what do american's think of canada?

[Bonochick]

I never understood any of the stereotypes and such I've heard about Canadians.

I spent a semester going to school at Lake Superior State University, which is in Michigan, but it is right on the Canadian border (you can look and see Canada across the river from many spots on campus). Naturally, there were a lot of Canadian students. They really didn't seem any different from any of the American students. People tease them about how they talk ("a boat" and "a boot" instead of "about"), but a lot of people say that my Upper Peninsula accent makes me talk like that too...I guess I do sometimes, but not all of the time!

I am guilty of saying "eh" way to much though...

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"I don't know you,
But you don't know the half of it..."

[This message has been edited by Bonochick (edited 11-29-2001).]

[80sU2isBest]

Originally posted by DrTeeth:
Do you disagree with her 80s?

Yes, I do. When I was in public school, we learned about other countries extensively. Of course, I have forgotten most of it - I graduated in 1985! But that's my fault, not the educational system's fault.

[sulawesigirl4]

I can't speak for the American education system, because I went to a boarding school in Indonesia. But I remember taking a whole semester of Canadian history and geography. We even had to draw maps of the country BY HAND and get all the topographical features and provinces and capitals right.

[scatteroflight]

Originally posted by Bonochick:
People tease them about how they talk ("a boat" and "a boot" instead of "about"), but a lot of people say that my Upper Peninsula accent makes me talk like that too...I guess I do sometimes, but not all of the time!

WE DON'T SAY "ABOOT!" AMERICANS SAY "ABOWAT"!!

That's all I'm going to add to this discussion...

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One day we'd reach the great ocean
At the end of a pale afternoon
And we'd lay down our heads just like we were sleeping
And be towed by the drag of the moon

-Sting

[sharky]

Bonochick-- You're a UPer? Wow, I didn't know they let you out. kidding.

I spent 15 years living in Detroit, right across the river from Windsor, Ontario [which btw, is home to the greatest radio station in the world]. I love hockey and the Canadian national anthem and Don Cherry and drinking beer at 19 years old and all the other great things you get by living across the river from another country.

One reason some Americans seem ignorant about the country is because, well, we tend to be ignorant about each other. People in Kansas think of New Yorkers are snobby and obnoxious. Likewise, we think of Kansans as trailer park-lovin', wrestling-watching drunkards. If we're ignorant about people in our own country, why would it surprise you that we're ignorant about people in other countries?

I'm a proud American but I know there are many Americans who can't be bothered with international issues.

[edgerulz]

well i for one live close to the canadian border and i can't say enough good things about canada. the radio stations are better and the bars (pure platinum and sundowner) are top notch. so i have a very fond view of canada and canadians.

[anitram]

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4:
I was recently travelling in Europe. Whenever I met other native English speakers (ie. British, Australian, etc.) and they heard my North American accent, they ALWAYS asked if I was from Canada. The reason? They've learned in their travels that if you accidentally ask a Canadian if they're American they get very offended and state proudly that they are CANADIAN!...while if you mistakenly ask an American if they're Canadian they will most likely shrug, say "no, I'm from the States" and the conversation moves on. My point? It's more or less a non-issue for Americans. Canadians have an inferiority complex. But that's ok. We love you anyways.

I don't think you can fairly establish there is an "inferiority complex."

I was in Europe many times (I'm a Canadian who lived half her life in Europe). This past summer, I was in London. I went on a tour of Oxford with a friend, and the 2 tour guides (in their mid-late 20s) asked us "are you American?" We said, "no, we're Canadian." They replied (and this is the honest to God truth): "Oh, thank God! You know how you can recognize Americans? They're so loud, and they ask everything 3 times."

Some Canadians may have inferiority complexes. But for the most part, we are intensely proud of our country. And also, in travelling Europe, whether or not Americans like to admit it, there is a lot of anti-American sentiment. As somebody who's been there many, many times, I can vouch for this. There are preconceived notions of what the "ugly American" is. One such notion is the one I told you about. Yes, they may be incorrect stereotypes, but they also give further reason for why Canadian students don't generally go to Europe without a maple leaf sewn onto their backpacks.

