# What Americans know and Canadians just don't get. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 8, 2001, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681 "2001-02-08T20:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/61 "2001-02-09T18:06:53Z")
_Originally posted by **TopazAntares** _ > [@](#): > > \*\*_St. Attila_ > > > [@](#): > > > > **tuque** n. > > A knitted woolen cap in the form of a cylindrical bag often with tapered ends that is worn with one end tucked into the other. > > > > **tuque** \Tuque, n. [Canadian F. See Toque A kind of warm cap winter wear, made from a knit bag with closed tapered ends by pushing one end within the other, thus making a conical cap of double thickness. > > \*\* Oh, I know what a **tuque** is, **Topaz**. It’s **took** that was causing me problems. ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/62 "2001-02-09T18:07:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QuickSilver \* > I know what you are getting at **Math Geek** , but what do you suggest I do to distiguish these two cultures in her very bright but still 4 year old mind? How about giving her a chance to learn some Canadian history? Things like the construction of the CNR, Vimy Ridge, the FLQ crisis, Billy Bishop, Louis Riel, and yes, as trite as it may seem, the war of 1812? She can’t be learning much of that in a U.S. grade school, except possibly the Battle of New Orleans. Or how about the Group of Seven? Or some Canadian authors, like Margaret Atwood? (We’ll save Robertson Davies for later.) Or how about some music by Stan Rogers? Looking back on this list I’ve just written, I realize that I may be asking a lot of a four-year-old…but she’s going to grow up, and there’s an awful lot about Canada that she’s never, ever going to learn in a U.S. school unless you bring it to her attention. Just a suggestion. And if I may be allowed to rant here for a moment…_there’s more to Canadian culture than moose and geese and Labatt’s beer and the letters u and zed_. A lot more. There’s more I want to say, but I need to get to work, and **lolagranola** has said most of it for me already in her last post or two. But for the record: I’m a Canadian ex-pat, living in California. I’ve had a year and a half to experience the land of Stars and Stripes first-hand, and given the choice I would pick Canada any day of the week. And that’s not just a hypothetical: I will be given the choice in another few years when I graduate, and I fully intend to vote with my feet then. ---
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/63 "2001-02-09T18:24:53Z")
_Originally posted by **Math Geek** _ > [@](#): > > \*\*I’m a Canadian ex-pat, living in California. \*\* Heard you were homesick, **Math Geek**. Did you get the electricity we sent? ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/64 "2001-02-09T18:50:13Z")
> [@](#): > > Oh, I know what a tuque is, Topaz. It’s took that was causing me problems. Okay St. Atilla I was just making sure you knew. _snuggles deeper in her bunnyhug and wonders why the school is cold today_ ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/65 "2001-02-09T18:50:15Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lolagranola \* > We don’t all sell out for money. Maybe this is why you are happier in the US? Oh _we_ don’t? May I ask, is that a royal _we_ or a collective _we_? If it’s the latter then may I ask how many we’s you are speaking on behalf of? Would that be a majority of Canadians or just people in your household? You know, you’ve taken much of the joy out of this tongue-in-cheek light discussion with your holier than thou attitude. Thanks very much. > [@](#): > > I think the problem is that you don’t have any national pride, so you assume that of everyone else. So because I think that in general Americans show more pride in their country that Canadians do in theirs’ means that I don’t have pride as a Canadian? Well, I do. But not because of the CBC and the priviledge of paying higher tax rates. > [@](#): > > You could be bought for a higher wage and less taxes, so you assume that everyone else would do the same in a similar situation. Yes, I’ve been lured from the true path of Canadian virtue by the evil god of American money. Because real Canadians don’t really need any money - the gov’t will provide us with all the comforts necessary for our lives. Quit being such a hypocrite **lola**. > [@](#): > > There is plenty of national pride here, and I happen to have a reputation for being especially patriotic. Yes, I think I’ve seen you on CBC waving that flag. What I’ve been trying to convey (evidently with little success) is that Canadian culture is often defined by Canadians as what is most in contrast to American culture. That is not a good way to define an identity of a country and of a people. What I’m saying is that in the ways that count most (i.e. cultural, economical, political) we Canadians aren’t that different from Americans. > [@](#): > > Hopefully without degenerating this into an argument over these issues, I can say that there are a multitude of things I strongly dislike about the US. Health care, gun control laws, education, and the general air of smugness that wafts across the border, to name a few. The U.S. healthcare system is one of the best in the world. Though we do hear horror stories, I believe that they are the exception rather than the rule. As far as I know there are no healthcare epidemics in the US of any kind. Nobody is refused urgent medical treatment