Why do Americans always mention state they're from?

I can understand when they mention a small town, then the state..like Flint, Michigan. But why say "I'm from LA, California or Chicago, Illinois?" Do some people in US not actually know which state LA or Chicago might be in?

a reply to: croatianguy

It might be out of habit. Also, there are several states that have cities with the same name so it could get confusing if the state wasn't also mentioned. Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri are two examples.

a reply to: croatianguy

Um I'm sure even the most ignorant people you may think US citizens you may believe are here know which state they live in or maybe im confused at the question. Most people say their city because the USA is kinda fairly big place and people are far different from one end of a state to another.

some states are the size of some countries so to say I'm from Cleveland Ohio is far different to someone from Cincinnati Ohio

a reply to: croatianguy

Some people are proud of where they are from, some people are arrogant about where they are from and try to draw some kind of status from it. Some people don't really think about it. Not everyone is American either, if you are referring specifically to this international forum.

a reply to: Skid Mark

new york, new york

there are 11 states that use the name miami in the usa.

usa is a big place and there's overlap.

I live near hollywood. But that's hollywood florida. Not hollywood california.

Some live in very small towns. If they didn't specify which state it was in, you'd never know where they were talking about. If I said "I live in Marshall", would you know where that is? People from other countries do it also, it's not just the U.S.

Could also be multiple versions of cities in different states.

Philadelphia, being the birthplace of Independence here, and a rather large part of American History is the example city I will use. The link below shows you that their are in fact 10 states that have cities or towns named Philadelphia.


www.placesnamed.com...

Literally never, ever in my life heard somebody say "I'm from LA California" or "Chicago Illinois."

Like....not even once. Ever.

Same reason you say youre from croatia

a reply to: croatianguy

So there is another LA in US??

We could fit ...perhaps a thousand croatias in the USA

a reply to: BlueJacket

I took my reply out because its actually an unincorporated land in Texas.

In Ohio we have Paris Russia Versailles Athens...need I go on? reason you say youre from croatia

a reply to: croatianguy

originally posted by: Shamrock6
Literally never, ever in my life heard somebody say "I'm from LA California" or "Chicago Illinois."

Like....not even once. Ever.

Wow really, I've heard it many times on reality shows. And if they dont say it, I see it written on screen when the contestant appears on the show.

originally posted by: opethPA
I took my reply out because its actually an unincorporated land in Texas.

So basically people say they are from LA, Cali so as not to be confused with LA, Texas?

a reply to: croatianguy

That would be why. I don't watch reality TV and wouldn't count a text saying "Chicago, IL" as somebody saying it.

Explains that

originally posted by: croatianguy

originally posted by: opethPA
I took my reply out because its actually an unincorporated land in Texas.

So basically people say they are from LA, Cali so as not to be confused with LA, Texas?

I dont think the average person necessarily will do that.
Your example above was about game shows and that makes a bit more sense.

originally posted by: DAVID64
Some live in very small towns. If they didn't specify which state it was in, you'd never know where they were talking about. If I said "I live in Marshall", would you know where that is? People from other countries do it also, it's not just the U.S.

Im only talking about big cities if you read my quesiton properly.

originally posted by: Shamrock6
a reply to: croatianguy

That would be why. I don't watch reality TV and wouldn't count a text saying "Chicago, IL" as somebody saying it.

Explains that

But why do they have the text even? Why not just write Los Angeles? Is it just something Americans are used to?

a reply to: croatianguy

Prolly the same reason I try to stipulate that although I'm Aussie, I am proudly West Aussie, and even more particular from Fremantle (Go the Dockers) - why oh why would I want to be affiliated with those eastern states bloody yobbos - or Tasmanians for gods sake!!

Why?

All in jest though, I love my Aussie brothers and sisters and pity them too for living in crappy parts of the country (except Canberra - I'm jealous they have all the porn, drugs and pyrotechnics they want)