[Zoo Schabow]

Who gives a shit guys?

We're ALL cool!

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"And I can feel the cold steel. And I can make a wound that won't heal."- Bono

[sulawesigirl4]

Originally posted by anitram:
I don't think you can fairly establish there is an "inferiority complex."

I'm just telling you what I personally have experienced. And trust me...as an American who has lived the majority of her life outside the U.S., I do KNOW all about anti-American sentiment. And I know all about ugly Americans abroad...I've had to put up with them plenty. But I also know how tired I am of being lumped into that group when I'm anything but that. But then again, stereotypes of any sort tend to marginalize. Be it stereotypes about Canadians or Americans. I've met some rude Canadians (gasp) in my time and some nice Americans. So it goes both ways.

As far as calling it an "inferiority complex" that's just good-natured teasing that me and my Canadian buddies always throw around at each other. Sorry it didn't come across as such to you.

And finally...all the guys I've ever dated have been Canadian...I have a feeling I may end up being one of you someday anyways. lol.

-sula

[kobayashi]

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4:
I'm just telling you what I personally have experienced. And trust me...as an American who has lived the majority of her life outside the U.S., I do KNOW all about anti-American sentiment.
-sula

i'm certain you've never done it, but what do you think of those american backpackers who sport the canadian flag instead of their own for a more 'peaceful' image?

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but everybody wanna live
don't nobody really wanna die
you feelin' me, right?
fred durst

[sulawesigirl4]

Originally posted by kobayashi:
i'm certain you've never done it, but what do you think of those american backpackers who sport the canadian flag instead of their own for a more 'peaceful' image?

Well, let's see here. If you're an American abroad at a time like this and you think that some random person might decide to unleash their anti-American sentiments against you for no reason other than your nationality...you might be tempted to prevent that from happening. If it meant the difference between life and death in a close situation? If someone with a grudge against your country wouldn't stop to ask you what your personal politics were? No, I've never done it, but I can certainly see why people might. What the ramifications are, I'm not sure. Does it bother you? And if so, why?

For myself, in Europe whenever I found myself in situations where I judged it might not be a good idea to be American, I just started speaking Indonesian. Not only do very few people in Europe speak it, but it's certainly not English. Besides, everyone knows Americans can't speak multiple languages.

-sula

[kobayashi]

Originally posted by sulawesigirl4:
Does it bother you? And if so, why?
-sula

no, not at all. it's a compliment, imo, to canada's international reputation.
i was just wondering.

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bottom line: U2 rules.

[ladywithspinninghead]

Originally posted by 80sU2isBest:
Excuse me, but how would you know what we get educated on? Did you go to any schools here?

Well, sorry, maybe "educated" was NOT the appropriate word to use...I just meant what you're exposed to in terms of radio, the telly, newsprint, etc...and er, YES, I would know that because we do receive it all up here...It just happens to be ethnocentric, that's all.

And Wanderer, you know what I mean....(who said something about repeating yourself 3 times to Americans??? )

p.s.: Hi Anitram!
Nice to see you again here!
Yes, London was way cool, EH???

[80sU2isBest]

Originally posted by ladywithspinninghead:

Well, sorry, maybe "educated" was NOT the appropriate word to use...I just meant what you're exposed to in terms of radio, the telly, newsprint, etc...and er, YES, I would know that because we do receive it all up here...It just happens to be ethnocentric, that's all.

Ah, I understand that, then.

[Bonochick]

Originally posted by sharky:
Bonochick-- You're a UPer? Wow, I didn't know they let you out. kidding.

Ha ha...*lol*

I've lived in the Lower Peninsula for almost a year and a half now, but I spent the previous 18 years in the U.P...born and raised!



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"I don't know you,
But you don't know the half of it..."

[bonoman]

80's...

I think the Canadian school do teach more about America then America does of Canada. I know this because in a social class i was in we watched a video about it. They gave a comparison of how children from canada in the grades 1-6 and 7-9 and 10-12 learn more about america.

I definitlly think Canadians know more about America then america does about us. I am not joking you, i can name 47 states. Sick isnt it. I tried it once. I had a bet with a buddy i could name more then he in 5 minutes. I won. He had 43.

