[Exactaking]

http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3uy8ct/

[Screwston]

(06-22-2013 03:03 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 02:48 PM)houston Wrote:  

^^Is this a common trait? Being anti American yet coming and visiting America?

Yes it is and my dad is a perfect example of this, once he was going on about how obsessed the Yanks are with their guns and how he doesn't like to drink with them because "you never know when one of those lunatics will pull out a gun", so I asked him, "so why do you even come down here if you don't like Americans?" to which he replied, "they've got good weather, cheap beer and where the hell in Canada can I get a ticket to a Habs game for $30?."

People seriously think it's like the wild west with shootouts? I guess it's like Rudebwoy who's convinced himself that America is full of race lynchings and crime around every corner. I always think of Canadians as being naive, lame, goofy people that have a funny accent. Never met one but that's the image from shows and movies in my head. Sort of like someone from the midwest or something "gee golly".

[scotian]

(06-22-2013 03:25 PM)houston Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 03:03 PM)scotian Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 02:48 PM)houston Wrote:  

^^Is this a common trait? Being anti American yet coming and visiting America?

Yes it is and my dad is a perfect example of this, once he was going on about how obsessed the Yanks are with their guns and how he doesn't like to drink with them because "you never know when one of those lunatics will pull out a gun", so I asked him, "so why do you even come down here if you don't like Americans?" to which he replied, "they've got good weather, cheap beer and where the hell in Canada can I get a ticket to a Habs game for $30?."

People seriously think it's like the wild west with shootouts? I guess it's like Rudebwoy who's convinced himself that America is full of race lynchings and crime around every corner. I always think of Canadians as being naive, lame, goofy people that have a funny accent. Never met one but that's the image from shows and movies in my head. Sort of like someone from the midwest or something "gee golly".

You've never met a Canadian? Houston you should take a trip up north sometime to Vancouver and smoke your brains out and enjoy the nice scenery or hit up montreal in the summer, I think you'd enjoy it.

Us Canadians have an inferiority complex when it comes to our relationship with the USA and many Canadians have a smug sense of superiority when it comes to our southern neighbors. Canadians will brag about how we have free health care, generous social programs, etc but not too many will admit that we are able to do so because we barely fund our military and we rely on the big bad USA to defend us if something ever happened. The Canadian media sometimes portrays the USA as this crazy place full of gun totting, red necks and some gullible Canadians buy into that, but most the the people who are anti-American haven't spent much time in the USA or know many Americans, basically they're ignorant.

There are some legitimate complaints that we have with Americans, mostly having to do with trade but overall I think we're pretty decent neighbors.

[Aliblahba]

Mexico is 10x a better neighbor.

[MrXY]

(06-22-2013 02:48 PM)houston Wrote:  

^^Is this a common trait? Being anti American yet coming and visiting America?

Yes, being loudly anti-american while taking advantage of everything the US has to offer is a Canadian national trait.

Go find some Canadians and you'll see. Should take about 10 minutes......

[RonnieB]

Do many Americans move to Canada? Just wondering as I see Canada is now richer than the US in GDP per capita (I'm assuming this is because of the mineral boom as I notice Australia is also higher than the US in GDP/capita now)

[scotian]

(06-22-2013 06:33 PM)RonnieB Wrote:  

Do many Americans move to Canada? Just wondering as I see Canada is now richer than the US in GDP per capita (I'm assuming this is because of the mineral boom as I notice Australia is also higher than the US in GDP/capita now)

Yes there's been quite a few Americans moving up north in the past decade or so, a lot of them moving to the province of Alberta where most of the resource (oil) wealth is, apparently Calgary has the most American expats of all Canadian cities. I'm on a job in Saskatchewan at the moment and the contractor I'm working for has a couple of Americans working for them, not sure if they live here though or just came up for the project.

[Tex Pro]

(06-22-2013 06:33 PM)RonnieB Wrote:  

Do many Americans move to Canada? Just wondering as I see Canada is now richer than the US in GDP per capita (I'm assuming this is because of the mineral boom as I notice Australia is also higher than the US in GDP/capita now)

More Canadians move down to the USA, I suspect.

[Aliblahba]

(06-22-2013 06:44 PM)The Texas Prophet Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 06:33 PM)RonnieB Wrote:  

Do many Americans move to Canada? Just wondering as I see Canada is now richer than the US in GDP per capita (I'm assuming this is because of the mineral boom as I notice Australia is also higher than the US in GDP/capita now)

More Canadians move down to the USA, I suspect.

Yeah we need migrant workers, unskilled labor, and the token pasty white person, laying out on the beach.


