I agree about USian, it's just inelegant. Sheesh. I am also a little puzzled as to why people (non-USians!) find the term American to be problematic. It might be more logical if "American" were used exclusively to mean "residents of North and South America" rather than "residents of the USA", but hell, language does not evolve in a logical way. And as you say, using American in its broader sense would certainly create confusion among the non-USian inhabitants of that continent. Good enough for Henry James, good enough for me.
I think you should try version 2 of the pushchair response - I suspect most people will merely appreciate your sardonic wit! Free associating, I remember how Charlie habitually used to throw off one shoe while riding in his pushchair. I would rescue it and then toss it into the bottom of the pushchair (no point putting it on again, since he would only throw it away again), and then dozens of helpful passersby would point out to me that my baby had lost a shoe. Not their fault, but SO ANNOYING, after you have heard it umpteen times.
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I think you should try version 2 of the pushchair response - I suspect most people will merely appreciate your sardonic wit! Free associating, I remember how Charlie habitually used to throw off one shoe while riding in his pushchair. I would rescue it and then toss it into the bottom of the pushchair (no point putting it on again, since he would only throw it away again), and then dozens of helpful passersby would point out to me that my baby had lost a shoe. Not their fault, but SO ANNOYING, after you have heard it umpteen times.