Canadians often feel misunderstood by Americans. And overlooked. Maybe we have a complex, but it`s hard not to when you travel to the states, tell them you live near Vancouver and they ask if that`s by Toronto. (The Olympics may have cleared that up, but I`m not sure.) Or when you move to Massachusetts for a year and a kid at your son`s school asks him where he learned to speak English.
Canadians know all about American politics and entertainment and have a good idea where all the major cities lie. We know the name of the first lady and what she looks like. (How can you not?) And here's where I confess that I would pass the Prime Minister's wife on the street and not know it.
If you're curious as to how Canadians and Americans differ, this BEER COMMERCIAL pokes a little fun. It's our attempt at being patriot. (A trait Americans own.)
And to all my American friends, HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY, weekend!!
That is an awesome commercial! Shame they had to link it to beer.
ReplyDeleteI did tons of Canadian research for my book Perilous...but I've been told by resident Canadians that I got a lot of it WRONG. Sigh. Maybe I need to move there for a year.
I grew up just barely south of the Canadian border. People always look at me funny when I tell them that the closest big city to my hometown is Ottawa, but yes, I am American. My Canadian friends have been kind enough to call me an honorary Canadian, which I always figure means I get to celebrate both July 1 and July 4 - win!
ReplyDeleteLove the commercial! Happy Canada Day.
ReplyDeleteTamara - Like America, Canadian culture differs greatly as you move from province to province, so you may not have gotten it as wrong as you think.
ReplyDeleteElouise - Honorary Canadian, cool! I actually have duel citizenship because I was born in the state, but I've lived in Canada since I was two, so culturally I'm Canadian.
Caroline - Glad you enjoyed it--Happy Independence Day to you!
I like me some Molson, no doubt! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteJonathon - Thanks, you too!
ReplyDeleteI have a dear friend from Saskatoon, and a year or two ago she said to me, "I can't believe how much we think alike, and yet you're American and I'm Canadian." I call that one of my best compliments ever. Alas, dear friend or no, I still had to look up Saskatoon to be sure I spelt it right. I need to move there for a year, too.
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
Canada is one of my favorite places to visit. In fact, I wish it was easier to become a citizen, then I would never leave. :) But I must admit, I don't know much about it and I feel awful because it's so close!
ReplyDeleteLoved the commercial! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
I was born Canadian but grew up in the States from age 7, became American at age 38, and moved back to Canada ten years ago in my 50's. Spent most summers at my Grandparents Canadian cottage on the Bruce Penisula. I love both countries and find the differences more amusing than frustrating, although many of my American friends still think I was born in an igloo and are amazed that I know metric...
ReplyDeleteHappy Canada Day!
ReplyDeleteI'm not Canadian, but I love you all just as much as my American pals. Sorry so many Americans poke fun at Canada ;)
I'm living in Southern Alberta, not more than an hour from the American boarder. I laugh when I hear about Americans landing in our airport in July wearing parkas, as well as those that ask if they will see bears walking in the streets. To this one we reply -"It depends on how much you've been drinking."
ReplyDeleteI don't mind being 'underestimated', quite frankly. I think it gives us the upper hand.