Are Americans Ignorant to Canadians and Their Culture
 

I found this article written by David Hillis. I have never heard of him before, but he has a great perspective on the problems between the two countries. I hope this one stays open as I have provided the article, as well as the source site. Any opinions on the article or it's contents would be great to hear. Thanks.

I totally agree with everything that this man says in this article. In my opinion American's are ignorant to what is going on around them, I mean they still think Iraq is a just war.

Rick Mercer just proves it with his show Talking To Americans, they know nothing about the world around them, and not just average Americans but Ivy League Professors and Politicians. Theyare so wrapped up in themselves that it is turning more and more people against them.

I mean if they know nothing about Canada their apparent "closest ally" then how do they know what we really feel about them.
Here's the source site http://flathat.wm.edu/September28200...nsstory2.shtml

Yes.

Yes what? You agree with the article.

Yes, we are ignorant of Canda's culture and history. I'm not proud of it, but it's true. I've discussed this with Canadians before and there ws no denying that they could slap us around in a game of cross-cultural trivial pursuit.

Edit: of course, I should probably speak for myself. I'm sure an average joe in Buffalo, NY would be a lot more knowledgable than the folks down here in southern Louisiana.

I think apathy might be a better description, or at least the reason.

Something that popped into my head also:
People from other countries will often state that Americans no little about the rest of the world. This may be true, but how many of these other countries have 50 minicountires in them. Heck how many of our states are larger than most/all of the countries in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
I, of course, know I'm over simplify and there truly are alot of stupid people in the US, but still I think we are often unfairly given crap.

Last point: About the article, if the author has a problem with "Blame Canada", he problably shouldn't read "A Modest Proposal".

Canadians like hockey and bacon.


What else is there?

To repeat an old joke, the Canadians had the chance to have British culture, French cuisine, and American technology. They screwed it up so bad they have American culture, British cuisine, and French technology.

All jokes aside, I agree with what RAGEAngel9 said. There's so much going on inside our own country that we really don't need to worry about what's outside our borders unless we really want to.

LOL!!

Beautiful...

Well....most of us don't know jack about Mexico, but I don't hear them bitchin'.

I like the 50 mini-country analogy. Most of my own foreign knowledge only comes into play with it effects national policy or something similar. To be honest I could barely tell you anything about other states in the union.

No one is really bitching, it's more so why are Americans so wrapped up in themselves? They aren't any better than anyone else.

I don't think us living our lives means we are wrapped up in ourselves... The only reason the rest of the world is so exposed to America is because of globalization and the exportation of everything, if someone else were top dog it would be the same way. I'll equate it to high school politics. Canada is the AV club, and we are the jocks and prom queens, and its upsetting because everyone is up our shit, but we aren't up in theirs... it's just we don't have, nor need a reason to care.

Not caring about what goes on in the rest of the world is what gets Americans into trouble. I'm not sure about the high school comparison though because on the world stage America is "up in everybodies shit", and Canada is the quiet peacekeeper.

I can kind of agree that it has to do with globalization and exportation, but a lot of it has to do America's own ignorance and arrogance.

Alright, you guys are the disgruntled nerd girl who wants us to ask you out on a date? Also I really don't think we are all that arrogant, and I resent you saying that. I'll admit as a human being I hate indifference, but seriously, tell me it matters if I know jack shit about what goes down in Canadian politics? I mean, it'd be one thing if we were exposed to anything from Canada outside of Labatt Blue, but we aren't, we have enough shit happening in our respective cities/states let alone the country.

Sorry to have offended you by calling Americans arrogant but that is my opinion, I've lived in the States and have traveled there quite often, and that is what I have found.

I mean people have asked me if there is snow outside in Canada when it has been June, and many other odd things.

It should matter that you know nothing about Canadian politics or Canada in general because well then you really have no right to complain about any decisions that the Canadian government makes (like not getting involved in Iraq), yet the States always has something to say even though they don't always know what is going on.

The USA is the best country in the world -- why would Americans need to look elsewhere? :)

I think a better question to ask is why some Canadians are so desperate for approval from Americans. If you don't want to be treated as the USA's little brother, silence those who act like it.

I was there this past weekend and I swear to God that 6 out of every 10 cars was a Pontiac. 95% of those were Sunfires with silly decals. I was dumbfounded. We came to the conclusion that Pontiac is the Microsoft of Canada ;) (the actual conclusion was that, since GM has factories in Canada, there was less import tax, fees, etc.)

The only people who think that America is the greatest country are well Americans. Now I know that everybody thinks their respective country is the greatest, but is any other country hated so much on a world scale? Why are they hated because they are ignorant about other countries politics and cultures. It isn't that you have to look elsewhere but you (most Americans) know nothing about the world around you.(most Americans)

I'm not desperate for approval from Americans (I think you meant me by typing some) if not well then IMO Canadians aren't looking for approval from Americans. Most Americans wouldn't like to hear what average Canadians really think of their country.

I wouldn't say Canada has been treated like USA's "little brother" look at the relations between Bush and Chretien not exactly on friendly terms. Now along comes Martin and I might start to agree the longer he is around the more we will be treated like "little USA" because Martin is really interested in kissing Bush's butt, for one reason or another.

It always makes me chuckle when I hear Americans refering to Africa as a country.

There are an overabundance of shitty Sunfires with body kits and decals. In my town alone we have at least 20-30 Cavaliers, Sunfires, Sunbirds, with the whole fancy body kit and grapefruit launcher exhaust. It really is quite comical that they actually think they are cool. Everybody knows that the engine hasn't been touched in these cars just the outside so that makes them fast, in their opinion.

On the "50 minicountries" argument, how many people know what is going on outside their state? Outside their immediate region(Northeast, West coast, South, etc)? I know that there were some tornados across the midwest this weekend, and that's about it for outside my state. We have an apathy about our own goings on too, probably because the media gives us so much bullshit sensationalism about Scott Peterson and Kobe and whatever else is selling newspapers that we don't have the energy to look past our own front door.

