Canadians Still Distrust US of A

[Guest American Woman]

I believe I comprehend quite well in this case.

Then your comprehension skills aren't quite as good as you think they are.

[Oleg Bach]

Then your comprehension skills aren't quite as good as you think they are.

Human imagination is the eating of the tree of human knowledge...It's not so much about comprehenive "skill" comprehension in all acuracy is genetic - It can not be honed with practice_ You are either in a state of cold reality or delluded - Most of us are delluded.

[Guest American Woman]

Canadians are under a microscope as well. Only it's our microscope instead of the world's.

Interesting observation. I never thought of it that way before.

And, I think, our own is more critical than any you face.

Not sure I agree with you there, but I would think you care more about what you think of yourselves than what others do, so maybe that's what you're referring to.

We always seem to be questioning ourselves over every little thing. This is part of what and who we are, for better or for worse.

I wonder why, where it comes from?

As for Americans being criticized ... I think when a country proclaims it's the "best and greatest" democracy, institutions, etc. it's only normal you come under fire, if only to dispel the myth that you are superior.

I think just about every nation's citizens think their country is the best; or at least the majority of them do. I often hear Canadians making that claim about Canada, and no one else seems to jump all over them the way they do when Americans say it. Maybe it's because there are so many of us. Three hundred million people is a lot of people, so maybe it just seems as if we think it more than other nations do. But multiply the people you have believing that way by ten and you would have a louder voice out there, too. So by sheer numbers it may look as if so many Americans think this or that, but percentage-wise it may be no different from any other nation. Also, we're more boisterous than 'polite' Canadians, so that, too, makes our voice louder. Of course we do have our share of the arrogant, but there are a lot who aren't, too.

Also, a lot of people from around the world do hold up our Constitution as a great document, so it's not just Americans saying it/thinking it. A lot of people do look at America as the land of opportunity, too, so again, that's not us saying it.

Furthermore, we're the only super power right now and that's not because Americans are proclaiming our greatness.

But just think if an American politician had said, "Those damn Canadians. I hate those bastards."

Or to make the inferior feel superior. Or a bit of both.

Again, an interesting observation, and I'd have to say most likely both.

Mostly, from where Canadians sit, we don't see you the best and greatest in everything. Some things better, of course. Some worse, undoubtedly.

Nor should you see us as the best and greatest in everything; I know I sure don't, but it seems to me that's not something you should dislike us for.

All in all there are quite a few pluses in flying under the radar.

I would think so too.

[PocketRocket]

Then your comprehension skills aren't quite as good as you think they are.

But....but....but my English teacher gave me a gold star.....

[Guest American Woman]

But....but....but my English teacher gave me a gold star.....

But...but..."English" and "reading comprehension" aren't the same thing at all.

[PocketRocket]

But...but..."English" and "reading comprehension" aren't the same thing at all.

Sometimes women can be....well.....incomprehensible

[jbg]

But....but....but my English teacher gave me a gold star.....

I thought you learned Canadian growing up.

[PocketRocket]

I thought you learned Canadian growing up.

LOL......who said I ever grew up???

[PocketRocket]

I think just about every nation's citizens think their country is the best; or at least the majority of them do. I often hear Canadians making that claim about Canada, and no one else seems to jump all over them the way they do when Americans say it. Maybe it's because there are so many of us. Three hundred million people is a lot of people, so maybe it just seems as if we think it more than other nations do.

Absolutely right in saying many people in many nations believe their country is the best.

But multiply the people you have believing that way by ten and you would have a louder voice out there, too. So by sheer numbers it may look as if so many Americans think this or that, but percentage-wise it may be no different from any other nation. Also, we're more boisterous than 'polite' Canadians, so that, too, makes our voice louder. Of course we do have our share of the arrogant, but there are a lot who aren't, too.

Also correct in saying a lot (not all) of Americans are more boisterous about saying so. Good word, that; "boisterous".

The arrogant are, as anywhere, a small minority, but a very vocal one. I think the outide perception of arrogance stems from the fact that many on-air and published personalities incessantly tout the USA as "The greatest country". This sort of thing, being broadcast around the world on a continual basis, surely would stoke the fires further.

