as far as Canadians are concerned. Damn right we don't want to be mistaken for Americans, not because they aren't good people, but simply because we aren't Americans.
But that's not the argument nor the point. That's spinning it away from the bone of contention:
Why the hositility? Why the insecuridty? Why the need to bash them? Why the offensive statement from earlier in the thread?
Canadians are a different kind of people with a different sense of identity (which isn't based on comparison with America).
Tht's a contradiction. Why else the flag waving in other nations? First hand experienc tells me it's to say,
"I'm not American." I've yet to witness Canadians being offended at being mistaken for Brits, Kiwis, or Ozzies. I've also yet to meet one who explained the patch on their backpacks/jackets/shirts other than to tell the world,
"I'm not American."I personally don't appreciate your blanket statements about Canadians as I am sure you don't appreciate blanket statements about Americans.
I didn't make "blankent statements" about Canada. I talked about experiences I had abroad, and had you read all of my posts you'd see I always went out of my way to point out the different experiences I had between the few bad apples abroad and experiences within the nation itself, and the contrast.
However, you did make a blanket statement about Americans and left it as a general truism. You've yet to address that point or even express regret about it.
I include most Americans in this state of non-awareness of provinces. Within country, we do identify ourselves by province.
And abraod many - far too many, imo - do it by waving flags in people's faces. They're not Sir Edmond Hillary. There's no need to make any territorial claims. So why the jingoism?
I don't know anyone in Canada who identifies themselves in comparisons with Americans.
In Canada - that was my point. I never experienced rabid jingoism, insecurity, and outright hostility
in Canada. However, a vocal minority seem to go abroad and export insecurity with an amped up jingoism that rivals the saber rattling of redneck and conservative crypto-fascist Americans.
Are Canadians anti-American? Generally no, not anymore than many Americans are anti-American.
I agree with that statment. However, travels abroad lead me to wonder if many of the jingoists are being exported. That's why I'm stymied. American uber jingoists tend to stay put. The U. K. - more of the same. However, my experiences abroad lead me to believe there is something odd about how many get exported. I'm struggling to understand why this phenomenon happens. I also don't say it's
all Canadian expats. Not once have I said that. However, my experiences tell me it's an uncomfortable number. Far too high a number to make sense. Your comments earlier in the thread only added to that depresssing lump.
I'm also trying to understand how a government would finance a program whose sole existence is to belittle Americans to bolster Canadian identity, especially when such rehtoric isn't flowing from the mouths of many of its citizens in-country.
Most Canadians have little interest in their gigantic and powerful neighbour to the south other than as a tourist destination, a shopping experience, a sporting event host, or even as a place where we go to visit our extended family members.
And vice-versa.
Lighten up, life's too short. Have a beer (Raoul's paying).
