Canada / US

I'm just an avergae Pro-Canadian. I don't hate the US, they can just piss me off sometimes. I know Canada isn't perfect, but pretty damn close

. Anyways, to the topic. One of the things that makes me mad, is how Americans (not all, but most) know absolutely nothing about Canada. If you need a little proof, go to the downloads section and find the talking to Americans movies. They don't know anything about their neighbours. Ask a Canadian a basic question about the US (how many states, some capitals, etc) and they'd get it right 90% of the time. But ask an American about Canada, and 99% says they'd get it wrong. Another topic I just HAVE to bring up is Mad Cow. When we found a mad cow in Canada (turns out it was an american cow) the USA banned all beef from Canada, but now that the USA has found one, we are still getting their beef. Before I end this up, I want to clear up that I'm NOT being anti American. I just needed to share my opinion.

DMP
PS: Canada Kicks Ass!

If you look at it Americans know very little about anything that isn't "American". We really shouldn't feel singled out. Ask Americans some easy questions about Europe or Africa and see what you get. Heck what was it 11% of Americans polled couldn't even point out America on a map.

There is no excuse for the ignorance though, Chrissy. They have an effect, a huge one, on us and Africa and Asia and Europe. If they are going to have that effect, they should at least understand that their actions hurt others in far-away places. If the US is truly advanced, truly understands their actions, then their leadership has no excuse for promoting that ignorance.

And there lies the crux of the american problem. Not only are they ignorant of what goes on outside their borders I really don't think they care what goes on. I'm with you though, it really pisses me off having a big dense neighbor who seems to like nothing better then pissing in other people front yards.

Chrissy:

Before you go too far, let me refer to to Buford's posts and the many links he puts up. Something I'd highly suggest is that everybody read The Nation (www.thenation.com) and other sites/magazines/papers regularly. There are a lot of Americans who are trying to change things. I suggest we support them.

Yooo, I'm an average American just like your an average Canadian.

I'm 18 and I live in Detroit. Unlike most Canadians I know a little something something about Canada because I stay in Detroit (a major border city) and I get CBC.

But I don't understand why you guys are upset that Americans don't know anything about Canada. Let's be honest, WHY should Americans learn about Canada??. Why do people in Chicago, New York City or Dallas need to know about Saskatchewan or Newfoundland and Labrador?? What's soooooooooooo important about Canada that makes you sooooooo upset that Americans don't know?? (I'm not joking please tell me)

I don't understand why you guys are so Anti-American, what did we do to you guys??

Another thing, why do you guys claim to be so different than Americans?? Truth be told we are the same, there's no difference. I go to Windsor a few times a year and those Canadians look, talk and act like Americans.

I read a few stupid topics on this board like "What makes Canada the best country in the World". And I see dumb thing like

"We got hockey" -- I guess America doesn't huh?

Truth be told America has everything Canada has and MORE. Everyone in America has FREE HEALTH CARE TOO!! I guess that's something your government doesn't want you to know. There are ton's of FREE Hospitals for people who need them.

I just don't get it. Why do Canadians are so Anti-American?? I NEVER EVER meet an American that hated Canadians, so what's the deal??

Are you guys JEALOUS ?? That's the only reason I can think of.

ya know....I'm just a poor slob american who admits I dont know enough about your country[ they reall barely discussed y'all in school, ghost has a point]....my bad.....anywho....if it wasnt the us pissing you off it would be someone else...the mad cow thing....here , there....man in this age of planes , trains and autos...only a matter of time till it got here...could be ebola ya know....

we both need to erradicate this thing[ mad cow.....] not point fingers..

And I have a question...between canada and the usa...what percentage of the world do we feed?

Ah, a young mind to challenge.

First of all we aren't anti-American, Killah. Neither are those Americans who are saying the same things we are. What we are doing is challenging the US to live up to its potential and the goals stated by its founding fathers.

This whole unpatriotic/anti-Amercian thing is just spin by those who don't want you to think about things. If you buy it you are one of the rubes. I don't expect you to trust me...I'd rather you not, actually. But look into things, really look. Open mind, willing to learn, willing to understand.

As for why you should care...Your country is supposed to stand for democracy and equality. Your president has made you, in less than three years, the most hated country on earth. That's a pretty good reason to care.

Hurting others, even killing them, for financial gain is wrong too. Look at your government's policies and consider the implications. Do you really want these people representing you? Are you that kind of a person? That's a pretty good reason to care.

