I have seen this happen many times while travelling in Europe, a Canadian is asked by a European if he/she is American, and the Canadian bristles, and commences to bash the hell out of Americans.
Or sometimes, Canadians seem to be going out of their way to let people know that they are not American, usually by being the loudest or most ardent anti-American in the room.
As an American who travels often, and has lived Europe, I realize the U.S. is unpopular to say the least, particularly in Europe. But damn, isn't it sufficient to say "No, I'm not Amercian, I'm Canadian". Isn't it kind of chickenshit to try and gain points in that situation, by bashing the hell out of Americans. I am Hispanic and often not recognized as an American, and I have even heard Canadians talk to me like that, not realizing I'm American.
In my travels, I have been fortunate to learn about people, all kinds, but this type of thing seems cowardly and is really annoying.
2006-07-30 06:29:27 · 9 answers · asked by 7 3 in Travel ➔ Europe (Continental) ➔ Other - Europe
Leo, I didn't read your whole answer, but you suck.
2006-07-30 06:37:35 · update #1
Edward I,
Please refrain from answering hastily, questions that require attentive reading and thoughtful response.
2006-07-30 06:59:41 · update #2
Smarty Vero,
I'm not insecure about being American, because my nationality doesn't define me.
Nevertheless, shitty behavior is just that, shitty behavior. And I usually call it out.
2006-07-30 08:58:03 · update #3
Thank you.
2006-07-30 08:59:28 · update #4
As a Canadian, I am sometimes guilty of exactly what you have described. But having recently moved to the US, I find myself constantly comparing the two countries. I love Canada, and although we are not patriotic in ways like many Americans think of patriotism, we can be a proud group that has a beautiful country to boast about. I have found though that the majority of people I have met are genuinely caring, sweet people, and they are just as nice as any Canadian I have met. I am much more careful about what I say about what I don't like about America/Americans, and starting to see that some of my preconceptions were wrong. Although I plan to return to Canada in a few years, I am happy where I am down here. I know better now, than to bash the red white and blue as a way of puffing my chest and boasting about the country I am from.
I can't apologize for Canadians' habit of doing this; it is a pride in our country that is directed in an odd way. We are a critical nation that is not often great at finding the great qualities within our own boarders, so we seek to put others down sometimes as a way of doing just that. Generally, Canadians get associated with Americans so regularly, it is a pet peeve of most of us. It's like constantly being addressed by your teacher by your big sibling's name, and you feel like you have no identity of your own. So while our actions are sometimes harsh and misguided, our intentions are not all mean spirited.
2006-07-30 06:41:06 · answer #1 · answered by Liza T 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well maybe it is for the same reason I cringe when someone aks if I am French Canadian when I tell than that I am French. I have no problem with Canada but I have a problem with being identified with a country that I just don't come from! Are you so insecure about being American that anything these Canadians do seems to you like it presents some level of bashing to you? Maybe Canadians should just given up their identity for the sake of making you feel better about yourself and maybe the rest of the world should just root for every single decision made by the American government that affects them unconditionally.
See 7's private email in response to my message... Maybe I should just agree that your question is relevant:
From: 7
Subject: Canadians
Message: I read your answer and was just thinking:
Maybe people should READ questions, rather than read INTO them?
Maybe if I was too sensitive or insecure, I would not travel so much.
Maybe you saw insecurity, where there was none.
Maybe your French/French Canadian example is not an equivalent to my American/Canadian one.
Maybe you give your answers for points, and just don't think them out very well.
Sorry, but maybe that's just the case.
2006-07-30 08:38:35 · answer #2 · answered by Smarty Vero 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1. USA is not popular country in the world, so people from Canada just want to say that they are NOT Americans. It is a fact, people in Europe respect Canada much more then USA. Be American outside America is not very prestigious right now for some reasons.
2. One Canadian boy told me that he is tried to listen that everybody in Europe consider him as American. So, he says that he is Canadian al the time because he feels proud of his country but he has nothing against USA. He just wants to be Canadian.
My personal opinion is that Canadians and Americans are very similar and relationship between them remind me two young cousins who compete all the time and want to show that one is better then another but truth is that they are almost alike.
2006-07-30 14:21:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
i don't be responsive to any Canadians personaly. the enterprise that I artwork for became coping with yet another enterprise in Canada and the human beings there have been fairly rude. yet i think of you will run into human beings like that in spite of the place you pass so i'm no longer able to truly use that to base my opinois on all Canadians. in any case you look high quality so i could no longer say all Canadians are rude =)
2016-11-03 07:45:04 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not Canadian, but please refrain from painting all or everyone with the same brush.
This is the consensus of too many all over today's world.
I'm NOT accusing YOU of bigotry,
but damn, can't we all let up a little?
What ever happened to tolerance and respect for one another?
Are you listening, Canada? I have visited many times. All pleasant.
2006-07-30 06:42:00 · answer #5 · answered by ed 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i was actualy in canada last week hahaha but i dont know i didnt really get any negativity from them but sometimes it felt like some of them were staring at me and my family. them we drove into montana and then back into canada and the customs guy was asking a lot more questions than normal and i travel a lot internatinaly but the trip was good
2006-07-30 06:34:37 · answer #6 · answered by soccerknocker199 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
didn't read your whole question but i don't know why canadians try so hard to defend themselves from being american.
canada sucks!!
2006-07-30 06:32:18 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 6⤋
yea that is kinda lame
2006-07-30 06:32:31 · answer #8 · answered by all about da benjaminz 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
everyone is jealous of us Americans, everyone.......
2006-07-30 06:38:08 · answer #9 · answered by truthteller 5 · 1⤊ 7⤋