Why is  it offensive if you say Mexican? American from America, European from Europe, Mexican from Mexico?
399902
Mexicans are embarrassed of their own country. That is why.
784887
Not racism, a stereotype. Different word. It is a stereotype to call all Americans racist.\nA very incorrect one, too.
488761
I do agree with you and also feel that its quiet frustrating for any American, but have you ever seen a Canadian or a European in a low class or a low level job? Its true that Mexicans get all the attention, its not because they are the neighbors, its because these people sacrifice and work for or in something that many people wouldn't do. If you would Go and check the restaurants or any place you find filth or dirt. you wont find an American or A European or A Canadian doing it...I hope you get the point!!
18413
Locations, for one thing. Mexico is at the bottom of North America whereas Spain is tagged along with Portugal and France.\n\nAlso, the Spaniards (although I don't know if this applies to this modern day) were considered Europeans – along with the English, the Dutch, the French, etc. What's more, and I’m pretty sure this does not really relate to the question, Mexicans are Catholics primarily because of the Spanish’s doing.
42369
You're American. I guess you can be considered both. I pressume, even if both your parent's were born in America, but you look Mexican, most people will consider you "Mexican-American". \n\nI think you should just be a plain "American", because we don't say Irish-American or French-American, this is the only country built on the welcoming principle, that shouldn't change. We can change the world on person at a time.
1181763
The people of Canada and Mexico don't get upset...this is an internally fabricated gripe.\n\nAmerican is the abbreviated name for United States of Americans and not necessarily a self-given name. \n\nPeople all over the world abbreviate USA Citizens as this.\n\n...Just as people all over the world abbreviate United States of Mexico citizens as Mexicans.. \n\n...actually they would also be able to claim the title of United Statesians \n\nThe "USA is arrogant to call themselves Americans" controversy is a nonsensical inspiration of USA bashers
1176230
This is what happens when we start using slang and abbreviations.\n\nThe word American should be used as the words Asian, African or European, referring to the geographic area not the country. However in the real world it has become the abbreviation for citizens of the 'United States of America'.\n\nYou will very seldom hear some one say, "He is North American". They will say either Canadian, American or Mexican.\n\nThere are three Americas: North America, Central America and South America.\n\nTo confuse thing more if a person uses the term "Latin American" they can be from North, Central or South America.\n\nAs to Haitians, being American... that would depend on the politics of the day.  Since the Caribbean Islands are between North and South American the could be considered to be part of the Americas. However since the word "American" refers to someone from the U.S. you will never hear a person living in Haiti call themselves an American.\n\nNow to muddy the waters a bit more... Many Haitians do migrate to the U.S., once here many do become American... by their choice.
1013579
Because they don’t know any better. Way back then in history, Spain was called Hispania. Since our language (Spanish) was introduced to us when Spain’s conquistadores came to America , we are consider Hispanic and not Latinos. People who are Latinos are people whose language come from the Latin language. Spanish does too, but Spanish originated in Hispania. \n\nSo I think that it may have to do more with people wanting to severed any of their national origin from Spain. In Spanish speaking countries we call Spain “La Madre Patria,” “The Mother Country.” I know people from a lot of Hispanic countries and I feel that Mexicans are the ones that resend Spaniards more than any country. \n\nIt may not be ignorance, it may be that people who want to be called Latinos feel that they want a special title for themselves. It’s similar to people from the US calling themselves Americans. They feel that that title belongs to only them, the truth is that it doesn’t. It doesn’t matter if you were born in Canada, US, Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Brazil, or any other country in the American continent, you are an American because you were worn in the American continent. It would be like the British calling themselves Europeans and every body else in that continent are just French, Germans, Spaniards, etc. Or the Japanese calling themselves Asians and every body else in the part of the world are just Koreans, Taiwanese, Cambodians, etc. You are an American, European, Asian, African and so on because you are from those parts of the world and not because you come from a specific country.
639491
yes, because the people who are complaining are not just upset about spanish.  they dont want mexican food, they dont want mexican workers (who btw take on most of the jobs white americans hate and refuse to do).  so the debate would still be there, it would just be entirely in english
205426
It is offensive if a foreigner goes to a country and doesn't even try to learn a word. It means he is arrogant and closeminded. Such people usually end up moaning that everyone around them is rude, while they are the ones to blame.
1050466
I don't have a problem with it, and I'm Mexican.  An American Mexican but still, Mexican.\n\nAnd yes, I worded it correctly, "American-Mexican".  I'm American first.
159186
mm they come from all over mexico. All mexicans aren't the same. So diverse. Adjectives are relative
654610
Because it's not a nationality thing it's racist.Hispanics against everyone else in the US.
883781
your right people take offense to those words but depends who you tell them to.I personally take offense when someone calls me "honey,baby,sweety" because it just bugs me.yet i call my bf gringo and redneck all the time and he laughs it off.i guess some people are more sensitive than others.and your right people have a right to defend their way of life and family but think it goes both ways.people against illegal immigration feel they are defending their way of life and family,while those who are in favor of illegal immigration also feel they are defending their way of life and family.though it always bugs me whenever both sides pull out the race card.I would think in this time and age when so many people are mixed that not many people would pull out that card or that it would loose any real push behind it,but guess I am wrong.white no longer should be associated with middle aged rich guys because there are people who are latino and european who are also white complected.both sides need to just put the race card in a little box and bury it somewhere and just deal with this issue without the name calling or childish bickering.
91081
Well, it isn't proper because ppl get offended. Please note above answers. Most don't get offended by black or white. I am terrible at guessing nationality so if I don't know I just don't say. We don't call mexicans brown either, so really their are a lot of inconsistities. Preety much the rule to follow is, go with the flow and if it is going to hurt someone, don't do it unless it is important, terminology isn't important
259543
Use of the word American\n\nWhether usage of America or the Americas is preferred, many people living in the Americas refer to themselves as American. However, most of the English-speaking world (including Canada), use the word to refer solely to a citizen or resident of the United States of America. This may be due, at least in part, to the fact that the phrase "United States" does not easily translate into an adjective or descriptive noun in English. While Spanish-speaking peoples in Latin America use the word estadounidense (literally, "United-States-ian" or "of the United States"), calling someone a "United States-man" or "United States'er" or other such constructions sound awkward in English. This has led to the use of the word "American". Nevertheless, calling a U.S. citizen simply americano or americana in Spanish is considered offensive in some areas of Latin America. Some Latin Americans, however, will use "americano" or "americana" to refer to people from the United States in colloquial speech while still considering themselves "American", just as Germans or Spaniards would consider themselves "European".
790643
take it a step further where the hell is Caucasia?  The way I see it you are American or English or African etc.  Not African-American, etc.  If you are an American you're an American.  You never hear Caucasians saying German-American, etc.  I say let's all go universal and use American