Explaining Canadians to America

[Topaz]

I heard about this video on Youtube and its Tom Brokaw explaining to Americans what Canada or Canadians are all about and Canadian history. The video really surprised me because all I've ever heard especially on the radio is trashing Canada or Canadians. So what changed??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYoTJItSPt0

[Guest American Woman]

I heard about this video on Youtube and its Tom Brokaw explaining to Americans what Canada or Canadians are all about and Canadian history. The video really surprised me because all I've ever heard especially on the radio is trashing Canada or Canadians. So what changed??? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYoTJItSPt0

Don't know what radio stations you're listening to, but I've never heard any Canada bashing. Tom Brokaw's piece was nice, thank you for posting it; I really enjoyed it. You have a beautiful country and you're great neighbors.

[bush_cheney2004]

No big deal....this is a purposeful "puff piece" produced for NBC's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics. Last week, one of the Today talking heads sheepishly admitted to being Canadian on live air from Vancouver.

As for bashing, it goes both ways. It's just that the Americans are use to it.

[Michael Hardner]

Most of the anti-US sentiment in Canada that I experience is anchored in petulant immaturity and resentment.

We are basically the same. There are no two countries that are this much alike that I can think of.

[bloodyminded]

Most of the anti-US sentiment in Canada that I experience is anchored in petulant immaturity and resentment.

We are basically the same. There are no two countries that are this much alike that I can think of.

Right, there are probably very few countries as culturally similar to one another.

Edited February 24, 2010 by bloodyminded

[bush_cheney2004]

Most of the anti-US sentiment in Canada that I experience is anchored in petulant immaturity and resentment.

..and some of the criticism is legitimately based on economic and political conflict. The difference is that most Americans think Canada is just a large theme park, and don't care that they don't know otherwise. Canada is actually more interesting to them when it is angry and pitching a fit about some important issue...to Canada.

We are basically the same. There are no two countries that are this much alike that I can think of.

But there is one key difference that can manifest itself as criticism, even when not intended. Many Canadians choose to define their identity in NOT-American terms.

[Michael Hardner]

Right, there are probably very few countries as culturally similar to one another.

To add: many left-of-centre types don't even realize how much they identify with American culture. I don't think I would have been the same without The Simpsons, David Lynch, Dave Brubeck or BurningMan.

[bloodyminded]

To add: many left-of-centre types don't even realize how much they identify with American culture. I don't think I would have been the same without The Simpsons, David Lynch, Dave Brubeck or BurningMan.

I agree. I am a big fan of American culture.

[Michael Hardner]

..and some of the criticism is legitimately based on economic and political conflict. The difference is that most Americans think Canada is just a large theme park, and don't care that they don't know otherwise. Canada is actually more interesting to them when it is angry and pitching a fit about some important issue...to Canada.

I know that many Americans get ticked off when they hear (usually for the first time) that Canadians can be anti-US.

But there is one key difference that can manifest itself as criticism, even when not intended. Many Canadians choose to define their identity in NOT-American terms.

And who can blame them ? I do love this land, and the people but our history is dull, for the most part, when compared with that of our neighbour. The saddest thing is when I hear Canadians say that the key difference between our country and the US is healthcare. An insurance plan.

I do see the usefulness of having nations, but identifying yourself with your nation is an increasingly stupid position, in my opinion. I'm currently reading "Jackson's Way". The Americans of the mid-1700s are unrecognizable today, as are the Canadians of that era. We are left only with the philosophy that they fought for.

[bush_cheney2004]

I know that many Americans get ticked off when they hear (usually for the first time) that Canadians can be anti-US.

Many Americans get ticked off when they hear or read the usual Canadian Two-Step....."We hate your government's policies but don't hate Americans."

And who can blame them ? I do love this land, and the people but our history is dull, for the most part, when compared with that of our neighbour. The saddest thing is when I hear Canadians say that the key difference between our country and the US is healthcare. An insurance plan.

It's not about blame so much as having a organic/domestic identity and culture regardless of the "bastard" Americans.

I do see the usefulness of having nations, but identifying yourself with your nation is an increasingly stupid position, in my opinion. I'm currently reading "Jackson's Way". The Americans of the mid-1700s are unrecognizable today, as are the Canadians of that era. We are left only with the philosophy that they fought for.

No, I think American individualism is alive and well in very tangible ways (e.g. firearms possession). As a nation state, Canada has never been firmly bonded, whereas the Americans fought a war to make it so.

