U.S.A Hates Canada? [Archive] - Straight Dope Message Board

Whack-a-Mole

11-27-2002, 04:56 PM

Do you have a cite for CNN, Fox and so on bashing Canada? Most people I know (Americans) practically consider Canada a 51st state. I for one love Canada and its citizens and I think you'd find most Americans agree. At worst you'd find some Americans to be disinterested at worst towards Canada. I have yet to run into a single person in America who hates Canadians.

Of course, making fun of Canadians is a whole other matter and a pasttime unto itself in some quarters. Still, it's not as if making fun of Americans isn't likewise done in Canada. All in good fun though.

Ringo

11-27-2002, 05:00 PM

Probably more of an IMHO thing. It is not my impression that there's appreciable animosity on the part of most U.S. citizens towards Canadians. A lot of us have Canadian family.

Splanky

11-27-2002, 05:02 PM

I hear way too much Canada bashing around my way. Too much of the classic "blame Canada" and making fun of canadian accents.

I'm half Canadian myself and I think Canada is a great place. A lot less assholes, a lot less dirty, and a lot less likely to be nuked by disgruntled muslim fanatics.

wolfstu

11-27-2002, 05:05 PM

Originally posted by Coffeeguy

:) Not a troll:)

Is there any better way to start your fisrt thread?
:) (If I may: ) "Welcome to the Boards, Coffeguy"

As for the question, I don't know. I hope not.

Fretful Porpentine

11-27-2002, 05:08 PM

Do you have a cite for CNN, Fox and so on bashing Canada?
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=146473
(I know we only have the OP's word for it, but I saw the promo myself and can confirm that his description is accurate.)

And no, most Americans don't hate Canadians.

mangeorge

11-27-2002, 05:14 PM

I just asked my nieghbor, Paul, if he hates Canadians. He said "Huh?" I would say that's probably the average Americans feeling about it. :)
Peace,
mangeorge

Wearia

11-27-2002, 05:14 PM

Well we've got a few angry americans because we get some shows before they do. But other than that Canadians and Americans get along fine. CNN is just trying to start something for the sake of ratings.

jbird3000

11-27-2002, 05:19 PM

This (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/021122/6/qf3o.html) may be what the OP is talking aboot.

JamesCarroll

11-27-2002, 05:23 PM

Americans dislike Canadians only to the extent that Canadians disagree with America and its policies. Just like every other country in the world.

Other than that I think its just good natured ribbing.....

Mr. Slant

11-27-2002, 05:26 PM

We poke fun at Canada, but most of us like it.
Seriously, how many Americans would mind Canada becoming the 51st state? POLL! Maybe in IMHO or somesuch.

Diceman

11-27-2002, 05:27 PM

Most everyone hear in Michigan likes Canada and Canadians. I second the theory that CNN is just trolling you guys.

Coffeeguy

11-27-2002, 05:29 PM

I can’t give you specific air-dates etc., but I can tell you that I’ve heard the likes of CNN & Fox call Canada “Soviet Canuckistan”, a “Failed country”, “Less of a friend than Saudi Arabia”, “pinko”, “whiney”, “undeserving” and some other things that verge on uncomplimentary. I think the “whiney” comment pertained to Canada’s complaining about those four soldiers that were killed by U.S. fighter jets.

These sorts of views seem to be expressed every time I flick on the tube.

Besides, it’s the Dominion of Soviet Canuckistan. Geez.

c(_)
Coffeeguy

RiverRunner

11-27-2002, 05:33 PM

These sorts of views seem to be expressed every time I flick on the tube.

??

Well, color me skeptical, but I don't recall ever hearing any anti-Canadian tripe on TV. Of course, I don't watch very much TV any more. Personally, I think most Americans view Canada as a staunch ally and a friend. I certainly do.

RR

Coffeeguy

11-27-2002, 05:42 PM

Hey, cool, I can deal with the concept that it’s just the rightist media fanning the ratings flames. I just wondered if the views were actually held by normal folks.

