Hey America: Know any Canadians?

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  • #1653

    J-Ulrich
    Participant

    Why do Americans assume that Canadians want to be like them? And why do they continually put down Canadians for having no personality? Read any American magazine or watch any sitcom long enough, and you’ll see many examples of this. One recent example was on Third Rock from the Sun, when Dick said he was Canadian and John Cleese replied ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Just for the record, we pride ourselves on not being like Americans. We do have an identity; we just aren’t so pushy about it. There are plenty of Canadians (Mike Myers, Jim Carrey, Neve Campbell or Michael J. Fox, for example) who have plenty of personality, and if you notice, are refreshingly humble. Unlike Americans like Sean ‘Puffy’ Combs, whose attitude is laughable.

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    Name : J-Ulrich, City : Forest, State : NA, Country : Canada, 
    #24459

    Xot
    Member

    My perception of Canadians is that they generally tend to be more educated and less violent than many Americans, though one can never overly generalize about any group of people. I believe that I would enjoy living there, but it would be extremely difficult for me to find employment there as a US citizen.

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    Name : Xot, Gender : M, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 31, City : Rochester, State : NY, Country : United States, Occupation : White-collar wage slave, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 
    #43322

    Ebony25541
    Participant

    Hello I happen to live near the USA-Canda boarder close to Detroit. I am sorry some people joke about Canada. But as I am sure you know, over all Americans think everybody wants to be like us. Which is not true at all. I have family that lives in Canada and we are very proud of that fact. Sean Combs?!!??

    User Detail :  

    Name : Ebony25541, Gender : F, Age : 20, City : Flint/USA & Winbach/Germany, State : MI, Country : United States, Occupation : Au Pair, Education level : High School Diploma, 
    #42942

    H.
    Member

    When Americans think of Canada (which is rare) we tend to think of bad weather, a small, homogeneous population, a boring history, and a culture lacking in distinctiveness and vitality. We also assume that Canadians are just like us and that Canada is essentially the 51st state. While this view is partly true, it does not tell the whole story. Quebec provides an element of ethnic and linguistic diversity to the nation, as does recent Asian and other immigration. Canada also sees itself as more of a salad bowl of mixed groups than an American melting pot of people assimilating into a new culture. Perhaps most notably, Canada’s culture and legal system are much more advanced and civilized in terms of civil liberties, human rights, and morality. Witness the progress towards legal recognition of same-sex marriages and other families and the ease with which openly gay service members and boy scouts are accepted and integrated. America is much more abusive towards our minorities and, despite our individualist rhetoric, we do not always support freedom and equality. We could learn a lot about improving our quality of life from Canada.

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    Name : H., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : white Southerner, Religion : Methodist, Age : 25, City : Washington, State : DC, Country : United States, Occupation : statistician, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class, 
    #22704

    S29535
    Participant

    As an American, I can say that you are correct in observing how the MEDIA portrays all things Canadian. However, keep in mind that they do not speak for all Americans. I do think it is pathetic that these views are perpetuated, and I for one am not a big fan of ‘the media’. Also, if this makes a difference, I have a personal interest in Canadian literature and culture (which, I know, is not merely a photo-copy of the United States’). So, thank you for pointing this out, but relax and try to ignore most of pop culture!

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    Name : S29535, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 24, City : Marquette, State : MI, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, 
    #28107

    Mike20440
    Participant

    My brother-in-law is Canadian and he definitely has a personality. ;-0 (He once explained the Canadian view of the US as equivilent to a Wisconsinite’s view of someone from Illinois. That made it very clear to me.)

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    Name : Mike20440, City : Greendale, State : WI, Country : United States, 
    #37980

    Jason
    Participant

    I can’t answer for all of my fellow americans but as for myself i see Canada and the USA as sibling countries, we have the same basic roots and similar histories. Who’s better to poke fun at that a brother or sister. (PS I lived in Skagway Alaska for a couple of years and had the pleasure of spending a good deal of time in your wonderful country.)

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    Name : Jason, Gender : M, City : Tampa, State : FL, Country : United States, 
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