Why americans need to know more aboot Canada

[trailmix 77]

So true.

We can make fun of ourselves, and its okay.

Even working relationships are different I find. In Canada, I have built good friendships with coworkers whereas down here, people come to work to work and go home. There's no real connections. It wasn't unusual for us to go out after work or go to the movies together etc.

Maybe I just haven't met the right people yet.

Maybe. Where my Husband works, he has been asked quite a few times to do stuff, from going out to dinner to going to a superbowl party.

He doesn't really want to do this stuff, but he does get asked.

[thetreble 19]

Actually I've become super good friends with my two co-workers. But they happen to be around the same age as me and all have similar interests.

[Sprailenes 47]

Yea the people I work with are all old. Or just not my types at all.

My local friends well, I met most of them online through music message boards./dork

Actually I have a friend from my old work, we go out for lunch sometimes, but we're NOTHING alike. I like to hang out with her though because she entertains me. She's Puerto Rican and has this strong accent and sucks her teeth a lot and wears soooo much make up one of these days her face WILL crack. But shes really funny and loud and nutty. Plus she makes pink hot pants look hot.

Edited February 3, 2009 by Sprailenes

[SomberCat 0]

Huh. Interesting. I had no idea I am opinionated, materialistcs and angry. Okay, maybe opinionated. lol I wonder what Americans the Canadians who were polled have met and vice versa. That would be good to know.

I've always been curious about Canadians' views of Americans. Until I met my SO and started spending time with his friends, I never fully realized the negative attitudes the world has about us. I know our government sticks it's nose in where it doesn't belong and tends to take on the "we rule the world" attitude, but I didn't realize that other countries citizens thought Americans themselves are that way. We've had several discussions about this type of thing and for the first few times I saw his friends, they continually told him they were amazed at how nice, courteous and down-to-earth I am. #######? Why is that surprising? Do people really believe all of the stereotypes? Don't get me wrong, I thought it was nice of them to say it and I was glad they liked me, but I couldn't get over how surprised they were. I actually had one ask me if I was sure I was American because I wasn't arrogant enough. Do other countries really think we're all arrogant?

Having just gone on a rant about stereotypes, I do have to say that two are true about Canadians. First, you are the nicest bunch of people I have ever met. And I mean every single one of you. From the people I work with across the border, to my SO's friends, to his family, to his co-workers, to people I've just met out and about, everyone is so nice it's unbelievable. So thanks for that! Second, man can you all drink. Honestly, I can out drink my SO, but I couldn't hold a candle to his friends. It's amazing! Kudos to you!

[Sprailenes 47]

It's true, ignorance can and will go both ways. I don't agree with putting down an ENTIRE nation because of the poor choices its government has made. I have heard the stereotypes too and now that I have chosen to live here, they do sometimes hurt my feelings even though I am not an American... I am married to an American and I will stand up for him if need be.

I find myself rolling my eyes at times when I am in Canada and I am having to listen to someones rant about America... I too have been guilty of ranting too in the past. But living here has taught me a lot. We are all people.

Its easier to point the finger than it is to think.

[The_Dude 1,142]

Opinionated? Guilty

Occasionaly loud? Guilty

I don't really see these as a bad thing. But i'm not gonna go run up to people and espouse every geopolitical opinion that I can think of. I'm not gonna be that douche in a cafe in Paris who says "If it wasn't for us, you'd all be speaking German". But if i'm in a discussion or debate with people, I will give my opinion. If i'm not part of the discussion, no need to say anything. I don't consider myself rude or uncouth, but at the same time, if someone insults me, I will lash back.... to the hilt.

[Krikit 1,165]

Huh. Interesting. I had no idea I am opinionated, materialistcs and angry. Okay, maybe opinionated. lol I wonder what Americans the Canadians who were polled have met and vice versa. That would be good to know.

I've always been curious about Canadians' views of Americans. Until I met my SO and started spending time with his friends, I never fully realized the negative attitudes the world has about us. I know our government sticks it's nose in where it doesn't belong and tends to take on the "we rule the world" attitude, but I didn't realize that other countries citizens thought Americans themselves are that way. We've had several discussions about this type of thing and for the first few times I saw his friends, they continually told him they were amazed at how nice, courteous and down-to-earth I am. #######? Why is that surprising? Do people really believe all of the stereotypes? Don't get me wrong, I thought it was nice of them to say it and I was glad they liked me, but I couldn't get over how surprised they were. I actually had one ask me if I was sure I was American because I wasn't arrogant enough. Do other countries really think we're all arrogant?

