Non-Canadians: What do you really think of Canada?
 

Well, not to threadjack, but the thread asking others about their attitudes about the ol' U S of A got me thinking...

What do others really think of me, and my nationality?

As Canadians, we have the opinion that others around the world envy us, because of our cultural diversity and public healthcare. Our natural resources abound, our geographic beauty is unparalleled.

We have good senses of humour and great taste in music.

We want people to get along, and have a strong international presence in UN peacekeeping.

What if people don't think of us the same way?

What do you TFP'ers think of "Canuckistan" (thanks Mal, I still laugh when I think of that), of our culture, people, foreign policy and so forth?

I wait with anticipation.

I imagine life in Canada as one big Kids In The Hall sketch. There's also lots of wide open frozen spaces that would be perfect for dumping nuclear/toxic waste. Other than that, I often forget Canada's even there. :D

well being from the UK I've met a few people from the USA in real life and 2 people from Canada. On the basis of that scientific survey Canadians win every time. :D

I don't feel envy. I like living in a country where 2 miles to the next town seems too far away :thumbsup:

Since your military doesn't go around bombing and killing then you have my vote.

+ Margaret Atwood is a fine writer :)

what are you talkin aboot?

To be honest, I get sick and tired of the shit Canadians talk onto Americans. We really are not all that different when it comes down to 1:1.

Then to add to that at our mall here every single weekend we get bus loads of Canadians to come here and shop (6% sales tax only on select items) and let me tell you. Those Canadians are some of the rudest, most ignorant, selfish people I've met.

I guess the moral of my story is that we're all the same. A mixture of good people, and assholes. Shame the bad are what often stand out.

I would like Washington to secede to BC. We're pretty laid back and would fit right in. Honest. :)

This guy...

http://img108.imagevenue.com/loc168/...dave_foley.jpg

I only envy Canada's ability to fly under the radar. I mean, they just seem to walk to their own drum? Blaze their own trail? Some other useless cliche..? And nobody seems to give a damn, which would be nice. And although all the Canadians I do know (or of) seem like nice folks, I've met my fair share of assholes as well, which just proves to me Canadians can suck just as bad as my fellow Americans.

friendly. i'm from minnesota, and we're known for supposedly being nice. but i think canadians are like what we used to be like. in my travels, i accidentally entered a closed campsite too early in the season. the ranger didn't just boot us out, but stopped to give us a map, mark some nice trails, and wish us a good day. i was nearly confused by that. just stuff like that... I love traveling up there, Montreal is one of my favorite cities for hanging out and just enjoying the place.

Spineless.

Socialists.

High taxation.

Poor medical system. Sure, it's "free," but you have to wait forever to have something done.

Far too liberal. You're liberal to the point that you're giving your country away to foreigners and ostracizing you're own people.

Militarily, politically, and worldly insignificant.

That about sums it up. That's pretty much how I view you, although Canada may be completely different. It's no more fair or unfair than the way Canadians view us in the US.

I've only been to Canada one time and it was on business in Windsor, Ontario. Were I taken there blindfolded and set loose in the factory I was visiting I wouldn't have noticed a difference from where I was North or South of the border. As has been mentioned by many others and more to come I'm sure, people are people. And you can't assume that one country's people are any better or worse than another's based on media stereotypes or the actions of the government.

FWIW, the Canadians I met in person were all quite nice people.

I'm not even Canadian but I'm gonna defend 'em

so Mr Pony prefers

Backbone and Aggression (mass murder)
Capitalism (and doesn't know what it means I just bet) (organised theft)
Low Taxation (the rich don't pay anyway)
A Fast Medical system (for the rich)
Liberal but not too liberal (hmmmm)
Militarily, politically, and worldly powerful. (Empire)



let's have every country in the world like this and we all die in about 3 years because every country is fighting with one another and we die by war or the finishing of all resources. Oh joy :rolleyes:

I take it you're pretty liberal?

I do not prefer aggression (except when neccessary), however I do prefer backbone. I am against mass murder.

Capitalism - yes, I prefer it and I know what it is. I am anti-socialist to the extreme. It's my money, not yours or anyone elses.

I prefer a flat rate user tax, but will settle for low taxation. Again, it's my money.

I am not rich, but the medical system is better here than there. My opinion. Socialists/pinko commies will disagree naturally.

I don't know where you get "liberal but not too liberal" from. Explain please.

Militarily, politically, and worldly powerful - yes. Empire - no. I prefer a more isolationist policy.

Thank you for misrepresenting what I said. I am middle of the road when it comes to liberal and conservative issues, but the moonbat fringe always misinterperates what I say. People like you have helped form my opinion on Canada (and leftism in general), and you're not doing anything to help improve on it. :)

Nowhere in my post did I advocate an aggressive world war, so how did you come by that conclusion?

I'm sure it's not the answer that you want to hear, but I see Canada as USA/North.

Yes, I need to show a passport when I fly in (OK, I don't have to, but it's way easier if I do).

You all use that funky metric system and Canadian dollars, which means I have no clue how much something costs (not that it really matters, you want to eat / you pay what it costs).