Bet you can't guess which one scotian is:

   

[Tex Pro]

(06-22-2013 06:50 PM)Aliblahba Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 06:44 PM)The Texas Prophet Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 06:33 PM)RonnieB Wrote:  

Do many Americans move to Canada? Just wondering as I see Canada is now richer than the US in GDP per capita (I'm assuming this is because of the mineral boom as I notice Australia is also higher than the US in GDP/capita now)

More Canadians move down to the USA, I suspect.

Yeah we need migrant workers, unskilled labor, and the token pasty white person, laying out on the beach.


Bet you can't guess which one scotian is:

The one on the far right of the picture.

[Seadog]

(06-22-2013 08:58 AM)The Texas Prophet Wrote:  

We in America rarely think about Canada. It is largely an inconsequential country.

That attitude is exactly the issue. 51st state or not, the country is bigger than the US, and has less population than Cali. Is California inconsequential? We're the biggest supplier of oil, and people happily ignore facts like that. I can assure you though if tomorrow Canada didn't exist, the US wouldn't think it was so inconsequential.

Quite honestly like the video says you'd be hard pressed to find two countries next to each other that have a better relationship and more in common with each other. America is bigger, and for the time being the richest country in the world. They can afford to be ignorant. No different than me not needing the language in Thailand, even if I overpay 100% for a cab. Long term however, that just isn't sustainable. Just the same as in Thailand if I run out of money and actually have to earn some. I wont be able to overpay 100% for cabs very long. 50 years ago I think the US was inspiring. Moon race, science and all that inspired people. Now people just want to watch 16 and pregnant.

That said I'm amazed at the level of ignorance in some places in the US. Mind you with 300m ppl and such a big country, it's impossible to label everyone the same. Living on the Mexican border, I saw first hand the level of Paranoia and ignorance. People in mid 20's who had never been out of the state, I talk about travelling, and they tell me about the one time in their life they went 7 hours away to Dallas. Being told I was weird for being 27 without kids, girls telling me not to use rubbers, needless to say these people reproduced like rabbits. When I lived, there I arrived on July 3rd, then July 5th one of the guys at work is telling me about how he was scared shitless, the night before he had grabbed two guns and ran out to the patio because he thought he was 'under attack' after hearing bangs, and then to his surprise saw the fireworks and realized it was the fourth of July. That's why despite having less guns than Switzerland, they have several times the gun incidents. People think events which statistically wont happen to them in their life are happening every week, and before you know it the wife gets shot.

On the other hand some of the best scientific developments and greatest educational institutions can be found there, being the richest countries in the world affords you the luxury of being able to sit around thinking about things like quantum computers or string theory which have very few direct, short term benefits to society (but huge positive long term implications). The USA still offers some of the best opportunity in the world. If you're smart, educationally you can most likely go as far as you want. You might need to take on a ton of debt, but it can still be done. Try that in India. Entire communities band together to send one person (their best and brightest) to school. What about #2,, 3, and 4 who are still smarter and harder working than the average american? Too bad, next time don't be born in India. Further education is simply not in the cards.

[worldwidetraveler]

(06-22-2013 08:19 AM)scotian Wrote:  

Supposedly we're all best friends, then the Yanks do this to us:

Canadian teen drops out of US high school due to bullying because he's Canadian: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/news/ed.../6247.html

Southern racists adopt "Canadian" as a euphemism for "black": http://boingboing.net/2008/01/27/souther...s-ado.html

Maybe you guys should toughen up a bit if all you have to complain is a little bullying. Eh?

[mikeymike]

(06-22-2013 08:30 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 08:19 AM)scotian Wrote:  

Supposedly we're all best friends, then the Yanks do this to us:

Canadian teen drops out of US high school due to bullying because he's Canadian: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/news/ed.../6247.html

Southern racists adopt "Canadian" as a euphemism for "black": http://boingboing.net/2008/01/27/souther...s-ado.html

Maybe you guys should toughen up a bit if all you have to complain is a little bullying. Eh?

any adult that needs to make themselves seem big at a 15 year olds expense is a coward and that should be looked down by anybody. Thats not a canadian issue thats a humanity issue. A kid who gets picked on by another kid can handle himself and step upto another kid, whats he gonna do to a teacher? Maybe smarten up instead of defending moronic behavior.

[worldwidetraveler]

(06-23-2013 01:33 AM)mikeymike Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 08:30 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 08:19 AM)scotian Wrote:  

Supposedly we're all best friends, then the Yanks do this to us:

Canadian teen drops out of US high school due to bullying because he's Canadian: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/news/ed.../6247.html

Southern racists adopt "Canadian" as a euphemism for "black": http://boingboing.net/2008/01/27/souther...s-ado.html

Maybe you guys should toughen up a bit if all you have to complain is a little bullying. Eh?

any adult that needs to make themselves seem big at a 15 year olds expense is a coward and that should be looked down by anybody. Thats not a canadian issue thats a humanity issue. A kid who gets picked on by another kid can handle himself and step upto another kid, whats he gonna do to a teacher? Maybe smarten up instead of defending moronic behavior.

