Why do Americans and other foreigners not even know Wales exists?

Question

I read comments on this site like

"The Celts are from Ireland and Scotland".

Oh Yeah? And what about Wales then? What are we - a town in England?! Pah!

Actualy the Celts originated from all OVER the British Isles in the pre Roman and Saxon times.

Obscene and vulgar -

Sorry but just so's you know, Princess Diana WAS English.

"Prince of Wales" is a title bestowed on the Monarch's of the UK's eldest son (Prince Charles today). His wife will be Princess of Wales. It does not mean he and she ARE Welsh.

Oh and we're Welsh not WELCH.

Famous Welsh people you may have heard of

Richard Burton, Tom Jones, Catherine Zeta Jones, Ioan Gruffudd

Answer 1

Sure, wales. Those big fish that breathe from on top of their heads.

Having a few Welshmen in the family tree, I didn't know people were unaware of it.

As for the Celts, they were all over Europe and the name comes from the German Salz. The culture was "identified" for European scholars in Austria near Salzberg.

Now the Picts are a different story, they are probably the original inhabitants of the British Isles, but were pressured pretty much out of existence by the Celts. Many of the place names you find that are attributed to the Celts are actually Pictish. All the area around the Humber River is very heavy with Pictish names (including Humber, Humbert, Humberty which are references to bears).

Answer 2

You shouldn't feel anger at others' ignorance.
The best you can do , is to promote Wales. You have to tell people who do not know the difference between the two. Or that the political map needs to be taken into consideration when viewing the United Kingdom.
I agree that Wales is often overlooked by, by 'foreigners'. It shouldn't, Wales is a beautiful country. And the Welsh terribly proud of their roots. Afine people the Welsh.
I'm English. I do an awful lot of driving about the country and am often in Wales.

Answer 3

I'm quite happy with that.Who needs them? D'wyn eithaf hapus heb 'nwy.
If you have travelled to foreign countries and involved in their culture you will know that Wales has had a Welshman in the White House. Welsh people have established a Welsh speaking community in Patagonia which is now part of Argentina.
Welsh was the original language in nor then England as far as the Scottish border and Wessex.
Instead of whimpering about not being recognised for our history and culture, we can afford to be blase and enjoy what we know to be God's Own Country.

Answer 4

I think more people than you think know Wales exists. Princess Diana was often referred to as "The Princess of Wales" and I've known since I was very little that Wales is a nation of the United Kingdom.

Answer 5

OK I'm from Spain and I've always known Wales is Wales! Just because some people make that sort of comments doesn't mean most people don't know Wales exists!!

Lechyd da!

Answer 6

Come on, ladymoonlight...they're expressing the sort of ignorance us Brits tend to express over, say, Pakistanis or French...or your current favourite bugbear (Muslims). Obviously you are hurt because you see how little there is concerning Wales in this room. Concerning Americans - hardly any of them even know where Norwich is (despite the USAF base Lakenheath being 45 miles away), let alone Wales...you will have to expect the things what are deemed as 'sexy' and 'boring'. People might let you in on their knowledge about Charlotte Church, the stadium in Cardiff, Plaid Cymru, or perhaps Aberfan if they're of a certain age, but Wales is a bit like, say, Isle of Man - we know it exists, but it doesn't tickle our fancy enough for us to enthuse about it (a bit like Americans' thoughts about Alaska...they know it's there, but a weekend there is out of the question).

Nos da.

Answer 7

Considering most high school student in the USA can't label all of the states in their own country when given a map, are you truly surprised that they don't know where Wales is?

Many people go about their daily lives as if they live in an insular world that rarely extends beyond their local fast food joint and television. It would benefit us all to broaden our horizons a little.

Of course, we all have our home grown nationalistic pet peeves. I'm from the US and have traveled all over the world. I've run into quite a few Canadians that took offense that we referred to ourselves as "Americans" just as you did in your post. Their response - "what, don't we live in North America, too?" Just a little food for thought.

Answer 8

I know I have ben travelling now for about twenty years and always get the problems was only good when Man U were at the Top especialy in Asia after my usual trying to explain were wales is would just say Ryan Giggs, and they would know then

Answer 9

Might be partly because people know of Ireland because of the Northern Ireland situation and because Scotland is internationally famous for Edinburgh and kilts - not being demeaning to the Scottish - this is what people tell me they associate with Scotland when I discuss it!
Also many countries tend to refer to the UK or Great Britain as England...
Spare a thought for Cornwall too :-)

Answer 10

Not ALL Americans are ignorant of the fact that Wales exists. My Great-Grandfather was of Welsh descent. His name was Richard Repine Harris... How's that for a Welsh name? I was named after him, and I know more than a bit about your country.

So cheer up... not all yanks are dumb!! (just most of them!!)