I guess, IMHO, that when you hear Pat Buchanan call a country "the spoiled brats of the new world order," you can take it with a huge dollop of salt.

C(_)
Coffeeguy

kanicbird

11-27-2002, 06:01 PM

I am not aware of US'ers hatred for Canadians

I can't believe that's butter!

11-27-2002, 06:15 PM

Canada's a fine country, as are its people.

mangeorge

11-27-2002, 06:20 PM

I wouldn't waste perfectly good salt on the likes of Pat Buchanan.

Mephisto

11-27-2002, 06:21 PM

Whatever our respective media and politicians may or may not say, I don't think your average United States citizen harbors any particular prejudice against Canadians. Of course Canadians are the butt of a lot of jokes, but most of them are well-intentioned I think . . . I sure hope I'm right.

I recently found out my mom was from Canada. :)

Slugworth

11-27-2002, 06:31 PM

Wait, wait, wait... You're saying CNN compared Canada to Soviet Russia? ..... Like, one of the reporters, or just some schmuck that.. for... some reason.. CNN decided to interview? All of those insults, in fact, seem extraordinarily childish, and I can't imagine *any* news program carrying them, even Fox. When we don't like a country, we say it's part of the new axis of evil. We don't call it Canuckistan. I'll take your word for it, obviously, since you've nothing to gain by lying, but it's very odd sounding. Certainly nothing like I've ever seen. Maybe Fox anchors up north are different.

Aside from that, I've never in my life heard of an American with an active distaste for Canada. Quite the opposite actually, it seems Canadians love bashing Americans. In fact, didn't you guys have an entire show devoted to it, where a guy asked Americans questions to make them look stupid?

Basically, as I see it, any hostility between the two countries that I've ever seen comes when an American reveals that, like most other Americans, he has absolutely no opinions about Canada and even less knowledge of it, at which point a Canadian gets miffed, since he can name all 50 US states and is constantly inundated with our culture. I get the feeling you guys think about us a lot more than we think about you.

chique

11-27-2002, 07:23 PM

In my day to day life I've found that Canada doesn't even register on the radar of Americans. And I live in Minnesota, for pity's sake - it's not like Canada's not a neighbor or anything.

Then again, I've found that freakin' Wisconsin doesn't even register on the radar of Americans except for those Sundays when the Pack plays the Vikings.

Y'all know I love the SDMB cos it keeps me from turning into a provincial rube, right? RIGHT?!

slipster

11-27-2002, 07:43 PM

To follow up on the last post, it is my observation that most people--at least in and around St. Louis, Missouri, honestly don't think about Canada that often. In fact, I've had arguments with people who are convinced that Canada is not an independent country but is still a colony of Great Britain.

When people here do think about Canada, it is generally because one or more Canadians did something which can reassure us as Americans that somebody, at least, is "like" us and seems to think we are okay.

It appeared to be the same back in the late 1970s when I attended graduate school at Texas A&M. That was during the Iranian hostage crisis, and there was an incident in which the Canadian consulate (or embassy?) in Iran helped rescue some Americans. Thereafter there was an enormous outpouring of sympathy and affection for all things Canadian, and the Canadian flag was flown on campus.

Similarly, during the Watergate crisis a disc jockey in Windsor, Ontario recorded a speech about how it was time to "stand up for the Americans". People were feeling awfully shaky back then, and the recording served as a welcome emotional sop for a lot of people. For a while it was run the same as if it were a hit music recording on a lot of local stations in St. Louis.

It is the ultimate vulgarity of the tourist to assume that foreigners "really" think and feel identically to people in one's native culture. People in the U.S. are awfully prone to this, and it is especially easy to fall into when thinking about Canadians on account of the pronounced similarities between our countries and their physical proximity. If I had to sum up the attitude towards Canadians of most people I know, it is that Canadians are friendly, and are essentially like Americans except that they have less crime and pollution. To the extent that we regard them differently than other foreigners, it is in the fact that we are not so prone to assuming that they are secretly envious of us.

