"How Canada Stole the American Dream"

[Eric_and_Corinna 0]

Ok - I hope no Americans take offense at this because it is not meant that way, but today I was thinking about this thread and thought this would be a perfect post to add - so enjoy!

I'm sorry Kathryn...but you guys do say "aboot." And that damn chesterfield! But the biggest argument my old roomies and I used to have was over a case/flat/half rack of beer. I'm still confused over how many beers are in a Canadian case. We had to resort to calling them sixer, dozen, or 2-4...aaahhh...how simple life was then

[Kathryn41 3,205]

hehehe well, I don't say aboot - I say abowt:-). About the beer - make it easy on yourself - just buy a 2-4.

[MissStacey 1]

How could anyone be offended by Canadians? They're soooo cute when they say "aboot" and "eh". ROFL!

Seriously, though....

Canada has a fascinating history, and has some breathtakingly beautiful areas. Things are also still different enough that an American visiting Canada KNOWS they're in a different country. But it's not so different as to be totally foreign, if you know what I mean. Kinda like US - UK. Common language (unless in the french-speaking part of Canada, of course), generally common understanding of things, and a somewhat shared history.

I totally get what you're saying and I agree. We are pretty cute when we say "eh" and "aboot"

Lots of people ask me about the differences between Canada and the U.S. I have a hard time answering them- I live in New Orleans which has a history and culture of it's own- very different from any other State in the U.S. Although I am impressed that I have met many people who have been to Canada and said they loved it.

[PlatyPius 5]

How could they not love Canada:

While looking across the landscape outside Airdrie toward Banff?

While exploring the beauty of Lighthouse Park near West Vancouver?

While paddling a canoe through the marsh at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario?

While watching the Northern Lights from the NorthWest Territories?

While drinking OV and watching a hockey match with the locals on the TV at The Car Barn in Wheatley Ontario?

While standing in line in Windsor waiting to buy beer because you didn't know it was Election Day in Canada?

(Just some of the things I've done in Canada. Can you tell I love the place?)

[Reba 2]

I like this one better Kathryn

The other day at work I wore my Canada Flag stovepipe hat for Canada Day. Everyone walked in (I'm the receptionist, they see me first) and gave me weird looks and said "what, is it some kind of Canada day or something?" And I said "Yes, its Canada Day!"

A few asked me what its about, if its "like July 4th?" I said yeah, its the day we gained our independence from the UK. Only we didn't start a war about it, we just invited the Governer General over for a few beers and a party and said Hey, we're goin' solo, that ok with you?.

The US was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution. Canada was founded by adventurers, fur traders and beer brewers. The US gained her independence by starting a war with the King. Canada gained her independence by having a party. The US enfor...encourages immigrants to "assimilate" into the melting pot and Be American. Canada encourages immigrants to keep their own culture, but at least learn one of our official languages please. In the US it is considered un-patriotic and bad form to criticize the President and government. In Canada, its a national sport. The US has never declared a national language. Canada has 2 official languages.

These are just a few of the fundamental differences between the countries. We're different. Vive la difference! Its fairly obvious WHY we're different. We've been different from the start. Our countries were founded upon different principles. They've each flourished on those principles in different ways. If you're raised one way, it may be difficult to do a 180 and think the other way. For some it is, for others not so much.

Me, I'm Canadian. Will be til the day I die. Its in my blood, and in my bones. That ain't gonna change.

[KarenCee 3]

I like this one better Kathryn

The other day at work I wore my Canada Flag stovepipe hat for Canada Day. Everyone walked in (I'm the receptionist, they see me first) and gave me weird looks and said "what, is it some kind of Canada day or something?" And I said "Yes, its Canada Day!"

A few asked me what its about, if its "like July 4th?" I said yeah, its the day we gained our independence from the UK. Only we didn't start a war about it, we just invited the Governer General over for a few beers and a party and said Hey, we're goin' solo, that ok with you?.

The US was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution. Canada was founded by adventurers, fur traders and beer brewers. The US gained her independence by starting a war with the King. Canada gained her independence by having a party. The US enfor...encourages immigrants to "assimilate" into the melting pot and Be American. Canada encourages immigrants to keep their own culture, but at least learn one of our official languages please. In the US it is considered un-patriotic and bad form to criticize the President and government. In Canada, its a national sport. The US has never declared a national language. Canada has 2 official languages.

These are just a few of the fundamental differences between the countries. We're different. Vive la difference! Its fairly obvious WHY we're different. We've been different from the start. Our countries were founded upon different principles. They've each flourished on those principles in different ways. If you're raised one way, it may be difficult to do a 180 and think the other way. For some it is, for others not so much.

Me, I'm Canadian. Will be til the day I die. Its in my blood, and in my bones. That ain't gonna change.

Love it love it love it!!!!!!!

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

How could they not love Canada:

While looking across the landscape outside Airdrie toward Banff?

While exploring the beauty of Lighthouse Park near West Vancouver?

While paddling a canoe through the marsh at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario?

While watching the Northern Lights from the NorthWest Territories?

While drinking OV and watching a hockey match with the locals on the TV at The Car Barn in Wheatley Ontario?

While standing in line in Windsor waiting to buy beer because you didn't know it was Election Day in Canada?

(Just some of the things I've done in Canada. Can you tell I love the place?)

ok.........who are you, really, and what did you do with platy?