That's French Fries with Cheese Curds smothered in Gravy. Sheesh!

And yes, that is fatal. And yes, it tastes good.

Why do Canadians care?
1> You are our neighbour. We get upsent when our neighbour isn't neighbourly.
2> If some terrorist blows up New York, Canada will get some fallout.
3> Your politicians play shell games with imports and exports in order to bribe constituates for votes. This causes economic damage, and it annoying.
4> Your government and corperations lobby for stupid things, like infinite-duration copywrite, or absurdly broad and generic patents, which distorts our political system.
5> Economic instability in the USA, due to Canada's massive-trade-nation status, and the size of our trading relationship, can cause damage to the Canadian economy.
6> Your constitution is a beautiful document, and many of the precipts upon which your government was built are laudable. The structure build up since is sometimes less so.
7> Many of your citizens are great people, who have done great things.
8> You can't spell colour or cheque.

Do something interesting and I guess we'll start caring. All you guys ever do it seems is rag on us or claim how much more free/better you guys are.

Go away.

Okay, just to clarify, I'm American.

Anyway...

I've seen quite a few of the "Talking to American" skits. I find them hilarious. That being said, I don't think that the people on the skits are that stupid, it's more of the fact that they have a camera in their face and they don't want to disagree with the guy interviewing them.

And Mercer says things really quickly. And in that Canadian accent that is just so hard to understand sometimes :lol: :p If you're getting interviewed and the guy asks you something that you know is just a bit off, are you really going to question it? I'm not sure that I would.

I love the skits though, they're so damn funny.

Am I ignorant? No, not at all. There are plenty of things that I don't know about Canada, but I think I know quite a lot. I'm lucky enough to have Canadian friends. I've spent time in Alberta and Ontario. I've been to Montreal, but is Quebec still a part of Canada? :p

I know much more than the average American I'd say. I've learned a lot through my Canadian friends and I've asked them questions. Would I know so much if I didn't have these friends? Probably not. But don't lump all Americans into one big bunch of idiots. And we won't assume that every Canadian can ice skate and is a lumberjack :D

Well for one thing we have the best beer in the world and for another, the most beautiful women, which when mixed at the proper time should easily make Canada the envy of the world.

On the whole though I'd say proportionally speaking there are as many dumb Canadians as there are dumb Americans. This common bond at times seems eerily present more often than not.

Enough said, my neighbour is coming over for dinner and I have to send some smoke signals to confirm the time.;)

The oddest thing about Canada is that everbody drives around with their lights on in the middle of the day.

God bless Canada. Our money's worth more there, the food's great, the women are hot in a simple kind of way, and good beer flows like rainwater. Go Canada!!

I kinda gotta agree with Phaenx. What is there to pay attention to? Granted, im about as far away from Canada as you can get and probably know much more about Mexico's political affairs than Canada's.

But as far as i can tell, while you are a large land mass, and you are our neighbors, there isn't a whole lot to be interested in. It seems to me, that as a whole, Canada isn't active enough politically, militarily or whatever in the world to warrant our attention. Aside from trade with the US, Canada just isn't a strong enough force to matter what your opinions are. Be honest, if Canada doesn't like whats going on someplace else in the world, does it really make that big of a difference to anyone? Its not like your known for your strong military either....

If your politics dont make enough of a global impact to be in the news, well, practically ever, then there is no reason to expect American's to go spend their time learning all the intricacies of your culture.

Sure, you may all know about us, but come on, with as big of an impact as our politics make to the rest of the world...you kinda have to pay attention to what we are doing.

And as someone else said, its kinda like Mexico. As a whole what does a Canadian citizen know about mexico? Probably nothing. Why? Because Mexico makes almost no difference in your day to day living. Thats pretty much how Canada is to us... or at least to me.

Daytime running lights. Basically, a car with lights on looks like a moving car. A car without lights on looks like a car parked on the side of the road. The lights are for other people to see, not for you to see.

Newer cars have them standard, and sensible people with older cars turn on their lights manually. (by old, I mean pre-1990ish)

Considering Canada exports nearly as many goods to the USA as China does... "aside from trade" seems like a pretty big exception!

The second, minor, impact we have had on the world was that wierd little idea called "peacekeeping".

The third impact is generally the fact that Canada is a rich industrialized nation that the world doesn't hate. And yes, this is an impact, and a useful tool.

I will admit that the USA spends 1/3 of Canada's GDP on their military alone. =) (They also spend 1/3 of Canada's GDP on health-care forms. Not health-care, just the paperwork surrounding it. baka) So, if your only goal is not to be nuked, you can safely ignore Canada. Canada has never chosen to build an atomic bomb (although we did rent a few for a bit, we have none currently). However, to be fair, if Canada chose to become a nuclear power, it could probably happen overnight.

I dislike the way that "americans are..." is being thrown around.

Don't you think it's a little self-indulgent and narcissistic to say that "all americans" are anything in particular?

You like to get your opinions of Americans from your own biased reporters and that moron Rick Mercer- whose only existence is to furhter himself by putting people on the spot and make fun of them for your entertainment. He is just trying to make a name for himself and some money for his pocket. His show, while humorous at times, is useless as an "example" of Americans as a whole.

That'd be like me taking every Rick Moranis/John Candy movie I've ever seen and taking that as my "example" of Canadian culture.

There are a lot of people whose responsibilities far outweigh the ability to take time to educate themselves on other people's cultures. Like lower-class people care about your culture when they're trying to put food on the table? Like middle-class people care about the particulars of the Canadian lifestyle when they're trying not to get fired, downsized, or trying to get rehired from the same. Not to mention that the people in this country are hounded by the news media to constantly be afraid- it's what keeps us all in check and them in control. People who live in fear are easy to control. The upper-class and the rich sometimes don't care about anyone but themselves, but that goes for any culture. For those who DO care, they are great philanthropists and are concerned with the world at large.

