I get blank stares worldwide when I answer "San Miguel de Allende, Gto., Mexico".
M

Bardo- I can understand the international "NY state of confusion"... hard to imagine there is anything much besides Manhattan!!

It's "Woosstaa".
M

Years ago in Paris, on my first trip to Europe, I met some very nice French sailors that my cousins and I spent the evening with. When I said I was from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, they enthusiastically replied, "Ah, Mario Lemieux!" That was fun and is a happy memory years later.

Small world story: my mom, brother and I were strolling on the shore of Lake Garda in Italy and a couple walking by said, "It's nice to hear people speaking English."

This started a conversation, and it turned out that they were neighbors of our aunt and uncle back in Pittsburgh!

I come from Ottawa, Canada.

The capital of Canada.

"No, your capital is Toronto (or Montreal)."

"Well, we're between Montreal and Toronto."

"Okay, how far is Vancouver?"

"Five hours by plane -- almost the time it would take you to get to Ottawa from western Europe.

Inevitable rejoinder:

Okay, about Toronto -- I have a cousin in Toronto.

I am enjoying reading the responses - I am originally from Rhode Island (now in Denver). When I tell people I am from Rhode Island they say - oh yeah - that's in NY right? Unfortunately these people are all Americans - HELLO even without knowledge of geography it IS the smallest state....go figure