# How would an American go about "passing" as a Canadian when traveling abroad? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [December 8, 2004, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697 "2004-12-08T05:08:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Assuming\_facts\_not\_in\_evidence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Assuming_facts_not_in_evidence)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2004, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/81 "2004-12-11T20:49:48Z")
I “pass as Canadian” all the time right here in the US. Some bozo next to me in line at the bank or store will say something xenophobic, such as “It’s a real shame so few products say Made in USA any more!” And I’ll say “It never bothers me, as I’m Canadian and we have always enjoyed imported products.” ---
**Author:** ![WCOT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e5b9ba/32.png) [@WCOT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WCOT)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/82 "2004-12-12T09:01:46Z")
slight hijack, but i live in ny (state not city)and ive seen a tim hortons here, just never bothered to go inside… its on the wrong side of the road. whats actually in there? ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/83 "2004-12-12T14:14:33Z")
> [@WCOT©](#): > > just never bothered to go inside… its on the wrong side of the road. What on _Earth?!_ And the answer is, good doughnuts and excellent coffee. (I’m assuming the American ones aren’t carrying the Remembrance Day poppy quarters.) ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/84 "2004-12-12T20:35:59Z")
> [@Excalibre](#): > > So what? Anyone who feels a little bit of shame regarding what this country is doing abroad is a pussy? And should therefore get out? No, you’re a freakin hero for pretending to be from Canada. Feeling “shame” or disagreeing with national policy is not the same thing as hiding behind someone elses flag like a little bitch. > [@Excalibre](#): > > This sort of chest-thumping jingoistic idiocy is exactly _why_ a lot of us don’t want our nationality to be recognized. Folks like you have done such a good job of co-opting the symbols of the country back home that it’s hard to believe people anywhere wouldn’t associate the flag with flag-waving morons like you. Pussies like you without any backbone or national pride are the reason so many people are afraid to vote for liberals like Kerry. Sorry, but I guess I was raised not to hide who I am. I guess I’m just not that worried about offending bigots and xenophobes, even ones who aren’t from this country. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/85 "2004-12-12T21:24:23Z")
I seem to have a natural gift for passing for Canadian, as I do it all the time without even trying. When outside the US people always mistake me for a Canadian, and I have to correct them. Other Canadians even think I’m Canadian! One told me she had me pegged as a Nova Scotian. In reality, I’ve never been to Canada and am ignorant enough that I’m not sure whether I should be pleased or insulted that someone thought I was from Nova Scotia. I did, however, once mightily impress a couple of bona fide Canadians at a youth hostel in London by _almost_ knowing how many provinces there are. (There were only twelve when I was in school!) ---
**Author:** ![Gorsnak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gorsnak/32/7587_2.png) [@Gorsnak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gorsnak)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/86 "2004-12-12T23:36:05Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > (There were only twelve when I was in school!) Actually there are only ten provinces. Plus three territories (was two until recently). ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/87 "2004-12-13T01:15:40Z")
There are Tim Horton’s in Michigan too. We used to have timbits at the office when sometimes when I lived there. Don’t listen to what the Canadians tell you, they’re just doughnut holes. Don’t get me wrong, they’re tasty as heck - I mean, they’re doughnut holes! Yum! But they’re no better than any other doughnut hole. Sorry, guys. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/88 "2004-12-13T01:38:43Z")
I find it hard to distinguish between Canadians and Americans (unless they have flags or other obvious symbols displayed). There may be differences in the accents, but my ears can’t pick them. And I’d always assumed that the ubiquitous Canadian “eh” was a joke - Australians say the same thing about New Zealanders. I just avoid all offence by asking people “what part of \*North \* America do you come from”? ---
**Author:** ![Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6bbea6/32.png) [@Laughing\_Lagomorph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laughing_Lagomorph)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/89 "2004-12-13T01:47:13Z")
> [@Jurph](#): > > … And of course, you only have to get by on your looks for a day or two before you have enough data points to realize what locals do and don’t wear. > > … See, this part probably wouldn’t work for me. I have been living in the US for close to four decades and I still have no idea what I’m “supposed” to be wearing (no fashion sense). ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/90 "2004-12-13T03:05:27Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > No, you’re a freakin hero for pretending to be from Canada. Feeling “shame” or disagreeing with national policy is not the same thing as hiding behind someone elses flag like a little bitch. > Pussies like you without any backbone or national pride are the reason so many people are afraid to vote for liberals like Kerry. Sorry, but I guess I was raised not to hide who I am. I guess I’m just not that worried about offending bigots and xenophobes, even ones who aren’t from this country. If you wish to post in this thread again, I _strongly_ suggest you start with an apology for forgetting that you are not in The BBQ Pit. I don’t know where you got the idea that childish name calling and bad manners are “patriotic”, but I, for one, am not impressed by such boorishness. ---