I "get" hockey, but you have a fascination with the sport of curling that is beyond my comprehension.

I honestly don't see Canadians as being much different than Texans. Both are a bit odd, but most of the ones I've met have been pretty nice.

I've got to ask you,What is it with adding "eh" to the end of a sentence to make it a question?

I hear those "spineless" Canadians sent a few teams of "spinelss" Seach and Rescue folks to the Gulf Coast. And they made it there before FEMA did.

I have several Canadian friends, they are fine people.

Canada itself? Quite beautiful, and way too cold for me, at least during the winter.

I love Canada! I want to move there some day. I have some Canadian friends, even. I visit Canada at least twice a year, if not more, and while I'm there I stock up on my favorite Canadian things (Ruffles All-Dressed chips, acetaminophen with robaxacet, Granville Island lager, maple creme cookies, and Smarties).

Of course, I grew up in NW WA watching Canadian television and Canadian Sesame Street...listening to Canadian radio...so that might have something to do with it.

:)

Surely there are things wrong with Canada, just as there are with the US. But somehow what is wrong with Canada seems far less grievous--it seems as if there is more RIGHT with Canada than right with the US any more. :( C'est la vie.

Capitalism - you are likely to be either an exploiter and therefore thief or an exploited person. I don't expect exploiters to support Socialism.

If it's YOUR money then hey why let anyone take so much as a cent from you? It's YOURS. If someone else's kid starves that's just too bad? Serves them right for having bad parents? I'm sure you are more socially responsible than that.

Since the US is the richest country in the world I would hope some of it's citizens get the best medical treatment :)

Well how many people like to say 'I love mass murder?' Not many.
Militarily, politically, and worldly powerful is the US.
When the UK Empire was so powerful we were mass murderers. I won't deny or defend it. The US leads the world on this now and in the last 50 years of the last century.

War is organised mass murder. Words are powerful though so politicans prefer not to say 'lets have mass murder'

If every country was fighting for resources and had a 'backbone' like the US and Israel, it would be the most wars being fought consistently.

I would no more expect an exploiter to become a Socialist than I expect a Tiger to become a vegetarian :)

Moonbat fringe, pinko communist? I'm sure you think you are middle of the road. It's a right wing road littered with stolen property and doomed.

I still love the Canadians I've met. Jim and Sue wherever you are, I hope you are OK and still as nice and cool as you were when I knew you :)

i've allways associated hockey addicts, snow, and more snow, with canada.... and the word "aye!"

when i think about canada, i think people driving around in the snow going to bars at night and drinking, all in hockey uniforms...


... past the stereotypes, i really don't even know much about canada, all i know is that they have a prime minister, a waterfall, and a place called toronto... and snow!

Thank you for your frank and blunt opinion. When you throw these words around:
I can't see how anyone could possibly misrepresent you. You could not have chosen words with more clarity if you right-clicked using MS Word and looked for fucking synonyms! I commend your attitude... after all, it was I who solicited a response from the world at large. You, my friend, have stated your views with such precision that I am "Shocked and Awed".

Well, I think it goes something like this:

We add the 'Eh?' to the end of a statement to show that we have finished that statement, and are now interested in knowing if the listener also agrees with our previous statement.

I didn't realize how much I said it until I was the only canadian at the table. In my defence, I was floor-licking drunk.

Pretty straight forward, eh?

:lol: your name wouldn't be Moosenose or Daswig would it? I can refute most of this but why bother... it's just one man's opinion.

(oh shit... there I go being spineless again... :p )

It's the same as Americans who say, "huh" or Brits who say, "init" or "isn't it" at the end of their sentances.

You know what I'm talking about, eh? or
You know what I'm talking about, right?

How's it going, eh?
:thumbsup:

I am an exploited person then. I'm not a business owner. I also don't subscribe to the opinion that businesses are theives. There is no logical reason that big businesses should just give their money or resources to the poor.

The 16th Amendment, which was invented and passed by liberals, is why I pay taxes. I don't agree with it, but to live and work here I have to pay it. Basically, I pay because it's the law. Again, I favor a flat sales tax, not an income tax, which is pretty liberal in thought; you pay according to your means. Bush (for example) will pay more taxes for the things he buys than I will. A nice progressive tax rate that liberals advocate. Oh, and no tax returns either. I prefer that we'd get out of debt.

I have little (but some) sympathy for the poor. I had nothing, and now I have something. I worked for it. It's a time tested method for success and there's absolutely nothing stopping the poor from getting an education and a job except laziness.

I agree for the most part. Like I said, I prefer an isolationist policy.

I only appear to be a right winger to the extremists. The liberal in me will come out when appropriate. :)

I've met several Canadians and loved them. My wife and I even went on vacation with them and visited them in Canada. However, they didn't influence my overalll opinion of Canada in general. I imagine it's the same as us (my wife and I) not influencing their overall opinion of America. Good people can come from anywhere.

Enough about me and my personal views. Someone asked how outsiders viewed Canada and I answered. I didn't figure it was going to be a popular opinion. :D

No, why? :confused:

It's one of those you-had-to-be-there kind of jokes/references.