In the days of constant fear tactics lobbed at us by the media, job problems and money tightness, not to mention all the other problems like social security, health care, etc., when exactly do you think we're going to stop what we're doing- when we already are running behind in our own lives- to bone up on Canada?

I think it's a liiiiiiiittle unnecessary to assume that because you're not the center of our attention we (as a whole country) don't care about you. In a country with as many people as we have, it is not all that difficult to find a handful- or even several handfuls- of ignorant people.

Shit, I know entire neighborhoods of redneck morons. Doesn't prove anything about Americans as a whole.

As a Canadian I find the whole... why don't Americans know anything about us rather boring. My reply, much like those above is why should they care what happens in Canada (or the rest of the world for that matter?).

The reason many Canadians notice this lack of interest by Americans is because we, as your nearest neighbour, are inundated with American culture (moreso than any other nation in the world). We naturally assume that the information flow is a two way street and when we discover it isn't it has two general effects: 1) we resent the lack of attention, 2) we feel superior.

It's comforting to feel superior.

As for Rick Mercer... moron? Not even close. This guy is one of the best political satirists of today... in any nation. Talking to Americans gets blown out of proportion. It's funny not because it is nasty humour, belittling Americans... it's funny, especially to Canadians because it taps into that superiority I mentioned above. There is a bit of smugness involved but mostly it is just poking fun at the bully... you know if he gets wise he's going to smack you down.

Do Canadians know German politics?
 

The reason I ask is because Germans get annoyed if Americans don't know about our culture. So do Mexicans. So do the British, and the French, and Italians... They all get annoyed because they think that since they know who OUR president is, we should know who THEIR leader is.

However, since Germans don't know the Canadian PM, they don't care if a Canadian knows the German PM.

Americans are held to an insanely higher standard than anyone else. The fact of the matter is that Canadians dont know who the US president is because they are more cultured or intelligent, they know who he is because he is much more important to their lives than the Canadian PM is to Americans' lives.

Americans knew who was running the USSR, back in the day, because it was important to. It simply isn't important to know who Paul Martin is.

I agree, Rick Mercer is far from a moron and I agree that I shouldn't lump all Americans into one pile. There are ignorant people in every country.

I do get my opinions of Americans from different sources, I watch CNN but it is a terrible news channel, nothing but propaganda and bullshit. Something huge can happen in the world and CNN will show the cat that got stuck in a pipe in Mississippi before it will show anything about the story. I'd much rather watch CBC or BBC they have more information on the world as a whole.

The American president more important to Cnadaians lives, I hardly agree with that Canadians know who he is because they want to see what he is going to pull next.

Be it invade a country, stutter through another speech, tax softwood lumber, play with the steel market again, piss off the rest of the world. He thinks the world is his playground and he can do as he pleases. Time will tell the legacy George W. Bush leaves behind, my opinion is it won't be good.

This is not something new since Bush took office. Americans were just as ignorant of Canadian culture when Clinton was in office too. And Clinton was more important to Canadian lives than the Canadiam PM was to American lives at the time too, hence the source of apathy. Bush has nothing to do with this issue.

IMO the American president is never more important than the Canadian PM to Canadians, that just makes no sense, Clinton, while I think "Slick Willy" is great he was not more important to Canadian lives than Chretien, and it would be nice if you backed it up with something at least not just saying it.

Bush just as unimportant only more comical to watch and listen to.

Canadians are sheep.

Such a pity statement... and so polite too. What a nice American.

No one ever said the american president was more important to Canadians than the Canadian PM. We're saying the American president is mopre important to Canadians than the Canadian PM is to Americans. Read: America has an impact on Canada, Canada has almost *zero* impact on America. Hence, you know about us, and we don't know about you. What your PM does has almost no effect on us.

I thought that since it was cool to bash Americans while stating an opinion in this thread that it was a two-way street. Guess not.

Damn straight.

When I don't need to worry about all of my bills, my education, the health of my family and many other factors, I'll take the time to go out and read about another countries news and such. In general though, in my current position knowing what happened on the corner of 1st and 2nd in Montreal doesn't really help with my daily life. And knowing the PM of Canada(Although I do anyway) won't readily help me out either. My ignorance(Hey at least I admit it) of Canadian culture isn't so isolated. I barely know what happens in the Western part of the country. I just don't have the time to find news from over in that area and read/remember it. I also don't take the "We're holier then thou attitude." If I had the time, I would try to learn about these other places if it were more pertiant to my life.

I'm the last one to say that American, in general, need to be concerned about anything beyond their borders. Why should they give a damn.

The fact of the matter is that Canada is important to America. We are your number one trading partner among other things. Our economies are very closely tied to one another.

It is annoying to be taken for granted.



It's funny though, I have bills, education, a family, etc. and yet I know quite a bit about what is happening beyond the borders of my country (not to mention what happens in my own vast nation).

I wonder how many people get interviewed, and not have their reply shown on tv? There are stupid people everywhere. Shows like this - and we all know there are many like it - thrive on these people. Without 1 in however many people giving a stupid answer to a simple question, this show wouldn't exist. A man walking around getting the right answers to questions would have no market on tv. Oh, wait. Its called Jeopardy. =P

my thoughts:

America (that is, the USA) has 10x the population and many times the broadcasting power/reach. I fully agree that since Canadians are so heavily influenced by American media, we Canadians feel as though we might be paid some attention. It's hard as a Canadian to not pay attention to American news, politics, etc.

Also, that our cultures are actually quite similar makes us feel as though we should have more in common (politically, socially, economically) than we actually do. There's nothing out there that says "Americans should be more aware of their surroundings". Why should they? If Americans in general thought their ex-country surroundings would heavily influence their lives, they would pay closer attention to it. (Disclaimer: Every country has their ignorants)

One last word re: Rick Mercer and "Talking to Americans" -- to support Charlatan and Averett, this show is hilariously entertaining to Canadians, and does NOT have worldwide appeal. Who else would laugh at the "Peter Mans-bridge?" joke? Rick Mercer basically lays out a scenario at high speed and waits for some indication of either support or disagreement, and the Canadian interpretation makes it funny. Yes, the people he shows are generally the opinionated type who feel they have to comment on everything, but he also showed a couple of people who were wise to his ways. Regardless, it's a funny little jab back at the powerful nation that exerts influence on us at every turn.