regardless of whether or not they have insurance coverage. It is not an ideal system but it seems to be improving. Many states have laws that prohibit the insurance companies from denying policies to anybody regardless of their health status. I don’t like guns. I’m not comfortable with the idea of my neighbours having guns. I’d rather criminals didn’t have access to guns either but there seems little we can do to prevent that even in Canada. The US culture is rapidly changing in this respect as well. The changes may be stalled with this administration but they are moving in a generally positive direction due to mounting social pressure advocating the abolishment of personal firearms among civilians. I know that many pro-gun people believe that such a stance is the end of the free world but I think it’s going to make for a kinder and gentler America. It’s just going to take a significant amount of time to get used to this idea. Some of the best schools in the world are right here in the US. MIT, Harvard, Yale, etc… Most schools offer grants and loans to students. Accomplished students get scholarships. There are plenty of great state sponsored (non-private) schools as well which are no more expensive than Canadian Universities. As a whole, the US has lots of very well educated people and is graduating more every year. As for the air that wafts across the border, well, the US has to work on their polution and smugness reduction rules. But so does Canada. Hamilton is a cesspool of heavy metal polution that has poisoned lake Ontario and Canadians in general are pretty smugg about not being confused for American while abroad - take yourself as an example. > [@](#): > > Again, not all Canadians share your values. We wouldn’t all be under US rule, given the chance. You should know better than to make such sweeping statements regarding over 30 million people. That is a poor debate style, and certainly one that will stimulate argument. Well given that I posted this in IMHO I thought I would be allowed a certain amount of leeway with respect to making more sweeping generalizations than I would in GD. Mia Culpa… > [@](#): > > It is unlikely that you know me better than I know myself. In my opinion, you have demonstrated both ignorance and arrogance in your statements regarding your sentiments towards my country of choice. You’ve chosen to live in the country that you are happier in, and I’ve chosen mine. I don’t believe I’ve said anything negative about Canada as a country (well, I think the taxes are too high but show me a person who wouldn’t rather pay less taxes). Canada is very much deserving of high praise for it’s standard of living and it’s upstanding citizenry. I simply speculated that Americans show more obvious pride in their country than Canadians do in their’s. Also the source of American pride seems to be their achievements while the source of Canadian pride seems to be (in large part but not exclusively) that we are not Americans. Whether or not that is a good thing is up to each individual to decide. I think American pride has both good and bad aspects and have said as much. Why you have personally chosen to take me to task for my opinions escapes me at the moment. ---
**Author:** ![Flutterby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/6f9a4e/32.png) [@Flutterby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flutterby)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/66 "2001-02-09T19:05:40Z")
As to all this talk of ‘selling out’ lola I think quite a few Canadians would do so I know I probably would given the chance. I also know my Dad and his girlfriend would probably do so as well from the conversations I’ve had with them. As Susan said not that long ago “In the States if you have enough gumption and are willing to work hard you can get somewhere. Here in Canada the gov’t keeps everyone poor.” I’m only 18 but from what I’ve seen that is the case. Lots of people work hard and never get anywhere. My family is a good example. So I’m going to take computer courses in College and if someone in the States offers me a job… I’ll probably take it. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/67 "2001-02-09T19:08:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Math Geek \* > And if I may be allowed to rant here for a moment…_there’s more to Canadian culture than moose and geese and Labatt’s beer and the letters u and zed_. A lot more. Oh yeah. Like what? (your list of artists, authors and historical figures not withstanding?) I’m kidding, kidding. Just don’t get your ire up like **lolagranola** did. I haven’t the energy to take you both on at once. Especially since I’m mostly playing devil’s advocate here. I’m really not as anti-Canadian as I may seem. There’s more I want to say, but I need to get to work, and **lolagranola** has said most of it for me already in her last post or two. But for the record: I’m a Canadian ex-pat, living in California. I’ve had a year and a half to experience the land of Stars and Stripes first-hand, and given the choice I would pick Canada any day of the week. And that’s not just a hypothetical: I will be given the choice in another few years when I graduate, and I fully intend to vote with my feet then. [/QUOTE] Well welcome and good luck to you. I have to say that in my first 3 years in the US I said pretty much the same thing you just did and I was working full time, not studying. Let some time pass and start your first job in the states. When you start realizing just how well off you can be financially in the states vs Canada and when/if you start having kids and perhaps **Suo Na** decides she wants to be a full time mom then you may start singing a different tune. But hey, to each his own. I wish you the best of luck. As for me. After 9 years, Canada (Toronto) is still home only I’m not in a huge rush to return there anymore. YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/68 "2001-02-09T19:20:31Z")
