I have yet to meet a Dominican person that has told me that they are from the Dominican. I don't think it is being anal or nitpicking, it has more to do with using the term properly and showing respect for the country you are referencing. The fact that 1 or 2 out of 10 tourist refer to the country as Dominican does not mean that it should be widely accepted. A Dominican person who speak fluent english will not refer to the country in that way. Don't use Sammy Sosa or Pedro Martinez as examples becase they don't speak english nor spanish properly. My only guess is that maybe some Dominicans learn a bit of English and are then lost in translation and use ther term incorrectly. They may also start using the term Dominican when many of these people work in hotels and here the tourists using the name incorrectly. Just a thought One final note, I have also analyzed the America term and have yet to hear of any person that I know tell me they were born in America. It is either the US or the state where they were born. The US would be used when asked whe they were in another country. I am one of those that will jump to correct someone when they refer to the country as the Dominican. btw, I am not an expat.