So, are Americans ignorant? No. Are some Americans ignorant? Yes. So are some Canadians. Suck it up, Canadians.... the Americans aren't going away.

What precisely are you asking for.... A canadian appreciation day? Canadian history in our schools? What could Americans do that would make you feel better.....i would bet nothing.

I would also bet this angst is a predominant concern amongst canadians, and as such you should count your blessings...kind of like that cartoon "...hey spike, hey, hey look at me spike, look at me." This is not America's problem, we have a lot of things on our plate to deal with, your insecurities however, are not one of them.

P.S. - Germany has MUCH better beer than Canada, in fact all of Europe does.

P.S.S. - quite clapping at your strippers and tip them god damnit.

Actually we'd really like it if you all would just move to another neighbourhood.

Thanks.

/sarcasm off

Make Us

Hmm, yeah... not so much. :)

Then let me on how you do it because it seems that I'm not able to do this.

Edit: grammer good for me. Taughted me well in school.

By candian culture you mean alan thicke, right?;)

I live less than six hours from canada and yet have only ever been there once for about a half hour. I don't really know anything about what's going on in canada. I also have no idea what's going on in wisconsin(a 45 minute drive from my house), SoDak, NoDak, or ohiowa. I'm not in a position where in-depth knowledge of any of these places is of any importance, and until that changes i don't think i have a reason to take much notice.

I don't think there is a problem. My question is do you understand American culture. American culture is not open, people don't talk to those they don't know. People in American have their space and they like it that way. Many people don't even know their neighbors. Different countries have different cultures.

Now for a serious question about Canada that has always made me wonder. Why is it that 90% of all good whiskey is from Canada?

I wouldn't say that to a Scotsman if I were you...

Very very well said. I agree wholeheartedly with your analysis.

Daval - Canadian SuperMod

Issue Number 1: American media

Issue Number 2: Huh? Scottish whiskey :p

I have to admit i have never drank scotish whiskey, mostly because i'm still a poor college student but all the whiskey around here other than jack is canadian

Can't say you don't know jack.:D

That's because it's rye whiskey. Rye whiskey, bourbon whiskey, Irish Whiskey and Scotch Whisky (Scotch) are all different.

I've actually had fun at a thought experiement.

What would happen if Canada where to decide to build nuclear weapons?

No, seriously. Canada has the technology, the raw materials, and the knowhow. Hell, we even have missile silos.

Simply withdraw from the nuclear non-proliferation treaty on some pretext (the lack of international punishment for states like Isreal, India, Pakistan and South America, together with the 5 large nuclear nations refusing to disarm, has made the non-proliferation treaty a joke), and the underground test ban treaty on another (this treaty bans the use of underground nuclear tests. Dispite this, nuclear tests happen, even amoung signatories: America just recently set off an explosing containing nuclear materials, within the letter of the treaty, but it spits on the spirit. As such, Canada can no longer be signatory to such a bankrupt agreement).

We should probably be nuclear armed before we actually do the above, as a matter of insurance.

If it wasn't for the complete lack of influence Canada has in the world, I'd suspect the world would get rather fucked by such a unilateral move towards nuclear proliferation.

Why would Canada do this? Well, Canada should be a geopolitical realist. One's ability to influence the world is based on one's percieved power. Being capable of destroying any nation that disagrees with Canada would, by that measure, be increased by a large nuclear deterrant.

Oh, and before you go all ga ga, this won't happen. Canada isn't really interested in blowing up other countries. Good government, good will and security is, traditionally, enough for us.

I sometimes find the acts of American politicians rude (and often in violation of various treaties). But really, I don't want Canada to be noticed: fame isn't worth the bother.

The issue is twofold.
1. Our culture is Similar, but still very different in a lot of subtle ways. This makes us feel we're close, but it makes relations more difficult than relations within the country.
2. Americans seem to be by and large, more ignorant about whats happening in the world. European countries are fmailier with each others politics and culture, Canda is with America, Britain and France. America? well There concerned about America.

An interesting side note is that China is like the America of Asia. (except they pay attention to America here) The pay little attention to anyone else (cept maybe taiwan, but thats something different)

ok Britian and France and the rest of the EU, go back to my 50 little nations analogy.

Wow, what an interesting discussion. I, being the typical ignorant american, really had no idea that this was even an issue.

To those Canadians in here, I couldn't agree with you more on some points. I have absolutely no idea who your prime minister was, hell - before this thread I probably would have called him your president. I would bet that many people I know are in the same boat as I.

I live in WI, not too too far from Canada, but know very little about it. It has been stated that America has a huge influence on your culture - around here, you have little to no influence on ours. I pride myself on doing my best to keep up with world events, but canada is rarely a blip on my radar. I understand that Canada is our largest trade partner, but our relationship seems so stable that it never really crossed my mind.

I have quite a bit of respect for Canada, as it is a highly industrialized nation that has many, many things that America does not. Like... You guys can play hockey really well. :D Or, Canadian crime rates in general, especially the murder rates, are unbelievablely low. Canadians are also healthier in general, especially compared to the "epidemic" of Obesity in America. (according to a documentary I saw on the History Channel) Oh, and the rest of the world likes you - or at least doesn't care enough to hate you.

We Americans (keep in mind I am but a single person typing, my opinion may or may not be the majority) usually keep track of things that affect us, or could potentially effect us. We have so many problems here, I spend more of my time reading about our issues than I do the rest of the worlds problems. The War on Terror, the "Constant" Threat of a Terrorist attack (thank you mass media) The upcoming Election, Scandals, Murders, kittens trapped in wells, all have much more of an effect on my life than Canadian Politics. And above all that, things that directly affect my life seem a lot more important than any of those items. Kinda funny that it is more important to me whether or not my favorite nightclub is closing down than if the "threat level" is raised.

