How should we characterise Canadians?

[Emancipation 2]

Canadian bacon..is good on pizza

So it would appear that you guys made this up.. this term "Canadian Bacon"...

Canadian bacon is a term used in the United States but elsewhere it is simply back bacon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon

[almaty 19]

canadian bacon is a term used since i was small...a most outstanding representative of the swine...

[Emancipation 2]

canadian bacon is a term used since i was small...a most outstanding representative of the swine...

well i wasn't saying YOU.. but You as in US.. We call it peameal bacon.. doesn't that sound yummy??? mmmmmmmm

[Nessa 23]

Canadian bacon..is good on pizza

So it would appear that you guys made this up.. this term "Canadian Bacon"...

Canadian bacon is a term used in the United States but elsewhere it is simply back bacon.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bacon

Indeed,

Just like brazilian wax is the term americans use, we don't call it that.

Or french fries, if the potatoes grew in the USA, were fried in the USA, why call them french? They ain't french.

[trailmix 77]

Indeed,

Just like brazilian wax is the term americans use, we don't call it that.

Or french fries, if the potatoes grew in the USA, were fried in the USA, why call them french? They ain't french.

Don't anyone say 'freedom fries'.

[Emancipation 2]

Or french fries, if the potatoes grew in the USA, were fried in the USA, why call them french? They ain't french.

I heard that the US changed them to "Freedom Fries"

Indeed,

Just like brazilian wax is the term americans use, we don't call it that.

Or french fries, if the potatoes grew in the USA, were fried in the USA, why call them french? They ain't french.

Don't anyone say 'freedom fries'.

#######!

[Nessa 23]

why? are the fries free? I don't think they'll escape being eaten.

[trailmix 77]

I just found this website that sells Canadian bacon, or at least the customers seem to think it's dandy:

http://www.realcanadianbacon.com/index.htm

[Emancipation 2]

why? are the fries free? I don't think they'll escape being eaten.

I think it has to do with

1. the American "affections" towards the french

2. the American love of the word "freedom"

*ducks and runs for cover...

[Nessa 23]

I think canadian bacon should be called ''round bacon'', french fries should be called ''fried potatoes'' and brazilian wax should be called ''painfull wax''.

[Emancipation 2]

I think canadian bacon should be called ''round bacon'', french fries should be called ''fried potatoes'' and brazilian wax should be called ''painfull wax''.

I think it should be called "a hero's wax"

[thetreble 19]

haha well this thread was a long one so I didn't get to read it all.

I studied Canadian literature in university and a lot of the things arisen in this thread were similar questions we often asked ourselves? Are Canadians perpetually suffering from an identity crisis? Do we have our own identity or do we just understand we are not British or American, etc. It is hard to answer these questions.

I do know though that I am proud of where I come from, just like I am sure all of you are. Living in New Jersey now I know that I sound differently than every one and have heard many a times than I am the most polite person they have come across in awhile. Therefore I know that I am different. I think we could say that the same example can be drawn between english and scottish people. I have heard from many friends that are English that they prefer to be called English instead of British because they are not Scottish, Irish, Welsh, etc. All of those countries have distinctive histories and no one likes to be called something they are not. That is , I think, how many Canadians feel. We grew up a country that is separate from the US, with different customs and traditions. And different things in our histories have made us the people we are. (as someone mentioned, the US is all about the individual and her/his rights, not the same in Canada as we are concerned with the collective)

Therefore, I think we can establish that both Americans and Canadians are distinct. We know this because any time you call a Canadian an American, and vice versa, a sense of madness ensues! Not because we hate one another, but because no one likes to be called something that they are not. Often times its also accusatory in some ways. I don't like being "accused" of being an american haha It's weird! Again, vice versa.