I could name 10 presidents off the top of my head. And its not just me many canadians could. It has to do with the media as well. But i still think Canada is a state. Soon enough this country along with Mexico will join with the US with a American Dollar. Many 'experts' say it was 15 years but with our dollar so low it could be 7-10 yrs.

But i love canada.

And i love our I AM CANADIAN commercials. The best ever!!!

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Running to Stand Still-"you gotta cry without weeping, talk without speaking, scream without raising your voice."

"we're not burning out we're burning up...we're the loudest folk band in the world!"-Bono

[sharky]

Bonochick-- I've come to realize the UP is good for some things. Its not polluted and you get days off school for the beginning of hunting season. I'm not sure about the hunting thing but the days off school thing rocks!

To give this thread a more light-hearted note, I would suggest downloading a song called "Canada is Really Big" from the Arrogant Worms. Its cool.

"We're the second largest country on the planet earth, and if Russia keeps on shrinking then soon we'll be first. As long as we keep Quebec."

[sulawesigirl4]

Originally posted by kobayashi:
no, not at all. it's a compliment, imo, to canada's international reputation.
i was just wondering.

Yeah, I think you can take it as a compliment. Canadians are well-liked and if there are people that want to pretend to be one of you, then it speaks well of your reputation.

But to return to your original question, kobayashi. What does the typical American think of Canadians? Here's what I have found to be usual responses...
1. Cold (Ice, snow, north, etc)
2. Hockey
3. Beer
4. "Eh"
5. Quebec



Like you said, a lack of exposure to all things Canadian probably contributes to that. But it's no different for Americans. When I go overseas and talk to people about their perceptions of what life in the States is like, often I find that their ideas are based on what they've seen on movies or TV. And as we all know, that's not always (if ever) an accurate representation of "real life America" just as the impressions we receive of Canadians through the mass media are lacking. Wouldn't you agree?

Finally, I think that Canadians could go a long way by not constantly comparing themselves to Americans. Last night I was thinking about what I said earlier in this thread about an "inferiority complex." And I came to the conclusion that the reason it looks like Canadians have one is because sometimes they seem to measure their national identity by how they are UNLIKE Americans. Wouldn't it be much better to just forget about the U.S. and be proud Canadians on the basis of "this is what Canada stands for and is all about" rather than "Thank God I am Canadian, because we are so not like Americans"? Nine times out of ten, when I get into this discussion with my Canadian counterparts, the "good stuff" about being Canadian sounds more like "this is why Canada is BETTER THAN the States." Like there is something to be proved. I don't quite understand why Canadians have to prove their superiority by downing the States because imho Canada has a lot going for it solely on the basis of its merit alone. I like Canadians. I have found them to be kind and generous people, intelligent and knowledgeable about the world around them, and generally fun to be around. I like Canada. I have found it to be a beautiful country with its own character and quirks and sense of community.

So, I dunno. Be proud of your Canadian-ness. And we'll be proud of our American-ness. I see nothing wrong with celebrating both the similarities and the differences. It's not a crime if there are aspects of our cultures that intermesh. It doesn't mean we're taking over your country any more than it means you're taking over ours. We can share, right? After all, we can share a big continent like North America and not invade each other.

That's my $.02 (CAD)

-sula

[kobayashi]

i agree wholeheartedly, sula. as i said earlier, we as a country fail to realize what we really have here when our greatest sense of national pride comes from the molson beer company.
and you might wanna get rid of the two canadian pennies today cause pretty soon, they will only be worth one of your pennies. when that happens, and we are forced to use your currency we can have this discussion again.
anywho i think this thread has run it's course and in the end all that really matters is that our hockey team kicks yours and everyone else's ass in slc in a few months.

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bottom line: U2 rules.

[sulawesigirl4]

well I am kind of upset about you guys getting the better half of any natural wonders we share. Niagra Falls, the Rocky Mountains... the Canadian parts are better. *sigh* How did you pull that one off?

oh, I'm gonna save those pennies right along with the loonies.

-sula