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I was born in Canada and have lived here my whole life. It seems though that as a country we don't have a really solid identity as a lot of other countries do.
To me it seems Canada is just a weird, awkward clash between Britain and the US. I suppose Canadians are stereotyped as being nice and the whole "aboot" thing. I love living here in Canada but sometimes I feel like our national identity is a joke! I just kind of wanted to see what other peoples opinions are about Canada and its' identity on a world wide type scale. I don't think that Canada is the best country or anything, I think nationalism and patriotism are silly even since we don't choose where we are born. Although that is a different topic all together.
How do you guys (especially non Canadians) perceive Canada?
KelseyC wrote: I was born in Canada and have lived here my whole life. It seems though that as a country we don't have a really solid identity as a lot of other countries do.
To me it seems Canada is just a weird, awkward clash between Britain and the US. I suppose Canadians are stereotyped as being nice and the whole "aboot" thing. I love living here in Canada but sometimes I feel like our national identity is a joke! I just kind of wanted to see what other peoples opinions are about Canada and its' identity on a world wide type scale. I don't think that Canada is the best country or anything, I think nationalism and patriotism are silly even since we don't choose where we are born. Although that is a different topic all together.
How do you guys (especially non Canadians) perceive Canada?
A great friend and one of our greatest allies.
Besides... a country that has a Strategic Reserve of Maple Syrup is cool in my book...
OH! And home of Ice Hockey. We're forever in your debt for that!
Not a single "eh?" in that whole post, am disappoint.
Also, don't freakin mess with Canada, I know what you guys did in WWII. You're awesome to the max in my book.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:26:13
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
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Platuan4th wrote: Not a single "eh?" in that whole post, am disappoint.
Stop it... he's trying to be nice.
Check the edit.
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
Platuan4th wrote: Not a single "eh?" in that whole post, am disappoint.
Also, don't freakin mess with Canada, I know what you guys did in WWII. You're awesome to the max in my book.
I do say eh rather frequently when I speak! When I type though I never ever include it at all. Sort of how when younger people talk they will say like a lot but when they type they don't have all those likes in there.
I didn't see your edit until after I posted, so time to respond to your edit with an edit of my own. I took almost all of the history classes I could in high school. Before then I had never really understood how important Canada was in both World Wars. Not that other countries weren't as important or even more important but when I was younger I had always assumed our military didn't do much because all you hear about is what the Americans did.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:30:41
Canada is the US-Lite They are the nicer, more sane, civilized and reasonable cousins of the Americans. At least, that is the common stereotype where I come from. Canadians are also addicted to maple syrup and all wear red uniforms. And worst of all, they are way too good at ice hockey, as they always beat us, and everyone knows ice hockey is a Russian sport. They probably use maple syrup as doping.
This message was edited 3 times. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:34:42
Platuan4th wrote: Not a single "eh?" in that whole post, am disappoint.
Also, don't freakin mess with Canada, I know what you guys did in WWII. You're awesome to the max in my book.
I do say eh rather frequently when I speak! When I type though I never ever include it at all. Sort of how when younger people talk they will say like a lot but when they type they don't have all those likes in there.
I use like a lot when I'm Texting and Messaging, I'm afraid. Not so much as interjections, but like using examples and stuff like that.
This message was edited 2 times. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:30:19
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
Canada is a loft apartment above a really great party house
But in all honesty I pretty much, and this might sound bad, consider canadians just more Americans. As in our societies are pretty damned similar and they don't sound any different than my family that was from Minnesota. At least that's the way it's felt with all the canadians I've met here in the US and abroad when I was traveling.
Oh, except for French Canadians.....they're weird
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I've only been to Canada twice (Montreal and Toronto areas). Both were work trips this past winter.
The people were nice. About what I'd bump into in similar places here in the states.
The food was the same as what I can get here in Northern IL. No Mexican food, unlike what I had in Houston. fething A, I miss that. Better Indian food choices here, though, but I digress.
The music was the same, only with 22% more Brian Adams and Celine Dion.
Actually, it was a lot like my trip to England, only less beer and kick ass museums. Or France, only less wine and cheese and smoking hot chicks. Very similar to what I have here in many ways. At least, on the surface. I didn't have to do taxed up there or go through your DMV or anything.
As for "solid identity", I'm struggling with what to say. I enjoyed the trip, and would go beck there. The people at the manufacturing plants were hard working when it was time to work, and easy to talk to when it was time to relax with a few beers. It was like being in America, North.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:38:02
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2014/04/16 19:38:53
You know you're really doing something when you can make strangers hate you over the Internet. - Mauleed
Just remember folks. Panic. Panic all the time. It's the only way to survive, other than just being mindful, of course-but geez, that's so friggin' boring. - Aegis Grimm
Hallowed is the All Pie The Before Times: A Place That Celebrates The World That Was
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
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Canada is a loft apartment above a really great party house
But in all honesty I pretty much, and this might sound bad, consider canadians just more Americans. As in our societies are pretty damned similar and they don't sound any different than my family that was from Minnesota. At least that's the way it's felt with all the canadians I've met here in the US and abroad when I was traveling.
Oh, except for French Canadians.....they're weird
I totally get that, I feel like I am basically American. We have a few things that are not as American that we may do such as keeping the you in words like honour and armour.