But on to Canada and my views of it. I have an uncle who lives in BC so naturally I have a special place for Canada in my heart. Also, that Degrassi show is addicting as hell. It's like a teen soap opera that matters. Or something.

Oh, and Charlatan, toughen up, man. Christ, before you know it, you're going to be quoting Celine Dion lyrics to us.

It's just the kind of inflammatory thing that user of multiple handles and arch-conservative views would have written... Didn't mean anything by it other than to have a laugh at your conservative view of Canada...

Carry on. ;)

I don't want be accused of hijacking this thread so I'll try not to post again to it and will only answer this statement.

The argument about how wealth is created is essential to understand.
It's called 'good business practise', 'profit', etc in capitalist ideology.
I call it theft because that's what it is. Workers create the wealth of the world by their work and their unpaid labour. Big business takes this money for the few. Workers are not fully paid for the work they do. This is the surplus value they create.

It's a giant con trick and deception. Socialism means sharing the wealth for the benefit of all people. I don't expect you to agree not because you are stupid but because the dominant ideas in US culture (and UK and all capitalist countries) accepts capitalist values in various forms and strengths.

Breaking free from those beliefs is not something most people can do. Those beliefs are so powerful, appear so true and obviously correct. Beliefs which contradict them are 'mad' and 'extreme'.

You can't expect the rich to tell you they are thieves. It's hardly in their interests. They probably believe they are clever, respected and great people anyway :rolleyes:

Gnight.+

I still like Canadians :thumbsup:

I like Canada.

Pros:
Hockey.
Ubisoft.
"Eh?"
Newfies.

Cons:
Too cold.

I'm going to ignore the pissing match that's going on and tell you all that I absolutely love Canada. You Canadians have so much to be proud about.

My wife and i lived outside Buffalo for 3 years. We spent a lot of time in Toronto. As a matter of fact we spent most of our free time there. I'm so struck by how civilized life in Canadian cities seems compared to American cities.

We've also been to Ottawa, spent time skating on the canal in -30C weather and loved it. Where else could you leave your shoes by a bench and expect them to be there 2 hours later? Where else can you chow down on beaver tails in public and not get arrested?

There is also great natural beauty in your country. Temagami is spectacular for wildereness canoeing. We haven't gotten to ski out west yet but Lake Louise is high on our to-do list.

And finally: You have Don Cherry! What more is there?

I'm an American who loves his country, but couldn't be more impressed with Canada!

Well if tfp is a sampling of what canuckistan is like - i say we annex 'em... cute boys...

Plus, a buddy of mine - an exiled canucker showed me this ad - that every time I see it I Laugh - and LOVE Canadians!!!

http://www.coolcanuckaward.ca/joe_canadian.htm


But it's ZEE - ZEEE -- ZEEE -ZED is just stooopid.

but could you explain William Shatner to me? Please?

I've spent a fair amount of time on various trips to Canada. To be honest, it kind of reminds me of the good parts of visiting the Southern part of the US. Things are a bit slower paced, people are friendlier, and it's just an overall more relaxed atmosphere. I also happen to LOVE the backwoods of Manitoba and Ontario, the places I've been.

eribrav... skating on the canal is one of my favourite memories of living in Ottawa and I agree about Temagami... did you ever canoe in Algonquin Park?

Canada looks sweet. I'm going next summer with my brother. I bet you can guess which part. Come on guess? Hehe.

If you come to Toronto let me know... Though if you are in Mass... I'd say you would be more likely going to Montreal to see the Canadian Ballet.

After we see the Canadian ballet, we're gonna party for a week in Vancouver!

Aside from the beautiful scenery, wonderful people, my family, my heritage, and an excellent all around play ground for it's protector and big brother to the south, Canada is many things.

Including:

1. 60% percent income tax rates
2. 24th in all around quality of 25 industrialized nations with universal health care.
3. 15% sales tax.
4. Abundant natural resources.
5. 85% percent of it's land mass is unihabitatable for 6 months every year.
6. Awesome skiing.

Finally, this is what I think about when I think of my homeland:

http://www.faac.ca/content/WhosYourNanny.wmv

I will still return at least twice a year, and will diligently fill out the forms to have the sales taxes refunded. I will sport a canadian flag on my car and back pack, right next to my eagle globe and anchor.

-bear

What I do think of Canadians? Back in the early 90's I used to haul in auto parts to a manufaturing facility in Missassauga (sp?). I came in via Buffalo, and came out in Detroit. The Candians I dealt with in those days were a little rude, but I think that came from having to deal with so many asshole truckdrivers over the years. I didn't take it personal, and they weren't really that bad...just a little sarcastic, and full of themselves, but not too hard to deal with overall.

For the most part I like their sense of individualism (I think StanT compared Canadians to Texans), and for the most part my personal experiences with them in the US have been OK. But then people usually mind their manners when they are guests in someone else's home too. I see them occasionally down in the Galveston, near the seawall.

Canadians, being the pacifists that they are, sure do heap a lot of unfair criticism on us Americans. They're a lot like that pain in the ass little brother so many people have. Even though that little brother pisses you off, he's still you're little brother and you don't want anything bad to happen to him.