Nice rant. I hope you feel better mate.

[malc]

Southern Americans care about Mexico, Northern Americans care about Canada. People from Seattle, etc definitely know about Canada. Lots of people from northern USA go drive to canada to get legally drunk before 21 for example.

[scotian]

I'm thinking about taking a trip south of the border in the next few days to get some tacos and burritos, apparently there's a decent Mexican take out place in Noonan, North Dakota which is about a 15 minute drive from where I'm currently working in Saskatchewan, might pick up some cheap smokes too.

[Exactaking]

(06-22-2013 08:26 PM)Seadog Wrote:  

That's why despite having less guns than Switzerland, they have several times the gun incidents.]

The reason for this is demographics. Most gun violence is black on black, and drug related. Even with dumb rednecks shooting by accident the gun violence rate among whites is equal to that of European countries (at least the ones that allow guns, I don't know about UK, which has minimal gun violence but rampant knife related crime)

http://takimag.com/article/guns_and_whit...z2QfgGbGhl

[worldwidetraveler]

(06-23-2013 03:17 AM)malc Wrote:  

Lots of people from northern USA go drive to canada to get legally drunk before 21 for example.

Ah, weekend trips to Windsor... fun memories.

[mikeymike]

(06-23-2013 01:42 AM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-23-2013 01:33 AM)mikeymike Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 08:30 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-22-2013 08:19 AM)scotian Wrote:  

Supposedly we're all best friends, then the Yanks do this to us:

Canadian teen drops out of US high school due to bullying because he's Canadian: http://www.agoracosmopolitan.com/news/ed.../6247.html

Southern racists adopt "Canadian" as a euphemism for "black": http://boingboing.net/2008/01/27/souther...s-ado.html

Maybe you guys should toughen up a bit if all you have to complain is a little bullying. Eh?

any adult that needs to make themselves seem big at a 15 year olds expense is a coward and that should be looked down by anybody. Thats not a canadian issue thats a humanity issue. A kid who gets picked on by another kid can handle himself and step upto another kid, whats he gonna do to a teacher? Maybe smarten up instead of defending moronic behavior.

Nice rant. I hope you feel better mate.

no rant intended, just tried to talk some common sense, turns out it's not for everybody.

[worldwidetraveler]

(06-23-2013 05:23 PM)mikeymike Wrote:  

no rant intended, just tried to talk some common sense, turns out it's not for everybody.

I keep forgetting quite a few people on here are not socially aware. You may or may not, as it seems, notice some of us were merely busting each other's balls.

I am sorry the bully stuff hit home. You should work that out with someone who is experienced in those matters.

[mikeymike]

(06-23-2013 06:06 PM)worldwidetraveler Wrote:  

(06-23-2013 05:23 PM)mikeymike Wrote:  

no rant intended, just tried to talk some common sense, turns out it's not for everybody.

I keep forgetting quite a few people on here are not socially aware. You may or may not, as it seems, notice some of us were merely busting each other's balls.

I am sorry the bully stuff hit home. You should work that out with someone who is experienced in those matters.

fair enough, you got me, I missed the joke, probably cause most of the time when we're busting each others balls on here it's kinda funny, but good on ya for trying. Humor is subjective tho, so continue on with ball busting

[kosko]

..

[worldwidetraveler]

(06-23-2013 09:17 PM)mikeymike Wrote:  

fair enough, you got me, I missed the joke, probably cause most of the time when we're busting each others balls on here it's kinda funny, but good on ya for trying. Humor is subjective tho, so continue on with ball busting

heh Judging from your posts in this thread, you clearly have me on the humor. You must be Canadian.

[LeBeau]

(06-22-2013 03:49 AM)username Wrote:  

Great piece. I wish more Americans were aware of how awesome our neighbor to the north is, how important we are to each other, and how similar we are. Back many years ago in school we were told practically nothing about Canada but a lot of information about Mexico. I wonder why the teachers, schools, and book publishers don't dedicate more time to teaching students about Canada. Perhaps because Canadian and American culture and background are more similar than say Mexico and the United States.

This got me thinking, would it be fair to say that so much of media today focuses on what divides people (i.e. scandals, fear, partisanship) rather than what unites them?

I feel like most people are so uninformed about the world, and when even just picking up a newspaper creates an entitlement/arrogance around knowledge, that there is no impetus to try and understand/research much if it's not prompted by a recent headline.

And I don't say this focusing purely on American educaton/media, I believe this is pervasive across the globe.

It's another reason why I enjoy history or analysis that's on a more positive tip (assuming it's still accurate), like the video I posted.

Here's another example:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treaty_of_Windsor_(1386)

[scotian]

Summer time in Canada: The Molson Canadian water ski

[img][/img]

[img][/img]