Why do some Americans hate Canadians so much...?

Question

When I watch American cartoon programmes like Family Guy and The Simpsons, they often poke fun at Canadians. They say they are slow-witted and they put them down seemingly just for existing. I don't know any Canadian programmes so I don't know if the reverse is true. I'm sure it's a terrible generalisation, but are there any historic reasons I am missing as to why some Americans seem to have it in for Canada and the Canadians.
Thanks.

Answer 1

I'm Canadian, and I don't feel hated by Americans... a bit side-lined sometimes, but not hated. A few folks mentioned South Park? One of the originators (Trey Parker) IS Canadian (not sure about the other fella). The jokes are all in good fun, I think (at least I'd hope!). Yes, we make fun of Americans as well, mostly because we share the same continent, but many (not all) know little of our country. (Example: There is a ferry service which runs from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. The ferry must actually travel SOUTH from the US to get to Nova Scotia. I have seen folks get off that ferry with skis strapped to the the roof of their cars, and parkas under their arms. In AUGUST.)

There's a program called "Talking to Americans" with Rick Mercer... it's wickedly funny, and not so complimentary to our neighbours south of the border. But, again, all in good fun. I choose not to be offended... that's the Canadian way :) (Though we do grumble a bit behind our hands!) Thanks for speaking up for us!

Answer 2

I don't hate Canadians. Every summer, I spend at least 10 days in Montréal. I like Québec so much that I decided to learn French, and I have completed 5 university-level courses in French. I know that there are a lot of anglophone Canadians [including many in Québec] who would not do as much. After all, French is the second official language in Canada, and many Canadians do not have French as a second language.

From its very beginning, America has had an interest in Canada. During the American Revolutionary War, the Americans tried to enlist the French Canadians in assisting the fight against the British. During the War of 1812, Americans invaded Canada. However, during most of our mutual history, there has been friendship.

I am not aware of any anti-Canadian feeling in the United States.

Canada has its own problems, and one of the big issues is sovereignty for Québec. Canada needs to determine whether Québec will either become a separate nation or whether Québec will be a nation within Canada like Scotland or Wales are nations within the United Kingdom.

Answer 3

Umm.....from the Simpsons and Family Guy, you believe that Americans hate Canadians?

The Simpsons and Family Guy make fun of absolutely everyone, including each other, and themselves. In fact, being made fun of on the Simpsons is now a badge of honor. My home state has been made fun of numerous times.

And the Canadians make lots of fun of us Americans. Watch "Talking to Americans". It's nothing but making fun of us. Do they hate us? No.

Are there historic reason? As far as I know, having a country be next to you is the best criteria for making fun of it, and Americans and Canadians are no exception.

Answer 4

That is sure news to me! I have never heard any other American make a derogatory remark about Canadians. Now Mexicans are a different story. But I have never been a regular watcher of The Simpsons and sure do not consider them a good example of a typical American family, or even one of good taste and propriety. So please don't judge us from some stupid cartoon. I am sure that is far from typical of American opinions about anything.

Answer 5

I wasn't aware of Americana's disliking Canadians. I have never heard an American say a single negative thing about Canada. Comedians poke fun at everyone, including them self. I don't think that means they dislike those people, it's just an observation about them that they found amusing.

Answer 6

Yes I've also noticed this and wondered why. I went to Canada for the first time last year and discovered that Americans are constantly lampooned in the media there. Americans are considered gun happy, war loving, red necked idiots.
(please note, not my opinion, just an observation as an English person)

Answer 7

human beings and Canadians do no longer hate one yet another! i might say that there are truthfully some Canadians that detest some American regulations and political agendas. purely as there are some human beings that probable dislike issues that pass on in Canada. yet you do no longer easily think of that anybody in usa acts precisely like the persons on Jerry Springer do you? an identical is real of the 30million different Canadians and the 300million different human beings who're no longer making undesirable comments approximately one yet another. One stable factor on your question/rant nevertheless. u.s. has traditionally been Canada's best buying and merchandising companion. think of you have a stable pal and corporation companion. recently that pal has been shifting into economic hardship, perhaps doing slightly too a lot playing, or eating poorly, and not looking after themselves. you comprehend in the event that they run into issues it would desire to badly influence you too. Do you're saying some thing? Or do you in basic terms enable them to maintain happening an identical highway till they have an twist of destiny? it extremely is attainable to criticize one yet another and verify out to steer one yet another with out doing it out of anger or hatred for one yet another. Now you want hatred, why do no longer you are trying residing in Israel, Gaza, or another area the place the buddies hate you on your race, faith, or what tribe you're from. Canadians and human beings are no longer taking machetes to a minimum of one yet another or launching missiles around the 40 9th parallel yet, are they?

Answer 8

I have seen so many people hate Canadians on one website that name shouldn't be mentioned. I think the reason is that Canadians can think for themselves and is not just a puppy that Bush wants them to be.

The US used to like Canada until recently with the war in Iraq. The US doesn't like anyone who doesn't follow them even when they are completely wrong. That's just sad.

Lets just see how much they like the Brits when a new prime minister takes his new job. Just wait and see. They may not like the Brits either.

Answer 9

1) We think Canada is ours!! We want it now! (See movie Canadian Bacon & South Park)

2) We tried to take it over from the british during the War of 1812, but were repelled, weren't too happy about that....

3) Because they think they're so much better than us! I heard there was a program up there were they would interview US people & then we'd answer all stupidly (Or more like they edited to where only stupid people were shown) and laugh at us.

4) But mainly, b/c they benefit from our power & we feel that they should be more thankful for being near us instead of another unstable country that'd stink them into trouble, but they're not....

Answer 10

Family Guy take the mickey out of everyone, as do the Simpsons.