Disclaimers about Canadians...

[TL10]

Many people think we're weird. I respectfully disagree. I believe that people that think that we're weird are weird.

Point of Case:

Some people think Canada has winter all year round.

FALSE

Some people think we live in igloos.

FALSE

Some people think we ride Polar Bears to school and Work.

I WISH

Some people think we add 'eh' to the end of our sentences.

WRONG AGAIN YOU HOSERS

Some people think we all like Hock-wait that's true.

Some people think we're communists.

STOP WATCHING FOX NEWS.

Some people think we have Starbucks on every corner.

THAT'S TIM HORTONS, GENIUS!

Some people think that Canada is annexed by the United States.

NO, BUT WE ALMOST ANNEXED THE MIDDLE WEST OF THE US.

Some people think there's such thing as Canadian Bacon.

EVER HEARD OF BACK BACON?

Finally, some people think that Canadian is a language.

WRONG AGAIN! NOW TAKE OFF!

[rameumptom]

You forgot to finish that last command with "Eh?" Of course, not all Canadians use it, just the more intelligent ones....

I do know that many Canadians have American envy issues....After all, we've got control of our French speakers (Louisiana), and you don't know what to do with yours.

[Guest mormonmusic]

Some people think we live in igloos.

FALSE

Some people think we ride Polar Bears to school and Work.

I WISH

I'm a Canadian who lived in Canada for over 4 decades, and then moved to the United States -- been here for 6 years. Plus I served a mission in the US for 2 years of the first four decades -- no one ever thought that of us.

Some people think we add 'eh' to the end of our sentences.

WRONG AGAIN YOU HOSERS

Actually, we do. I had to drop the Eh? stuff because all the Americans made fun of me. I replaced it with Huh? And then got rid of it altogether.

Some people think we all like Hock-wait that's true.

Yep, they think that, and I'm not a hockey nut.

Some people think we're communists.

STOP WATCHING FOX NEWS.

If they don't, they should at least think we're far left socialists (as a nation-- would I be here in the US if I thought that? No way.). I am not a socialist (perhaps funkytown can put that in his signature line).

Some people think we have Starbucks on every corner.

THAT'S TIM HORTONS, GENIUS!

Nobody ever said that, and Yes, Tim Horton's IS Canadian and beautiful, as is Swiss Chalet.

I did find Americans knew little of our culture, and most couldn't name the Prime Minister of Canada. A number of them thought Gordon LIghtfoot was a half-caucasian, half-Indian peacemaker when I gave them a multiple choice quiz (I'm a teacher).

Regarding America-envy. I don't see it as the predominant way of thinking in Canada -- at least not in the province of Ontario. Former, and now defunct right wing parties like the Reform party often spoke about the American system with admiration, but they no longer exist. I find the predominant attitude is that Canadians will reject most things you propose if you describe them as being "the way they do it in the United States". It's as if they want to have their own identity, and often wholesale reject American ideas simply because they are American. NOt that they disrespect America -- it's that they want their own identity. It's like a bad case of Not Invented Here disease.

Edited September 23, 2010 by mormonmusic

[Wingnut]

Some people think we add 'eh' to the end of our sentences.

WRONG AGAIN YOU HOSERS

That doesn't really help your case very much.

Some people think that Canada is annexed by the United States.

NO, BUT WE ALMOST ANNEXED THE MIDDLE WEST OF THE US.

I have a friend who thinks we should annex Canada.

Some people think there's such thing as Canadian Bacon.

EVER HEARD OF BACK BACON?

Some people? Perhaps those who have eaten products marketed as Canadian bacon. Take this issue up with manufacturers and their marketing departments.

Finally, some people think that Canadian is a language.

WRONG AGAIN! NOW TAKE OFF!

Again, not helping yourself there.

[Moksha]

I have great respect for Canada and I am looking forward to Canadian Breath Day again next April.

Best to have a shot of maple syrup and rehibernate until then.

Tundra go braugh.

[Dravin]

I did find Americans knew little of our culture, and most couldn't name the Prime Minister of Canada. A number of them thought Gordon LIghtfoot was a half-caucasian, half-Indian peacemaker when I gave them a multiple choice quiz (I'm a teacher).

I actually like Gordon Lightfoot, particularly The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.

[pam]

Dravin did you know he's coming in concert on November 7th? Kingsbury Hall. I've seen him in concert and he was amazing.

[Dravin]

Dravin did you know he's coming in concert on November 7th? Kingsbury Hall. I've seen him in concert and he was amazing.

To bad I'm too cheap to pay for tickets for pretty much anything.

[rameumptom]

I like Gordon Lightfoot also. However, I recall in high school a friend performed the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a school talent contest. It was very good for the first 5 or 6 minutes, but then one realized that the song dragged on so long that we just couldn't wait for the darn ship to sink already. Kinda like the movie Titanic, it would have been perfect if they just played the last hour of it....

Oh, and I prefer, Song for a Winter's Night, Carefree Highway, and If You Could Read My Mind (dedicated to my long lost ex).

I have never heard the song, Rainbow Trout, but they are delicious.

[Maureen]

I like Gordon Lightfoot also. However, I recall in high school a friend performed the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a school talent contest. It was very good for the first 5 or 6 minutes, but then one realized that the song dragged on so long that we just couldn't wait for the darn ship to sink already. Kinda like the movie Titanic, it would have been perfect if they just played the last hour of it...

