol.~ also they will sell you the key to the wrong apartment which they will sell cheaply.~

[LSD TV]

Those damn Albanians.

Edit: s**t that's not what this thread is about is it. sweatdrop

Nationality is a legal term, ethnicity is not.

[Uzumaki_x_Avenger]

Little Motel

"Ethnicity" and "nationality" are two completely different things.

Nationality is whatever country of which you're a citizen. I can be German but if I live in America then my nationality is American.

Ethnicity is your ancestral roots.
Unless you're an actual Native American, your ethnicity cannot be "American".

Nice sig. Anyway , I agree with you.

[Gazu Yuuki]

I don't quiet consider myself Australian beside the fact I've lived here for my whole life.

I'm Indonesian / Chinese.
So when I do go overseas, and people ask me "Where I'm from?" Australia is my answer.
"Whats my background?" Indonesian (because I really can't state both can I?)

but I'm happy to live in Australia, so I wouldn't mind stating, Australian is my nationality.

[A Letter From Janelle]

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

I'm of mostly Russian decent thanks to my mother's side of family, my dad's dad's dad at least i think was one too.~ I don't like America. I know my friends from Latvia, and Ukraine would think I was nuts to renounce my citizenship seeing as though they arrived here to study abroad for 2 yrs in Oct.~ But, you have to either hate america by living here or hate the people in general. I want to move to Finland, and maybe back to Russia, I've been there twice before for more then 4 months total. Money isn't an issue, however job opportunities, and the slight language barrier are.~ My mother was born in Kiev, apparently when it was part of the Soviet Union. My Ukrainian friend was from there too.~

America is kinda in bad shape since the past few years, economic and government wise.. and America seems to be the world police since forever and a day, so it doesn't surprise me that it could be "hated" or "disliked".

Being an American citizen my whole life, I have mixed feelings about it all. I see my best friends enlist and fight wars I wish we weren't exactly in.. I see the prices of food and gas rise... But I also see the work that has been done to make this country what it is.. or was..
However, I can't help but dream about what it's like outside these borders of my country. I'd love to travel to, you said it, Finland and Ukraine/Russia. I'd love to see where my boyfriend was born and raised.. and I've always thought Finland was a cool place to live.



I don't know what its like to be a foreigner coming to US. So I have no idea really what opinions others have. What all do you like about Russia that's different from America? [Just curious...As I am planning to visit there eventually... sweatdrop ]

Ah, I just noticed the Russian in your signature.~ X3 Well, let's see. Nobody will give you a fake smile. Because smiling is reserved for people you know, like friends and family.~ The land out in the country, and the nature is beautiful too if you know where to go. (outside the major cities) Parts of the country, like other European ones, have immaculate areas you just like to immerse yourself in for the fact alone.~ Shopping is interesting, and there are numerous memorials to visit.~ Besides St. Petersburg, and Moscow (whose people can be really rude, and spoiled) Visiting a village would be interesting. When I was there we did the sight-seeing, then after we looked at the Volga river, we would always go to the beaches. They're not to impressive in the Vladivostok oblast.~ There are these taxi vans, that your assigned a number to.~ Also, the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting way to bond with people.~ warning: don't mess with the babushkas, the train lady coming to you at the TSRR is not usually a good sign, Moscow people can be mean, people won't smile at you for no reason.~ "If you smile a lot your American, or an idiot

Heh. I'm trying to learn Russian.. but it's hard to grasp really. It's unlike any other language I've tried to master (that's saying I've tried six languages so far...)

I think it's amazing that no one will give a fake smile. I see so much of it, even within my family.... It's strange and just uncomfortable. See. I think that's a great idea really.. Why should you fake something? razz But Most Americans would think you all are serious and are always depressed or something. Woah culture shock.

I'd love to travel to the city, just to see the rush..But I heard that Moscow was one of the richest cities in Europe ( or at least the higher priced )... No wonder you said that they can be rude. It's the same in NYC and other top cities in the US... But, of course I'd love to travel to the country side and visit different landmarks and learn about the history in general. What I'd love..is to try a traditional meal. I have a bit of them whenever Roman's (My boyfriend) mom makes food for us.