OttoDaFe

11-27-2002, 08:24 PM

Originally posted by mangeorge
I wouldn't waste perfectly good salt on the likes of Pat Buchanan. God, no! I don't even want to imagine the torrent of slime that would gush out if you poured salt on that slug!Originally posted by Slugworth (nice segue, huh?)
In fact, didn't you guys have an entire show devoted to it, where a guy asked Americans questions to make them look stupid? Not a whole show, but the "Talking to Americans" segment of This Hour Has 22 Minutes (the reason I got cable in addition to satellite, so I cound get it from Vancouver). My favorite: asking USers what they thought of Canada's new PM, Tim Horton. (My response: Don't let him have a summit with Clinton, or there won't be a doughnut left in the country . . .)

Khadaji

11-27-2002, 08:29 PM

Not as far as I can tell, although I didn't know that the news depicted things that way. I know of no animosity towards your country amoungst my friends and acquantances.

Sam Stone

11-27-2002, 09:00 PM

In my experience as a Canadian who works lots of Americans, has lots of American friends, and travels quite a bit in the U.S., the American people almost universally like Canada and Canadians.

However, if you asked if Canadians like America, I'd have to give you a different answer. There is a LOT of anti-American sentiment in Canada - particularly in the Liberal government and the industrial east, and in Canadian universities. It's not as bad now as it was during the 80's. I was in university in the 80's, and even expressing support for the U.S. around campus was likely to get you yelled at by some young fool.

Sofa King

11-27-2002, 09:07 PM

Even our supposed contempt for Canada has a modicum of respect. I tend to view "The fifty-first state" as more of an invitation than a jab.

I think it's all because of a collective wish that Rush might one day be retroactively made the Greatest (American) Band of the Millenium.

DarrenS

11-27-2002, 09:23 PM

Can't believe noone's mentioned the South Park movie yet ;)

Lyrics (WARNING: explicit) http://www.mrhatshellhole.com/lyrics/blamecanada.htm

Wumpus

11-27-2002, 09:32 PM

The "Soviet Canuckistan" remark came from Pat Buchanan. Having nothing better to do, the Canadian media got into a froth about it a while back. They don't seem to realize that Pat Buchanan has been nothing more than a paid sideshow entertainer for lo these many years, and currently has the political importance and clout of, say, Ozzy Osbourne.

Both this and the "moron" debacle are the sort of inside-the-Beltway teapot tempests that no one cares about in the real world. Neither episode seems to have affected the feelings of the average Canadian or American.

Ring

11-27-2002, 10:01 PM

Originally posted by Sam Stone

However, if you asked if Canadians like America, I'd have to give you a different answer. There is a LOT of anti-American sentiment in Canada - particularly in the Liberal government and the industrial east, and in Canadian universities. It's not as bad now as it was during the 80's. I was in university in the 80's, and even expressing support for the U.S. around campus was likely to get you yelled at by some young fool.

Many years ago I worked with a bunch of Canadians at a firm in Detroit Michigan. It was an almost universal feeling among these 10 or so people that the USA was a total piece of shit. I used to get into horrendous arguments with these guys and I'd constantly ask them why they were working in such a craphole country. Their reply: we don't mind as long as we don't have to live here.

Tony Montana

11-27-2002, 10:11 PM

Originally posted by Splanky
I hear way too much Canada bashing around my way. Too much of the classic "blame Canada" and making fun of canadian accents.

I'm half Canadian myself and I think Canada is a great place. A lot less assholes, a lot less dirty, and a lot less likely to be nuked by disgruntled muslim fanatics.

I dont know what your talking aboot.
...that was bad,I am such an asshole. I guess I'll just go back to my dirty home in my dirty neighborhood and think about what I said and hope osama doesn't nuke me...

