How should we characterise Canadians?

[Kathryn41 3,205]

hehehe, oh this will be a fun topic!

They say the fastest way to discover the differences between a Canadian and an American is to say to the Canadian that there is no difference!

That being said, there are a lot of similarities - especially now with the increasing-seamless cross-border communications and media, however the basic fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians relates to how each country gained its sense of identity. The US achieved its independence by force during a battle 'against' one of their major founding nations. That environment encouraged a strong sense of personal and collective independence that remains to today; the US and Americans are fiercely protective of what they consider their personal rights. The US has found and still finds itself involved in situations they often address through the use of arms, force, or power. Canada gained its initial sense of identity as a result of US aggression - first with the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists (both the idealists and the opportunists) who arrived in British Canada after the American Revolution, and second when the US invaded Canada during the War of 1812 expecting to be received as liberators. Finding their very homes threatened, "Canadians" banded together to fight off the invaders and thus the Canadian 'identity' as separate and distinct from the US and from Britain was born. Canada became a country through negotiation with its varying partners when threats from US Fenians again challenged the US/Canadian borders and the varying Canadian provinces agreed to join together in a Confederation of Provinces as the Dominion of Canada. Instead of rebelling against Britain, Canada became an active part of the Commonwealth and eventually re-patriated its constitution through negotiations and diplomacy. While Canadians do not run away from a valid battle (ie. WWI and WWII) they also do not go seeking them out and when faced with such situations will try to find non-violent solutions through diplomacy and negotiation. Since joining together to protect everyone, Canadians learned early that it pays to look after all of its members so developed an approach to community that isn't focused on the independent individual but on the collective good. We have also learned over the years that a variety of talents and abilities makes the collective stronger so Canadians are much more supportive of immigration and cultural diversity. The US has been called a 'melting pot'; Canada has been called a 'cultural mosaic'.

There is a really fun movie you might want to rent called "Canadian Bacon". It is about a supposed US invasion of modern day Canada as a subterfuge for their real agenda, and it plays upon every Canadian stereotype you can imagine. It is absolutely hilarious!

and as Jamie67 said "They are ruthless savages that will stop at nothing to take over America" - and I guess we have started with Florida!

(Oh, check out Canadian humour - it is very hard for any politician in Canada to take him/herself too seriously - Canadian comedians just won't let them get away with it! Nothing is sacred! I miss it here in the US.)

Edited August 28, 2007 by Kathryn41

[almaty 19]

*sigh*

sister cassie, no love for canadians???

seeing as I am one, I have plenty

I just can see how this thread is gonna end up, hence my reaction.

of course i knew you were Canadian..and you are right..soon slamming of canada will begin

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Ok, which Canadians?

There are so many types.

We should pick one subgroup of Canadians to pick on. Will it be the Sikhs of Vancouver, the French-Canadian redhead strippers of Montreal or the male hockey fanatics?

Pick. Aim. Shoot.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Ok, which Canadians?

There are so many types.

We should pick one subgroup of Canadians to pick on. Will it be the Sikhs of Vancouver, the French-Canadian redhead strippers of Montreal or the male hockey fanatics?

Pick. Aim. Shoot.

No, no, no, you've got the wrong quote! It is "He shoots! He Scores!" (VBG)

[Tinker 0]

seeing as I am one, I have plenty

I just can see how this thread is gonna end up, hence my reaction.

Canadians think alike on some things

[Logres 0]

hehehe, oh this will be a fun topic!

They say the fastest way to discover the differences between a Canadian and an American is to say to the Canadian that there is no difference!

That being said, there are a lot of similarities - especially now with the increasing-seamless cross-border communications and media, however the basic fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians relates to how each country gained its sense of identity. The US achieved its independence by force during a battle 'against' one of their major founding nations. That environment encouraged a strong sense of personal and collective independence that remains to today; the US and Americans are fiercely protective of what they consider their personal rights. The US has found and still finds itself involved in situations they often address through the use of arms, force, or power. Canada gained its initial sense of identity as a result of US aggression - first with the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists (both the idealists and the opportunists) who arrived in British Canada after the American Revolution, and second when the US invaded Canada during the War of 1812 expecting to be received as liberators. Finding their very homes threatened, "Canadians" banded together to fight off the invaders and thus the Canadian 'identity' as separate and distinct from the US and from Britain was born. Canada became a country through negotiation with its varying partners when threats from US Fenians again challenged the US/Canadian borders and the varying Canadian provinces agreed to join together in a Confederation of Provinces as the Dominion of Canada. Instead of rebelling against Britain, Canada became an active part of the Commonwealth and eventually re-patriated its constitution through negotiations and diplomacy. While Canadians do not run away from a valid battle (ie. WWI and WWII) they also do not go seeking them out and when faced with such situations will try to find non-violent solutions through diplomacy and negotiation. Since joining together to protect everyone, Canadians learned early that it pays to look after all of its members so developed an approach to community that isn't focused on the independent individual but on the collective good. We have also learned over the years that a variety of talents and abilities makes the collective stronger so Canadians are much more supportive of immigration and cultural diversity. The US has been called a 'melting pot'; Canada has been called a 'cultural mosaic'.

