Whenever I ask what religion a person is, a non-Catholic will usually simply say Christian. They don't consider their denomination the real descriptor of their religion.
If they are Catholic, they NEVER say Christian. They always make a point to say Catholic....because the institution and the denomination matters more than the ultimate religion, Chrisianity, and following Jesus Christ's teachings rather than an institution of man.
"Catholic is my first name, Christian is my surname." -- St. Pacian, Bishop of Barcelona, around AD 390.
I've noticed that too. It's sad..
Whenever I ask what religion a person is, a non-Catholic will usually simply say Christian.
If you were to ask me I would answer Anglican.
If a non-Christian asks me what my religion is I say Christian.
If a fellow Christian (or someone whom I assume to be a fellow Christian) asks me what religion I am I say Catholic to be more specific.