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/91 "2004-12-13T04:12:18Z")
> [@Czarcasm](#): > > I don’t know where you got the idea that childish name calling and bad manners are “patriotic”, but I, for one, am not impressed by such boorishness. It’s this kind of boorishness that gets attached to the U.S. flag all the time. It makes those of us who have pride in our country but don’t share these sentiments afraid to be seen with the flag, since it seems to be the mating signal of the “My country right or wrong” crowd. And being told “suck it up or get out” doesn’t exactly solve the trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/92 "2004-12-13T04:53:09Z")
> [@Cunctator](#): > > I find it hard to distinguish between Canadians and Americans (unless they have flags or other obvious symbols displayed). There may be differences in the accents, but my ears can’t pick them. I’ve seen this from other non-North Americans on the SDMB, so to clarify, the accent differences are often so small that we cannot tell them either. There is more than one Canadian accent and more than one American accent and especially on the border, there isn’t any real noticeable difference. It would not be a weird experience to strike up a conversation with someone at a bar or cafe in the US and only learn that they’re Canadian when they tell you. OTOH, with some people ( **Gingy** , I’m looking at you!) it’s very obvious. Nevertheless, I think would be extremely unreasonable to expect a non-North American to be able to tell by accent whether someone is an American or Canadian. ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/93 "2004-12-13T04:58:03Z")
BTW, b]Cunctator\*\*, I once got (lightheartedly) schooled by an Australian and New Zealander in a hostel in Dublin when I admitted I couldn’t tell the difference between their accents. I totally believe that there is a difference, but I’ll be darned if I can figure out exactly what it is. I’ve heard plenty of both accents, but they just sound indistinguishable to me. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/94 "2004-12-13T05:46:28Z")
> [@Kyla](#): > > BTW, b]Cunctator\*\*, I once got (lightheartedly) schooled by an Australian and New Zealander in a hostel in Dublin when I admitted I couldn’t tell the difference between their accents. I totally believe that there is a difference, but I’ll be darned if I can figure out exactly what it is. I’ve heard plenty of both accents, but they just sound indistinguishable to me. I suppose it’s just a matter of attuning one’s ears **Kyla**. Australians and New Zealanders can tell each other’s accents apart instantly. And there is quite a physical separation between the two countries (over 2200 km), so there’s more scope for differences in both pronunciation and usage. But I know that most others can’t hear the difference. ---
**Author:** ![matt\_mcl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@matt\_mcl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/matt_mcl)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2004, 9:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/95 "2004-12-13T09:34:44Z")
Northern anglophone North America (Canada and the north-central and northwestern US) certainly have the _least_ dialectal variation for that geographical in the world. It’s not surprising the dialectal variations are subtle. In the UK, they can peg you by village, and it’s not surprising considering they’ve had a dozen or so centuries for the language to dialectize in. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/96 "2004-12-14T04:01:35Z")
> [@Gorsnak](#): > > Actually there are only ten provinces. Plus three territories (was two until recently). Which category does Nova Scotia fall into? I feel I should know this, since I’m apparently from those parts. ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/97 "2004-12-14T04:20:30Z")
It’s a real live province. My late Grandma was from there (Cape Breton). I must say I get confused sometimes, too. There’s that new Indian country that’s a province, I think, or maybe it’s still just a territory, and then are Newfoundland and Labrador two different places? ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/98 "2004-12-14T04:21:38Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > Which category does Nova Scotia fall into? I feel I should know this, since I’m apparently from those parts. Nova Scotia’s a province, one of the Maritimes, on the Atlantic seaboard. Interestingly (if you’re me), one of my great-grandmothers was born there, two weeks off the boat from Ireland. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/99 "2004-12-14T04:29:45Z")
> [@Mehitabel](#): > > It’s a real live province. My late Grandma was from there (Cape Breton). > > I must say I get confused sometimes, too. There’s that new Indian country that’s a province, I think, or maybe it’s still just a territory, and then are Newfoundland and Labrador two different places? The ten provinces are: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec and Saskatchewan. The three territories are the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and the Yukon Territories ([link](http://canada.gc.ca/othergov/prov_e.html)). ---
**Author:** ![Mehitabel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8797f3/32.png) [@Mehitabel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mehitabel)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2004, 4:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697/100 "2004-12-14T04:54:20Z")
Aha! I always forget New Brunswick. And Nunavat’s the new one. Thanks! \ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-would-an-american-go-about-passing-as-a-canadian-when-traveling-abroad/278697.md?page=6)