Since I can't laugh and thank you on the same post, here's my laugh reaction.

M.

[bl8tant]

After all, we've got control of our French speakers (Louisiana), and you don't know what to do with yours.

That's because the Acadians were too uppity for both the French and British, so they all got deported, and many ended up in Louisiana. Since then we have developed our own brand of (incompatible) French, as well as our own (really excellent) brand of cooking.

Yay Cajuns!

[TL10]

That doesn't really help your case very much.

I have a friend who thinks we should annex Canada.

Some people? Perhaps those who have eaten products marketed as Canadian bacon. Take this issue up with manufacturers and their marketing departments.

Again, not helping yourself there.

I'm a Canadian who lived in Canada for over 4 decades, and then moved to the United States -- been here for 6 years. Plus I served a mission in the US for 2 years of the first four decades -- no one ever thought that of us.

Actually, we do. I had to drop the Eh? stuff because all the Americans made fun of me. I replaced it with Huh? And then got rid of it altogether.

Yep, they think that, and I'm not a hockey nut.

If they don't, they should at least think we're far left socialists (as a nation-- would I be here in the US if I thought that? No way.). I am not a socialist (perhaps funkytown can put that in his signature line).

Nobody ever said that, and Yes, Tim Horton's IS Canadian and beautiful, as is Swiss Chalet.

I did find Americans knew little of our culture, and most couldn't name the Prime Minister of Canada. A number of them thought Gordon LIghtfoot was a half-caucasian, half-Indian peacemaker when I gave them a multiple choice quiz (I'm a teacher).

Regarding America-envy. I don't see it as the predominant way of thinking in Canada -- at least not in the province of Ontario. Former, and now defunct right wing parties like the Reform party often spoke about the American system with admiration, but they no longer exist. I find the predominant attitude is that Canadians will reject most things you propose if you describe them as being "the way they do it in the United States". It's as if they want to have their own identity, and often wholesale reject American ideas simply because they are American. NOt that they disrespect America -- it's that they want their own identity. It's like a bad case of Not Invented Here disease.

You do know I was just poking some fun, not actually complaining about sterotypes about us. I think the clearly pointed it out.

[Dravin]

I like Gordon Lightfoot also. However, I recall in high school a friend performed the Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald during a school talent contest.

First time I heard that song was in the car, someone had put in a Gordon Lightfoot CD. I made them play it 3 or 4 times in a row.

Edited September 25, 2010 by Dravin

[Sunday21]

That's because the Acadians were too uppity for both the French and British, so they all got deported, and many ended up in Louisiana. Since then we have developed our own brand of (incompatible) French, as well as our own (really excellent) brand of cooking.

Yay Cajuns!

And great music!

[mtman318]

"Some people think we have Starbucks on every corner."

That sounds more like the US, or at least So Cal.

[FunkyTown]

I have a friend who thinks we should annex Canada.

Actually, there's a quiet annexation going on right now regarding the Northwest Passage.

Canada extends into the arctic, as does Russia, as does the US via Alaska. As the arctic thaws, new shipping routes are opening up:

Thawing Arctic opens up new shipping routes on the 'roof of the world' | Environment | The Guardian

(Note that this is not doom and gloom. It's simply a fact that some new routes have opened up due to thawing.)

As the Arctic has a tremendous amount of natural resources begins to open up more, countries want their slice of it. The US has quietly ignored demands from Canada in this. Here's the Canadian government's take on it:

Canadian Arctic Sovereignty (PRB 05-61E)

And here is an American university's take on it:

The Dispute over the Northwest Passage

The huge amount of natural resources means that any country that can make a claim is making it. With Canada being so huge, they are second only to Russia in their claim. Alaska allows the US a claim, but a much smaller one. This has resulted in this conversation."

The US: Hey guys. So we don't recognize the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea. The Northwest Passage is ours.

Canada: But... You recognize that we have Inuit citizens there, right? That pay taxes and who get government benefits? And have for over a century?

The US: Nah.

Russia: US! You are being Bullies! Clearly the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea is the only logical way forward.

The US: Says the guys who planted a flag under the North Pole. Don't you guys get 50% under that? And Canada 25%?

Russia: Why... Yes, yes I think we do. Look at that! The point is: FAIR!

The US: Furthermore, you're pushing even further than you should like you want even MORE. You're bullying everyone else.

Russia: Shut your noise hole!

Canada: Guys? Uh... Citizens. We actually have citizens who live in the area we claim.

Russia and US: SHUT YOUR NOISE HOLE! Nobody's talking to you.

The US: Look, all we're saying is that it should be international waters, open to colonization.

Russia: That's ridiculous. Canada already has citizens in the place you're looking to colonize.

Canada: That's rig-

The US: No. Some of what we want is yours, too.

It's getting pretty tense internationally there, with both Russia and the US ignoring international law on sovereign territory in order to gain as many military and economic advantages as they can.

Edited July 10, 2012 by FunkyTown

[Lakumi]

Those hosers eh, they're just made cause, their beer is weaker then our beer. Even if they don't drink beer, eh, its just knowing it's weaker... I donno, eh, hurts them.