There is a really fun movie you might want to rent called "Canadian Bacon". It is about a supposed US invasion of modern day Canada as a subterfuge for their real agenda, and it plays upon every Canadian stereotype you can imagine. It is absolutely hilarious!

and as Jamie67 said "They are ruthless savages that will stop at nothing to take over America" - and I guess we have started with Florida!

(Oh, check out Canadian humour - it is very hard for any politician in Canada to take him/herself too seriously - Canadian comedians just won't let them get away with it! Nothing is sacred! I miss it here in the US.)

Very interesting..... thanks for the effort that went into that.........

[Logres 0]

seeing as I am one, I have plenty

I just can see how this thread is gonna end up, hence my reaction.

Canadians think alike on some things

I think i can read into this that Canadians are not nationalists

[no name 1]

Let's just say when I was in England, I was upset if I got called Canadian instead of American.

They LOVE to put the maple leaf on anything & everything - signs, logos, foods, etc.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

seeing as I am one, I have plenty

I just can see how this thread is gonna end up, hence my reaction.

Canadians think alike on some things

I think i can read into this that Canadians are not nationalists

Canada's identity as a nation is defined more by who they are not than who they are. They are not Americans.

[buckeye6976 0]

Lisa, you are just too funny. Made my miserable day much better. Thank you

[Tinker 0]

seeing as I am one, I have plenty

I just can see how this thread is gonna end up, hence my reaction.

Canadians think alike on some things

I think i can read into this that Canadians are not nationalists

let's just say we know how these threads go.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

[Logres 0]

let's just say we know how these threads go.

How's that?

[no name 1]

You are making the funny happen today, G!

[trailmix 77]

hehehe, oh this will be a fun topic!

They say the fastest way to discover the differences between a Canadian and an American is to say to the Canadian that there is no difference!

That being said, there are a lot of similarities - especially now with the increasing-seamless cross-border communications and media, however the basic fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians relates to how each country gained its sense of identity. The US achieved its independence by force during a battle 'against' one of their major founding nations. That environment encouraged a strong sense of personal and collective independence that remains to today; the US and Americans are fiercely protective of what they consider their personal rights. The US has found and still finds itself involved in situations they often address through the use of arms, force, or power. Canada gained its initial sense of identity as a result of US aggression - first with the arrival of the United Empire Loyalists (both the idealists and the opportunists) who arrived in British Canada after the American Revolution, and second when the US invaded Canada during the War of 1812 expecting to be received as liberators. Finding their very homes threatened, "Canadians" banded together to fight off the invaders and thus the Canadian 'identity' as separate and distinct from the US and from Britain was born. Canada became a country through negotiation with its varying partners when threats from US Fenians again challenged the US/Canadian borders and the varying Canadian provinces agreed to join together in a Confederation of Provinces as the Dominion of Canada. Instead of rebelling against Britain, Canada became an active part of the Commonwealth and eventually re-patriated its constitution through negotiations and diplomacy. While Canadians do not run away from a valid battle (ie. WWI and WWII) they also do not go seeking them out and when faced with such situations will try to find non-violent solutions through diplomacy and negotiation. Since joining together to protect everyone, Canadians learned early that it pays to look after all of its members so developed an approach to community that isn't focused on the independent individual but on the collective good. We have also learned over the years that a variety of talents and abilities makes the collective stronger so Canadians are much more supportive of immigration and cultural diversity. The US has been called a 'melting pot'; Canada has been called a 'cultural mosaic'.

There is a really fun movie you might want to rent called "Canadian Bacon". It is about a supposed US invasion of modern day Canada as a subterfuge for their real agenda, and it plays upon every Canadian stereotype you can imagine. It is absolutely hilarious!

and as Jamie67 said "They are ruthless savages that will stop at nothing to take over America" - and I guess we have started with Florida!

(Oh, check out Canadian humour - it is very hard for any politician in Canada to take him/herself too seriously - Canadian comedians just won't let them get away with it! Nothing is sacred! I miss it here in the US.)

Well said - I think this might speak to Edith's comment on details?

(I mean this in a good way)