Stereotypes

[ickma]

Canadian's have a lot of stereotypes attached to them so this is the place to clear them up. A lot of them are untrue and I'm sure it pisses a lot of Canadian's off but there are a few that do have some validity.

One that IS true is all of the weed. I remember this one day in high school when our principal told us to smoke our weed off school grounds

As for NOT true, it was 33 degrees celcius today. I checked the weather network and if I'm not mistaken that is pretty close to what Arizona was. I think my igloo may be in trouble . Submit your own!

[Ace_O_Spades]

my teammates and I convinced a bunch of people on the bus in hawaii that we caught a dogsled to the airport, and they have special kennels where you can keep your dogs while you're away.

[killaudio]

haha classic, in the states my mates brother got asked if sheep have their own bedrooms in his house (new zealand)

[Daval]

I have a supplier in Newark, New Jersey. - I am in Toronto, so its not that far away, only about 600 miles or so.

In the middle of July I've had her convinced that we still have snow on the ground and we only have to wear one sweater under our heavy jackets instead of two.

She came to visit us last August for the first time and she brought massive amounts of warm clothing including winter boots and a huge jacket.
She was shocked when she got out of the airport.

[losthellhound]

In my old job here I talked on the phone all day to Americans.. From coast to coast. My favorite was when I was talking to an American near Canadian thanksgiving. He was shocked we had a different day for thanksgiving then proceeded to ask why we needed a thanksgiving (he told me.. we never had indians to "rile" with, why have a thanksgiving?).. then just as I was finishing the call he asked me, seriously.. when our Christmas was...

*sigh*

[Yakk]

I know how you feel hell doggy. You'd think most Americans would know we celebrate Christmas on January 6th.

On the subject of funny foriegners, a family of people from the UK where on my plane to Halifax (they where visiting for a wedding). They had no plans to drive, but where thinking of taking public transportation to visit Niagra Falls.

While most Canadians do not make Igloos, my boss at work does one every year. The time-delayed video is quite entertaining.

[Charlatan]

Yes the Thanksgiving thing always seems to amaze my American associates.

a) you celebrate Thanksgiving too?
b) Why is it on a different day?
c) I guess you guys are just copying us...

Just don't try to explain May 24 or Boxing Day...

[the_marq]

Rather than just use this thread to bash Americans (we already have one of those), need I remind you that it does go both ways?

*in America everyone is carrying a hand gun
*in Los Angeles everyone is a movie star and has a pool
*in Texas you can shoot a guy if he is in your yard

Just few of the myths and misconceptions that I have heard in Alberta and Saskatchwan.

[losthellhound]

Originally posted by the_marq
Rather than just use this thread to bash Americans (we already have one of those), need I remind you that it does go both ways?

*in America everyone is carrying a hand gun
*in Los Angeles everyone is a movie star and has a pool
*in Texas you can shoot a guy if he is in your yard

Just few of the myths and misconceptions that I have heard in Alberta and Saskatchwan.

Of course it goes both ways.. Thats the nature of neighbors. We always see other places and other people through skewed vision..

(BTW, I thought it was in Los Angeles everyone is an ASPIRING movie star )

[Charlatan]

Not everyone in LA has a script... oh sorry that one's true.

Besides, this isn't US bashing... I get the same Thanksgiving comments from clients around the world.

On a trip to New York in high school, we stopped in New Jersey at a rest stop and the woman waiting on us asked where we were from. When we told her we were from Canada, she replied with, "Oh... that's not in New Jersey, is it?"



Another stereotype that is, at least, mildly true, is that we say "eh" all the time. I, for one, do say it way too much!

[the_marq]

Originally posted by Untitled
On a trip to New York in high school, we stopped in New Jersey at a rest stop and the woman waiting on us asked where we were from. When we told her we were from Canada, she replied with, "Oh... that's not in New Jersey, is it?"

I remember showing my ID to buy beer in California and the fat lady behind the counter asked me what part of Washington "Alberta" was in.

[Averett]

Yall do have pet beavers though right? right??


You guys have met some seriously stupid Americans. We aren't all that ignorant!

[losthellhound]

Just my friend 'Chip' (see my journal - entry talking to americans)

[Jam]

Originally posted by Averett
Yall do have pet beavers though right? right??


You guys have met some seriously stupid Americans. We aren't all that ignorant!

