When you tell people you are from Canada

[Maeve 2]

But with few exceptions, everyone makes a comment with the word "eh" or "aboot" and/or "hoser" or "Moosehead beer".....the MacKenzie brothers were SOOO long ago now, I wonder if these Americans will ever GET OVER IT!!

Hubby is from B.C, so he really hates all of those Canadian sterotypes!!

Actually, a while ago we were at a furniture store, and when we started talking to a saleperson, she immediately looked at me and asked where I was from! (I was born and raised in Michigan, have been living in Kentucky for the last 5-6 years, so I thought I'd lost some of my Northern accent lol.) The real funny thing is that she didn't think that hubby the Canadian was an out-of-towner!

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Flames, I've actually just changed where I'm from TO toronto. If I say Kitchener-Waterloo I know no one knows where that is (even if they all have black berries in their hands) so I just say Toronto.

I'm sorry - did you say K- town? Was that KW I heard?????

I am from KW as well how neat! Can you tell that I am missing home...I miss CKCO news (sad I know) and the local news about the most recent homegrow bust in Pioneer Park - always seems to be close to my parents...what does this tell us? Anyhoo...

I have been saying 'near Toronto' and usually that satisfies the Virginians here

[~Nini~ 2]

While I guess you have to be light-hearted to take them, the "eh" jokes or comments get real old after awhile...and I'm the American.

Whether or not it bothers her, I don't see many Canadians making a lot of similar comments towards Americans when visiting Canada. I'm not bitter, I just think that some people here (America, not Visajourney) need to be a little more mature or less closed-minded.

Oh, I couldn't agree more. Often when I tell them I'm from Vancouver, I hear comments like, "Wow, I hear it's a beautiful city! You must really miss home." (Which I do, but you know how it is!) More often, I get the "CANADIA EH?!" joke. My ethnicity is Chinese, so often I get jokes from both cultures. It never ends

I think the worst reaction I ever got was when my mother-in-law was talking to one of the secretaries at her work about me and the immigration process. Her response was, "Why would she need papers? Isn't Canada a state?"

[DeadPoolX 9]

While I guess you have to be light-hearted to take them, the "eh" jokes or comments get real old after awhile...and I'm the American.

Whether or not it bothers her, I don't see many Canadians making a lot of similar comments towards Americans when visiting Canada. I'm not bitter, I just think that some people here (America, not Visajourney) need to be a little more mature or less closed-minded.

Oh, I couldn't agree more. Often when I tell them I'm from Vancouver, I hear comments like, "Wow, I hear it's a beautiful city! You must really miss home." (Which I do, but you know how it is!) More often, I get the "CANADIA EH?!" joke. My ethnicity is Chinese, so often I get jokes from both cultures. It never ends

I think the worst reaction I ever got was when my mother-in-law was talking to one of the secretaries at her work about me and the immigration process. Her response was, "Why would she need papers? Isn't Canada a state?"

I've often heard questions asked by both Americans and Canadians over the immigration process. Many in both countries have the mistaken belief that crossing the border to live is as easy as a simple "wave and a wink." Another question I've heard a lot is about citizenship. It seems a lot of people -- from the U.S. and Canada -- think that if you move to another country, you automatically lose your status as a citizen.

As for poor reactions to being Canadian... my wife hasn't really received very many from my family. Sure, there are some Canadian jokes, but thankfully, my family members have at least enough tact to keep such comments at bay when she's around. The one person who did poke fun at my wife was a cousin of mine. That didn't really surprise me, however. He can be a real jerk to everyone, so whether or not my wife was Canadian, he'd probably have found something rude to say.

[~Nini~ 2]

I've often heard questions asked by both Americans and Canadians over the immigration process. Many in both countries have the mistaken belief that crossing the border to live is as easy as a simple "wave and a wink." Another question I've heard a lot is about citizenship. It seems a lot of people -- from the U.S. and Canada -- think that if you move to another country, you automatically lose your status as a citizen.

And definitely, I do agree with you. A lot of people who have asked about the immigration process have been surprised at how complex and arduous the journey is. A couple of my American friends went so far as to say that they presumed I was automatically a citizen, simply because I was married to an American. To be fair, until my husband and I decided to get married, I didn't have a single clue about the Canadian immigration process either - it really does go both ways.

Mostly I feel that these "Canadia eh?" comments don't happen nearly as often enough if they were to happen to an American in Canada - that's what rubs me the wrong way. I think we're just inherently more polite about accepting other cultures as they are, instead of pointing out their differences. I do agree that the media has a small role in perpetuating these stereotypical beliefs, and perhaps it's also the culture - Canada is more of a melting pot, while America is more assimilating.

Having said that, you have to wonder how well-educated a person is when he/she believes that Canada is a state which belongs to the United States.

[Reba 2]

Canada is multi-cultural, America is the melting pot. ie: if you move to the US you are expected to melt/assimilate into American society. In Canada you are encouraged to keep your own native culture, which then enriches Canadian culture.

Honestly, I much prefer the Canadian multi-culturalism.

[BermyCat 1]

Flames, I've actually just changed where I'm from TO toronto. If I say Kitchener-Waterloo I know no one knows where that is (even if they all have black berries in their hands) so I just say Toronto.

I'm sorry - did you say K- town? Was that KW I heard?????

I am from KW as well how neat! Can you tell that I am missing home...I miss CKCO news (sad I know) and the local news about the most recent homegrow bust in Pioneer Park - always seems to be close to my parents...what does this tell us? Anyhoo...