CBEscapee

11-27-2002, 10:40 PM

Originally posted by Slugworth

Aside from that, I've never in my life heard of an American with an active distaste for Canada. Quite the opposite actually, it seems Canadians love bashing Americans. In fact, didn't you guys have an entire show devoted to it, where a guy asked Americans questions to make them look stupid?

Basically, as I see it, any hostility between the two countries that I've ever seen comes when an American reveals that, like most other Americans, he has absolutely no opinions about Canada and even less knowledge of it, at which point a Canadian gets miffed, since he can name all 50 US states and is constantly inundated with our culture. I get the feeling you guys think about us a lot more than we think about you.

I think there is a lot of truth to your comments Slugworth. I've spent the past 30 years outside of the US and the anti-American rhetoric by Canadians I've run into is very common. It almost appears as if they feel it is their life's duty to speak disparingly about the US whenever they meet a Yank. And the only time I hear Americans complain about Canadians is after they have had to listen to a few to many of their diatribes.

Tranquilis

11-27-2002, 11:13 PM

Canadians?

Love 'em! Even when they piss me off. Which is rare. I don't even live near Canada, and I love 'em. Been there more often than I've been to any other country, by a long shot.

Canada is like a brother, I figure... You can make fun of 'em, and argue with 'em, but in the end, they're still family. Pretty sure most 'Mericans feel like-wise.
:)

Derleth

11-27-2002, 11:31 PM

If you want to hear what Buchanan thinks, search for `Soviet Canuckistan' on Google (google.com or google.ca :D).

Whadda maroon, eh?

bibliophage

11-28-2002, 12:36 AM

The question seems to be garnering mostly opinion, so I'll move this thread to IMHO. I'll stick some GQ-type material in before I do though.

Here's a good source for U.S. public opinion about Canada: http://www.canada-business.ro/focus/articles/apco/apco-insight1.htm It seems that most Americans have favorable opinions about Canada without actually knowing much about the country. For example, over 90% of Americans have a favorable general impression, but only 2% can name the Prime Minister.

Michael Ellis

11-28-2002, 01:12 AM

I think they're mostly harmless.

Feynn

11-28-2002, 01:59 AM

We are harmless unless provoked... ;)

If Pat Buchanon is upset that one of Cretien's lackeys insulted the intelligence of George W. I wonder what he would do if he caught a feed of the Royal Canadian Air Farce which lampoons Bush on a fairly regular basis.

Take a peek at their online archives...

C is for Canada (http://www.airfarce.com/video/011231lh.ram)

But in all fairness they are an equal opportunity offender...

Larry King Interviews Jean Cretien (http://www.airfarce.com/video/011231ah.ram)

The rest of last seasons episodes can be found at:

http://www.airfarce.com/video/011231.html

It's so nice they made them all available online. The Air Farce rocks.

Rick

11-28-2002, 02:07 AM

I travel to Canada a fair amount on business. I was on a business trip in Canada on 9-11.
I saw the planes arrive at Vancouver International Airport. I saw local residents come out to offer beds in their own homes, I saw the news reports on Churches and hotels setting up dorms for stranded travelers. I spoke with a lady who was in one of these dorms at a Hilton Hotel. She described to me how the hotel had put on a buffet that would shame a cruise ship. I had people ,who did not know me, offer their condolences to me when they found out I am an American.

I am sure that every American that spent any time in Canada around 9-11 feels as I do. Canada is a great country, with good people living there. I think Tranquilis is right on about them being like brothers, they love to tease us dumb Americans, and we love to make fun of them saying Eh. However when the shit hits the electric fan, it is your family that you turn to.

partly_warmer

11-28-2002, 04:44 AM

Originally posted by uglybeech
I've never seen a study on it, but my guess is that most Americans not only like Canadians, but they're only dimly aware that Canada is a separate country. Lovely, evocative, and truthful turn of phrase.