I cant say I've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway... I'd love to see it though. I had to laugh. You warned me about the babushkas.. If I'm correct... Grandmothers?? Haha.. that'd be funny if I'm right. I imagine a grandmother rushing towards me. razz

Da, they are the old surviving cold war women, and the grand-mothers who most likely lost at least one son, and their husbands.~ They are scary sometimes. They get $50 from the government to live on each month, so they sell foods like pickled jars of this or that, honeys, and sunflower seeds.~ This one babushka corned us at our apartment asking for something. i called her baba yaga lol.~ also they will sell you the key to the wrong apartment which they will sell cheaply.~

Oh. Sheesh. Well that's understandable, it's hard to have family members or loved ones fighting in wars beyond our control.
...Really, only 50 a month? That's terrible. hah... Oh how fortunate it is to have a job here (If one can get one. crying )
baba...yaga? Oh, I wish I can get that joke behind it, if there is one. (I just said goodnight to my lil Ukrainian until he comes back here from college....too bad, I'd ask him a ton of questions too.)

[ChocoPastry]

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

I'm of mostly Russian decent thanks to my mother's side of family, my dad's dad's dad at least i think was one too.~ I don't like America. I know my friends from Latvia, and Ukraine would think I was nuts to renounce my citizenship seeing as though they arrived here to study abroad for 2 yrs in Oct.~ But, you have to either hate america by living here or hate the people in general. I want to move to Finland, and maybe back to Russia, I've been there twice before for more then 4 months total. Money isn't an issue, however job opportunities, and the slight language barrier are.~ My mother was born in Kiev, apparently when it was part of the Soviet Union. My Ukrainian friend was from there too.~

America is kinda in bad shape since the past few years, economic and government wise.. and America seems to be the world police since forever and a day, so it doesn't surprise me that it could be "hated" or "disliked".

Being an American citizen my whole life, I have mixed feelings about it all. I see my best friends enlist and fight wars I wish we weren't exactly in.. I see the prices of food and gas rise... But I also see the work that has been done to make this country what it is.. or was..
However, I can't help but dream about what it's like outside these borders of my country. I'd love to travel to, you said it, Finland and Ukraine/Russia. I'd love to see where my boyfriend was born and raised.. and I've always thought Finland was a cool place to live.



I don't know what its like to be a foreigner coming to US. So I have no idea really what opinions others have. What all do you like about Russia that's different from America? [Just curious...As I am planning to visit there eventually... sweatdrop ]

Ah, I just noticed the Russian in your signature.~ X3 Well, let's see. Nobody will give you a fake smile. Because smiling is reserved for people you know, like friends and family.~ The land out in the country, and the nature is beautiful too if you know where to go. (outside the major cities) Parts of the country, like other European ones, have immaculate areas you just like to immerse yourself in for the fact alone.~ Shopping is interesting, and there are numerous memorials to visit.~ Besides St. Petersburg, and Moscow (whose people can be really rude, and spoiled) Visiting a village would be interesting. When I was there we did the sight-seeing, then after we looked at the Volga river, we would always go to the beaches. They're not to impressive in the Vladivostok oblast.~ There are these taxi vans, that your assigned a number to.~ Also, the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting way to bond with people.~ warning: don't mess with the babushkas, the train lady coming to you at the TSRR is not usually a good sign, Moscow people can be mean, people won't smile at you for no reason.~ "If you smile a lot your American, or an idiot

Heh. I'm trying to learn Russian.. but it's hard to grasp really. It's unlike any other language I've tried to master (that's saying I've tried six languages so far...)

I think it's amazing that no one will give a fake smile. I see so much of it, even within my family.... It's strange and just uncomfortable. See. I think that's a great idea really.. Why should you fake something? razz But Most Americans would think you all are serious and are always depressed or something. Woah culture shock.

