It's interesting to note that you do consider other countries as American. Generally, I have found United Statsians (I love that name) have adopted 'American' as their
own and that they do not readily share it with others.
I have always been extremely sensitive to the term 'Indian' when people mean 'Native American.' It frustrates me to no end that my husband works with Indians, real Indians, not Native Americans, becuase when I speak about the cultural differences to which he is constantly exposed, I find myself saying things like 'India Indians, not Native American Indians.'
I suppose United Statesians is the same thing. I don't worry so much about saying 'American' if I am speaking only to 'Americans,' but when my audience is as broad as this, there is need for clarification. There are two whole continents of 'Americans.' I just happen to live in perhaps the most egotistic nation among them. A nation who just by chance has America in its name. That certainly does not mean that this nation is the only one with claim to the term American.