I have been saying 'near Toronto' and usually that satisfies the Virginians here

I lived in KW too, before I had to move back to Bermuda - in the Pioneer Park area no less. I've done some marketing for Research in Motion. I always had to say "Research In Motion, the makers of the Blackberry" because very few people outside Ontario seem to have a clue what RIM is.

~ Catherine

[Carlawarla 1]

But with few exceptions, everyone makes a comment with the word "eh" or "aboot" and/or "hoser" or "Moosehead beer".....the MacKenzie brothers were SOOO long ago now, I wonder if these Americans will ever GET OVER IT!!

Hubby is from B.C, so he really hates all of those Canadian sterotypes!!

Actually, a while ago we were at a furniture store, and when we started talking to a saleperson, she immediately looked at me and asked where I was from! (I was born and raised in Michigan, have been living in Kentucky for the last 5-6 years, so I thought I'd lost some of my Northern accent lol.) The real funny thing is that she didn't think that hubby the Canadian was an out-of-towner!

Are BC'ers different than other Canadians?

[Izoom 0]

I agree that, in general, Canadians seem more accepting of other cultures and things compared to us. Just a friendly attitude in general.

I think that most people also assume, along with the whole simple immigration idea, that marrying someone automatically grants them citizenship. I get that one a LOT.

Sometimes I try to explain the process, but usually they don't want to hear it, so I end up simplifying it down into a few steps.

[thetreble 19]

Flames, I've actually just changed where I'm from TO toronto. If I say Kitchener-Waterloo I know no one knows where that is (even if they all have black berries in their hands) so I just say Toronto.

I'm sorry - did you say K- town? Was that KW I heard?????

I am from KW as well how neat! Can you tell that I am missing home...I miss CKCO news (sad I know) and the local news about the most recent homegrow bust in Pioneer Park - always seems to be close to my parents...what does this tell us? Anyhoo...

I have been saying 'near Toronto' and usually that satisfies the Virginians here

I lived in KW too, before I had to move back to Bermuda - in the Pioneer Park area no less. I've done some marketing for Research in Motion. I always had to say "Research In Motion, the makers of the Blackberry" because very few people outside Ontario seem to have a clue what RIM is.

~ Catherine

What what! K-W Representin'! I grew up in Doon which is right around the corner from Pioneer Park. No one knows who RIM is here. I always have to explain that one.

[~Nini~ 2]

"Blackberries are made? Aren't they grown from a bush?"

[vanee 13]

The other day 2 canvassers for a political party came to our door. When I told them that I can't vote because I'm not a US citizen, the woman asked what country I have citizenship in.

"Canada," I replied.

"That's where we'll be moving if [our candidate] doesn't win."

All the responses I've had to my being Canadian have been friendly. Some people comment on how it must be colder where I'm from, but I don't expect everyone to know that Vancouver's climate is much milder than the rest of Canada.

Knowledge of the visa process isn't common knowledge here, but it isn't in Canada either. And the media is somewhat to blame for that. For example, on a rerun of Will and Grace, Will was interested in a guy who had to return to Canada because his visa was expiring in a few days. (What visa?) The problem was solved when Grace married him so that he could stay. All he had to do was marry a US citizen, right?

[SapphireDreams 71]

Wow lots of K-Wer's here! I went to Laurier, so while I was attending school there and visiting my bf and people asked me what "college" I went to, I would always say Laurier in Waterloo, no one had a clue what I was talking about. Everyone would always ask me why I didn't go to McGill or UofT. Umm they are not the only schools in Canada!

I'm surprised people don't know what RIM is. Although, I suppose I'm not surprised.

[SpiritAlight 1]

The other day 2 canvassers for a political party came to our door. When I told them that I can't vote because I'm not a US citizen, the woman asked what country I have citizenship in.

"Canada," I replied.

"That's where we'll be moving if [our candidate] doesn't win."

All the responses I've had to my being Canadian have been friendly. Some people comment on how it must be colder where I'm from, but I don't expect everyone to know that Vancouver's climate is much milder than the rest of Canada.

Knowledge of the visa process isn't common knowledge here, but it isn't in Canada either. And the media is somewhat to blame for that. For example, on a rerun of Will and Grace, Will was interested in a guy who had to return to Canada because his visa was expiring in a few days. (What visa?) The problem was solved when Grace married him so that he could stay. All he had to do was marry a US citizen, right?

This is my experience as well.

Many USians friends are telling me that they will be moving to Canada if McCain wins.

And what do I tell them?

Not until after me!!

I'm kidding (a little), and what I actually say is there truly is no huge difference when you live in a world of possibility.

Keep pouring on all, and know that we (yes, we the people) have power no matter what happens.

We just need to get off our butts and assert ourselves.

In other words, if enough people want such and such a thing to happen, perhaps some pressure on the local government will get that ball rolling.

Also there are bigger fish to fry these days than a dinky election!

And yes too much ignorance on the subject of becoming an instant US citizen as soon as you marry a USian.

Bah!

Vancouver is waaaaaaay warmer than Chicago!!!!! There is no true Winter there.

Edited October 25, 2008 by SpiritAlight

[SpiritAlight 1]

I agree that, in general, Canadians seem more accepting of other cultures and things compared to us. Just a friendly attitude in general.

I think that most people also assume, along with the whole simple immigration idea, that marrying someone automatically grants them citizenship. I get that one a LOT.

Sometimes I try to explain the process, but usually they don't want to hear it, so I end up simplifying it down into a few steps.

Yup.

I have never seen a course to help get rid of your accent in Canada!