I'd love to travel to the city, just to see the rush..But I heard that Moscow was one of the richest cities in Europe ( or at least the higher priced )... No wonder you said that they can be rude. It's the same in NYC and other top cities in the US... But, of course I'd love to travel to the country side and visit different landmarks and learn about the history in general. What I'd love..is to try a traditional meal. I have a bit of them whenever Roman's (My boyfriend) mom makes food for us.

I cant say I've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway... I'd love to see it though. I had to laugh. You warned me about the babushkas.. If I'm correct... Grandmothers?? Haha.. that'd be funny if I'm right. I imagine a grandmother rushing towards me. razz

Da, they are the old surviving cold war women, and the grand-mothers who most likely lost at least one son, and their husbands.~ They are scary sometimes. They get $50 from the government to live on each month, so they sell foods like pickled jars of this or that, honeys, and sunflower seeds.~ This one babushka corned us at our apartment asking for something. i called her baba yaga lol.~ also they will sell you the key to the wrong apartment which they will sell cheaply.~

Oh. Sheesh. Well that's understandable, it's hard to have family members or loved ones fighting in wars beyond our control.
...Really, only 50 a month? That's terrible. hah... Oh how fortunate it is to have a job here (If one can get one. crying )
baba...yaga? Oh, I wish I can get that joke behind it, if there is one. (I just said goodnight to my lil Ukrainian until he comes back here from college....too bad, I'd ask him a ton of questions too.)

ask him she's an old folk lore thing.~ also i recently got a kick from the similarities Slavic languages have when i heard a pole rap about giving him some ice cream because he was hungry.~ XD

[A Letter From Janelle]

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

Ah, I just noticed the Russian in your signature.~ X3 Well, let's see. Nobody will give you a fake smile. Because smiling is reserved for people you know, like friends and family.~ The land out in the country, and the nature is beautiful too if you know where to go. (outside the major cities) Parts of the country, like other European ones, have immaculate areas you just like to immerse yourself in for the fact alone.~ Shopping is interesting, and there are numerous memorials to visit.~ Besides St. Petersburg, and Moscow (whose people can be really rude, and spoiled) Visiting a village would be interesting. When I was there we did the sight-seeing, then after we looked at the Volga river, we would always go to the beaches. They're not to impressive in the Vladivostok oblast.~ There are these taxi vans, that your assigned a number to.~ Also, the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting way to bond with people.~ warning: don't mess with the babushkas, the train lady coming to you at the TSRR is not usually a good sign, Moscow people can be mean, people won't smile at you for no reason.~ "If you smile a lot your American, or an idiot

Heh. I'm trying to learn Russian.. but it's hard to grasp really. It's unlike any other language I've tried to master (that's saying I've tried six languages so far...)

I think it's amazing that no one will give a fake smile. I see so much of it, even within my family.... It's strange and just uncomfortable. See. I think that's a great idea really.. Why should you fake something? razz But Most Americans would think you all are serious and are always depressed or something. Woah culture shock.

I'd love to travel to the city, just to see the rush..But I heard that Moscow was one of the richest cities in Europe ( or at least the higher priced )... No wonder you said that they can be rude. It's the same in NYC and other top cities in the US... But, of course I'd love to travel to the country side and visit different landmarks and learn about the history in general. What I'd love..is to try a traditional meal. I have a bit of them whenever Roman's (My boyfriend) mom makes food for us.

I cant say I've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway... I'd love to see it though. I had to laugh. You warned me about the babushkas.. If I'm correct... Grandmothers?? Haha.. that'd be funny if I'm right. I imagine a grandmother rushing towards me. razz

Da, they are the old surviving cold war women, and the grand-mothers who most likely lost at least one son, and their husbands.~ They are scary sometimes. They get $50 from the government to live on each month, so they sell foods like pickled jars of this or that, honeys, and sunflower seeds.~ This one babushka corned us at our apartment asking for something. i called her baba yaga lol.~ also they will sell you the key to the wrong apartment which they will sell cheaply.~