Having just gone on a rant about stereotypes, I do have to say that two are true about Canadians. First, you are the nicest bunch of people I have ever met. And I mean every single one of you. From the people I work with across the border, to my SO's friends, to his family, to his co-workers, to people I've just met out and about, everyone is so nice it's unbelievable. So thanks for that! Second, man can you all drink. Honestly, I can out drink my SO, but I couldn't hold a candle to his friends. It's amazing! Kudos to you!

Awwwwww. We love you too, SomberCat.

I do have to say something about polls, though. Depending on who has contracted for the service, the questions can be skewed to deliver specific results. They can also be so vague that they are left completely open to interpretation and so produce completely irrelevant results. In other words, I don't trust polls unless I have read the actual wording and the manner in which the questions were delivered. LOL

Opinionated? Guilty

Occasionaly loud? Guilty

I don't really see these as a bad thing. But i'm not gonna go run up to people and espouse every geopolitical opinion that I can think of. I'm not gonna be that douche in a cafe in Paris who says "If it wasn't for us, you'd all be speaking German". But if i'm in a discussion or debate with people, I will give my opinion. If i'm not part of the discussion, no need to say anything. I don't consider myself rude or uncouth, but at the same time, if someone insults me, I will lash back.... to the hilt.

THANK you. Those people just drive me crazy. I think they're the same ones who tell people to leave the US and go back to their own country if they hear anything negative said about it. There's a few of them on this board. LOL

[The_Dude 1,142]

Huh. Interesting. I had no idea I am opinionated, materialistcs and angry. Okay, maybe opinionated. lol I wonder what Americans the Canadians who were polled have met and vice versa. That would be good to know.

I've always been curious about Canadians' views of Americans. Until I met my SO and started spending time with his friends, I never fully realized the negative attitudes the world has about us. I know our government sticks it's nose in where it doesn't belong and tends to take on the "we rule the world" attitude, but I didn't realize that other countries citizens thought Americans themselves are that way. We've had several discussions about this type of thing and for the first few times I saw his friends, they continually told him they were amazed at how nice, courteous and down-to-earth I am. #######? Why is that surprising? Do people really believe all of the stereotypes? Don't get me wrong, I thought it was nice of them to say it and I was glad they liked me, but I couldn't get over how surprised they were. I actually had one ask me if I was sure I was American because I wasn't arrogant enough. Do other countries really think we're all arrogant?

Having just gone on a rant about stereotypes, I do have to say that two are true about Canadians. First, you are the nicest bunch of people I have ever met. And I mean every single one of you. From the people I work with across the border, to my SO's friends, to his family, to his co-workers, to people I've just met out and about, everyone is so nice it's unbelievable. So thanks for that! Second, man can you all drink. Honestly, I can out drink my SO, but I couldn't hold a candle to his friends. It's amazing! Kudos to you!

Awwwwww. We love you too, SomberCat.

I do have to say something about polls, though. Depending on who has contracted for the service, the questions can be skewed to deliver specific results. They can also be so vague that they are left completely open to interpretation and so produce completely irrelevant results. In other words, I don't trust polls unless I have read the actual wording and the manner in which the questions were delivered. LOL

Opinionated? Guilty

Occasionaly loud? Guilty

I don't really see these as a bad thing. But i'm not gonna go run up to people and espouse every geopolitical opinion that I can think of. I'm not gonna be that douche in a cafe in Paris who says "If it wasn't for us, you'd all be speaking German". But if i'm in a discussion or debate with people, I will give my opinion. If i'm not part of the discussion, no need to say anything. I don't consider myself rude or uncouth, but at the same time, if someone insults me, I will lash back.... to the hilt.

THANK you. Those people just drive me crazy. I think they're the same ones who tell people to leave the US and go back to their own country if they hear anything negative said about it. There's a few of them on this board. LOL

I won't tell someone ot piss off back to their own country, unless....... they continually complain about everything and anything american. If you complain about it that much, then clearly you aren't happy here, and would be better off back in whatever country you are originally from. I have only said it once in my life, and it was to someoen who had complained for over 5 years about how much he hated it here.

[Sprailenes 47]

I have told people to go back to their country too and only in the conditions where they did nothing but complain about it. You can say something negative, we're all entitled to an opinion. But either do something to fix it or learn to deal with it.... or better yet, just don't talk to me about it because I refuse to be a shoulder to cry on.

[Krikit 1,165]

I won't tell someone ot piss off back to their own country, unless....... they continually complain about everything and anything american. If you complain about it that much, then clearly you aren't happy here, and would be better off back in whatever country you are originally from. I have only said it once in my life, and it was to someoen who had complained for over 5 years about how much he hated it here.