Now, now bear... that's a bit of an exageration...


It's only in the 45% or so...

I find that interesting that you would comment on our "individualism". If I were to say anything about the difference between Canadians and Americans it would be the Individualism of the US vs. the Collectivism of Canada. Our weather and general environment have made it group together for survival (i.e. settlers would die without pooling resources in our harsh climate) and today's poor would die (and do) without assistance (in some cases).

As for the little brother comment? Fair enough.

Ummm, Canada is good I guess. I don't really think about Canada that much. I kinda have the impression that Canada is a boring place where not much happens. I knew next to nothing about the Canadian government until I was forced to write a research paper on it. Most Canadians I have met have been nice, except for my Marketing professor. He's a pompous ass who thinks much too highly of himself and his position as a professor.

I wouldn't want anything bad to happen to Canada though. They're like our brothers in the north.

The Canadians I have known personally were very much individuals. A couple of them would tell me stories (complete with pictures too) of the excellent hunting and fishing in Canada. I guess most Canadians I have known well enough to talk to more than once were sportsmen. And, most sportsmen I know...Canadian or American, are pretty private people, big time individualists and survivalists, and are not really into crowds....and lot like me.

These have been my personal experiences with Canadians, which has been pretty limited. Considering the fact that I live in SE Texas...not far from Houston, it is a rare occurance to see or speak to a Canadian.

Canada: People good. Government bad.

I love the concept of these threads, but when it comes down to certain subjects it can turn ugly quick......anyway I am glad to see the diverse answers to the question. Good or bad, its always nice to hear what other people think. I would still though, like to take this chance to apologies for something.




Every year during the winter months my grandparents DRIVE to there winter home in florida. I do apologies to any who may enounter them on the highway doing 30mph. Or stopped by the side of the road, letting the snake drain as my grandfather says. And when you happened to get behind them inline and they talk for 15 minutes to you about there grandchild. Again i am sorry.


I invite everyone over to my place from some episodes of the BeachCombers and some Moosehead beer. Afterward we can play some road hockey!

Awwww - that was you nekkid on the bearskin rug? you were such a cute baby... I think I've met your grandparents a few times.... even changed a tire for them once (you reall should tell them to get AAA)

Honestly, I don't really have an opinion about Canada, which I think is probably typical of many Americans. I've never been there, never met a native (I've only talked to people online from Canada), and honestly know little about the country. The only thing I really can say about Canada is that they gave a very beautiful memorial service after 9/11....I watched it on TV and was very impressed and honored, as an American.

Touche.........

I think there's a good chance that your professor came to the United States so he wouldn't have to pay as much taxes, considering that his professorship places him in a relatively high income bracket.

My perception of Canada? The US with nicer people, less crime, and a better government. I'd be afraid to visit for fear that I'd want to stay.

My tax-shrunken paycheck would definitely piss me off, though.

Canada is what America should want to be when it grows up.

If it weren't so goddamn cold in the winters (It has to be colder than Connecticut, and that is way too cold for me), I would be figuring out how to emigrate. (BC keeps looking better every year, though.)

It seems to me that all of the dawsigs, moosenoses, and uncle phonys in Canada are in Alberta, where they can be safely ignored.

Finally, Flyman is Canadian. That's good enough for me.

I don't really see the cultural diversification at all. And I seriously doubt anyone envys your healthcare.

As for more general opinion, I consider Canada a second or third-tier player on the world stage. I see what influence they do have being mainly due to their proximity to the US. They seem to be what mainland European countries would be like if Europe were to lose their desire to be involved in world affairs. So in terms of world affairs, I don't think of them much whatsoever. Windsor seems more American than Canadian, Toronto is a great city, the rest is kinda ehh. People seem decent, a little more backwater than what I usually deal with (excepting Toronto). Although I haven't been into western canada, and almost all my experience comes from heading east through Ontario and Quebec.

Frankly, I don't know much about Canada- other than there are French-speakers (always a good thing)...oh, and they are talked about on South Park. :shrug:

Ben, you obviously think Canada is just this side of heaven--and that's perfectly okay. Love of country is a healthy thing.
But, Ben, the fact remains that most people around the world hardly share your enthusiasm for all things Canadian. In fact, I'd bet you a dollar (U.S. please) that if they know anything about your country at all it's that Canada is the cold place inhabited by people who are so strikingly like Americans it is hard to tell them apart.

I live right on the border and have been to Canada many times (2 words: Exchange. Rate.). 99% of the Canadians I've met were laid back, friendly people. And good manners, too. Even the homeless are polite in Canada. Having lunch in Montreal years ago, an elderly street lady flashed her dirty, saggy boobies right outside the window not 2 feet away. Pressed them right onto the glass. Big city fun!

Once upon a time, I went to hockey school in Montreal, stayed with a hockey exchange family in Toronto, had the best Chinese food dinner of my life in Toronto, stayed in a very, very fancy hotel in Quebec City, gone to multiple Canadian Grands Prix, Toronto Science Center, Niagara Falls, on and on. Both Toronto and Montreal have superb subway systems. I hope to be able to explore the Western, mountainous half of the country in the near future.