Our cultures are extremely different - Americans are usually more independant and require personal space. Canadians, it seems, are much more open and friendly. I have a couple of Canadian friends that didn't even lock their doors when they left their house. Certainly, that probably still happens in some parts of America, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in the city that does that.

Anyway, I'm not trying to ramble on here - you are right. Many Americans are ignorant not only about Canada, but many, many other things as well. What I see from the remarks in this thread is basically

Canada - "Damn you Americans, Pay Attention to us! Recognize us! Hahaha... look at the dumb Americans"

America - "Quit your bitching... We'd hate you too if we cared enough about you..."

The question remains though, what would you Canadians suggest that we do to make you feel recognized?

We just want a HUG! *sniffle*

I say we declare a food fight with America... cream pies in the face of every American that comes to Canada... That'll teach 'em...

*Hugs Canada* (Indeed, I have fairly long arms)

You feel better now? :D

lol that's a great summary

I'm afraid it's like that with any two countries next to each other, with one much larger and dominant. Wales and England, New Zealand and Australia. Except America is so big and powerful that everyone in the whole world likes to bitch about it.

I've only met a few americans in this country (UK) but they've been fairly cool I have to admit

Ah, that's where you are wrong mon ami.

So much of our culture has made its way into your culture, you have mistaken it as your own.

We have been infiltrating your culture for years and are well under way to taking you over. You just don't know it yet.

Muh ha ha ha ha

That is the dumbest thing I have ever heard, eh?

*goes back to eating his beaver tails*

:D

I personally have not been to Canada, nor have I spent much time researching it. If one were to ask me what the first thing that came to mind when the word Canada was mentioned; I would say socialized medicine. (not stating thats good or bad)

Canada is something I need to learn more about

Canadian info dump:

Canada formed from the English colonies that chose not to break off from Britian during the colonial war, and the French colonies that Britian had conquored long ago.

After and during the colonial war, a large number of Loyalists from the southern colonies fled to Canada. This caused something of a population boom, especially in Ontario. I can trace my family tree back to at least one of these United Empire Loyalists.

Over the next century or so, Canada spread west, and there where one or two aborted rebellions against home-rule. Canada at the time was a collection of seperate colonies. Eventually, the Queen decided that Canada should have "responsible government", government that was more responsive to the people of Canada. This eventually evolved into the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1887.

Along the way, Canadian and British troops repulsed an American invasion, and burned the White House, in the war of 1812. This was the last war between the Empire and the break away colonials that I am aware of. After this war, a large amount of fortifications where built up in Canada to make another war less likely: one beautiful example is Citadel Hill in Halifax. This war also was one of the main reasons why the Canadian capitol is in Ottawa: the twin fort-cities of Kingston and Montreal could defend it against American aggression. The Rideau canal was also built to provide a transportation link further from the boarder. As an important aside, Canada owed it's continued existance to the aid of aborignal troops, who proved a very valueable ally during this war.

The Dominion of Canada was still part of the British Empire, dispite having an elected parliament and many powers. All laws where signed by the Governor General. The GG was and still is appointed by the Queen, under the advice of the Prime Minister. The Queen, through her representative the Governer Genral, is the head of state of Canada: analagous to your President.

Today, traditionally the Queen selects whomever the Prime Minister says she will select. And the Governer General signs into law everything handed to her. However, there have been a few anomolous situations when the GG did not sign a law into effect.

The "government" are the ministers (including the Prime Minister) and commitees that run the country. The government is reponsible to the represenatives of the country: namely, parliament. This arrangement is barely mentioned in foundation documents, it continues to exist as a tradition stronger than law.

If the government loses the confidence of parliament, then the Governor General can either ask someone else (another party) go form the government, or she can choose to dissolve parliament. Simularly, when the PM calls an election, he walks over to the Governor General's house, and asks her to dissolve parliament: the GG is the one with the constitutional power, not the PM.

Time passed. Canada grew in size, various boarder disputes with the USA where decided, we got Victoria Island, you got Washington State.

Around 1900, Canada sent some of its first troops overseas, to the Boer war in South Africa. The Canadian troops fought as part of the British army.

Canada industrialized at a reasonable pace. Then came The War to End All Wars: otherwise known as WWI.

As part of the British Empire, we joined the war the moment Britian declaired war. By the end of the war, Canada was an independant signatory to the treaty. This right had a cost: Canada lost 55,000+ men during the first world war: to put this in context, Canada, a nation 10 times smaller than the USA, lost more troops during this conflict.

At the start of the war, the Canadian military consisted of just over 3,000 troops.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Prime Minister of Canada

The war was declaired on August 4th.
August 6th, a telegram was sent out seeking volunteers and troops from accross the country. Laurier promised 20,000 soldiers.
By the end of August, 30,000 soldiers where in training. By October, 83,000 soldiers, in the largest miltary convoy to cross the Altantic at once, took sail.

Encamped at Salisbury plain in England, AWOL was a problem: it wasn't the war, it was the mud that drove the soldiers to visit London. From what I know, when they heard the force was going to France, most returned.

The first major engagement didn't happen until April. At the battle of Ypres, the Germans used a new tactic in an attempt to break the allied defences: chlorine gas.

3 days later the Canadians where relieved. The force had almost ceased to exist, entire batallions where reduced to 100 men. But they held.

Enough about WWI. If you are interested, you can read about the 2nd Canadian force which replaced the dead.

Time passed, the depression hit. In WWII, Canada did not declair war with Britian, but waited precidely one month. Canada was a nation in its own right.

1 million troops mobalized and 72,000 Canadian dead later, the war ended.

Canada decided to demilitarize.

In 1949, Newfoundland, the last province, voted to join Canada. Newfoundland seperatists still dispute the result of the referendum.

During each war, there was a Conscription crisis. The province of Quebec was against conscription, viewing the wars as a problem of the British Empire. In each war, Conscription was finally introduced: in WWII, only 12,000 conscripted soldiers where sent overseas before the war ended.