Whoa. You're extremely tolerant. I would have told them to piss off 4 years ago.

[The_Dude 1,142]

I have told people to go back to their country too and only in the conditions where they did nothing but complain about it. You can say something negative, we're all entitled to an opinion. But either do something to fix it or learn to deal with it.... or better yet, just don't talk to me about it because I refuse to be a shoulder to cry on.

I think people's threshold for this is directly correlated to how informed they are.

I remember when the French originally criticized the U.S. over Iraq and refused to send any troops to support. As a result, some U.S. congress decided that in retaliation, we, as a society needed to stop referring to fries as "French Fries", and adopt the newly minted "Freedom Fries". I remember when I first read the story in the news. I really thought it was a joke. That is until I saw video of congressmen holding a press conference announcing it. I genuinely was ashamed that day. I think I heard one person try to order freedom fries. I remember vividly. It was at an In-N-Out (THE BEST BURGER PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!). The cashier repeated his order and said "Double Double, fries, and a chocolate shake". The man corrected him to try to get him to say freedom fries. The cashier said "Sir, we only server FRIES here". I couldn't help but snicker.

[trailmix 77]

I have told people to go back to their country too and only in the conditions where they did nothing but complain about it. You can say something negative, we're all entitled to an opinion. But either do something to fix it or learn to deal with it.... or better yet, just don't talk to me about it because I refuse to be a shoulder to cry on.

I think people's threshold for this is directly correlated to how informed they are.

I remember when the French originally criticized the U.S. over Iraq and refused to send any troops to support. As a result, some U.S. congress decided that in retaliation, we, as a society needed to stop referring to fries as "French Fries", and adopt the newly minted "Freedom Fries". I remember when I first read the story in the news. I really thought it was a joke. That is until I saw video of congressmen holding a press conference announcing it. I genuinely was ashamed that day. I think I heard one person try to order freedom fries. I remember vividly. It was at an In-N-Out (THE BEST BURGER PLACE IN THE WORLD!!!). The cashier repeated his order and said "Double Double, fries, and a chocolate shake". The man corrected him to try to get him to say freedom fries. The cashier said "Sir, we only server FRIES here". I couldn't help but snicker.

That really was toooooo silly.

A good reputation is hard to break down. If a country - we will use Canada as an example shall we, is seen to be a 'peace keeper', to generally stay out of the business of running other countries, if individually Canadian's are considered 'friendly and polite' - when a Canadian is none of these things, he or she will be considered an exception.

Generally, although I have only lived in a few countries, the perception of America and American's, where I have lived, has not been all that positive.

What I hear, when people know of a great American (and there are many) - they are considered to be an exception. It will be wonderful if America as a whole can turn that around.

[thetreble 19]

Agreed.

I spent a lot of time in Europe because my parents are both from there. Not many Europeans have very many good things to say about Americans. It's tough. I have American friends now, obviously, and some of them are jerk offs and the others are great. But I do live in New Jersey soo...I think Jersey is known as the "arm pit" of America.

Maybe if I lived somewhere else in the US, I'd think 99% of the people I met were great instead of just a few here. You will find different kinds of people in the US just like you will in Canada. In the US it is kinda cool because I'm sure you could almost draw circles around places like the North East and know what to expect from many of the folks in certain regions. The attitudes of New York are different than the ones of Nebraska, even if we are all individuals.

I married a good person. His family are also good people, even if they can be hard to stomach at times. I don't think it is intentional, I just think it is the way they were raised or brought up. Come to New Jersey and I will show you what I mean.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

But I do live in New Jersey soo...I think Jersey is known as the "arm pit" of America.

[trailmix 77]

Agreed.

I spent a lot of time in Europe because my parents are both from there. Not many Europeans have very many good things to say about Americans. It's tough. I have American friends now, obviously, and some of them are jerk offs and the others are great. But I do live in New Jersey soo...I think Jersey is known as the "arm pit" of America.

Maybe if I lived somewhere else in the US, I'd think 99% of the people I met were great instead of just a few here. You will find different kinds of people in the US just like you will in Canada. In the US it is kinda cool because I'm sure you could almost draw circles around places like the North East and know what to expect from many of the folks in certain regions. The attitudes of New York are different than the ones of Nebraska, even if we are all individuals.

I married a good person. His family are also good people, even if they can be hard to stomach at times. I don't think it is intentional, I just think it is the way they were raised or brought up. Come to New Jersey and I will show you what I mean.

Which begs the question - can certain people be pigeon holed because of the state or city they live in? I don't think you can make a collective statement accurately?

Guess A.J. if from 'the armpit'

Edited February 4, 2009 by trailmix