KenP

11-28-2002, 06:25 AM

No, Americans don't hate Canadians, but...

East Coast Americans hate flakey West Coast Americans.

West Coast Americans hate uptight East Coast Americans.

Both coasts hate the rubes in the fly-over states.

North and south hate each other.

Etc.

Soup_du_jour

11-28-2002, 08:35 AM

Surely, KenP, you don't think of Texas as a fly-over state, do you?

Of course, Texans hate both the wacko politician/carpetbaggers on the east coast, and the wierdo hippie/socialists on the west coast.

Actually, it's not really a hate, it's just a massive self-love. ;)

Oh, Canada is great! In fact, do you know how to spell "Canada?"

C-Eh?-N-Eh?-D-Eh?

I kid. I kid. :)

Eats_Crayons

11-28-2002, 11:06 AM

Originally posted by CBEscapee
I think there is a lot of truth to your comments Slugworth. I've spent the past 30 years outside of the US and the anti-American rhetoric by Canadians I've run into is very common. It almost appears as if they feel it is their life's duty to speak disparingly about the US whenever they meet a Yank. And the only time I hear Americans complain about Canadians is after they have had to listen to a few to many of their diatribes. There was an interesting article about Canadian identity and the need for so many Canadian's to separate themselves from the U.S.

The two countries are so similar that travelling Canadians are often mistaken for Americans, which is why we always travel with Canadian flags sewn to our backpacks.

(Side note: I knew someone who was almost beat up by a group of thugs in Liverpool because they thought he was American -- when they found out he was Canadian, they apologized and bought him lotsa beer...)

Think of it this way. Imagine you were the little brother of the Highschool Football Hero Quarterback TM. When you finally get to highschool everything you do is going to be in your big brother's shadow -- so you fight for your own identity: You say football is for stupid neanderthals and you join the swim team instead.

So there is a slightly "anti-American" attitude that has more to do with saying: "We are are not the U.S. Mini-Me!" It manifests itself in the occasional "the U.S. sucks because..." diatribe, even the though the reality is that Canadians do think of the U.S. as a best buddy -- like the high school Swim Team kid who's still best buddies with his Highschool Football Hero big brother.

Barbarian

11-28-2002, 11:21 AM

Originally posted by Mephisto

I recently found out my mom was from Canada. :)

I can trump that. My friend Rebekah, resident of California for nigh on 40 years, discovered recently that she was actually

born in Canada, and thus a Canadian citizen!

Coffeeguy

11-28-2002, 11:31 AM

There’s still a fairly lively ongoing debate in Canada as to weather the U.S. should be admitted as a province. With the U.S. being only a little bit smaller than Canada, it would almost double Canada’s size. And Canadians seem to be familiar enough with the foreign-ness of U.S. culture to manage the absorption gracefully.

-Coffeeguy

Tony Montana

11-28-2002, 11:36 AM

Originally posted by Feynn
We are harmless unless provoked... ;)

:poke: poke: yeah I can see waves of pissed off Canadians on horseback in an all out invasion. Yelling "see what happens eh? when you provoke a CANADIAN!!! we'll show you what wer'e all abooot!!"

Eats_Crayons

11-28-2002, 11:41 AM

Originally posted by Coffeeguy
There’s still a fairly lively ongoing debate in Canada as to weather the U.S. should be admitted as a province. All of the U.S.??? Couldn't we just admit a few select states? Just the good ones.

Eats_Crayons

11-28-2002, 11:43 AM

boomvark

11-28-2002, 12:36 PM

Wumpus said:
They don't seem to realize that Pat Buchanan has been nothing more than a paid sideshow entertainer for lo these many years, and currently has the political importance and clout of, say, Ozzy Osbourne.

Less. At least Ozzy gets invited to hang out at the White House once in awhile.

I still think the only reason Pat ever agreed to co-host Crossfire is that he liked the combination of cross and fire.