I dont have a pet beaver you ignorant american


on a related note, a friend of mine has a shirt, it reads :

" Be Canadaian, Eat Beaver "

[Averett]

Originally posted by jam161
I dont have a pet beaver you ignorant american


on a related note, a friend of mine has a shirt, it reads :

" Be Canadaian, Eat Beaver "

My whole world has shattered. You guys really don't have pet beavers? Oh man.... I don't know how I'll ever be able to go on!

I saw a kid wearing that t-shirt in Banff. (whats up with that town anyway? I think they forgot a letter somewhere..) I wanted to ask him if I could buy it

[Charlatan]

I saw a dead beaver on the road the other day... first time I've seen a roadkill beaver.


As for Banff, I'm off to Banff tomorrow. I'll be there for the next week for the Television Festival... I love the mountains.

[Eviltree]

There are too many tourists in Banff for me

[HugAPug]

I've never even seen a beaver. I feel like I'm missing out on something incredibly wonderful and incredibly Canadian.

[shAzb0t]

While I was in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in mid-August a few years ago, a couple from some Mideast state brought parkas with them, and were complaining how hard they were to pack, and how they hope to get a lot of use out of them because of our great skiing conditions.

First off, I don't know of many big mountains in Nova Scotia, and "30 degrees" certainly means something different to Canadians than it does to Americans.

[shAzb0t]

Originally posted by HugAPug
I've never even seen a beaver. I feel like I'm missing out on something incredibly wonderful and incredibly Canadian.

They're pretty neat, I'd just go to the nearest zoo, they should have some beavers, and if not, complain!

[neddy65]

I was working on a river reclamation project one summer and standing in water up to my waist in 30 dgree weather when a guy in a white caddy with skies on top asked me where all the friggin snow was. I calmly asked him where he crossed into Canada. He told me Sault. St. Marie. I asked him if he would go to Michigan to ski in July and he said " no of coarse not." I pointed out towards Lake Huron and said that shadow you see is Michigan. He just shook his head , mumbled about Canada is supposed to be covered in snow and drove away.

[silent_jay]

Ya I used to tell the Americans when I was playing hockey in the states that I lived in an igloo, and the snow was over my head when I went outside, just a bunch of stupid shit that most people wouldn't believe. but in the staes they eat that shit up.

[Averett]

Guys, we seriously aren't all that stupid... You must have run into some REALLY dumb people.


I mean even I know that you don't all live in Igloo's. Only Canadians who are in the Yukon live in igloo's

[silent_jay]

Yukon, NWT, Nanuvit, and many many other places other than just the Yukon

[silent_jay]

Just found this, it should help to dispell the myths about Canada

http://www.thecanadapage.org/Canadian_Myths.htm

[Averett]

That's a really cool website, silent_jay.

[Yakk]

What do you mean, Canadians don't pet beavers?

While we don't live in Igloos, I have slept a night in one, and a friend of mine makes a new one most years for shits and giggles. Those blue recyclling bins make great block molds.

Edit: Time-lapse movie of igloo construction.

I have had the snow over my head. I was 12 years old, but still. =) And I have seen snow drifts that get that high.

Unforunetally, the only Americans I know well are smart ones, so no stupid American jokes here. =/ Most of whom keep talking about emigrating. ;-)

I can get close. How about a scary American story?

One day me and some friends decided to drive to upper new york state on a lark. It was 8 pm at night, and the boarder was 2 hours away.

We got to the boarder, and explained to the customs person that we where there for a lark, and would be back by dawn.

After about 2-3 hours, we fled.

The first bit of culture shock was the "24 hour bait, gun and ammo shop": it was the size of a supermarket, and had walls covered in rifles, open vats of live bait (catch your own bait!), and 2 for 1 ammo specials.

What eventually scared us into turning around was asking for directions at a gas station.

My friend went in. He came out 5 minutes later white as a sheet. He got in the car, and said "drive away, slowly, don't make any sudden moves".

When he walked into the gas station, there where 2 state patrollers in there.

One was 6'5", with a massive barrel chest, covered in kevlar armor, and a head the size of a pin.

The other was less physically impressive.

They didn't speak much, but when the large one spoke, it sounded more like a bull horn than a human.

He asked directions to Rochester, and tried not to look at the troopers.

One of them was sitting there, playing with the clip on his gun. In click, out click, in click, out click.

The other one was fondling his gun, and buttoning and unbuttoning it in his holster.

We decided that upper new york state maybe wasn't a place we should be driving about randomly at night, turned around, and went home...