Over the next 50 years, Canada continued to industrialize. A number of important things happen:
The Quiet revolution in Quebec, in which french Canada asks for a special status within Confederation.
The socialized Health Care system, which started in Saskachewan (a prarie province), eventually becomes national.
The FLQ crisis, in which the PM of Canada invokes the war measures act to catch Quebec seperatist terrorists.
The bill of rights, an act of parliament giving power to the courts to overturn acts of parliament.

The repatriation of the Constitution in 1982. With the permission of the British privy council, Canada bootstraps itself into a nation in it's own right. Quebec never agrees on the text of the Constitutional document, resulting in 10+ years of Constitutional wrangling before it is given up for a dead cause.

The abolishment of the death penalty.

Western alienation at the Progressive Conservative party of Canada, resulting in the cannibalization of the founding political party.

The collapse of the Atlantic Fishery: the maritime provinces are still in a depression from this.

The Avro Arrow, a cutting edge fighter aircraft project. Abandoned to free up budget space for some nuclear missile silos at the request of the USA.

The tri-party system: Canada has 3 traditional parties, the Conservatives, the Liberals and the New Democratic party. Historically, the Liberals have had power the most, and are the centrist party. The NDP, our left-wing party, have never formed a national government, but have formed provincial governments.

The rise of the Parti Quebecois and Bloc Quebecois. The Parti Quebecois is a seperatist provincial party. The Bloc Quebecois is a seperatist national party. The Bloc initially formed from PC party members who defected, part of the great PC-party implosion, and has since moved left politically.

Demographically, Canada is heavy in the middle and in the south. 1/3 the nation lives in Ontario, 1/4 in Quebec. The next most populous provinces are BC and Alberta (far west), which together form 1/4 of Canada's population. The remaining 1/6th of Canada's population is in the other 6 provinces and 3 territories.

The vast majority of Canada's population lives quite close to the Americna border. Canada's north is mostly unpopulated (more people live on PEI than live in all 3 northern territories).

Canada's population is 31 million, about the same as California (10% less), or about 1/10th the population of the entire USA, or 1/2 the population of the UK.

Canada accepts more immigrants per capita than any other nation on the Earth. This really started after WWII, when Canada imported large numbers of European refugees. 1 in 4 people in Ontario where born outside Canada, 18% of Canadians are foreign-born, and 43% of Toronto's population is foreign-born. <http://www.statcan.ca/english/Pgdb/demo46b.htm>
(for you UKers, Toronto has ~5% more foreign-born people than London)

In comparison, 1/9 (11%) Americans are foreign-born, and 1/12 (8%) people in the UK are foreign-born.

Canada is still a nation of immigrants.

The Canadian dollar was once higher than the American dollar, but a long term slow decline has been the rule. Right now, it is about 75 c US per Canadian dollar (or 40 pence). The purchasing power of the Canadian dollar is currently slightly higher than the American dollar, and quite higher than the UK pound, after exchange rates.

Ethnically, Canada is slightly whiter than the USA. Canada has fewer black people, and more asians and natives, per capita.

Canada's settlement was far more peaceful towards the native tribes. There are exceptions.

Recently, the Canadian economy has been growing slightly faster than the US economy.

Any questions/corrections? =)

The claims that "Americans are ignorant against x culture" are hilarious!

There simply isn't enough time to sit down and learn about each individual country and their respective cultures.

We might not know about Canada and the culture, but there's no real reason to. We don't live there... just like those living in Russia aren't too concerned with the culture down in Chile or Columbia.

It's not that AMERICANS are ignorant to Canadians and their culture, it's that pretty much the rest of the world is too. I highly doubt they're teaching Canadian culture over in Italy, France, or Germany.

No, I just don't care.

My parents were both born there. The left. Good enough for me.

Besides, I'm not a lumberjack, I don't wear flannel shirts, I don't play hockey, and I don't drink maple syrup. Just kidding. I wear flannel shirts.

And you are not Canadian

Sorry couldn't resist. My version of a spin off of a beer commercial that played here a while back.

The average Joe Canadian will get it:D

I wouldn't say ignorant, I would say fed-up. We, Americans, are the country that stands up for the little kid at the end of the block who always gets picked on. We get bashed constantly and without shame by countries who really should'nt look a gift horse in the mouth. Canada, with a doubt, gets a free pass on world issues because they really are for all intents and purposes a non-player. It's understood they are the US's little cousin no one should mess with. I wouldn't say that Ameriocans have an anti-Candian sentiment just apathy when our northern neighbors are concerned. We, as Americans, get no respect whatsoever when visiting Canada (especially the French provinces), and are frankly fed up with it. Obviously Canada will always be safe, as America will defend it's borders at all costs. Riddle me this Eh? Saddam Hussein is in charge of the super power identified as the US. Would Canada remain sovereign then? Would their incredible sense of self allow them to defend their borders from just about any foreign invader? I think not. Am I condoning Saddam Hussein or any of his predispositions? Absolutely not! IDo I think the US is by any means perfect or an idealistic organization? Absolutely not! All I think we as Amercans are asking for simply is why can't we as the the US get a little credit for buttering Canada's bread. We understand we do it and Candians have to know France isn't doing it. Why cant people north of the border? Food for thought...

I realize how late I'm coming into this argument... but in reading many of the replies i'm disgusted with the contempt many of the replies in this topic have for either side... whether it be canadian or american, moreso american it seems.... Hell, even a Moderator got his punch in on canada :( woe is me.

Anyway, I feel the need to speak my part.

I am enraged at America for one reason, Trade Bully Tactics... It's horrible!

Softwood Lumber - We have better trees than you, and more of them. Period. People want to buy our trees over your sub-par yellow pine. So what does your government do? You put RIDICULOUS tariffs on imported lumber. Bankrupting many mills in my beautiful province of BC, and decimating one of our primary exports. Thanks a lot.

