Why are Americans so ignorant towards Canadian culture?

Question

And for any Canadians reading this, have you ever seen "Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans"?

How many are really convinced that we live in igloos, drive dog-sleds, and own pet beavers?

Answer 1

you're asking about a country where less than 40% can even show you where their 52 states are on a map.......their ignorance doesn't single Canada out........a poll at the beginning of the year showed that only 1 in 5 could find Australia on the world globe (most were looking in the northern hemisphere despite being given the hints "land down under" and "great southern land")

Answer 2

Probably because 1) Canada sometimes is percieved as just a quiet cousin of the US, like someone whose presence is felt, but never really causes a ruse of any sort 2) major political developments (nuclear threats, islamic extremists, jihads, oppression) is not typically associated with Canada, and those topics are all over the news 3) related to reason #1, since it is seen as just an extension of the US, people do not percieve Canada as a hotbed of exoticism or culture whereas places like Thailand or Brazil are seen as more intriguing and more interesting culturally 4) the Canadian tourism agency does not promote itself as being a place for Americans to visit and does not actively try to appeal to us through any form of mass media. 5) the simple fact that many Americans are ignorant, not to aspects of the Canadian culture, but even to many other cultures, including our own. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

As a Canadian, i will say that I stay in a mid length community that has had some international popularity there are nonetheless people who've never travelled and not truly spoken to an american. That being suggested harsh reactions to an "unknown" does not be uncommon. i will additionally say we don't enroll in the labels like individuals do "black american, hispanic american, chinese language american and so forth." we are all basically Canadian. So my suggestion is which you will locate your canadian journey much less complicated in case you get with our attitude and "basically be" provide up finding for cultural variations, basically savour the journey. i'm no longer asserting overlook that your american, basically be a pupil of the international for a jointly as

Answer 4

I'll bet there are small countries you don't have a lot of knowledge about. When you belong to a country as big as the USA you tend to be inward looking and are thus less informed about the world outside.

When you belong to a small country like Canada you'll be outward looking and be more informed about, oh lets say, the biggest damn superpower that ever existed who also happens to be right next door to you.

If we Canadians (yea, I'm one) are a little more honest and a little less smug, we'd admit we know so much about the US, not because we go out of our way to educate ourselves, but that we pick it all up whether we like it or not because they dominate our media.

How much do you know about other countries with a similar population to Canada? Can you tell me all about the different Central American states? Can you give me a brief history of Austria? I doubt it.

And yea, I've seen Mercer's Prime Minister Poutine routine with Americans. A little bit funny, but mostly very CBC smug.

Answer 5

My history teacher used to show the hour-long special if we had gone ahead of schedule. You shouldn't generalise so negatively, though. America is full of Americans, all of whom are people like we beaver-worshippers living in the woods :). So they can't spell or remember the difference between provinces and states: How ignorant are we of American culture?

Answer 6

The squeaky wheel gets the grease. We never seem to have problems with Canadians.

You guys seem nice.

Answer 7

because Americans are generally ignorant

Answer 8

No I haven't. I don't watch TV.
They cannot help their education, or lack thereof.

Answer 9

Canadians have culture? who would have guessed!!!

Answer 10

because we have so many more important things to not be ignorant about?