Oh. Sheesh. Well that's understandable, it's hard to have family members or loved ones fighting in wars beyond our control.
...Really, only 50 a month? That's terrible. hah... Oh how fortunate it is to have a job here (If one can get one. crying )
baba...yaga? Oh, I wish I can get that joke behind it, if there is one. (I just said goodnight to my lil Ukrainian until he comes back here from college....too bad, I'd ask him a ton of questions too.)

ask him she's an old folk lore thing.~ also i recently got a kick from the similarities Slavic languages have when i heard a pole rap about giving him some ice cream because he was hungry.~ XD

Oh, I'll have to ask him. Is that the phonetic translation to that folk lore?
Hopefully I'll say it right, and he'll understand. razz

[ChocoPastry]

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

A Letter From Janelle

ChocoPastry

Ah, I just noticed the Russian in your signature.~ X3 Well, let's see. Nobody will give you a fake smile. Because smiling is reserved for people you know, like friends and family.~ The land out in the country, and the nature is beautiful too if you know where to go. (outside the major cities) Parts of the country, like other European ones, have immaculate areas you just like to immerse yourself in for the fact alone.~ Shopping is interesting, and there are numerous memorials to visit.~ Besides St. Petersburg, and Moscow (whose people can be really rude, and spoiled) Visiting a village would be interesting. When I was there we did the sight-seeing, then after we looked at the Volga river, we would always go to the beaches. They're not to impressive in the Vladivostok oblast.~ There are these taxi vans, that your assigned a number to.~ Also, the Trans-Siberian Railway is an interesting way to bond with people.~ warning: don't mess with the babushkas, the train lady coming to you at the TSRR is not usually a good sign, Moscow people can be mean, people won't smile at you for no reason.~ "If you smile a lot your American, or an idiot

Heh. I'm trying to learn Russian.. but it's hard to grasp really. It's unlike any other language I've tried to master (that's saying I've tried six languages so far...)

I think it's amazing that no one will give a fake smile. I see so much of it, even within my family.... It's strange and just uncomfortable. See. I think that's a great idea really.. Why should you fake something? razz But Most Americans would think you all are serious and are always depressed or something. Woah culture shock.

I'd love to travel to the city, just to see the rush..But I heard that Moscow was one of the richest cities in Europe ( or at least the higher priced )... No wonder you said that they can be rude. It's the same in NYC and other top cities in the US... But, of course I'd love to travel to the country side and visit different landmarks and learn about the history in general. What I'd love..is to try a traditional meal. I have a bit of them whenever Roman's (My boyfriend) mom makes food for us.

I cant say I've heard about the Trans-Siberian Railway... I'd love to see it though. I had to laugh. You warned me about the babushkas.. If I'm correct... Grandmothers?? Haha.. that'd be funny if I'm right. I imagine a grandmother rushing towards me. razz

Da, they are the old surviving cold war women, and the grand-mothers who most likely lost at least one son, and their husbands.~ They are scary sometimes. They get $50 from the government to live on each month, so they sell foods like pickled jars of this or that, honeys, and sunflower seeds.~ This one babushka corned us at our apartment asking for something. i called her baba yaga lol.~ also they will sell you the key to the wrong apartment which they will sell cheaply.~

Oh. Sheesh. Well that's understandable, it's hard to have family members or loved ones fighting in wars beyond our control.
...Really, only 50 a month? That's terrible. hah... Oh how fortunate it is to have a job here (If one can get one. crying )
baba...yaga? Oh, I wish I can get that joke behind it, if there is one. (I just said goodnight to my lil Ukrainian until he comes back here from college....too bad, I'd ask him a ton of questions too.)

ask him she's an old folk lore thing.~ also i recently got a kick from the similarities Slavic languages have when i heard a pole rap about giving him some ice cream because he was hungry.~ XD

Oh, I'll have to ask him. Is that the phonetic translation to that folk lore?
Hopefully I'll say it right, and he'll understand. razz

yeah think of baba as a bottle and yaga as jaga