I love my country, I will never live anywhere else but in Canada. I love the fact that the rest of the world loves canada, and I can wear my flag with pride anywhere in the world (Except America, go figure) and be treated with respect and admiration. I love hearing stories of Americans sewing Canadian flags onto their packs so they are treated better... It makes me smile, and beam with joy.

It is strange that our closest neighbour holds us in such contempt... while the rest of the world is envious.

Have a nice day.

further notes:

baka - Haha, i wonder if im the only one who spotted this... Gotta love knowing nuances of a foreign language

The average Joe Canadian will get it - I loved that commercial.

Yakk - very eloquently put, you educated many people with that post... Perhaps someone from the USA can briefly make such a post... I'd be intrigued to learn more about America

Rick mercer is a brilliant political satirist... he makes fun of canadian government twice as much as he does american.

Um, if USA was an Iraq with 310 billion people, Canada would have a higher GDP than it (GDP per capita of Iraq: 2400. Resulting GDP of USA: about 700 billion. GDP of Canada: about 900 billion (purchasing power parity)).

So, it would be a tough fight: a richer, smaller nation vs a poorer, larger nation. I'd expect it would go nuclear.

It wouldn't be good for Canada. Of course, I expect living under Saddam Huissain would make it worse for Americans.

Or, do you mean, this year the USA elects Saddam Hussain as their fearless leader, and starts with an invasion of Canada? I'd suspect the GDP of the USA would plummet, and the world would start a cold-war facing the other way this time. Canada would become a prison state. Canadians would flee across the boarder, and commit guerilla actions against the US government with probably a large amount of American support. It might take 50 years for America to be finally economically crushed, during wich time the world may or may not experience a nuclear holicost.

There is no nation on earth for which a conventional invasion of Canada would be worth the invading countries bother. The handful of nations which have a sufficient military and ability to project force into the area are quite rich nations: they would lose more than they gained, even if the US ignored the aggression. The poor nations of the earth, well, you do know Canada is <A> fucking remote, <B> fucking big, and <C> it isn't as if we have no military and navy.

Or was your claim a rhetorical device?

I guess I must be one ignorant, uninformed American. To me Canada has always just been considered a friendly neighbor.

But now I read here that Canadians resent, feel superior to, and don't care much for Americans in general. Go figure.

I admit I have little knowledge of Canadian politics and culture. Mostly because I have no reason to know such things. There are too many other things of importance in my life to be concerned with besides spending time learning about something of no relevance to me. ( I started to read the Canadian info dump post, but lost interest after the first two lines).

Sorry if that offends Canadians, but thats just the way it is.

It does seem to me that there might be some envy and jealousy involved in some Canadians feelings towards Americans, but thats just a guess. I think its great Canadians are proud of their country, but does belittling America make Canada greater?

It reminds me some of the kids in high school with such low self esteem they constantly made fun of other people because they so desperately wanted to be able to somehow feel superior.

Oh, I forgot two things.

Canada is one of the most highly educated nations on the earth.

And I can't spell worth danm.

crewsor, I apologize for any offence I may have given: possibly I was too venemous.

Yes, Canadians resent American policies that harm them, especially those that are against signed treaties. Yes, Canadian politics and opinions are divergent on a number of issues: the war in Iraq, for instance. And yes, some Canadians feel that they are less worse than Americans in some ways: what nation on earth doesn't have this feeling, at least to some extent?

We are still friendly. And will remain friendly until our invading hoards, gathered at the border, are ready to sweep over you in a wave of horse-mounted red horror (backed by a musical score).

Dude, I love Mounties :D

I love the Musical Ride.. Ive seen it ten times now

ahh forget it

When was the last time Canada needed a pass? It isn't like we go around picking fights. There hasn't been a time in history where the US has had to back us up militarily or even flex their muscle so we feel safe. If anything, we are a bit anxious being so close to the American stockpiles.

Canada is a non-player on the world scene? Just because you don't hear about it doesn't mean we are completely absent from world politics. Remember most of your news revolves around your own nation. Canada has been quite influencial in the back rooms because our politicans are not seen as having an agenda. Diplomacy through words rather than weapons... to quote Lester B. Pearson (former Prime Minister and winner of the Nobel Peace Prize) - "Peace Through Understanding."

Many French Canadians are that way with ANY maudit anglais (damned English speakers). Don't take it personally.

As for respect, it is a two-way street, no?

What border, the Canadian/US border? Who is going to attack Saskatchewan, ALberta, Manitoba or Ontario? Who would attack the coast of BC or the Maritimes? There is no upside. There is a reason the 49th parallel is the longest undefended border, who'd bother to attack it?

I'm really not sure what you are suggesting here. Are suggesting that if a Mililtary Dictatorship took over the US and wanted to invade Canada that we would just roll over? If you are, well, yes there is little we could do if the US decided to invade. But you could be damn sure that we know where your soft underbelly is and guerrilla warfare is not fun. I can only imagine that any number of nations around the globe, including many Americans, would back us up on that fight.

But let's face it, the US isn't about to go that way is it? Or is it?...


Thank you for buttering our bread. Can you pass the Peanut Butter please...

I don't think there is a Canadian that wouldn't agree that as out largest trading partner, the US is responsible for our level of wealth and comfort. However, as pointed out many times above, we ARE you neighbour (France isn't - but I would argue the average Frenchman knows way more about Canada - mostly Quebec - than the average American does about any part of Canada). We share a boarder. We consume endless amounts of your culture (moreso than any other nation). When we do things like take in thousands of your stranded passengers on 9/11 we don't get thanked by your president.

Canadians don't hate American's per se. We just don't want to be taken for granted (clearly you don't think American's do either). Being taken for granted sucks. It builds resentment. This discussion just reflects that.

Some things Americans and Canadians may not know.

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aa090100a.htm

Regarding the above post with Canadian Inventors....

Canada Dry Ginger Ale ...invented in 1907 by John A. McLaughlin

Imagine that.... lol

:D

no.

