So what are the diffrences betwee America and Canada then? Eh?

Great Debates
21

My wife is Canadian and I’ve been up there alot. Here’s what I’ve noticed:

Canadians are WAY more prideful than Americans. Any time that they hear a new song by a Canadian, they exclaim: “He’s Canadian.” Or if they see a Canadian actress on TV, or if they see a book by a Canadian author, etc. Even amongst themselves with no other nationalities present. They partied in the streets when Canada won the hockey gold medal. Could you imagine Americans partying in the streets after winning the basketball gold medal?

In Ontario, all of the major highways start with 4. 401, 403 (2 different 403s, mind you), 405, 407, 410, 427, etc. I think Americans are a little bit more creative with assigning numbers to things.

Ontario drivers just flat out suck. They drive like maniacs without possessing the necessary skills. At least in New Jersey, we drive like maniacs but have decent skills and some judgement.

The food in Canada sucks when compared to the US.

The women in Canada are much, much hotter than American women (present company excepted), but we American men have their males beat.

The Toronto area is so culturally diverse. I’ve never seen so many people of so many different backgrounds interact and get along so well.

Canadian money sucks. In my pocket, it feels like hard tissue paper. I almost tossed it in the garbage on several occasions.

Canadian cars have daytime running lights. Very smart. I don’t know why we don’t do it, but we should.

National Healthcare. While the quality of medical care is much better in the US, we don’t have it available to everyone. This is shameful. Of course, our taxes help pay for the national defense of Canada (and about 50 other countries). Perhaps they should all pitch in on our healthcare.

22

I think Canada has more uncensored swearing on tv.

From what i recall the trailer park boys, sopranos, and osbornes to give you some examples are not bleeped out when they say the f word and is something I noticed to be different while living in the US.

23

1.) I drive the 403 everyday… I was unaware that there was a second one… :rolleyes:

2.) I REALLY tried not negatively stereotype Americansin my post, maybe that is another difference between Canadians and Americans? :wink:

3.) What did you eat?

24

Ahh see that’s what you’d think but actually it isn’t 401 it is 'fore 01 as in Before Hwy 01( The Good old TransCanada Highway linking coast to coast). Like fore 07 runs into hwy 7 etc.
sheesh Americans.

You are right about our women.

Oh and I’d say The Canadian Male is superior in every way, not only in looks but in brains and talent. Hell you keep hiring them in Hollywood as leading men.

Of course our TV shows do suck except the news shows.

25

1 - When you drive up the QEW, there’s a 403 near Hamilton. The first time drove up, I found myself in Brantford instead of Brampton. By the way, my wife is from Brampton too (Right off 410, Bovaird Exit)

2 - I’m sure you see the imbedded negative stereotype in that comment :wink:

3 - I should elaborate. I find the the ethnic food (Indian, Greek, etc.) better and more reasonably priced in Canada. The everyday food (pizza, fast food, Chinese, etc.) is not quite up to my standards though.

26

Canadians seem to spend more time thinking about the United States then people in the United States spend thinking about Canada.

Marc

27

Seems reasonable, Marc – I suspect a rabbit standing next to an elephant spends far more time wondering where the elephant is going to put its feet next than the elephant does wondering where the rabbit will. :slight_smile:

28

1.) I concede, there are two… I went on the assumption that my great counrty wouldn’t do something like have 2 similarily named highways… Then again, this is the same country which for a long time had two CFL teams with the nickname “Rough Riders”
:rolleyes:

2.) YUP! Hence the :wink:

3.) Fair enough.

29

Not sure about this one, Juggernaut. I think such displays of ‘pride’ are often really about many Canadians trying to convince ourselves that we (Canadians) can be as good, as competent, at popular things as are eg. Americans, Europeans. Sort of positive reinforcement for a touch of underdog complex.

I sometimes wonder if U.S. military spending goes beyond what is really necessary for defence. Correct me if I’m wrong, but it seems like the U.S. uses it’s military for more than just defence of itself and others - like promoting and protecting U.S. interests abroad. Also, one thing positive for the U.S. in its allies staying ‘military poor’ could be that it keeps other countries more dependent on the U.S. Also maybe keeps them a little quieter and in line about U.S. policy abroad. After all, who really wants to tangle head on with the military and economic Spike of the world.

My Canadian perspective - at this time.

30

Guilty as charged. Sorry about that.

Moving on: For me, the most painful difference between the U.S. and Canada is that we have far fewer MLB teams.

And, of course, as could be inferred from Polycarp’s last post, the biggest difference is in population size.

jm

31

In point of fact, one was called the “Rough Riders” and the other was called the “Roughriders.” So they were totally diferent. A true CFL fan would recognize that, my friend. Incidentally, I fell off my chair laughing when I saw the South Park episode where they depicted the Grey Cup being played between the Roughriders and the Rough Riders (the ep was “Asses of Fire” IIRC)

32

Who said I was a CFL fan?

33

Q: How is American beer like making love in a canoe?
A: It’s fucking near water. :smiley:

34

I think in the hijack about the American election, the fact that Mr. Fewl is completely and total incorrect got lost in the shuffle. The numbers:

Canada
Popular Vote - 41% Liberal 59% Other
House of Commons Seats* - 57% Liberal 43% Other.

[SUP]*For my American cousins: As explained above by Ulterior, the leader of the party which holds the most seats in Parliament assumes leadership of the country.[/SUP]

For comparison, here’s a similar breakdown of the American numbers from the most recent Presidential Election. Obviously, since the Canadian system of government is much different (for the worse, IMO) from the American, I had to draw a parallel where none exists.

USA
Popular Vote - 48% Bush 52% Other
Electoral College Votes - 50% Bush 50% Other

As you can see, the difference between popular vote and actual representation is much greater in Canada. Mote, log, eye, etc.

In that explanation, I tangentially got into the differences in political systems. It is my fervent desire that the Canadian will one day reform the system to include something similar to the checks and balances intrinsic to the American system. But I’ll save discussing those reforms for a different thread.
I once heard that the difference between Canadian and American political ideologies is that in America, it would be political suicide for an elected official to suggest socialized health care. In Canada, it would be political suicide to suggest privitizing health care.

35

Ah, the Canadians! They could have had French culture, British government, and American know-how. Instead, they got American culture, French government, and British know-how. :smiley:

36

This from the people that brought us Lebatt Blue?

37

the grim spectre of red death speaks the truth. Damnit. Colour me humiliated.

I can offer no excuse. Not even my predilection for smart-assery is sufficent.

I sincerely apologize to everyone on this board for a post rooted in ignorance.

jm

This is humble pie. This is me eating it.

38

John Ralston Saul wrote a great book called Reflections of a Siamese Twin, all about Canadian identity and the Canadian psyche. It’s by far the best thing to read if you want to get deeper than “We like hockey” and “We’re more polite.” His argument is that it’s the simalarities, not the differences, between our two countries which are cosmetic.

I will say though that if Jackknifed Juggernaut thinks Canadian men are ugly, he should come up to Montreal :stuck_out_tongue:

39

No, this is from the people who export Labatt’s Blue. We’re just getting rid of it in a market that will appreciate it :wink:

40

A great illustration of this for is in the overseas ESL teacher market. Many schools prefer Canadians to Americans because while the accent is the same (they think), they find Canadians are generally more flexible and compliant, willing to take orders, respectful, and culturally sensitive.

They also find they are easier to push around. Employers that like to take advantage of foreign workers by not paying full salaries, etc. – and they are many – find Americans will fight back, whereas Canadians generally just take it.

Generalizations, of course, but that’s my experience, and I’ve been told the same by employers.