In the USA, as anywhere else, I believe the vast majority of people are good and kind, and would go out of their way to help out someone in distress.

All in all, despite our differences of opinion and sometimes heated exchanges, I am proud to call the USA my friend and neighbor. Not sure how the USA at large feels about me personally. Perhaps you can ask Obama for me

Also, a lot of people from around the world do hold up our Constitution as a great document, so it's not just Americans saying it/thinking it. A lot of people do look at America as the land of opportunity, too, so again, that's not us saying it.

Again, absolutely correct on both counts.

Furthermore, we're the only super power right now and that's not because Americans are proclaiming our greatness.

Which is further cause for the country being under the microscope.

But just think if an American politician had said, "Those damn Canadians. I hate those bastards."

Well, we do have Anne Coulter. Not a politician, but certainly loud.

Good post, AM, with some fine insights.

I believe I comprehended most of it, too

[Guest American Woman]

It seems as if we're actually in agreement, PocketRocket; and since you recognized it as "a good post with fine insights," I'd say your comprehension was right on.

P.S. I meant "boisterous" in the best possible way, of course ....

[bush_cheney2004]

.... think the outide perception of arrogance stems from the fact that many on-air and published personalities incessantly tout the USA as "The greatest country". This sort of thing, being broadcast around the world on a continual basis, surely would stoke the fires further....

But you have identified the very dynamic that reinforces the arrogance...no other nation has such a pervasive scope of reach and content around the world. Canada experiences this everyday, lacking other/better choices. So even though Superman fought for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way", such domestic content found its way around the planet and even into outer space.

And in continuing fashion, America has now delivered an even better distibution medium (Internet) to go along with even more professionally produced and amateur content.

Arrogance? You bet....here is America's true national anthem, available worldwide on VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray (from Rocky IV):

Edited November 14, 2009 by bush_cheney2004

[Guest American Woman]

For you, Bush_cheney .....

Edited November 14, 2009 by American Woman

[bush_cheney2004]

For you, Bush_cheney .....

Cute video...the chorus continues the tradition of un-definition (Brits, US, France, Greece, and China).

...and of course, their American blue jeans have Canadian zippers!

[PocketRocket]

Kudos to you both. Nice to see people who can argue a point vociferously, and then moments later still just sit down and have a chuckle with each other.

Nice.

[jbg]

All in all, despite our differences of opinion and sometimes heated exchanges, I am proud to call the USA my friend and neighbor. Not sure how the USA at large feels about me personally. Perhaps you can ask Obama for me

The citizens of the USA have voted that you're a friend and a good neighbor, but definitely not a good neighbour.

Well, we do have Anne Coulter. Not a politician, but certainly loud.

Anne is hilarious. I find a lot of what she has to say thoroughly offensive. I do agree with her about maybe 20% of the time, but do have some real problems with her bizarre religious and social views.

[Guest American Woman]

Kudos to you both. Nice to see people who can argue a point vociferously, and then moments later still just sit down and have a chuckle with each other. Nice.

Only trouble is .... I had both songs stuck in my head, so I had a bit of an identity crisis by the time I went to bed.....

[PocketRocket]

The citizens of the USA have voted that you're a friend and a good neighbor, but definitely not a good neighbour.

LOL. That's cool, you can be my neighbour, I'll be your neighbor.

Anne is hilarious.

in much the same way as a road kill is funny

I find a lot of what she has to say thoroughly offensive.

Only when she's talking

I do agree with her about maybe 20% of the time, but do have some real problems with her bizarre religious and social views.

Truth to tell, I have a grand total of about 15 minutes of Coulter-watching time under my belt. I enjoyed what she had to say, until she said something.

Actually, she does have quite a quick wit. Just WAY too over the top for my tastes.

A true media whore, though, and proud of it.

[PocketRocket]

Only trouble is .... I had both songs stuck in my head, so I had a bit of an identity crisis by the time I went to bed.....

The vid you posted was good, but this is the one I prefer as a promotional vid for Canada....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpxQp3Hy5nk

[Guest American Woman]

omg. All I can say is .... Poor Canada!

[Oleg Bach]

But you have identified the very dynamic that reinforces the arrogance...no other nation has such a pervasive scope of reach and content around the world. Canada experiences this everyday, lacking other/better choices. So even though Superman fought for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way", such domestic content found its way around the planet and even into outer space.

