Your impressions/thoughts about Canadians...?

Question

I have noticed, of late, many misconceptions about Canadians in posts. So that leads me to wonder - what is the general opinion or impression of Canadians held by the American people?

Answer 1

They're a bunch of hosers, eh? Juuuuuuust kiddin' Canada! I went to Canada as a kid to see Niagra Falls. Canada is a beautiful country and the Falls are amazing to see in person. Maybe my family and myself were too "American," but the Canadian people weren't too friendly to us, sorry to say. No hard feelings though and I wish the US would adopt a HealthCare system similar to Canada's! Let's hope the rest of the American people want that too!

O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.

With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!

From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.

Answer 2

I tend to follow Canada a lot more than the average American. The political system is very interesting, given the nature of parties such as Bloc Quebecois and the New Democrats. I've also made a number of visits to Canada and have enjoyed all of them.

My impression of Canadians is that they seem to be on the edge of the U.S. I note that when they look at the value of the loonie, they always compare it to the U.S. dollar. They also seem to know more about the U.S. than the other way around, as if they have something of a national inferiority complex. I do not see it as that, but given that most Canadians live within 300 km of the U.S., their neighbour to the south is definitely worth keeping an eye on.

I also see Canadians as rather internationalist, beyond looking at the U.S. I've seen items in the Globe and Mail that I would find hard-press to locate in American media. Perhaps the proximity of the U.S. simply makes it easy for Canadians to feel at ease travelling abroad.

I note with humour the tendency to label most things with Canada in the name, such as McDonald's Canada or Wal-Mart Canada. Basically, I believe this to indicate that Canadians wish to partake of the benefits found in the U.S. while still maintaining their national identity. Nothing wrong with that at all. At least Zeller's, the Bay, and Tim Horton's are still popular locations.

I doubt that my impressions of Canada are typical of most Americans, but then everyone's opinion is going to vary from others. I would guess that a majority of Americans that do not live near the border give the country much thought, thinking of it as if it were the 51st state of the like. In a way this might be a good thing as it indicates that the two countries can co-exist very well with each other, despite our occasional fishing wars and NAFTA disagreements.

Answer 3

Most of the Canadians I've met have been very friendly people. There have been a few jerks, but that's just like anywhere. I honestly don't hold an opinion or impression of Canadians as a group, I hold opinions and impressions of individual Canadians. Just because they're Canadian really doesn't tell me a thing. You can't know somebody until you know them.

Answer 4

Impressions/ thoughts on Canadians? Well Iceberg Vodka is my favorite brand (Thanks Canada, send me more!). They have a lot of Funny people since most commedians seem to be from up there. I was always closet Expos fan. (Dennis Martinez, the Alou's, Andre Dawson all favs!). Vancover seems to be the film location for everything. Had a great one night stand in Montreal once..............
Other than that? They are sociallist, The RCMP are sharp dressers, they love beer & hockey, they build most "American" cars and have some good long range sniper teams. Overall, friends. But More of the "Ned Flanders of the Simpsons" variety.....

Answer 5

First of all, my grandmother was born in Nova Scotia, so I may be biased, being a Canadian-American. Nevertheless, I view the Canadians as decent, polite people who somehow manage to have some of the cleanest and most beautiful cities I've ever seen. Plus, Shania Twain is a total babe.

Answer 6

I live right over the border from Canada and visit Fort Erie and Toronto often. I also see many shopping here in the States.

They basically aren't any different than most Americans I know. I know the government there is more liberal than ours but the people are very similar. Just as friendly and cordial as most Americans are.

Answer 7

Been there many times. Some of the most friendly out going people I have had the plesure to meet. I find it funny that so many people have bad things to say about Canadians. Don't worry Canada, they are just jealous because you figured it out before America did.

Answer 8

I think your question wants to find out whether Canucks or Yanks are the biggest hosers, eh? ;)

Answer 9

Isn't that where the 9/11 terrorists entered this continent, and from there crossed into the USA?

Answer 10

They must have something good going on up there! They never get into wars, they are not on every news channel. They just mind their own business and that's good thing. I wish I live there.