WRT the OP, I've heard Americans make a lot of snide remarks about a few Canadian politicians, but have heard very few express hatred, or even dislike, of Canadians at large.

(The cited invective does sound a lot like stuff I've heard on Fox News. Thing is, Fox is only 'Fair and Balanced' in the sense of: Fair as distinguished from constantly, irredeemably worthless, and balanced ... on the right leg.)

lno

11-28-2002, 12:38 PM

Mind you, moose bites can be pretty nasty.

lurkernomore

11-28-2002, 12:53 PM

Originally posted by Coffeeguy
I can’t give you specific air-dates etc., but I can tell you that I’ve heard the likes of CNN & Fox call Canada “ “Less of a friend than Saudi Arabia”,

As Slipster says, us older Americans will NOT forget the Iranian hostage crisis, and when Americans searched for sanctuary in Teheran, the only hiding place they were given was the basement at the Canadian Embassy. Everyone else locked them out.

That's the only reason we didn't nuke you when you came up with Celine Dion.

That's why we settled for economic warfare. We bought out Tim Horton's.

Originally posted by Coffeeguy
There’s still a fairly lively ongoing debate in Canada as to weather the U.S. should be admitted as a province.

Oh, a smart-ass, huh? should fit in well around here...

Originally posted by Splanky
I hear way too much Canada bashing around my way. Too much of the classic "blame Canada" and making fun of canadian accents

As opposed to us NEVER making fun of Southern accents, or AH-nuld S.'s Austrian one?

Originally posted by Eats_crayons
No, no, no -- we'd be on mooseback. It's much more intimidating than it sounds, trust me.

Bah! Real men can ride a horse. We don't need something with handlebars.

Eats_Crayons

11-28-2002, 01:18 PM

Originally posted by lurkernomore
That's the only reason we didn't nuke you when you came up with Celine Dion. On behalf of Canadians everywhere, I do indeed apologise for unleashing her on the rest of the world. I'm surprised there aren't more nations gunning for us.

Celine Dion was part Canadian weapons of mass destruction program. Highly classified "BANSHEE" program that included Alanis Morrissette and Mitsou.

Sunspace

11-28-2002, 03:54 PM

Barbarian said:
My friend Rebekah, resident of California for nigh on 40 years, discovered recently that she was actually born in Canada, and thus a Canadian citizen!Time for her to start learning French and speaking metric! :)

lurkernomore said:
Bah! Real men can ride a horse. We don't need something with handlebars.Parents of a friend of mine totaled their '69 Mercedes against a moose. The moose walked away.

Try that with a horse!

tisiphone

11-28-2002, 05:35 PM

Originally posted by Tony Montana
: poke: poke: yeah I can see waves of pissed off Canadians on horseback in an all out invasion. Yelling "see what happens eh? when you provoke a CANADIAN!!! we'll show you what wer'e all abooot!!"

Yeeeees.

Well.

Historically speaking, anybody that's managed to irritate us enough to get us to quit squabbling amongst ourselves has been Really Sorry afterwards...

:P

;)

I also apologise for Celine. And Alan Thicke. It really wasn't intentional, honest. THAT would be against the Geneva Convention.

elfkin477

11-28-2002, 05:50 PM

Originally posted by lno
Mind you, moose bites can be pretty nasty.

<snaps fingers> Maybe that's what John Irving meant when he said in A Prayer For Owen Meany that people in northern New England have more in common with Canadians than New Yorkers. I bet NY doesn't have 10,000 moose (which, as an interesting statistic, is 5 times our homeless vet population) running around their state.

To be honest, I'm one of those people who feels that Canada is about as different from where I live as, say, VT. Sure, the road signs in Canada are different, as is the money, but it looks pretty much the same, which isn't so odd since it's only a 3 hour drive to get there from here. Some people speak French there, but a lot of the signs are in French and English in parts of NH and ME too, so that's not so strange. I suppose parts of Canada are radically different than where I live, but not the parts I've seen.