_Originally posted by **QuickSilver** _ > [@](#): > > **It’s brain washing to be sure (IMO), but I do think that this kind of instilled pride is missing from Canadian culture. Is that a good thing? Perhaps.** Come on. You keep going on about how America is great because of this or that, but when you get down to it you can’t decide if these American traits are really good or not. It’s people like you that give Americans the impression that we’re all wusses. “How do you get twenty Canadians out of a pool? Say, ‘okay, everybody, out of the pool.’” > [@](#): > > **I mean look, have you heard of one Palestinian terr… err, I mean dissident… accepting Chretien’s invitation to come live in Canada? I’ll bet you an American dollar that a whole bunch of them would like to come to the US. 😉** You bet! Most Palestinian whatevers get into the US by sneaking across the Canadian border. > [@](#): > > **And St. Attila, yes I do think that moving to the US for better financial opportunities was a good idea for me and my family** […]\*\* Should I feel bad about not having to pay 54% of my wages to Canadian social programs simply because I am technically still a Canadian citizen? Now who’s taking patriotism to absurd levels?\*\* America lets you climb high, to be sure. But the man who climbs twice as high hits the ground twice as hard. At least in Canada we have a safety net. Quit being a wuss. You want to climb with Americans? Then take the same risks they do. Renounce your Canadian citizenship. You’re not paying into the Canadian safety net; why should you have the privilege of its protection? You live in America and think like a Canadian. You can’t really claim to be either. What does that make you? > [@](#): > > **And as for Canadian pride, I still maintain that it primarily revolves around the fact that we can say we are not American.** Canadian pride comes with Canadian self confidence. We’re quiet. We don’t need to yell. You only see it on threads like this, and then, yeah, it looks like anti-Americanism. > [@](#): > > **Let’s face it, Canadian (or more precisely British Loyalists) may have won a battle or two against the Americans back in the 1800’s but America has won the cultural and economic war.** Quitter. The cultural war has never ended for my family. My kids don’t watch a lot of TV, and what they do watch is mostly Canadian. In my family, I’m winning that war. > [@](#): > > **In light of that fact, the CBC is an amusing (and poorely funded) distraction at best.** Maybe you’ll get interesting unbiased television from corporation sponsored PBS? Oh, never mind, _Friends_ is on… > [@](#): > > **I’ve said it before an I’ll say it again… show me a Canadian who would not trade in his/her Canadian citizenship for an American one given a par exchange on the dollar and a promise to let him/her continue to live and work just where he/she always has but now under US rule. The entire country would be sold to the US in a matter of hours.** You’re looking at him, buddy. You’re looking at him. Canada sell out to the US? It’s becoming more and more clear that you just don’t get it. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/69 "2001-02-09T19:30:41Z")
**So you think you can’t be bought, lola?** Ah, join me here on this couch and let me tempt you, my little kumquat. HAH! I tempt you with 20000 shares of [Amazon.com](http://Amazon.com) stock! _looks off stage. Listens_ Crap. Well! I can STILL buy her with 50000 shares of Priceline stock! I can even get some from Shatner! _listens off stage again. Frowns_ No. Really? Dang! That must have hurt the ol’ Cap, eh? Hmm…at least we still have Etoys stock, right? [Voter.com](http://Voter.com)? Um. Apple? Crap. OK. Will you settle for $20 US and a PlayStation 2? Dang. ---
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/70 "2001-02-09T19:45:45Z")
_Originally posted by **TopazAntares** _ > [@](#): > > \*\*As Susan said not that long ago “In the States if you have enough gumption and are willing to work hard you can get somewhere. Here in Canada the gov’t keeps everyone poor.” \*\*[…]\*\*So I’m going to take computer courses in College and if someone in the States offers me a job… I’ll probably take it. \*\* On a serious note, I’ll have to concede a point to **QuickSilver**. As long as Canadians define success, happiness, etc. on American terms, we will always feel second place. I love Canada. Being an American would require trade offs that I have no intention to make. That said, I think it’s a Good Thing[sup]TM[/sup] that people can choose which country they want to live in, according to how they want to live. In that sense, all these debates are pointless as you’ll obviously love the country you’ve chosen and think it is the best. I once saw some sage advice on a thread like this, another place, another time. We should recognize what unites us here, on the SDMB. Our discussions speak towards our similarities, not our differences. We should not fight about who is best, be it French vs. English, Canada vs. America, North vs. South, but be one in love and understanding and face, together, the true enemy: Those miserable, fat, Belgian bastards. ---