Speaking from a tourist POV, I love Canada.

I think of Canada often as a teenage kid. They aren't surer of who they are, but they try and emulate the fastest-growing trend (which in this case is Continental Europe). Most of the culture seems to be like the US, but in most other respects seems to be like Europe (i.e. the centralized healthcare). I've only been to Canada once, and seeing as I was only eight, I can only comment on its beauty, which it has plenty of.

And I hate to threadjack, but:
Yes, it is my money, being socially responsible is a choice in a true capatalist society. You give to those who are in need, and if you don't then you probably won't be well liked. Of course, in socialist society, you have a choice too, but if you choose not to be socially responsible, the punishment is much more severe.

Is Charlatan the only one paying attention?

:O)

Canadians. Hee Hee... I live in Florida. My lifetime experience with people from the Great White North?

--Frequently lobsterfied on the front, still frozen on the back.
--Shopping carts full of vinegar, yogurt, baking soda, oatmeal... and aloe. Notably absent? Sunscreen.
--Teva and Birkenstock Gurus. And those gym shorts from 1972. Green ones. With the white piping.
--Maybe just my dad's family, but they washed the plastic plates, utensils, and cups from get-togethers and hauled them in the trunk all of the way back to Ft. St. John every year. I have 82 cousins. That's a lot of forks.
--Really, really annoying quarters. Get your own designs, man. The washing machines won't take them and I have to search through 10 coins to figure out which is the wrong one. :D

Great sense of humor, occasionally good musicians (take Celine back!) and actors (that 90210 guy, too!), slow drivers, endless entertainment for the sarcastically-inclined. All in all... pretty cool people. :thumbsup:

Wait! I just got it. Nice. :lol:

as a country, i don't really give canada much thought. i hate to say they are insignificant, because that just comes off so rude. but their impact on the world as a country just isn't as pronounced as many others.

i think their healthcare system stinks in practice but can appreciate the theory behind it. i'm hardly one of the wealthy, but i much prefer the system we use in the states. canada is beautiful in many places--but i can say the same of the states (and while i don't have experience, i'm pretty sure every country has its own beauty to offer).

as for the people there, i don't notice a difference between them and us to be honest. i've met nice canadians and i've met some real jerks--same with my own countrymen.

I tend to get up north fairly often (I've been to Montreal 4-5 times this year, with two more trips planned), so I figured I'd try to give my opinion. It's very hard for me to make comparisons, since I'd be comparing (mostly) my part of the US (rural southern towns) with Montreal (large city with a diverse population), but here goes:

I find that Canda does tend to be a little full of itself, especially when talking to/about Americans. However, they often have good reasons to do so.

The health care isn't exactly the quickest or most personally attentive, but then again, I'm from a town where the doctor not only knows you name, he asks how your mother, father, and grandfather are, and says how sorry he is about your grandmother and uncle. They know you personally. It's hard not to in a town of 4,000. Having been without healthcare before, I definitely respect the ability for anyone to get what they need done without going bankrupt. However, when I was up there one time, ophelia and I went to see one of her friends in ER and they had her on a gurney in the middle of a giant room with everyone else that was staying over that night. Here, when you're sick, you get a private (or at least semi private) room.

I find that the culture tends to be quite diverse, at least in Montreal.

As for politics, I tend to agree with the overall liberal and accepting mindset, but tend to find myself disagreeing with some specific policies.

I find that a lot of Canadians tend to poke fun at Americans for being "die hard patriots", yet insist of having everything they own embroidered with maple leaves. :)

Overall, I love Canada, and honestly, I'll probably end up living there for at least a portion of my life. I don't see it as America Jr. or anything like that, although I do think it's quite like a more liberal brother...maybe America's the brother that's a CEO, right-wing politics, aggressive, capitalist...Canada's the 24 year old grad student in the family, still idealistic, still reading all the banned books, clinging hard to the liberal politics and long ponytail.

I can't say anything about Montreal, but you must be kidding about Toronto. It's alright, but most of us find it a pain in the ass.

I don't think we're that much different (people wise) from Americans, at least not until you get to the East Coast. (then they're crazy! I haven't been, but man, are they nuts! Newfies are the only people I know who identify eachother by the shape of their province on the rear window of their car! ;))

I agree with many of you on your views.

I'd rather be in BC. We have both good people and assholes. Our government is practically useless at times, and the hospital lines are too long. If you like snow or adventure, Canada seems like a good place to be. The boys are cute, but not so much as Canadian chicks. We try so hard to define ourselves against Americans that we look silly sometimes, and we perpetuate our own stereotypes.

All in all, I like Canada. We're screwed up, but we're at least headed in the right direction. If we just warmed up a bit, there'd be no place I'd rather live.

...and there's a certain very cute canadian young lady who looked adorable in her maple leaf skivvies ;)

You've never been to NYC, apparently. ;)

:)

:icare:

Hey, we like our leaves and beavers here! :D

About the only way I can tell the difference between Canada and the US besides the money, is that in Canada the roads are a bit worse and every now and then you are forced to see a bit of written French no one pays attention too.

