Things I'm tired of

[Guest American Woman]

Rick Mercer. Another comedian who makes his buck off the low hanging fruit. Enough Said. Let's face it, the man is no Mary Walsh.

When you think about it, it's kind of rude that Canada has a show making fun of "stupid Americans." I wonder how the U.S. would be perceived if the opposite were true-- if the U.S. had a show about "stupid Canadians."

I think there is a fair amout of anti-Americanism in Canada but I don't think there is anti-Canadianism (is that a word?) in the U.S.

[jdobbin]

When you think about it, it's kind of rude that Canada has a show making fun of "stupid Americans." I wonder how the U.S. would be perceived if the opposite were true-- if the U.S. had a show about "stupid Canadians."

I think there is a fair amout of anti-Americanism in Canada but I don't think there is anti-Canadianism (is that a word?) in the U.S.

Have you ever watched South Park? heh They stick it to Canada pretty regularly. How often is a song called Blame Canada nominated for an Oscar?

[Guest American Woman]

Have you ever watched South Park? heh They stick it to Canada pretty regularly. How often is a song called Blame Canada nominated for an Oscar?

That song is satire; it's not making fun of Canada/Canadians. It's making fun of the people who blame Canada for whatever goes wrong. I see it as making fun of us. For example, the lights go out on the East Coast, and we blame Canada.

[jdobbin]

That song is satire; it's not making fun of Canada/Canadians. It's making fun of the people who blame Canada for whatever goes wrong. I see it as making fun of us. For example, the lights go out on the East Coast, and we blame Canada.

True. But behind every slight in such a song is little grain of what some people actually believe. I laughed anyways though. lol

[Guest American Woman]

True. But behind every slight in such a song is little grain of what some people actually believe. I laughed anyways though. lol

I think it's pretty funny too. I guess we're not anti-Canadian, but we're pretty quick as a nation to pass on the blame, which I always joke about -- just like the song. But I don't think Canadians coming to the States encounter anti-Canadianism the way Americans encounter Anti-Americanism in Canada. The attitude just isn't there.

[jdobbin]

I think it's pretty funny too. I guess we're not anti-Canadian, but we're pretty quick as a nation to pass on the blame, which I always joke about -- just like the song. But I don't think Canadians coming to the States encounter anti-Canadianism the way Americans encounter Anti-Americanism in Canada. The attitude just isn't there.

I think it is rather poor behaviour myself. I generally haven't seen too much bad feelings about American people in general where I'm from. I can't say the same thing about attitudes towards the American government though.

[capricorn]

But I don't think Canadians coming to the States encounter anti-Canadianism the way Americans encounter Anti-Americanism in Canada.

I have always felt very welcome everywhere in the States, even with my french-canadian accent.

I have read that the number of American tourists to Canada is decreasing. Not good.

[Guest American Woman]

I think it is rather poor behaviour myself. I generally haven't seen too much bad feelings about American people in general where I'm from. I can't say the same thing about attitudes towards the American government though.

You mean blaming Canada is rather poor behavior? Of course it is. It's childish; it's like sibling behavior. "It's his fault! He started it!" In a way, it speaks for the unique relationship between our nations. We are like family in a lot of ways. Of course when I "blame Canada," I'm doing it sarcastically.

As for attitudes about the American government-- I understand why people feel the way they do, but I think it's more than the government. Why else would Canadians make such a big deal over 'not being like Americans?'

[Guest American Woman]

I have always felt very welcome everywhere in the States, even with my french-canadian accent.

I have read that the number of American tourists to Canada is decreasing. Not good.

I'm glad to hear you've always felt welcome in the States. I have to say I've personally felt welcome in Canada for the most part, so I guess I'm going more on hearsay than personal experience. I even felt welcome in Montreal, even though I don't speak a word of French. So you have a french-Canadian accent, eh? Are you from Quebec?

As for the number of American tourists to Canada decreasing-- I think that was just after 9-11 when so many Americans just weren't traveling outside the country, but from what I've read, Americans are visiting Canada in record numbers again.

[capricorn]

I'm glad to hear you've always felt welcome in the States. I have to say I've personally felt welcome in Canada for the most part, so I guess I'm going more on hearsay than personal experience. I even felt welcome in Montreal, even though I don't speak a word of French. So you have a french-Canadian accent, eh? Are you from Quebec?

As for the number of American tourists to Canada decreasing-- I think that was just after 9-11 when so many Americans just weren't traveling outside the country, but from what I've read, Americans are visiting Canada in record numbers again.

