Perhaps we know that not everybody will know where Alberta or New South Wales is but You guys expect that everyone knows where Oregon is.
Inversely, it could be that we aren't so wrapped up in nationalism as to have to specify country. We are nationals by birth, but the U. S., like Canada, Africa, Russia, Australia and China - is large, and very few statesa re alike in their character. We are also indoctrinated in the belief of individualism. While conformity tends to rule the rooos,t there is still the veneer of individualism.
Texas is a great example. A lot of Texans I've met explained the whole "republic of Texas" phenomenon.
Look at our flags. The U. S. has a star for every state. Few flags go so far as to point out every little nook and cranny in its political fibre. Psychologicall ya lot coudl be read into that. historically, the basis is a bit different. It was about different colonies joining together against a single kingdm to form a nation, and the trend continued on.
Canada has a singular Maple Leaf. Even in the most base symbolism there's a dichotomy.
However, to read into people mentioned into state they are from is reading way too much into things. It is not withotu irony that I've heard similar queeries into why Americans mention state above country from Canadians, but that begs the question why so many Canadians feel the need to wear flags out of possible fear htey might be considered anything but Canadian, and despite what abysmal or progressive state the U. S. could be in, few feel the need to go abroad and wear their flag? Perhaps, for Americans, it's the reality that the only political voice we have isl ocally, and what transpires nationally isnt' really as true a reflection as the changes we can make - and hte power we have - locally?
Out of the myriad of nationalities I've met in my travels abroad, the predeominantly alrge number of people who feel the need to wave their flag - rather offensively, in my opinion - outside of hteir soil tend to be Canadians. Of all the Irishmen and Kiwis I've ever met - maybe a hundred - not a single one wore their flags on backpacks and jackets, and when it came to t-shirts it was only sporting ones. I can only recall one Australian who displayed their flag - and that was on a keychain. Only one - out of more than I can count. Americans: not a single one. This ddates back to the golden era of Clinton's international policies. South Africans? The flags were kept at home, not shoved out for the world to see. Sometimes they'd have rugby jersies with the flag. More often than not it was something with a Springbok - than the flag - that was displayed. An animal, not a flag.
No, my experiences throughout Asia and in parts of Europe - the only nationality where flags were flaunted with abandon were Canadian. I wondered why.
Pride? Excessive pride can be vanity.
Inversely, the only tiems I was ever discriminated against because of my nationality - in a hostile fashion - were by South Koreans and Canadians living abroad.
Meanwhile, in the many times I've been in Canada proper, I had a great time and was very comfortable and the jingoism was not apparent - and the flag waving made sense. I was in Canada. I never had to endure lectures or ridicule simply because I was born in a certain country. It only happened when I was abroad.
I'm still struggling to make sense of this strange phenomenon.
As for states - Stil, you're reading way too much into it. That's my take.