Otherwise the stores are the same, the food is the same, the people dress the same, though I'd say the standard of living is lower. (Guys your 'free' health care costs you more in taxes per-person than I spend on my insurance by far, go go socialism).

I think he meant it in the sense of the molson commercial, e.g.

I .. AM... CANADIAN!

Canoeing in Canuckistan
 

We had trouble choosing for our first trip: Temagami versus Algonquin. We went to Temagami first, figuring we would go to Algonquin the next year. Well, we never made it to Algonquin because the paddling in Temagami is so spectacular, we went back every year. I think you could spend a week there every year and not come close to covering half of it. It's endless.

Canada has loads of potential on the whole, a few really good writers, some honestly nice people, and the kind of snowy weather that'd make a polar bear shiver - and I love cold weather. And I think Michael Moore has a cruch on you (but you didn't hear it from me).

God, I love that commerial, it gets me all riled up inside ;)

William Shatner? He's Canadian, what more do you need to know?

You can still get a private or semi private room up in Canada. I had the option to get that when I had my surgery few months ago. Granted, the wait period sucks.

um....unless you are a super conformist drone......i think it matters very little what country you are from....

Canada’s first aircraft carrier, the HMCS Jean Chrétien.
http://www.nickscipio.com/funstuff/a...iancarrier.jpg

:lol:

Canada's had a carrier before

Plus, will it be tilted?

That'd be so rad, but then there'd be 2 Vancouvers.

And GODDAMNIT MAN, I FUCKING LOVE CANADA.

don't forget the maple syrup eh........


:D

Canada?

Robin Williams described it as "a loft apartment above a great party"

My personal view of Canada?

Amazing place. Gets a bad rap sometimes from American's, but personally I love it. I don't have experience with much of canada, but I do have some.

My girlfriend is Canadian. It's cute when she says Eh? Shes beautiful (a lot of canadian women are) very kind (ditto) and intelligent (yep). When I've visited her I got to meet some of her friends and other people from Montreal. They were all very nice (one girl apologized to me for adressing me in her first language, french, because I don't speak it and didn't understand what she asked). There are exceptions, of course, but I view Canada having a lot of qualities that I would like to think MN has.

Its effing freezing but I've lived my whole life in either Fairbanks, AK or Minneapolis, MN it doesn't bother me.

I go to Winnipeg for a rugby tournament every year to much success. A shit tonne of fun and nice people

The company I work for is based in Vancouver (I'm very excited to visit!!!) and they are a pleasure to work with.

I may even be moving to Montreal next year, and to be honest I'm very excited!!

Hey, no problem. North and South Vancouver's. Better yet, we become one nation away from the Cali's. Let Oregon deal them bastages. :)

I honestly haven't ever paid too much attention.

Just know you say "eh" a lot or something.

What'd I miss?

Canada? Canada's cool. The metric system blows my mind...but what're ya gonna do? I remember crossing the border into Manitoba, seeing a speed limit sign marked 100, and thinking...Awesome! Then thinking...Wait a minute, looked at the little orange numbers underneath the big white ones, on my speedometer, and going...Shit!

Canadians? Like anyplace else, you get the really cool and friendly ones, and you get your foul and ill tempered ones. To this day I want to know just what I did to piss off what appeared to be a very nice lady that ran an antique shop in Winnipeg. At least I assume that I pissed her off. Why the hell else would she have recommended "Foody Goody" to me. By the way...if you're ever in Winnipeg...and you feel like having Chinese...stay the hell away from Foody Goody.

I think that Canada keeps a "low profile". They don't piss anybody off. They mind their own damn business, and tend to be pretty laid back. Overall...I'd say that Canada is just about as good a next door neighbor as you're likely to find.

Try living in Canada where we get BOTH versions of the ads. Degiorno on the US TV leaking accross the border and our own... we often have that, "something isn't quite right" feeling and then just realize we are watching a US feed (TBS or Spike come to mind).

My favourite non-TV example of this is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone vs. the Philospher's Stone. Apparently the US publisher condescendingly decided to "dumb down" Philosopher's Stone to Sorcerer's Stone.

Up Talking. This is a recent trend amongs the younger generations. It serves the same purpose as "huh?", "eh?" or the brits "isn't it?". Except the question is implied rather than asked. The question implies complicity in the listener with the statement.

This is a relatively recent trend (last 10 to 15 years?). Our patriotism, traditionally has always been a bit more understated. This is changing in part because of the "I AM CANADIAN" commercial. It seemed to have triggered a dormant patriotism or maybe it just fed on a growing zietgeist. Regardless, Canadians have become much more fervent about their patriotism. I'm not sure I like it.

This is not quite right, eh. As long as I've known Canadians, they've been a patriotic bunch. I've spent time among them on and off over the years. My first encounter with large numbers of Cannucks was back in 1980. In Europe. Maple leaves everywhere. Canada this and Canada that. Lots of talk about how wonderful Canada is. If I heard it once I heard it 100 times-- Canada won a battle against the United States in 1812. In 1812 mind you. Seems to be a real inferiority complex more than anything else. They tried to define themselves more by what they are not (Americans) than what they are. They seemed to know, deep down, that there's not any difference between them and most Americans. As Shakespeare wrote, Methinks you protest too loudly...