**Author:** ![Stella\_Fantasia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/74df32/32.png) [@Stella\_Fantasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stella_Fantasia)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/71 "2001-02-09T19:54:11Z")
Wow…I haven’t seen this much anti-Canada sentiment since the _South Park_ movie! I must say I’m surprised. Aside from Celine Dion & Alanis Morrissette, I can’t think of a reason to hate Canada. Even the French people there are friendly. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/72 "2001-02-09T20:00:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Attila \* > It’s people like you that give Americans the impression that we’re all wusses. No, it’s the laughably small Canadian military that given Americans the impression that we’re all wusses. Note that I didn’t say that the actual Canadian military personel is a bunch of wusses. I’m told they gave those Somalians some what-for… > [@](#): > > You bet! Most Palestinian whatevers get into the US by sneaking across the Canadian border. See even the poor displaced Palestinians prefer America to Canada. Go figure. > [@](#): > > America lets you climb high, to be sure. But the man who climbs twice as high hits the ground twice as hard. At least in Canada we have a safety net. Would that be the welfare safety net you are speaking of? I dare say that neither the Canadian nor American welfare safety net is designed to be a comfy hammock. I would not like to argue a case where one is significantly worse than the other. > [@](#): > > Quit being a wuss. You want to climb with Americans? Then take the same risks they do. Renounce your Canadian citizenship. You’re not paying into the Canadian safety net; why should you have the privilege of its protection? The only protection currently offered to me by my Canadian citizenship/passport is that I may not be the first hostage shot if my plane is aprehended by Iraqi terrorists. I’m a Canadian citizen, not resident. I don’t get any perks from Canada. Your hard earned tax dollars don’t benefit me in the least so you may sleep well tonight. > [@](#): > > You live in America and think like a Canadian. You can’t really claim to be either. What does that make you? I think they call it a free agent. > [@](#): > > Quitter. The cultural war has never ended for my family. My kids don’t watch a lot of TV, and what they do watch is mostly Canadian. In my family, I’m winning that war. Funny, my kids only watch kids PBS shows and they are mostly Canadian as well… Arthur, Dragon Tales, Rolie Polie Olie… > [@](#): > > Maybe you’ll get interesting unbiased television from corporation sponsored PBS? Oh, never mind, _Friends_ is on… Little known fact: televisions in the US also have an “off” switch. We use it quite regularly in our home as our way of sensoring tv network drivel. > [@](#): > > You’re looking at him, buddy. You’re looking at him. Canada sell out to the US? It’s becoming more and more clear that you just don’t get it. Oh I get it. I started this entire topic as a light hearted observation, remember? Now I’m scarmbling around playing devil’s advocate because my fellow Canadians like to demonize America to make themselves feel… well, more Canadian, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/73 "2001-02-09T20:11:25Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Attila \* > On a serious note, I’ll have to concede a point to **QuickSilver**. As long as Canadians define success, happiness, etc. on American terms, we will always feel second place. You mean I finally made a cogent enough argument to convice someone of something?! Yipeee!!! This is indeed a special day. I’m going to stop posting for a while before I ruin it for myself… 😃 > [@](#): > > … face, together, the true enemy: > > Those miserable, fat, Belgian bastards. It’s a shame because they make a wonderful waffle. But if we must, we must. ---
**Author:** ![lolagranola](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ea5d25/32.png) [@lolagranola](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lolagranola)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/74 "2001-02-09T20:36:01Z")
Why did I take you to task for it? Well, you are one who started the post. I also had issues with these comments: > [@](#): > > …something we Canadians just don’t get. It’s pride in one’s identity. > [@](#): > > We don’t have a show (to the best of my knowledge) that makes us feel in any way proud or even remotely nationalistic about being Canadian. > [@](#): > > …the CBC is an amusing (and poorely funded) distraction at best. > [@](#): > > I’ve said it before an I’ll say it again… show me a Canadian who would not trade in his/her Canadian citizenship for an American one given a par exchange on the dollar and a promise to let him/her continue to live and work just where he/she always has but now under US rule. The entire country would be sold to the US in a matter of hours. > [@](#): > > But I doubt you would find any European country (or anywhere else for that matter) a superior place to \ the US. > [@](#): > > …Americans seem to be in a league of their own. > [@](#): > > The U.S. healthcare system is one of the best in the world > [@](#): > > I don’t believe I’ve said anything negative about Canada as a country Are you sure??? > [@](#): > > Quit being such a hypocrite lola. You’ve insulted my country and me. You don’t even seem to like Canada. I think