I was born and raised in Ottawa. I spent 8 years in Montreal and was never really comfortable there. My heart and home are in Ottawa. I am retired now. This is where I will end my days.

Oh, glad to hear American tourism in Canada is healthy. I hope it is so the other way around.

[Guest American Woman]

I was born and raised in Ottawa. I spent 8 years in Montreal and was never really comfortable there. My heart and home are in Ottawa. I am retired now. This is where I will end my days.

Oh, glad to hear American tourism in Canada is healthy. I hope it is so the other way around.

I've been to Ottawa, too-- when it was warm and sunny (Tulip Festival) and when it was freezing cold (and I do mean cold!!). Had a great time both times and would like to go back again some day.

Edited August 11, 2007 by American Woman

[jdobbin]

You mean blaming Canada is rather poor behavior? Of course it is. It's childish; it's like sibling behavior. "It's his fault! He started it!" In a way, it speaks for the unique relationship between our nations. We are like family in a lot of ways. Of course when I "blame Canada," I'm doing it sarcastically.

As for attitudes about the American government-- I understand why people feel the way they do, but I think it's more than the government. Why else would Canadians make such a big deal over 'not being like Americans?'

I'm no fan of Rick Mercer's American shows. I was referring to his behaviour and others who make fun of Americans in general.

I can't say that I see it in my own area for the most part. People around this area have good relations with their American neighbors.

[margrace]

There are posters on these forums who use any critism of the Bush government to say one hates Americans, the same arguments are used to say that we don't support our troops because we want them out of Afghanistan. One needs to know where these people come from and who they are.

[scribblet]

There are posters on these forums who use any critism of the Bush government to say one hates Americans, the same arguments are used to say that we don't support our troops because we want them out of Afghanistan. One needs to know where these people come from and who they are.

Why!!

[Guest American Woman]

There are posters on these forums who use any critism of the Bush government to say one hates Americans, the same arguments are used to say that we don't support our troops because we want them out of Afghanistan. One needs to know where these people come from and who they are.

Remember when Carolyn Parrish said ""Damn Americans ... I hate those bastards?" That's not criticism of our goverrnment.

Anti-Americanism is definitely on the rise; not (just) anti-Bush govenrnment, but anti-Americanism.

[bush_cheney2004]

Remember when Carolyn Parrish said ""Damn Americans ... I hate those bastards?" That's not criticism of our goverrnment.

Gee..I took that as a compliment. Didn't she dance on a GWB action figure too? So violent this Canadian!!

[margrace]

Remember when Carolyn Parrish said ""Damn Americans ... I hate those bastards?" That's not criticism of our goverrnment.

Anti-Americanism is definitely on the rise; not (just) anti-Bush govenrnment, but anti-Americanism.

On the other side you have remarks by Ms. Coulter and Mr. limborough, who would lead one to believe, using the same ideas that Americans hate Canadians, I would venture that a lot of Americans know nothing of this and do not hate Canadians.

[Guest American Woman]

On the other side you have remarks by Ms. Coulter and Mr. limborough, who would lead one to believe, using the same ideas that Americans hate Canadians, I would venture that a lot of Americans know nothing of this and do not hate Canadians.

The difference is Coulter and Limbaugh aren't govenrment officials, but you're right, Americans don't hate Canadians. If Coulter and Limbaugh are saying otherwise I'm unaware of it because I put no stock in what they say. Now if a government official were to say it, I'd feel differently.

[CLRV]

every day's a new day, that's what i've been told

try to hold your head high, the world runs hot and cold

it's hard to follow footprints in the shifting sand

another thirsty rider behind the caravan

you had no idea just what was waiting out there

you never thought you'd carry the weight of the world on your pretty blond hair

this ain't no shangri-la to you, no shangri-la

this ain't no shangri-la nobody knows no shangri-la

hey! there's a whole lotta people wonderin' who you are

they think you walk without a care in the world but they've been wrong so far

this ain't no shangri-la to you, no shangri-la

this ain't no shangri-la nobody knows no shangri-la

no one can decide what we all must outrun

we're gonna carry the weight of the world

until we learn to STOP

and do what must be done...

Don Henley

[Guest American Woman]

He sang as if he knew me in all my dark dispair.

That's perfect.

[Rue]

American Woman I can understand you being tired of people making negative generalizations about ALL Americans. Muslims feel the same way when they hear people always refer to Islam as terrorist and violent and comments that seemt o suggest all Muslims are violent.

Me as a Jew, I am absolutelty tired of people making negative generalizations about all Jews and then claiming they are only criticizing specific Israeli policies.