And in continuing fashion, America has now delivered an even better distibution medium (Internet) to go along with even more professionally produced and amateur content.

Arrogance? You bet....here is America's true national anthem, available worldwide on VHS, DVD, and Blu-Ray (from Rocky IV):

Saw James Brown live in a small club..great..as for us sticking together - against any threat that raises it's ugly head against America - WHICH IS IN TRUTH ABOUT TO WAGE WAR AGAINST THE CHRISTIANS - IT'S TIME..that we stuck together like family - not devided by colour but unitied by faith and tradition - it was Christianity that built America - and it is the loss of it that will destroy it - firt thing - stop watching those evil creeps on TV that call themselves Christians - and rediscover the real movement that did not have a name - that was based on love loyalty and fearlessness.

[bloodyminded]

I think the notion that many Canadians are a bit reflexively critical of Americans is true enough. I stopped indulging in this narcissistic nonsense a long time ago, when I realized the unsurprisng fact that--man-to-man and woman-to-woman--any differences are so small as to be negligible. And we shouldn't have to come to the realization, as I did; it should be self-evident, essentailly a truism.

However, criticism of the United States has a rational basis, a moral underpinning.

While Canadians might do well to stop pretending we aren't a criminal nation, it's nonetheless only rational to criticize the Imperial behemoth.

The United states misbehaves, very, very badly misbehaves. And because of its tremendous power, its misbehaviors can have catastrophic effects.

As an institution.

As an institution, it is a criminal enterprise run very much on the model of gangsters.

But this has nothing specifically to do with Americans, with some flaw in the "American character" (if there even is such a thing).

If Canada were the reigning superpower, we would behave the same way.

Horribly. Violently. And a massive number of people on the globe would resent us for it...as is perfectly understandable.

That doesn't excuse the execrable American behavior. But we should always remind ourselves that there is really no such thing as Canadian superiority.

[Oleg Bach]

I trust Bush Cheney and he trusts me...It all starts off with the small guys - the one on one relaionships - that is what we build international trust on - NOT governments - they can't be trusted ever - we all know that! So what's the problem - are we to hate America because of their politics - should they hate us for the same? Politicals are a tiny part of the population - concentrate on the average person...plant the seed of trust and make a friend in America. Do it! It's not that difficult aht ehy are human just like us and very responsive if approached with care and trust - YOU will not benefit by hating a whole nation - besides there are to many down there to hate.

[jbg]

However, criticism of the United States has a rational basis, a moral underpinning.

Moral underpinning? What makes criticism of the U.S. more moral than criticism of Iran?

While Canadians might do well to stop pretending we aren't a criminal nation, it's nonetheless only rational to criticize the Imperial behemoth.

Criminal nation? You're way afield of the post topic.

The United states misbehaves, very, very badly misbehaves. And because of its tremendous power, its misbehaviors can have catastrophic effects.

As an institution.

As an institution, it is a criminal enterprise run very much on the model of gangsters.

Worse than Iran? Saudi Arabia?

That doesn't excuse the execrable American behavior. But we should always remind ourselves that there is really no such thing as Canadian superiority.

Wow. That's a strong word. Somehow I suspect that you're lucky to have the U.S. and not Gaza as you neighbor.

[Guest American Woman]

Worse than Iran? Saudi Arabia?

You might not like the answer you get.

It's interesting how different countries perceive other nations. I find this poll from 2005, for example, difficult to understand:

In just six of the 16 countries surveyed does the United States attract a favorability rating of 50% or above. By contrast, China receives that level of favorability rating from 11 countries ....

[Sir Bandelot]

It's interesting how different countries perceive other nations. I find this poll from 2005, for example, difficult to understand

I'd expect that those countries that look at China as more favourable than the US are probably countries in Asia.

People generally know when they are being screwed over financially, or lied to. People know some history, like using the atomic bomb is one of the most abhorrent acts ever committed. Not necessarily by its scale of death, but what it represents- massive wealth directed towards developing weapons of mass destruction.

I think it's not specifically hatred of the US per se, but any country that seeks hegemony and becomes the dominant empire will be disliked.