I’m going to try to stay out of this discussion from now on. Last year, I went head to head with one of your patriotic Americans who believed that anyone, and I mean ANYONE, who did not prefer the US to any other country in the world needed their head examined. I’m pretty sure that if you took an extensive poll around the world, you would find a healthy percentage would not list the US as the number one country they would like to live in. I’m tired of trying to convince people that I don’t actually want to move, and furthermore, it’s not a reliable method of diagnosing insanity. > [@](#): > > Yes, I think I’ve seen you on CBC waving that flag. For some reason, flag waving type patriotism is an honourable trait in an American, and a mockable one in Canada. I think that you are brilliantly demonstating why Canadians are generally a little quieter about their patriotism. I, of course, am an exception on that one. I’m glad you’re happy where you are, but please try and see how your comments could be easily taken as insults. _lola wanders off in search of some good painkillers for her recent headache_ ---
**Author:** ![ianzin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ed655f/32.png) [@ianzin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ianzin)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/75 "2001-02-09T21:13:29Z")
> [@](#): > > _originally posted by the genius that is St. Attila_ > Just an example of our wonderful Canadian humour. Note the “u” in humour, you silly Yanks. Note the ‘u’? How about noting both of them? Or is thinking and typing at the same time too much to ask? I guess from your rant that it is. I’m a Brit, unfortunately, but the USA is my spiritual home. It’s a wonderful country, and I’m not the least bit surprised that most Americans are damned proud of their country. I would be too if I lived there. ---
**Author:** ![St.Attila](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@St.Attila](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/St.Attila)\ **Post date:** [February 9, 2001, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/76 "2001-02-09T23:32:53Z")
_Originally posted by **ianzin** _ > [@](#): > > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > _originally posted by the genius that is St. Attila_ > > Just an example of our wonderful Canadian humour. Note the “u” in humour, you silly Yanks. > > Note the ‘u’? How about noting both of them? Or is thinking and typing at the same time too much to ask? I guess from your rant that it is. > > I’m a Brit, unfortunately, but the USA is my spiritual home. It’s a wonderful country, and I’m not the least bit surprised that most Americans are damned proud of their country. I would be too if I lived there. \*\* Leave it to some stuffy, pretentious English pansy to count the canonical u’s. “Well, I’m feeling rather anal today, James, so I think I’ll ignore most of that message and just concentrate on the last little bits.” Never got over losing the colonies, did you, Carleton? Pining for New England 'cause you figured it’s “improved,” too? You’ll fit right in considering your teeth look like a pile up on the Jersey Turnpike. Well, what are you waiting for, you inscrutable, pasty pantywaist? Move your skinny ass. Afraid the Yanks will notice that the London fog is thickest 'round your head? America may be your spiritual home, Cadbury, but your head’s a landed immigrant up your ass. Uurgh. Look what you’ve made me do. Things were turning around so nicely, 'til you came along. Clear off, you obsequious, malcontented git! The Belgians are getting away! ---
**Author:** ![Orbifold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/779978/32.png) [@Orbifold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orbifold)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2001, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/77 "2001-02-10T01:14:44Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by St. Attila \* > Heard you were homesick, **Math Geek**. Did you get the electricity we sent? Forget the electricity; send Timbits! Or convince somebody to open a Harvey’s down here… > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by QuickSilver_ > I’m kidding, kidding. Just don’t get your ire up like **lolagranola** did. I haven’t the energy to take you both on at once. Especially since I’m mostly playing devil’s advocate here. I’m really not as anti-Canadian as I may seem. Well, I’m afraid you did get my ire up this morning; my earlier post was a response to that. I’ve cooled down since then, but I think my point stands. Namely: you claim that Canadians don’t have national pride, or that if they do that it comes from being not-American. But you don’t seem to be aware of the many things that Canadians _do_ have to be proud of, that _don’t_ stem from being not-American. I hope I’ve reminded you what some of those things are, and that there are Canadians who don’t need to sneer at Americans to feel proud of themselves. As for your other contention, that I may start singing a different tune after I have kids and settle down…all things are possible, I suppose. If someone offered me a million US dollars a year to study hyperbolic three-manifolds somewhere in the States, I’d probably accept (after picking my jaw off the floor and looking around for the hidden camera). But it would take an awful lot to hold me here. This country I’m living in has some straaaange political views… (But by all that’s right and decent, I swear I am _never_ going to