Do Americans even know what Canada is?

Question

I have always been curious how many Americans actually know what Canada is all about? I've met a few cool American, who don't fit the stereotype, but more often then not, Canada is seen as some cold place full of retards. I've actually been asked if i live in an igloo. They were serious! Also, to all the Americans who drive into Canada in AUGUST with their ski's strapped to the roof of their cars, WE LAUGH AT YOU! Why don't Americans make an effort to show us and our country some respect in movies, or as artists. I hate how we are portrayed by American TV, and i hate the fact that the States are trying to Americanize us with their propaganda. I love my country, and i would love to see an interest shown by the States to learn more about us. Any feedback?

I'm from the Okanagan Valley (City of Penticton) (in British Columbia), which is arguably the most beautiful place on earth, full of lakes, mountains, and vineyards. I have also lived in the Eastern Township of Quebec, and Montreal. I currently live in Vancouver, my absolute favorite Canadian city, (i've driven across my country 3 times, and would recommend that trip to anyone!)

This is for isitdejavu4u2 - I wasn't trying to be rude, as i said i've met some cool americans. It's nothing personal, but how would you know how we feel? YOUR country makes themselves, and their culture known throughout the world. The States seem to think that their culture is the only one acceptable. Again, i'm not saying everyone, but it's really frustrating being invisible, and getting ignorant questions. When i was living in Quebec, an American woman asked me "Do y'all speak American?" I said "No, sorry, I speak English - i guess i can't help you"

For d.anconia - We laugh at people coming across the border to ski in AUGUST. Do you know how hot it gets here in August?

Answer 1

Girl, get used to it. They are American. They believe they are the worlds best and thus isolate their thinking by not paying much attention to ANY place except their own. Its all about isolation and lack of interaction with other cultures.Their attitude toward Canada is the same as their attitude toward the rest of the world.
Just like someone just answered above "we are American, it's our way",
and another american answerer says "have you ever heard how we treat Mexicans?"
I rest my case!
A country with the same isolated attitude is the big island of Australia. There is sooo much in common between them and the states.
To all you Americans and Aussies out there, there is a world of beautiful cultures and people out there. Try leaving your backyard and experience it.
The difference in Canadians is that they actually interact with and befriend all the different cultures in their country instead of veiwing them as intruders and pests and keeping away from them.
I have travelled thru 35 states in the USA, 6 Provinces of Canada, India, Sri Lanka, 5 times to Vietnam, 8 times to Malaysia, 4 times to Singapore, Thailand, Korea, Japan, 3 times to Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, Taiwan, Australia and the Andaman Islands.

I know a fair bit about interacting with other cultures.

PS - Sarah, wasnt it a tragedy a few years ago when the Okanagan burned? Sad.
I am not in the country right now, but I am also from Vancouver...well, Burnaby, near Metrotown area.

Answer 2

I imagine it's not much different from us. I ran into a few Canadians when I was in Ireland, and I thought they were American. They sounded more American than the people in the state I live in. They also told me quite a bit about where they were from in Canada and it almost sounded like a mini paradise. Apparently it's warmer in parts of Canada than it is in parts of the states! I'm jealous, but I suppose I could just move south. On the other hand, my state borders Canada and many people have mixed opinions. Some hate Canadians because they come down here to shop and cause chaos. Some love Canada because they can cross the border to get drunk when they turn 18. My favorite word in Canada is "about".

Answer 3

Canada is as diverse and different as the USA. I have been all over western Canada and was totally impressed by the people and the countryside. Most folks do think that Canada is a rocky mountain wasteland. Calgary and Edmonton are in flatlands like Nebraska and not what most people think of. However a hundred kilometers away are Banff and Jasper, which are mountainous and glacier covered areas of the greatest beauty on this planet.

I love the USA and I adore our great Canadian friends.

Answer 4

I have to say I don't know much about Canada, although I would really like to learn more about the country. As it is, I don't know much about the mainland United States either as I've lived in Hawaii all my life. These islands are another place that is highly stereotyped so I can relate in that aspect - many people seem to think Hawaii is a pure tropical paradise when in reality it is not. I suppose it is easier to see the stereotype sometimes because perhaps it is more convenient to catagorize that way.