[Gabriel]

Most of the anti-US sentiment in Canada that I experience is anchored in petulant immaturity and resentment.

We are basically the same. There are no two countries that are this much alike that I can think of.

I agree. I think the same can be said for some of the anti-Canadian sentiment we've seen from the USA - whether it's some dummy online ranting about us all being left-leaning commies, or some media pundit or politician being less than artful or accurate when criticizing Canada for some perceived transgression against the USA, it's all lame.

As you've said, we're more alike than any other two worthwhile countries. There is no other country that I feel as comfortable in outside of Canada.

[Michael Hardner]

Many Americans get ticked off when they hear or read the usual Canadian Two-Step....."We hate your government's policies but don't hate Americans."

Ask them if things have changed since the end of the cold war. If they answer 'no' then don't speak to them any more.

It's not about blame so much as having a organic/domestic identity and culture regardless of the "bastard" Americans.

It's very interesting to live in a land with a strong and storied history. But if I move there tomorrow, is it then part of my identity ?

No, I think American individualism is alive and well in very tangible ways (e.g. firearms possession). As a nation state, Canada has never been firmly bonded, whereas the Americans fought a war to make it so.

These are just echoes of the past, though. There are differences, but global monoculture seeps and creeps, and will turn us all into peeps.

[Michael Hardner]

I agree. I think the same can be said for some of the anti-Canadian sentiment we've seen from the USA - whether it's some dummy online ranting about us all being left-leaning commies, or some media pundit or politician being less than artful or accurate when criticizing Canada for some perceived transgression against the USA, it's all lame.

As you've said, we're more alike than any other two worthwhile countries. There is no other country that I feel as comfortable in outside of Canada.

I generally exclude loud-mouthed morons from my own moronic generalizations, but... sure.

[bush_cheney2004]

Ask them if things have changed since the end of the cold war. If they answer 'no' then don't speak to them any more.

Why would I shun them that way? I welcome the conflict and resulting discourse....as Canada is certainly not without warts as well.

It's very interesting to live in a land with a strong and storied history. But if I move there tomorrow, is it then part of my identity ?

Only if you make it so....the very act of leaving your native "country" would speak volumes even if you didn't.

These are just echoes of the past, though. There are differences, but global monoculture seeps and creeps, and will turn us all into peeps.

America is not separate from this process, and is considered the cultural hegemon. America was multicultural long before Trudeau "invented" it.

[Topaz]

The only thing that I would NEVER want to see is Canada and the US become one large country and I think people on bother sides of the border would agree to that. There are differences between countries and I hope that the governments don't try to change two into one for economics reasons.

[M.Dancer]

The only thing that I would NEVER want to see is Canada and the US become one large country and I think people on bother sides of the border would agree to that. There are differences between countries and I hope that the governments don't try to change two into one for economics reasons.

Yes I think your 2,033 posts about that fictional nonsense the tinfoil hat brigade calls the NAU made that perfectly clear...

[Shwa]

We are basically the same. There are no two countries that are this much alike that I can think of.

This is curious. You then follow this up with:

...but our history is dull...

So tell me, what part of the US is like Quebec eh?

[Smallc]

The only thing that I would NEVER want to see is Canada and the US become one large country

Never is a long time.

[Michael Hardner]

Why would I shun them that way? I welcome the conflict and resulting discourse....as Canada is certainly not without warts as well.

Only if you make it so....the very act of leaving your native "country" would speak volumes even if you didn't.

America is not separate from this process, and is considered the cultural hegemon. America was multicultural long before Trudeau "invented" it.

You have edified me.

[Michael Hardner]

So tell me, what part of the US is like Quebec eh?

Certainly Quebec has no equivalent in the US. Nor does BC or Ontario. Florida has no equivalent in Canada.

But, still, they're lands that are basically alike. What other two countries are more similar, excluding things like North/South Korea, Taiwan/China and so on.

[Guest American Woman]

So tell me, what part of the US is like Quebec eh?

New Orleans.

[M.Dancer]

Fort Lauderdale

[bush_cheney2004]

Puerto Rico.

[M.Dancer]

He wins.

One day, Puerto Rico will get to vote for the President...

[Moonlight Graham]

But there is one key difference that can manifest itself as criticism, even when not intended. Many Canadians choose to define their identity in NOT-American terms.

Very true. Which is kind of sad, but i suppose is just the natural way things are because the US is such a huge influence on Canadians in so many aspects.