While I do think there are differences between Canadians and Americans (most at the political and social level rather than cultural) what you are seeing above (1812, etc.) is just about right. Canadians do have a bit of an inferiority complex when it comes the the US.

We sit on the border of the world's biggest economy and exporter of culture (aggresively so). We know we are different in our bones but have trouble expressing this in the face of movie theatre, radios and televsion prime time brimming with foreign culture. We are their biggest trading partner (not like most notice).

1812 is often raised because tweaking the US's nose is fun. No harm, no foul. We just think it's funny that many in the US don't know about the war of 1812 (we won) and the Fennian Raids shortly thereafter (we won again). For years we have been subjected to American chest thumping and sometimes deflating that chest is fun. Again, don't read too much into... we are a nation of irony and sarcasm (it's Mother's milk).

As for Maple Leaves on everything... you have to realize that isn't always patriotism. Stars and stripes are unmistakably the US flag... sometime a leaf is just a leaf. The Canadian flags on backpacks is so we can be differentiated at a glance from Americans. Don't blame us for the fact that Europeans like us and find Americans obnoxious (rightly or wrongly).

i think its bs...that my post got edited.....it was an blatant joke....

im having trouble not being really annoyed

Majik was referring to people who stay overnight in an ER, which, at least in Montreal, is the way it is. I only get private rooms there because I go in for migraines, for which I need complete isolation. Obviously, if you're staying more long-term, they're not going to stick you on a gurney in a hallway :)

I wasn't in a long term care, in fact, I left the next day. Seems that health care is worst in Eastern Canada than it is in the West.

Perfect! our plan is working... :thumbsup:

I hear you. I once stayed in a youth hostel in Lucerne, Switzerland, and was mortified at the rude, boorish and disgusting behaviour of a group of Canadian collegians. It was at that point that i realized that we are all capable of being asses.

to address a few points:

What is wrong with liberalism? Seriously other than it not being your favoured perspective, tell me what is wrong with it. And by the way, As a nation we have very strong centrist politics. We were founded by conservatives, we have liberal attitudes. In other words, the balance is working.

Capitalism: Canada is a capitalist country. We are not socialist. I don't know where you get the impression that our taxation based government programmes translate into socialist government. Are you confusing the need for a rather small population to assist each other out over a VERY large geographical area with a political system????


Medical system better there? Maybe. In some cases, but if you search on my posts, through out this forum you will find that real user experiences dispute your statement that our medical system is no good. In fact it is very good. Very very good. Of course it needs tweeking. But read and learn.


Taxation high? well we manage to work, and pay down a house and save for RRSPs. i get taxed at a fairly appropriate rate for my income. I could do with less, but then who, exactly is going to pay for the roads, railways, military (who actually need more) etc???? who???? Tell me!

Spineless?????? Fuck. Just try to go few rounds with me buddy. Spineless my ass. At any rate, go read some history.

just listen to an American, and how they say 'huh?' at the end of the sentence (a lot) It's the same thing.

and with eh,. it's annoyingly not always a real question.... :lol:

I'm going to respond as though I didn't read any of the other replies (because I didn't read ALL of them). Here are some random thoughts on Canada from this Arkansan:

Too cold for my tastes much of the year. I was there in August once (Drumheller/Calgary/Banff/Jasper areas) and the area out of the mountains was pleasant, temperature wise. I don't like freezing in the summer, though.

My contact with Canadians has been so limited that I wouldn't even hazard a generalization about them. The ones I've met have been a mixed lot, sort of like if I went to the mall here in my town and met 25 folks at random.

I don't understand the tolerance of two languages in the country. It is expensive and confusing. Tell the French Canadians to get with the program and learn English like the rest of the northern part of the northern hemisphere. Or break up the country as they (the FC) have advocated. From what little I know about the country, they are a drain financially on the western part anyway. I guess the Eastern Provinces can merge and be the 51st State of the USA, but we'll have to figure out something to do with flag, because I don't know how to put 51 stars on a flag with the ease we have done with 50.

I liked the use of the dollar coins. In the USA, we ought to stop making paper $1 bills and then the populace will use the coins. They are more cost effective.

I find the Canadian health care system to be a complete mindblower--why would otherwise intelligent people stand for such?

I don't like that my investments in Canadian oil and gas royalty trust are taxed at 15% more than the US equivilent. I sold my Pengrowth because of that and bought a good one based in the US. I'll net more in the end.

I don't like hockey, but since most of the NHL franchises have spread to places like Atlanta and Dallas, it's hardly a regional thing.

That's about it for now.

I Can Not Explain Bill..... Nobody Can.....