Let's face it-humans by nature take a world they find chaotic and try give shape and meaning to it by labeling things with definitions and assumptions or categories.

Our cognitive processing seems to start off as soon as we come out of the womb processing what we see, hear, feel, perceive in compartments of explanation or categorization.

The problem is our minds were also designed to engage in logic and objective analysis and yet we all seem to lapse into subjective name calling, labeling, stereotyping, what-ever you want to call it.

The point is, none of us gets upset when the generalizations and assumptions are positive, its when they are negative we get pissed off.

Of course you have the right to be tired or annoyed when someone things they can simply assume what you are, what you believe and how you think, simply because you are a Yankee Doodle Dandy.

So of course I can understand you being tired with it. It is kind of annoying after awhile.

I guess I could tell you things about what annoys me about people who make negative assumptions about me simply because I am Canadian, but Canadians don't do that LOL! We are too polite and just laugh and say Canadian things like "oh don't be silly".... "pish posh"...."hah hah joke's on me.."...and

my favourite..."wait before you seperate let me give you a pension for life".

Here is my final point. Don't worry. Some of us will still buy you a beer. But it has to be Canadian not that watered down crap your people call beer. ((oops I slurred you sorry)

Also please understand many of us have a very serious problem with Gary Bettman and it has caused a lot of group trauma. Hey a country that created Halle Berry, Holly Hunter, Jennifer Lopez, Ralph Nader, Babe Ruth, Martin Luther King, Bobby Kennedy, Harry Truman, Pinball Clemons is o.k. by me.

Edited August 25, 2007 by Rue

[Higgly]

These are some of the things I'm tired of as an American:

1) I'm tired of Americans being thrown all in one lump as Bush supporters, war wongers, bullies, etc.

2) I'm tired of apolgizing for my government, as if it's my fault that the Bush administration is doing what it's doing.

3) I'm tired of the Bush Administration, and have been ever since Iraq.

4) I'm tired of Americans being viewed as stupid. We are no less knowledgable than any other nation.

5) I'm tired of the comparison's between Canada and the United States, as if we're in some kind of competition to prove which is better; and I'm tired of the ugliness on both sides as a result of this kind of thinking.

6) I'm tired of the U.S. being thought of as a nation of gun-toting crazies, making it unsafe to walk the streets.

7) I'm tired of the U.S. being thought of a bunch of religious fanatics.

8) I'm tired of hearing how ammoral and materialistic Americans are. I'd say Americans, as individuals, are some of the most giving people in the world.

Any comments? Any other Americans agree with me? What about the Canadians?-- What are you tired of?

A lot of Canadians I know don't generalize like this. My father's generation did (WWII) because they were ticked off that they were fighting in the war for years before the US entered and then had to endure movies showing the US as the heroes. He hated John Wayne in particular who never served a day in his life. My father really hated John Wayne and sometimes wondered out loud if he was a Nazi just because it was the cruelest thing he could think of to say.

Of course and then we have Rick Mercer, who is an idiot.

Sorry, but the level of gun ownership down there is scarey. Ordinarily sane people will pull out their Glocks at the oddest time and say they have to have them in case a bad guy shows up. Now that's scarey.

I have friends and business contacts who are Americans. They seem to believe more or less the same things I do. Many of them were big George Buch supporters at one time and now are embarrassed even to mention his name. These are highly educated and intelligent people who feel that they have been lied to. When Richard Nixon did it, they got mad. This time they are more disheartened because they feel they have been used when they were at their most vulnerable.

I think we have to differentiate the US government from the US people. The government is in fact, as far as I am able to tell, a completely different animal than the average Amercian.

[bush_cheney2004]

I think we have to differentiate the US government from the US people. The government is in fact, as far as I am able to tell, a completely different animal than the average Amercian.

Agreed.....we "Americans" also need to separate the Canadian government from Canada's people when booing at hockey games, because they are completely different.

[Higgly]

Agreed.....we "Americans" also need to separate the Canadian government from Canada's people when booing at hockey games, because they are completely different.

Point well taken but we all seem to have moved on from that rather low point. At least I hope we have. Booing a country at a sports event is always taken as an insult by those present who are from that country.

[bush_cheney2004]

Point well taken but we all seem to have moved on from that rather low point. At least I hope we have. Booing a country at a sports event is always taken as an insult by those present who are from that country.

You missed the more salient point entirely....namely, that Canada's government is certainly not above reproach and wrongdoing in the eyes of some Americans and other foreign nationals. Indeed, some Canadians are shocked to discover their flag being burned in glee.