Another silly thing here is a silly media rule by the CRTC. It basically is something like 35% of all media played on Canadian television, radio, etc must be Canadian. A month ago or so I believe an adult film channel even got in trouble for not having enough Canadian material, such a silly way to try to keep us less "Americanized"!
Most countries have an entirely concocted identity that rarely resonates until someone else takes the piss out of the homeland that, if you were to be honest, you really don't care about.
Canada has a reputation for being polite, friendly and filled with extended family in Scotland. It's not the most iconic or bad ass identity, but it's nice and complimentary.
KelseyC wrote: A month ago or so I believe an adult film channel even got in trouble for not having enough Canadian material, such a silly way to try to keep us less "Americanized"!
actually, one of the most common answers to "what is a canadian?"
is "not an american"!
not that there is anything wrong with being an american, but you dont tell a danish man they are just like the dutch, you dont tell the scots they are just like the irish, swedes = swiss, chinese or japanese = chinese.
Our identity is more personal, then national, canada has a real wide spectrum of stuff we get recognition (or at least SHOULD get recognition for)
-ie: we were the original storm troopers, yes, canadian troops were THAT bad @$$ in both WW's. I think the cold weather and enviroment really toughen people up a lot.
-canada has always been a great center of R&D with things like nano tech, robotics, medicine, and so on,
we seem to have a knack for producing more "talent" per capita then one would think.
-for some reason everyone thinks we are super polite, because we are... but heaven forbid you actually upset us (see bullet point #1 above)
Proud Member of the Infidels of OIF/OEF
No longer defending the US Military or US Gov't. Just going to ""**feed into your fears**"" with Duffel Blog Did not fight my way up on top the food chain to become a Vegan...
Warning: Stupid Allergy
Once you pull the pin, Mr. Grenade is no longer your friend
DE 6700
Harlequin 2500
RIP Muhammad Ali.
Jihadin, Scorched Earth 791. Leader of the Pork Eating Crusader. Alpha
I've never visited Canada, but would love to one day.
The thing that always springs to mind about Canada for me is the (far too understated) part they played in the First World War. As part of the British Empire, they were basically dragged into the fight without a choice, but instead of trying to stay out, Canada threw itself in with as much courage and gusto as could be mustered. The fact that they played such a huge part in a war half a world away they had no choice in entering is just amazing (as is the role of most of the Commonwealth/Empire that really had no choice in participating). The Canadian memorial on the Somme in France is one of the most poignant memorials I've visited (I've seen a lot), pretty much for that reason.
And, on a less tragic note, it's also the nation that gave us Rush and Leonard Cohen, so bonus points there
KelseyC wrote: I was born in Canada and have lived here my whole life. It seems though that as a country we don't have a really solid identity as a lot of other countries do.
To me it seems Canada is just a weird, awkward clash between Britain and the US. I suppose Canadians are stereotyped as being nice and the whole "aboot" thing. I love living here in Canada but sometimes I feel like our national identity is a joke! I just kind of wanted to see what other peoples opinions are about Canada and its' identity on a world wide type scale. I don't think that Canada is the best country or anything, I think nationalism and patriotism are silly even since we don't choose where we are born. Although that is a different topic all together.
How do you guys (especially non Canadians) perceive Canada?
A great friend and one of our greatest allies.
Besides... a country that has a Strategic Reserve of Maple Syrup is cool in my book...
OH! And home of Ice Hockey. We're forever in your debt for that!
Don't forget good European style beers. We'll forgive the strange fascination with Coors and British like bad food.
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
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My only trip into Canada is not the best example of what it's like, but there is a big difference in each side of the falls, American side.....parkland, and a visitor center. Canadian side.....'BLING' it's Blackpool upon Niagara.
Other than that, lovely people, they seem more genuinely friendly than Americans, who often 'seem' to have fixed smiles, and forced friendliness.
As for WW1, my Great grandfather died as a member of the Canadian tunneling Corps at Ypres... they went for a better life, a year later, he joined up, and on his death, the family returned to Yorkshire.
We are the younger, saner, more sensible "good son" of Mother Britain While our big brother America rebelled and ran away from home at a young age we stood by Mother and held her hand in moments of crisis, just like our "special needs" brother Australia, bless him.
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
Fafnir wrote: Don't worry though, Harper's got a plan to get rid of that "saner, more sensible" nature of ours.
That he does. Maybe the flaherty state funeral distraction will help change the news cycle for him, which has mostly been wall to wall scandal.
We have pretty regional culture, part of that is we're a massive country but have a really small population for our size. We're like the population of mexico city spread out over 2/3rd of eurasia.
Fafnir wrote: Don't worry though, Harper's got a plan to get rid of that "saner, more sensible" nature of ours.
Yeah, if we don't smarten the feth up and all get out to vote that miserable snake out of power next election I may just lose (what's left of) my mind.
Seriously, fellow Canadians.
We were once so close to heaven, St. Peter came out and gave us medals; declaring us "The nicest of the damned".
“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'”
I actually dated a Canadian for a long time, and I've had the chance to meet several people from up north. All very nice people, and a blast to hang out with.
Except Newfies. I almost needed a translator to figure out what the Hell they were trying to say
I use like a lot when I'm Texting and Messaging, I'm afraid. Not so much as interjections, but like using examples and stuff like that.
And if you're drinkin' well, you know that you're my friend and I say "I think I'll have myself a beer" 