> That also doesn't address the parent's observation that US states view themselves as having very distinct identities. Most countries I've been to do this. Ho

> That also doesn't address the parent's observation that US states view themselves as having very distinct identities. Most countries I've been to do this. However just as you wouldn't be able to pick the (to me) obvious differences between someone from Perth and Victoria, I wouldn't be able to pick the nuanced difference between someone from Wyoming and New York. They all sound American to me.