Oh yes, and there was also those drunk people in a pickup truck whom we talked to at the primitive ATM. But that's another story.

[losthellhound]

Wow.. Ive gone through New York twice now heading to the capital region and its been fine for me. Met a couple of State Troopers at a rest stop, they were nice..

I only met one person who was quiestionable and I had a nice talk with him. (you know, kicking metal things just cause)..

NOW.. dont get me started on the darker edges of downtown NewOrleans (not the french quarter.. I mean DOWNTOWN).. *cringe*

[Quadraton]

I remember this guy telling me how he once went down to the States during the 80's for a Boy Scout pow-wow. He managed to sell a Loonie for USD $5 to one of the American Boy Scouts. He overheard the kid telling someone else; "Gosh those Canadians aren't too bright. That guy just sold me this gold coin for $5".

He was also asked by another American kid why Canadian Geese always come down South for the winter. To which he replied: "The Geese go down there once a year to shit on Americans, and then come back up".

It's funny making fun of other people...unless it's me being made fun of.

[SuperJay]

Originally posted by Averett
My whole world has shattered. You guys really don't have pet beavers? Oh man.... I don't know how I'll ever be able to go on!

I have a pet beaver. His name is Scott; I let him out of the cage every now and then to go find a mate.
He is actually quite dangerous unless regularly feed.

[jhericurl21]

Goin against the grain. I cant really stand how we Canadians always seem superior to Americans. I know we trade our pro's and con's here and there, but it annoy's me when conflicts end with "well he's american" and how we mainly protray them as ignorant hicks.


.....but i am pretty racist towards natives here in Alberta.It may make my first statement completely senseless but our sqaws are your guys mexicans.

[skier]

Well if the majority of natives actually did something with thier lives, I would have respect for them. I have a few native friends here in alberta that have gone to college, and have ambition and drive, but after living next to an indian reservation growing up I have lost all respect for the general population.

[Yakk]

Originally posted by losthellhound
Wow.. Ive gone through New York twice now heading to the capital region and its been fine for me. Met a couple of State Troopers at a rest stop, they were nice..

Remember, this was at 12 pm at night at a gas bar in the ass-end of nowhere NYS. He found having guns fondled in his presence spooky...

[losthellhound]

Originally posted by SuperJay
I have a pet beaver. His name is Scott; I let him out of the cage every now and then to go find a mate.
He is actually quite dangerous unless regularly feed.

Dont do that! Too funny.. He'd kick your ass if he read that

[pinkie]

The only stereotype I ever had in my head about Canadians was that they were just generally “nicer”than Americans.

Several years ago, I picked up a Canadian hitchhiker. He was sixteen years old, and the director of a Shakespearean play at his high school in Sudbury, Ontario.

He was they sweetest, and most polite, well-mannered, outspokenly kind kid I'd ever met. I let him sleep on my couch for one night. He was also very mature for his age.

My husband is so nice, when I first met him, I thought he was a Canadian.

[SuperJay]

Originally posted by pinkie
The only stereotype I ever had in my head about Canadians was that they were just generally “nicer”than Americans.

I actually heard that if a Canadian makes it on to a gameshow like Jeprody, or Wheel of Fortune, they ask them not to say plase and thank you so much becasue it slows the game down. Guess there is such a thing as being to nice.

[SuperJay]

Sorry, what is Jeopardy. Bad typing day, Superjay want to go home.

[Fly]

my pet beaver is attached to my wife's loins.

[Baldrick]

I deal with non-Canadians on a regular daily basis, so I have a few stories like this. My two favorites are...

A few years ago, on Easter long weekend, I was chatting online with some American game playing buddies. It was getting late, so I said goodnight to everyone, and wished them a "Happy Easter" (I know, an odd thing to wish). One of them piped up and said "Wait a minute, is Easter the same day in Canada too?!?" I calmly replied... "No, Jesus died on a different day up here".

And, at the height of the SARS epidemic in Toronto, all of my American studios thought we were dropping like flies out here! They honestly thought it was some Outbreak type scenario, where we were all either dying in the streets, or searching for Patient Zero so we could run tests on him to create a vaccine. They all refused to come to Toronto for the better part of a year, except for one person. I went to pick him up from the airport, and he came off the plane with a surgical mask and gloves on!

And I won't even describe the look of horror on their faces when, on a trip to Chicago of all places, we went to a Pizza Parlour for lunch, and I convinced them all that I had no idea what Pizza was! When it arrived I started eating it upside down and backwards - and they were astounded!