Canadian Ignorance...

[gerryh]

ROFLMFAO @ the OP

 

[americanadian]

Well Americandian's loc says Halifax so I was interpreting that to mean he/she has experienced more racism in Canada as a Latino than anti-Canadianism in the US...

I was just saying that Canadians who live or visit America may hear jokes about igloos or dog teams or snow, but that is much better than what the Latinos experience (racism) when they go to America. Sorry for the confusion.

And, I'm white, born and raised in the U.S., came here for university and stayed. If people don't like the U.S. or Americans, they don't have to go. Simple as that.

[legal] living here and put up with constant racism and abuse.

I understand now, I forgot the 't' before here...

*earning a legal living there (America) is a tough thing to do as a Latino. Much tougher than putting up with the igloo jokes. I promise.

 

[karrie]

lol... notice that no one jumps up and freaks out over the fact that americanadian is essentially saying 'toughen your skin you entitled bunch of frozen north sissies!'

I hear your point americanadian, and it is well absorbed.

 

[Johnnny]

i work with some americans in my company cause we have an american office, and the igloo jokes and accent jokes are nothing. We all get along fine, when one of them gets into a fight at the bar im there in the morning to bail them out cause i dont have a criminal record

 

[karrie]

i work with some americans in my company cause we have an american office, and the igloo jokes and accent jokes are nothing. We all get along fine, when one of them gets into a fight at the bar im there in the morning to bail them out cause i dont have a criminal record

Americans don't actually get drunk in bars, that's just a myth spread by Canadians to make Americans look loutish. *LOL*

 

[Johnnny]

your right, cause usually one of my fellow country men are with them too... Brings back those northern saskatchewan nightmares

 

[AnnaG]

I'm going to quote a section in the last link of Bear's that I think too many people in this country don't appreciate:

In these forums and others, I have seen far too many cop out into anti-Americanism as a way to build up their own national identities, be it Canadian, European, Aussie or anything else, while not acknowledging that many of the flaws that we like to attribute to the US, also exist in our homelands as well.

........ but, but, but, the other guy is always inferior.

 

[Bar Sinister]

A well written article pointing out a number of truths. Canadians are much more like Americans than most of us think we are. When I was teaching, a section of one course was US-Canada Relations. I began the section by asking the class members to list as many differences between Canada and the US as they could. No one was able to list more than about ten individually. It was a good start, pointing out that US and Canadian culture is very similar, especially due to the fact that Canada has borrowed so much from the US and historically so many Americans settled in Canada during the 19th century. By pooling all of the lists of the class we were eventually able to come up with about 40 or 50 significant differences.

Another challenge I would give the class was to write an explanation that would show a foreigner how Canadians differed from Americans. This turned out to be just as challenging, given that many Europeans and Asians think of Canada as "US-lite."

 

[karrie]

As someone who's been on this forum for years, *and has had a few drinks*....

Americans are more likely to scream 'anti-american', if a negative aspect of american culture or psyche, is commented on, than Canadians are. Whereas Canadians SEEM (not are, because this is personal interpretation and with americans all things need to be qualified...) to be more willing to accept insult or criticism to their country without screaming some label.

 

[CDNBear]

I see some people got it and some missed it.

Oh...

And...

ROTFLMFFAO @ Gh, Excellent rebuttal.:roll:

Before you move to Canada, can we talk?

I moved to Canada after the 2000 election. Although I did it mainly for career reasons -- I got a job whose description read as though it had been written precisely for my rather quirky background and interests -- at the time I found it gratifying to joke that I was leaving the United States because of George W. Bush. It felt fine to think of myself as someone who was actually going to make good on the standard election-year threat to leave the country. Also, I had spent years of my life feeling like I wasn't a typical American and wishing I could be Canadian. I wanted to live in a country that was not a superpower, a country I believe to have made the right choices about fairness, human rights and the social compact.

So I could certainly identify with the disappointed John Kerry supporters who started fantasizing about moving to Canada after Nov. 2. But after nearly four years as an American in the Great White North, I've learned it's not all beer and doughnuts. If you're thinking about coming to Canada, let me give you some advice: Don't.