- and it is only Zee in America, to the rest of the world it's zed - England, France, Germany. I find it just wrong to hear words like Zee Zee Top Ii've always said zed Zed Top). Or the Nissan 350 Zee.. aaagh.. It's Zed ! dammit.

huh????

here are the federal tax levies by income margin for 2004:

Canadian federal income tax is calculated based on taxable income minus allowable deductions. In 2004, every taxpayer could earn $8,012 without paying any federal tax. This is called the ‘basic personal amount’. The federal taxable income groups and their respective tax rates for 2004 are:

2004 taxable income
Tax rate

Up to $35,000
16%

$35,001 to $70,000
22%

$70,001 to $113,804
26%

Over $113,804
29%



from: http://canadianeconomy.gc.ca/english...ncome_tax.html

not sure where the 60% comes from....

there's a bank in sydney, australia called ANZ - I was meeting some colleagues after work for a drink one night at a bar right next to the (as they called it) the ANZED bank) - needless to say, i couldn't find the bar -I think it was a good way of blowing me off...

ZEE ZEE ZEE!!! :D There is No DEE in ZEE...

nope. i saw it too, but Charl responded enough.

Well, the numbers you quoted were the FEDERAL tax rates, and then you have your PROVINCIAL rates after that.

Many people that hate paying taxes will also include their property taxes (MUNICIPAL) and if they really want to use 'scare statistics' they might just include different sales taxes.

Hell, if you added it all up, I am probably paying 95% tax.

:thumbsup:

too funny! I often say the same, that the only difference between canada and the US is that the roads down there are a bit worse! I drove Kingston to NYC, and swore never to drive american roads again1 talk about bone jarring!

Well, going back to the original question...I'd have to say my experience with those of the Canadian cloth is limited. So limited that it's useless to make conjecture about their....oh...you said perceptions of Canadians? Fantastic.

I'd say my scrotum involuntarily contracted into my stomach thinking about how cold it must be up there most of the time when I started reading this thread, but I'm strangely fascinated to think about what it would be like to live there. Being in the states, we constantly are barraged with the notion that we're American - both internally and externally. And don't get me wrong, I love my country - but I think it'd be nice to be a little out of the international spotlight all the time...or at least feeling like it the States vs. fuck all. The thing I like about Canadians, in my perception, is exactly the notion of just sort of chillin out a little bit...and being socially liberal y'all seem to have some very nice notions of social ettiquette. I'm a Southern male...yeah, we hold doors...but we've been known to do some pretty nasty shit down here.

Other Americans are going to want to strap me for saying this, but sometimes I think it'd be nice to have a little tighter political interactions with our fellas to the North...maybe it's just frustration, but at times when we start to get perhaps, a little brash...(cough:Iraq:cough) it'd be nice to have someone perhaps expound a bit on the virtues of not being quite so headstrong. I think in the Hegelian sense of thesis, antithesis, synthesis : communism and capitolism are bound to blend at some points, and I occasionally wonder if y'all aren't a little further along in that respect.

And I rather like the idea, nominally, of having the French district in Quebec...but I know it's caused a shitload of problems too.

I think, on the whole, Canada is cleaner and more crime-free than the US. I'm an American and I can appreciate those features. Unfortunately, you pay more taxes in Canada as well. So... it's a trade off.

What do I think of Canadians? I don't. :)

Living in Florida, the Great White North is far removed from the sunny beaches of the Sunshine State. Although with the internet, the Canadians that I have come across have been very pleasant.

I'm told that they are extremely nice, and that there is no trash lying around or anything like that. I somewhat believe them.

When I think "Candida," I think of politeness, hokey fans, universal medicine, level-headed foreign affairs.

My girlfriend’s family is progressive, so when another right-wing grab for power occurs in Washington, her mother sings “O Canada!” I doubt that I would want to live in such a cold place. I’ve visited upstate New York, and the women are no comparison. I’m very blessed to be a Floridian. :) I know Pam Anderson is Canadian, but have a theory that time being bundled up has and inverse relationship to hotness.

Kudos my Canadian friends!

PS I've heared that Canada's biggest cities are among the most culturally diverse and vibrant. For some reason, decadent and Canadian don't seem to match. :)

hmmm...

3 guesses on the reaction of americans being told what to do by Canada.

Well shit... you go up a mountain it's going to be cold. Come to Toronto in July/August... hot, humid.

You have this a bit wrong (that's OK). The province of Quebec is not a drain on the west. It actually pays quite a bit into the Federal coffers. The big three provinces are Ontario, Alberta and Quebec. The drain on the system, if you want to call it that, would largely come from the Maritime provinces.

As for the cost of bilingualism, it's an expense but in the grand scheme of things it isn't *that* expensive. We are a nation built on compromise. Instead of going to war for independence or forcing compliance, we have sought solutions through diplomacy and accord. Sure it takes longer but we are generally happy with the results.

As for breaking up the nation and allowing Quebec to seperate... it will never happen.

It really isn't as bad as you've been lead to believe. The system actually works quite well on many, many levels. My experience runs the gamut from broken bones and tonsils to heart valve replacement surgery to poison control.

In most situations that I have been exposed to such behaviour, it's the end result of a pissing contest. Usually with a group of Americans, or Europeans who insist on lumping us together as the same country. I find it embarrasing to have to do the jump up and chest thumping my self, yet it happens.

That's a good point Janey... I've seen this happen a lot.