Any hoo eh, what I am trying to say here is that I married an American because he's wonderful. I don't see him as American because he is a person. I wish people here would stop putting so much emphasis on where I am from. I get a lot of flak from people here with jokes, as all Canadians seem to encounter, and we shrug it off and laugh it off. When my husband and I were first dating my friends never made jokes about him being an American. I guess there is almost something funny about being Canadian, and something so serious about being American? Maybe some of you guys have experienced that. We hate not being taken seriously, and I'm sure Americans hate that people think they can't take a joke. Any ways, I love some of the ppl I have met here in the US.

One more thought- 9/11. I live in Jersey and although I was not dating my husband at the time, he has recollected to me how it was for him and those he knew that day. No one, believe me, NO one like Canadians stood beside Americans that day. It didn't happen in our backyard but with so many of us having friends and family, our whole worlds shut down as well. We mourned with you because we care. As countries, we have been the greatest allies in the world for years. I wish there was more respect on both sides for each other. It is us though, who emigrate, to change the minds of others on these stereotypes and everything. I hope people I have met here have a greater respect for Canada and Canadians since they have known me. I def. have a different perspective on Americans now than i did 5 years ago.

Edited August 30, 2007 by thetreble

[Nessa 23]

I think canadian bacon should be called ''round bacon'', french fries should be called ''fried potatoes'' and brazilian wax should be called ''painfull wax''.

I think it should be called "a hero's wax"

or ''brave woman's wax''

[Emancipation 2]

haha well this thread was a long one so I didn't get to read it all.

I studied Canadian literature in university and a lot of the things arisen in this thread were similar questions we often asked ourselves? Are Canadians perpetually suffering from an identity crisis? Do we have our own identity or do we just understand we are not British or American, etc. It is hard to answer these questions.

I do know though that I am proud of where I come from, just like I am sure all of you are. Living in New Jersey now I know that I sound differently than every one and have heard many a times than I am the most polite person they have come across in awhile. Therefore I know that I am different. I think we could say that the same example can be drawn between english and scottish people. I have heard from many friends that are English that they prefer to be called English instead of British because they are not Scottish, Irish, Welsh, etc. All of those countries have distinctive histories and no one likes to be called something they are not. That is , I think, how many Canadians feel. We grew up a country that is separate from the US, with different customs and traditions. And different things in our histories have made us the people we are. (as someone mentioned, the US is all about the individual and her/his rights, not the same in Canada as we are concerned with the collective)

Therefore, I think we can establish that both Americans and Canadians are distinct. We know this because any time you call a Canadian an American, and vice versa, a sense of madness ensues! Not because we hate one another, but because no one likes to be called something that they are not. Often times its also accusatory in some ways. I don't like being "accused" of being an american haha It's weird! Again, vice versa.

Any hoo eh, what I am trying to say here is that I married an American because he's wonderful. I don't see him as American because he is a person. I wish people here would stop putting so much emphasis on where I am from. I get a lot of flak from people here with jokes, as all Canadians seem to encounter, and we shrug it off and laugh it off. When my husband and I were first dating my friends never made jokes about him being an American. I guess there is almost something funny about being Canadian, and something so serious about being American? Maybe some of you guys have experienced that. We hate not being taken seriously, and I'm sure Americans hate that people think they can't take a joke. Any ways, I love some of the ppl I have met here in the US.

One more thought- 9/11. I live in Jersey and although I was not dating my husband at the time, he has recollected to me how it was for him and those he knew that day. No one, believe me, NO one like Canadians stood beside Americans that day. It didn't happen in our backyard but with so many of us having friends and family, our whole worlds shut down as well. We mourned with you because we care. As countries, we have been the greatest allies in the world for years. I wish there was more respect on both sides for each other. It is us though, who emigrate, to change the minds of others on these stereotypes and everything. I hope people I have met here have a greater respect for Canada and Canadians since they have known me. I def. have a different perspective on Americans now than i did 5 years ago.

Three thumbs up for you Treble!!

[thetreble 19]

Thanks baby! Lots of spelling errors from typing too fast but nonetheless, just trying to get out my feelinngssss. (feelings that are of course cold as ice because i just built a new igloo today)