How do you determine your nationality? Does it matter where You're born? Or your

Question:

How do you determine your nationality? Does it matter where You're born? Or your blood?

Okay, my sister and I often argue about this -- How do you determine your nationality?

All my grandparents were born in Ireland, my father was born in ireland yet my mother was born in England.

My sister and I share the same parents, yet I argue we're Irish and she argues we're British.

We was born in england, but does it really matter where you're born? Or where your ancestors come from?

I mean, I don't want any of this "Your half Irish and half British" rubbish, I would just like to know, Does it count where you're born or what blood you have?

Thanks.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Your nationality is the citizenship that you hold. If you are British citizens, then British is your nationality.

Your ethnic heritage is Irish. But its unrelated to your nationality. In fact, if you were to move to Belize and renounce your British citizenship, your nationality would change to Belizian. But your ethnic heritage is in your genetic makeup and is immutable...can't be changed. Your ancestors were Irish and no legaleeze will change that.

In the US it's much easier. We assume we're all American citizens, so nationality isn't in question (bothers the heck out of the Canadians who come here to work and drive back across the bridge into Windsor ON everynight). Ask an American "What are you?" and you'll get the litany of every ethnic group in their background.

"I'm French, French-Canadian, Dutch, Flemish, Swiss, Prussian and Austrian."

In America you could legitimately answer "I'm Irish" and they'd be like "cool". It would make more sense. In Europe it's much different. You're not in as much of a melting pot. People still like to keep their ethnic background compartmentalized from the rest of their lives.