Whats Being Canadian Worth to You?

[odie441]

Hugo, I have to agree with you. I was in southern Europe a few years ago and when asked if I was American I responded with an indignent NO I am Canadian. I was very surprised by the response, which was, "American Canadian, you are all the same". I said to this individual that was not true and he asked if not true why do you all dress the same, talk the same and act the same?

This was an eye opener for me because I always thought we were very different than our American cousins. Apparently in the real world (not the fantasy we have created in our haste to build a utopian society) we are seen exactly as the Americans.

[idealisttotheend]

I said to this individual that was not true and he asked if not true why do you all dress the same, talk the same and act the same?

Canadian acting schools now have classes in how to 'talk American.' Are you telling me if you put a Texan and a Newfoundlander together they will sound the same? How about a Manitobian and a New Yorker?

This was an eye opener for me because I always thought we were very different than our American cousins. Apparently in the real world (not the fantasy we have created in our haste to build a utopian society) we are seen exactly as the Americans.

That's very interesting, this "real" world. I wonder why it is then that American youths traveling abroad wear Canadian flags on their backbacks? Or why Canadians are often told to ensure that they make some sort of prominent display of their country of origin so they aren't confused with Americans? In fact while I have not been to Eupore myself everyone I have talked to who has gone, says that they are disliked until people realize that they are not Americans but Canadians. Apparently we have a reputation for being 'polite' and 'nice' and the Americans have a reputation for being arrogant and for their various empire-buiding activities. American foriegn policy and Mr. Bush are extremely unpopular in Eupope and relations are at or near an all time low. In addition many people in Eupope remember what the Canadians did for them in the world wars which was considerable.

[guest123]

Hugo, I have to agree with you. I was in southern Europe a few years ago and when asked if I was American I responded with an indignent NO I am Canadian. I was very surprised by the response, which was, "American Canadian, you are all the same". I said to this individual that was not true and he asked if not true why do you all dress the same, talk the same and act the same?

This was an eye opener for me because I always thought we were very different than our American cousins. Apparently in the real world (not the fantasy we have created in our haste to build a utopian society) we are seen exactly as the Americans.

Alot of people all over the world, especially the western world look the same and dress the same as people in North America.

[guest123]

the rest of the world cannot tell the difference between Canadians and Americans.

Same might apply to South Americans, Middle Easterners, Asian Countries, Pacific Pslanders, Caribbean Islanders, Scandinavians, Africans, and many others.

[CanadaRocks]

I think its interesting that the People of Canada are Canadians, the People of Mexico are Mexicans, the People of France are French, and the People of United States are Americans.

Calling ourselves Canadians indicates we lay claim to Canada. Does calling themselves Americans mean that the citizens of United States lay claim to all of North America? ..is it possible that this contributes to confusion?