Although I enjoy my work and have made good friends here, I've found life as an American expatriate in Canada difficult, frustrating and even painful in ways that have surprised me. As attractive as living here may be in theory, the reality's something else. For me, it's been one of almost daily confrontation with a powerful anti-Americanism that pervades many aspects of life. When I've mentioned this phenomenon to Canadian friends, they've furrowed their brows sympathetically and said, "Yes, Canadian anti-Americanism can be very subtle." My response is, there's nothing subtle about it.

The anti-Americanism I experience generally takes this form: Canadians bring up "the States" or "Americans" to make comparisons or evaluations that mix a kind of smug contempt with a wariness that alternates between the paranoid and the absurd.

Before You Flee to Canada, Can We Talk? (washingtonpost.com)

I really like this paragraph...

" An American who attempts to correct a misconception or express even the mildest approval for the policies of U.S. institutions is likely to be dismissed as thin-skinned or offensive, and as demonstrating those scary nationalistic tendencies that threaten the world. "

Funny how if you have an issue with Islam, you're bigot, but if hate Americans, it's OK...

Canada, a Nation of Bigots

It's even spoon fed to the school kids, funny how we've read commentary from some claiming the Americans are tought all manner of propaganda, I wonder if the same people can recognize, they've had a full meal as well...

Anti-Americanism spoonfed to Canadian grade school kids

 

[JLM]

Americans don't actually get drunk in bars, that's just a myth spread by Canadians to make Americans look loutish. *LOL*

I always thought bars were a fairly appropriate place to get drunk. :lol:

 

[gerryh]

yup.... lots of anti americanism in Canada.....wonder why?....oh....and I don't buy the bullsh*t standard answer of "insecurity".... try again.

 

[CDNBear]

yup.... lots of anti americanism in Canada.....wonder why?....oh....and I don't buy the bullsh*t standard answer of "insecurity"....

Another gem of a rebuttal.

try again.

Quite.

 

[Chiliagon]

yup.... lots of anti americanism in Canada.....wonder why?....oh....and I don't buy the bullsh*t standard answer of "insecurity".... try again.

sigh.. :roll:

It's because so many of them think they're the cat's meow. that nobody else in the world can do better than them and they know all!

I find it hilarious.

 

[CDNBear]

sigh.. :roll:

It's because so many of them think they're the cat's meow. that nobody else in the world can do better than them and they know all!

Sounds familiar. Sounds just like the anti American Canadians around here...

I find it hilarious.

Ya, that level of hypocrisy makes me LOL too.

 

[Chiliagon]

well I for one know that Canada has a lot of issues and problems that make us far from the best country ever..

but I still would rather live here than in the US.


our health care needs a big overhaul.

 

[JLM]

Bear - don't take on that burden

People who have the need to hate or put down others have personal issues nothing can cure except when change comes from within.

Our western societies are going through some strange times these days but considering all the war and ugliness we have survived in this century - I'd say we are learning - all of us on the North American continent - and we will move on to find new paths and hopefully more understanding of our world.

Until that happens, I hope Canada and the U.S. will remain good neighbors and friends.

Yep, as a regular visitor to the U.S. for over 20 years, I don't recall ever meeting what I would consider to be a "bad American". Maybe part of it has to do with my liking them and it shows. A couple of their strong suits are hospitality and generosity.

 

[CDNBear]

well I for one know that Canada has a lot of issues and problems that make us far from the best country ever.

I agree, but as you feel, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else. But...read on...

but I still would rather live here than in the US.

Agreed.

our health care needs a big overhaul.

To true.

Yep, as a regular visitor to the U.S. for over 20 years, I don't recall ever meeting what I would consider to be a "bad American". Maybe part of it has to do with my liking them and it shows. A couple of their strong suits are hospitality and generosity.

Agreed. If I were ever forced to leave Canada, I would most undoubtedly end up in New Orleans. IMHO, nowhere else will you find the epitome of American hospitality and generosity then the Big Easy.

 

[JLM]

For a visit, definitely, to live nah, probably Washington, Oregon, Nevada or Idaho.

 

[EagleSmack]

Americans don't actually get drunk in bars, that's just a myth spread by Canadians to make Americans look loutish. *LOL*

Ummm...there may be a little truth to that one. **hiccup**

well I for one know that Canada has a lot of issues and problems that make us far from the best country ever..

Hey Chili... any idea who said this?

"Let's be happy that we are Canadian and that we have what we have! Despite what Those Americans say, THIS IS!! the best Country in the World!"

...ring a bell?