People in major cities need to know about people in rural areas, and this has little to do with US/Canada relations, because they have a symbiotic relationship. How long do you think think you'd be clothed and fed without people in those rural areas? A week? Two weeks? You might last a month if you stocked up, but not much longer. That's a pretty good reason to care.

The last reason why you should care. In terms of energy and resources, we own you. If we shut down the power and gas, you have no industry, no jobs, no way to to eat. It isn't just us in that position, Mexico is there too. So is a lot of Asia. So is a lot of Eastern Europe. Shutting you down would hurt us and hurt us badly, but we would last longer than you because we still have the raw materials. You do not.

So you see, Killah, we are your friends. We are friends who are getting tired of being treated like crap though. So are your other friends.

Speaking as one who's travelled and lived in places across Canada, the U.S. and Western Europe, who has constant contact with friends and family throughout these places and beyond, I say that few people of any nation really understand what other countries are about and probably never will until they've spent quality time there, often not even then.

Ask a Brit about Canada or an Aussie about the U.S. and odds are you'll receive a vague answer filled with educated guesses, stereotypes and that usually paints a picture that's many years out of date anyway. How much do you guys know about living in Moulins, France or Austin, Texas anyway?

I've had European friends and relatives visit me since the mid 90's and I can tell you for a fact that they were just as ignorant of things Canadian as Americans are always accused of being. :lol:

Now I'll admit that Americans as a group are undoubtably the most ignorant of other countries and cultures, hell they don't even know much about their own country in many cases!

However on the other hand I see so many people from other countries smugly thinking that they somehow know everything there is to know about American culture because they've familiar with some form or another of pervasive American media. :roll:

Hey, I was the one who started this thread, 3 hours ago or so. I never thought I had a topic people would listen to and respond to. I have to point out a thing or two. I am NOT anti-American, most Canadians aren't. And the whole "why do we know about Canada?". Because. We are you biggest trade partner and you are ours. If the united states stands for free education (as we do) it sorta makes one think that it isn't a great education system because you aren't taught about other cultures. You should care about Canada. If you don't learn about other cultures, it just strengthens the sterio-type that Americans are an ignorant people who don't care about anything outside their own borders.

I may be confused, but this is my personal opinion. I don't know politics extremely well (because I'm only in grade 11) but I think a country should know something about its biggest trading partner.

DMP

I work with a Brit and an Austrian, Rosco. Something about them and their friends and relatives is that they would never say, "Why should we bother to learn about Canada." They come willing to learn. Canadians who travel overseas are often noted for the same attitude.

That attitude is not pervasive among wealthy Americans...those most likely to travel and have dealings in foreign countries. They tend to think that they can just do like they would at home.

Something else though...look at the membership here. It's mostly Canadians. The Americans that are here regularly tend to have an interest in Canada. Look at the posts...an awful lot of knowledge about US politics and US/Canada relations, even by those that claim not to have a lot of knowledge.

Now go to a mostly US site and try to have the same discussions. You will meet with ignorance and a lot of yelling and screaming. You will find very little knowledge or willingness to learn. I'm of the opinion that's because of a relatively small number of Americans, likely less than half, who are trying to drown out any opinions that they don't share. It leads to a lack of diversity of opinion though. US sites that I've found to be exceptions to that are Eightball Magazine, Michael Moore's site, and Utne, which is why I doubt that it's a majority of Americans who are purposefully ignorant. We just can't hear the polite ones that want to learn because the rude, obnoxious ones are too loud.

The reality is that you dont killah!! Thats the sad part. Because in the average americans life he/she doesnt have to deal with Canada! The other sad thing is that Canadians are forced to learn about the US in school even if we dont want to. We are forced to listen to the american opinion and forced to listen to americans badmouth us whenever they want. A Canadian says something we have to appologize. Another reason is because you are in the news all across the world. You should learn about other countries that your country effects.
The biggest reason the average American should learn about Canada is that you might learn something and that never hurt anyone!!
We are neibhours and most americans dont know why we are sick of you. Perhaps while you are learning about our country you should learn about yours and find out why we and other countries are getting sick and tired of the American attitude!!!

Killah Americans I think are nice people. But they have to learn about other countries not just Canada but the rest of the world also. That way you would understand that what is good for one country may not be good for yours or vice versa.
Now here is the thing I dont understand maybe you or some of our American friends on CKA can answer. America claims to be isolationists so my understanding of this word pretty much means that all you want to do is be left alone. So if that is the case why try to foist your ideals on other countries.