[pegbert64 0]

I like this one better Kathryn

The other day at work I wore my Canada Flag stovepipe hat for Canada Day. Everyone walked in (I'm the receptionist, they see me first) and gave me weird looks and said "what, is it some kind of Canada day or something?" And I said "Yes, its Canada Day!"

A few asked me what its about, if its "like July 4th?" I said yeah, its the day we gained our independence from the UK. Only we didn't start a war about it, we just invited the Governer General over for a few beers and a party and said Hey, we're goin' solo, that ok with you?.

The US was founded by people who were fleeing religious persecution. Canada was founded by adventurers, fur traders and beer brewers. The US gained her independence by starting a war with the King. Canada gained her independence by having a party. The US enfor...encourages immigrants to "assimilate" into the melting pot and Be American. Canada encourages immigrants to keep their own culture, but at least learn one of our official languages please. In the US it is considered un-patriotic and bad form to criticize the President and government. In Canada, its a national sport. The US has never declared a national language. Canada has 2 official languages.

These are just a few of the fundamental differences between the countries. We're different. Vive la difference! Its fairly obvious WHY we're different. We've been different from the start. Our countries were founded upon different principles. They've each flourished on those principles in different ways. If you're raised one way, it may be difficult to do a 180 and think the other way. For some it is, for others not so much.

Me, I'm Canadian. Will be til the day I die. Its in my blood, and in my bones. That ain't gonna change.

Couldn't have said it better myself. In fact, I didn't ! But it's what I was *trying* to say...... when you are born and raised in a particular way of living and thinking, it stays with you.

As an aside, a quick story about the "have a beer" way of doing things. I'm involved in a dog sport which spans the border. Sometimes a team travels with a skeleton crew, and needs to enlist the help of other participants during the tournament. Down here in the US, folks usually offer to reciprocate help ("if you can help our team, we'll help yours" sort of thing). Well, we drove from NC up to Ontario for a tournament, and a Canadian team asked us if we could help them out with the offer "We'll give you a six-pack!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! My US teammates were shocked, but I just said "That's how we roll in Canada!"

[Marilyn. 340]

How could they not love Canada:

While looking across the landscape outside Airdrie toward Banff?

While exploring the beauty of Lighthouse Park near West Vancouver?

While paddling a canoe through the marsh at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario?

While watching the Northern Lights from the NorthWest Territories?

While drinking OV and watching a hockey match with the locals on the TV at The Car Barn in Wheatley Ontario?

While standing in line in Windsor waiting to buy beer because you didn't know it was Election Day in Canada?

(Just some of the things I've done in Canada. Can you tell I love the place?)

I have been there.. so nice there...

[trailmix 77]

How could they not love Canada:

While looking across the landscape outside Airdrie toward Banff?

While exploring the beauty of Lighthouse Park near West Vancouver?

While paddling a canoe through the marsh at Point Pelee National Park in Ontario?

While watching the Northern Lights from the NorthWest Territories?

While drinking OV and watching a hockey match with the locals on the TV at The Car Barn in Wheatley Ontario?

While standing in line in Windsor waiting to buy beer because you didn't know it was Election Day in Canada?

(Just some of the things I've done in Canada. Can you tell I love the place?)

Nice post Platy

[Reba 2]

As an aside, a quick story about the "have a beer" way of doing things. I'm involved in a dog sport which spans the border. Sometimes a team travels with a skeleton crew, and needs to enlist the help of other participants during the tournament. Down here in the US, folks usually offer to reciprocate help ("if you can help our team, we'll help yours" sort of thing). Well, we drove from NC up to Ontario for a tournament, and a Canadian team asked us if we could help them out with the offer "We'll give you a six-pack!" HAHAHAHAHAHAAA!!!! My US teammates were shocked, but I just said "That's how we roll in Canada!"

Yeap, my US friends just don't understand when I offer to "pay" them with beer. Back home if my plumbing needs fixed, I call my brother in law and say "James, my tap is leaking. Bring your tools, I have beer". Or if I need help moving I call a friend with a pick-up truck "hey dude, I'm moving again, bring your truck, I've got beer". Or when a friend of mine was re-decorating her home. She'd call up and say "ok, I've got paint and wallpaper and a case of beer, be here by noon!"

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Great post, Reba, about the differences - that is it exactly! Yes, that is the William Shatner version I was looking for and couldn't find. That one is definitely better - thanks for finding it!

[Flames9_RN 358]

I actually picked up the Mcleans magazine at the Toronto airport on my way back to DC this past Wed. Interesting read.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

Interesting article for sure

I have often thought that those people who are going for visas and that plan to file for citizenship should be placed in front of those who aren't. That's a very debatablepoint point and I'm not trying to stir up more drama, but I think that moving for love is a great thing, as that's what my wife did for me. I think that being given the chance to move to a countryand live there should also carry with it a responsibility to commit to it and make it better.

With so many people trying to get into the US for a better life, I don't really agree that someone who is moving to the US for a few years to be with their significant other before moving back after retirement or when it's a better idea is a good thing. There should be an expedited list, in my opinion, for those who plan on living the rest of their days in the USA, and then another for those who are kind of "renting" time over here.

Please don't take offense, I've just been thinking about this a lot after reading countless posts about folks who are already planning on moving back after they arrived

Well, quick question. If your wife decided tomorrow that she hated the US and it was you or Canada, would you give up everything here and go with her to Canada for the rest of your life, never coming back?

[Sprailenes 47]

I loved your post Reba! It made me very smile!