Germany has the best beer, and Sweden has the best women. deal with it.




how do you know hes an american?
it doesnt say in the location....


and to answer your original question...
yes We are ignorant of Canadial culture simply because we have no reason to become educated about it (im not saying thats a good thing). Now days, you have to invade or bomb someone to get any recognition. I didnt know about Afghanistan's cluture before 9-11.

Actually Belgium has the best beers... but that's another thread... ;)

What it should have read was Canada has the best beer in North America... :p

I made an assumption... granted. However, it was a reasonably safe assumption. Why would someone from anywhere else get so bent out of shape?

Saying that you don't know about a culture because you don't live there or there is no reason to, is really no excuse, I don't live in Russia but I know a lot about the country.

Comparing Russians not knowing the Chilean peoples culture, is a terrible comparrisson, because A) the Russians don't live below Chile. B) The Chileans aren't the Russians "ally" on world views.


Americans are ignorant to the majority of people in the world, they are viewed as the bully.

"It's not that AMERICANS are ignorant to Canadians and their culture, it's that pretty much the rest of the world is too."

So is this the American excuse for being ignorant to things going on around them? Pretty lame IMO.

No... just one American's view. It is important to remember that. Painting with a big brush isn't fair.

All I know about Canada is that they have some repressively fucked up laws concerning firearms. That alone will keep me from ever visiting or caring.

Heh, college students will sign any petition that comes before them, and sometimes even pretend to care right before they go out that night to get wasted and hopefully "get some"

Some Americans know a great deal about other countries as we're the melting pot of the world, but I imagine the majority doesn't have time to spend learning about our neighbors to the north. You think the majority of Canadians know who General Zachary Taylor was? I bet more people in Canada and America know what ghetto booty means. Just a quick point to prove the history of ones culture isn't the most common knowledge to have.

Cultural Relativism is bullshit.

I do like the use of the word ignorant though, because we are definitely that in the purest meaning of the word we just don't know not that we're stupid like the word ignorant conjures up, but just we're oblivious. But the whole world is ignorant to American culture as well. And sadly to say so is a lot of America I blame TV.

And I don’t think the Canadian TV show that pokes fun at Americans is disrespectful. I think it's probably funny, but with that acceptation I hope Canadians don't feel belittled by our portray of them in shows such as Southpark, or other incidents where they're linguistic differences or hockey obsession is used against them either.

You're right, sorry about that

I'll let Homer Simpson do the talking: "Canada? Why should we leave America to visit America Junior? "

ftp://ftp.smoovenet.com/pub/lardlad/...13/wants23.mp3

Just Kidding!

What i've learned from this thread:

a. Canadians are uptight
b. Americans don't give a shit.
which..
c. gets canadians even uptighter

America Junior is one of the most annoying things to call Canada, I understand it was a joke, but some things are better left unsaid.

Oh yeah, you're link doesn't work

This is very true

Once i was really hungry, and there was a petition going around... I don't even remember what I signed for, but I got a free bowl of soup and some chips and a cup of hot chocolate

that was nice

Like Charlatan pointed out to me:

Please explain why you think Canadians are uptight, I know well a hell of a lot of Canadians and well not many uptight people there, so I would like to hear your explanation.

Americans don't give a shit, well this is exactly why they are ignorant to the world around them, and will continue to be this way until they learn they aren't the center of the universe.

Canadians get even uptighter (I think you meant more uptight, uptighter isn't a word)

I went to a stripclub in Vancouver, they gave strippers the "golf clap", not one single loony or toony was handed over - that's why their uptight.

I should have started the post with "What I've Learnt from this thread". My point in "uptighter" was just saying i've learned Zero, in fact i think i may have dropped a few IQ points.

Americans continue to be the only group of people you can "paint with one broad negative stroke" without being condemned a biggot, i can't believe it took you this long to learn that. This comes from someone in who lived in Europe for three years (Reagan years) - I can only imagine what it's like now.

The implications of American politics mean much more to the rest of the world than Canadian politics; as such, people are more aware of it. It's that simple. Get over it, Americans don't give a shit about petty whining.

P.S. - I really enjoyed my time in Toronto and Van (i wanna move there real bad) couver.

I love Homer :D

silent_jay, you've really got to lighten up my friend.

Lighten up about what, read the post, I wasn't upset, see I even said I realized it was a joke, but it is still insulting to the country as a whole, think whatever you want, I have no need to lighten up. Maybe if I was a prick about things but no I wasn't.

What if I was to call the US a terrorist nation, or the US the asshole of North America(these are just examples and I meant nothing by them), would the person who got upset with me be told to lighten up I think not. America junior same thing only I wasn't upset

The implications of American politics mean more to the rest of the world because they have sanctions on so many countries, that these countries have no choice but to crumble to the US. Or they get "liberated" (occupied) and have democracy shoved down their throats. Nice choice.

good use of sarcasm, but I was actually looking for a real reason, which you apparantly don't have

What happened to your location entry, silent_jay? Is Canada no longer "THE BEST COUNTRY!!!!"? :)

I really don't know why I even bother checking up on this thread... I'm gonna go ahead and sum up 99% of the argument in this thread

Canada - "USA is ignorant to the rest of the world"

USA - "So what? We don't care anyway, we have enough to deal with anyway, canada sucks"

Canada - :rolleyes:

USA - :rolleyes:

repeat as neccesary

But I've gotta go catch a dogsled back to my igloo, cheers.

silent jay, let the link load. It is a wmv file. It takes a minute to load but it works fine for me.

As to insulting Canada, that was not the intention. I just think that is one of the funniest Homer lines ever. I grew up in Detroit and spent many a Saturday in Canada.

I know you meant it as a joke

Honestly I found it quite amusing, but Averett seems to think I was pissed about it. Not angry at all, maybe people should ask the people what they feel instead of assuming things.


No it was time for a change and it was "The Greatest Country CANADA!!! always has always will be. Just because I remopve my location doesn't mean that my loyalty to my country has gone to the shits. Canada is still the greatest it always will be. Stop reading so much into things, you might get a headache.


choskins the link doesn't work, but right click and save as and it's good to go.