On re-reading my post above of course I meant 1-in-10, not 1-in-100. Where's a sub-editor when you need one?

If America is just a continent then why is Hawaii an American State? I think it is all relative to your identity. Those in the US usually identify themselves as Americans.Canada is in North America too as is Alaska. Canadians usually identify as Canadians as they are not in the USA.

Are Hawaiians Americans just because they are a US State? Most Hawaiians have more cultural ties with New Zealand.

I empathise with what you are saying Rob although the use of similar phrases in your postings make them appear confused. Thats just semantics really, though my own grammar and spelling usually stinks.

OK, here are some of my experiences.

I lived in the US in the early 1980s. When I returned to Australia in the early 80s after going to school there, I too had an American accent and looked like an American. This often happens to young Australians who find the accent contagious. Especially the Texas drawl which is easier or even lazier phonetically. I lived in Texas so I caught the accent without much thought.

I had a dreadful time home here in Australia the minute I landed. The customs officers rounding us up in Kingsford Smith Airport barked insults like "you Yanks think you own the place" and "can't you lift your bag? Typical Yank". Then they saw the passport and rolled their eyes in disgust, as if I was some kind of traitor.

Any prejudice I think is a fault in a culture. I was less welcome in my own country than I was in America for months, and then, my Australian accent came back and I was treated like a human being again.

When I had and Australian accent in America, I was always welcome and no one ever insulted me for being Australian.