Answer 5

I love and live in LA. I was born in Ohio. But there are 3 cities on this planet that are absolutely the best places to party in the world.
1) Berlin
2) Montreal
3) Tokyo

Everyone ought to try and get to these places at least once.

For those Americans who don't know, Montreal is in Quebec, Canada!!!

I Cr 13;8a
12-7-6

Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas

Answer 6

Yes, a few of us are aware of our neighbors to the north, eh. However, you have to blame the media for failing to show Canada as the wonderful country that it is--and the only reason they (the media) will never do that is because then we'll see how truly f***ed up the US really is in comparison!
For example, Canada is progressively far more advanced than the US will ever allow itself to be. We could and should look to the Canadian for examples on issues such as civil unions, immigration laws and--even better, your public health care system!
Awesome question!

Answer 7

First of all, you have to realize that most Americans aren't really that bright. There is a portion of the population which do have a somewhat decent perspective on Canada as a country though. Not all Americans view Canada as being a country living in eternal snow with an affinity for words like Aboot (about) or hoser.

Also, don't feel bad if we are trying to Americanize you. We do it to everyone. I'm not saying it's right, but it's just our way.

However, not all media portrays canada poorly. Look at the recent movies X-men 1-3. Wolverine, by far the coolest X-man, is Canadian. Mike Myers, also Canadian. The list goes on.

To be fair though, in the words of Robin Williams, it's hard to take serious a country with an economy based off of the loony.

Answer 8

I don't get it, why would you laugh at us for going skiing?
The United States IS the most powerful nation in the world right now. I have no doubts about it. As a result, everybody around the world automatically learns things about the United States either through school or just our pop culture (which is present all over the world).
Now tell me who you think gets more exposure of the other nation? People in America regarding Canada or vice versa?
People always put it on Americans like it's completely our fault that we don't know every little fact about every other nation in the world but to be honest while most Americans couldn't point to Iran on a map, I wouldn't expect any Europeans or Middle Eastern people to be able to find Guatemala or Paraguay or Wyoming on a map either...
Americans absolutely do not hate Canadians. We may pretend we do or put Canada as the butt of a joke but we just get this idea that Canada has never been a big player on the international stage. Does that make Canadians evil or stupid? No, but we play off of our own American ignorance by dissing Canadians because we know that hardly any of us know jack diddley squat about Canada.
I can't believe you're complaining about how we treat Canadians... have you ever heard how we treat Mexicans? If you guys want some respect then guess what? You have to earn it. As far as we're concerned Canada and the U.S. should just merge (keep state/province governments powerful enough to counteract the new central government) but I highly doubt you Canadians would go along with that... you guys are just too proud and hate being lumped in with Americans don't you?

To be honest I think you're being over-sensitive about your nation anyway, it's not like every movie always has some Canada-jokes in it. In fact the only memorable one that comes to mind is South Park and if you think we treated you badly in that movie then perhaps you have to re-think your outlook on that cartoon movie.

Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about any of this...

By the way if any of you guys don't want to see our American TV shows and movies then guess what? DON'T WATCH IT AND DON'T BUY IT! America is run on capitalism and the only way we can broadcast our stuff to other nations is if there is a consumer-base. We don't (usually) force our propaganda on anyone, other people(s) just plain like purchase our media services.
Our shows and movies really DO end up coming out really good because producers realize that even in the U.S. there will be a huge consumer-base so they will have reached out to hundreds of millions of people just through that. It doesn't hurt to give other nations the chance to see the big Hollywood blockbusters, etc with their huge budgets.

Lots of countries have better aspects than the United States and yet what I found the strangest through my travels is that politically people would blast the States for all the wrong reasons (excluding Iraq, of course, which the large majority of the U.S. has agreed that we screwed up on).

*To the OP* Okay I get the August thing now... and... well I guess I don't have a response to that one hahahahahha. Don't look at me though, I've never been to Canada in August.

Answer 9

I LOVE Canada, but I hear you. It always amazed me how much the U.S. is talked about in Canada (I've been to many parts, from east to west, several times) and no one even acknowledges Canada's existence in the U.S. Actually, it's a plus for Canadians-you wouldn't want those people moving up there anyway.

Answer 10

Lol, it's almost like sibling rivalry. A few things that Japanese know about Canadians:
-You guys have great Salmon.
-Your maple syrup is awesome.
-It's a little chilly..?
-It's the not-so-internationally-clumsy version of America.