raise kids in Los Angeles.) > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Stella_Fantasia\* > Wow…I haven’t seen this much anti-Canada sentiment since the South Park movie! I _loved_ that movie! The idea that a Canadian invasion of the U.S. could get all the way to Colorado…it warms the heart 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2001, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/78 "2001-02-10T04:45:43Z")
…I would like to recommend a book called, ‘Why I Hate Canadians’ by Will Ferguson. You will really enjoy this book, it is quite serious and quite humourous at the same time. I would suggest to the OP, that what you are trying to project onto all of Canada is only a reflection of how you feel you are different from Americans. It demonstrates only how you view your own culture and has no significance to any reality for anyone else. It should be clear to you from the others responses here that what you view as the norm (for Canadian overt acts of patriotism) is nothing more than your own subjective view projected onto an unassuming Canadian public. I’m glad you feel your health care is up to Canadian standards, and I pray that nothing catostrophic happens to your family.The difference is not often apparent when it’s all about tonsilitis and strep throat.When it comes right down to organ transplants and other very expensive procedures, you may find your great health insurance not all its cracked up to be. As for flags on packs, in all honesty, in 10+ years of travelling the world, easily one half of the people I encountered with maple leafs on their packs were Americans. Trying to avoid the reputation of the ugly American.Concerned they’d be singled out and shot in some tight spot or other. They usually only confessed this when face to face with a Canadian wanting to know where they were from. Personally I have never worn a flag on my pack, I’ve never felt the need. I am proud to be a Canadian and do not define myself within the confined parameters of how unamerican I am. Not for any amount of money would I consider moving from this land. My country is not perfect nor is it peopled by better people than any other nation. I think most Canadians feel that pride should be reserved for something you have achieved. Proud as we may be to count ourselves as Canadians we are intelligent enough to know that we didn’t choose to be Canadians (well, most of us didn’t anyway), it’s an accident of birth, like being tall or short or bald or blonde. I mean, how worked up can you get over an accident of birth? Be proud if you wish but please leave the rest of us to celebrate our culture as we please, in our own, quiet, polite, understated Canadian way. ---
**Author:** ![StephenG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@StephenG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StephenG)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2001, 5:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/79 "2001-02-10T05:22:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by QuickSilver \* > > Do I instruct her on the virtues and advantages of pronouncing the last letter in the alphbet as “Zed” not “Zee”? > > Do I teach her the benefits of ending sentences with an “eh” and sticking a “u” in words like colour, honour and endeavour? I’d like to hear about these, actually. 🙂 I’m aware of the benefits of the well used “eh”, and I’ve even adopted it myself. I’m sure my family is laughing at me… > [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Dr\_Paprika_ > All you need in the States to shut down your roads for ten minutes or more is two inches of snow. One inch out of season. (We call this season “winter”.) We have different experiences here. In Boston, two feet of snow is no problem. I’m given to understand that 3 inches constitues a “snow emergency” in Toronto. [Speaking of which, why call the city “T.O.”? New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, the District of Columbia (not a city, but YKWIM) … all are two words, so a two-letter acronym\* makes sense. “Toronto” is just one word…] \*I know it’s not an acronym in the strictest sense of the word. **lolagranola** , thanks for the link! 🙂 [sub]Stick my head in the sand? Ignore raging controversy? Don’t mind if I do…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2001, 9:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681/80 "2001-02-10T09:50:27Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jr8 \* > **Are you kidding me? Wearing that maple leaf in Europe makes a big difference. > … > You have no idea the sorts of things people say about Americans when they think there aren’t any around…** True, but there are also plenty of Europeans who take the piss out of Canadians precisely because of that maple leaf thing. And the same goes for Kiwis who desperately try to distinguish themselves from Australians. There probably are a few people here who will treat you better because of it, but there are far more who really _don’t_ care, and who find it anywhere from amusing to pathetic that Canucks and Kiwis do this. Personally I’ve never understood the desire to identify yourself so clearly as a _tourist_ - apart from being a bit like holding up a sign that says “Over Here, Muggers and Pickpockets”, the simple fact is that the more you try to blend in with the natives the better treatment you’ll get - regardless of your accent. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-americans-know-and-canadians-just-dont-get/53681.md?page=5)