With freinds like Canada....

[Flying High]

Thirdly, I'm not sure that I have time to argue against a premise whose "proof" (as you called it) is largely based on a comedy show and a beer commercial.

So, the premise in which those two creations (Molson ads and Talking to Americans) was pulled out of thin air???

I'm Colombian, and the American stereotypes against us are far, far worse than those against Canadians. Many Americans think we're drug dealers and that we set up mobs wherever we settle, which of course is false.

If some idiot American asks me "Are you Colombians all drug dealers???" or "Where's the drugs???" I simply answer: "Yes, and we're proud of it" (of course, sarcastically) or "They're coming soon". The point is, whatever stereotypes the Americans have against my country, I just simply brush them off, avoiding taking issue on them. Why bother?

Whereas Canadians take their stereotypes too seriously, the Molson ads being proof of it.

There's also Colombian stereotypes against Americans (cokeheads, materialistic, dumb), and I haven't seen any American lose his/her sleep because of them.

Firstly, you seem to be forgetting that your original statement about Canadian insecurity is probably the purest form of blanket statements on this board. Until you realise that, there's probably no point in arguing against any of your statements.

Probably you're right, and I apologize if I wasn't cautious about what I said, but the fact that many Canadians build their personal national identity on trying to be non-American is a reality, whether you accept it or not.

This guy is from Vancouver (http://www.filibustercartoons.com), and he strikes me as a very level-headed person, capable of going beyond the mutual stereotypes between the US and Canada. He doesn't go around saying how evil the US is or how he doesn't wanna be American or labeled as American. He's not knee-jerk pro-American, but he's not resorting to labeling American as evil, and he tries to show Canada for what it is.

And finally (you're probably not going to want to hear this either), many of the backpackers travelling through Europe with Canadian flags on their packs are in fact Americans trying to hide the fact. This is not just a post 9/11 phenomenon either, 'cause I first started noticing it in 1994. In fact, if you've ever been abroad, chances are you know exactly what I'm talking about. But someone will probably post a reply explaining those cases away by saying they're left-wing liberal sellouts, or something.

A "left-wing liberal sellout" wouldn't bother sewing any flags in his/her backpack.

The Americans that have done that do it because they don't want to be insulted and heckled for the simple fact of being American, or are going through places where Americans are highly likely to be kidnapped for ransom (Colombia being one of those places, unfortunately). Those Americans do so either because they're wishy-washy people who don't like to have their feelings hurt, or people who are mindful about their safety. So far, so good.

But Canadians do it mostly to avoid being confused with Americans, since the accent is very similar. Again, not doing it because he/she's proud of being Canadian, but because he/she hates being called "American".

[Flying High]

AC_A340-500:

Take a look at this:

http://www.filibustercartoons.com/canguide_4_aaa.php

For some strange, convoluted reason, this piece was written BY A CANADIAN...

[AC_A340-500]

EK773ER - Sorry, I'm fresh out of "Americans caught wearing Canadian flags on their backpacks" newspaper articles. Of course I was talking about my own experiences, silly!

But I did take the liberty of doing a quick Google search to show you that it's not just some far-fetched idea. No, it's not hard, scientific proof, but it does show that the phenomenon is nothing new.
Just enter the following: american "wear canadian flags" using Google and you'll find a ton of stuff.

last sentence, 4th paragraph from the bottom...

http://www.torontofreepress.com/archives/2003/white051903.htm

check about half way down the page of this one...

http://www.bbspot.com/News/2003/03/mailbag_20030326.html

check out the first follow-up post from the American named Chris using this link...

http://www.drivingwithdawn.com/archives/2003/12/its_not_a_threat.shtml

second paragraph from the bottom...

http://homepage.mac.com/monkeylad/iblog/B1185361492/C1133086845/E1522044214/

There's even a book for sale that talks about it...

http://www.eye.net/eye/issue/issue_12.23.93/ARTS/bo1223b.htm

check out how this American forum user (2nd post) answers the Canadian girl who posted the question about Egypt...

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/vacation/msg0812575928682.html

this one touches on it too...

http://counterspin.tv/comments.pl?sid=286&cid=3574

Flying High -

So, the premise in which those two creations (Molson ads and Talking to Americans) was pulled out of thin air???

I think those ads are being over analysed. Beer commercials aren't necessarily the most accurate way of gauging a nation's attitudes. If they were, imagine what the "Wassup" commercial would be telling us about Americans.

I can live with most of the rest of what you wrote. I have noticed, however, that some people in this forum are overly sensitive to Canadian flag bearing. Almost as though they feel threatened or left out somehow. I'm not even going to begin to analyse why so many Americans fly their flags at home. Perhaps it's to show their neighbours that they're not Canadian?

BTW, do they still have the "Swedish Bikini Team" beer ads?

[MD11Forever]

AC_A340-500:

Take a look at this:

http://www.filibustercartoons.com/canguide_4_aaa.php

For some strange, convoluted reason, this piece was written BY A CANADIAN...

Thanks for the link, very informative...
Personally, I just try to get along with everyone- Canadian, German, French, Korean, Martian, Raeelian, etc.
I count immigrants from New Zealand among my good friends, and have had regular correspondence with Germans, French, and Danish. I am American-born, and work for a large Canadian company...
Stereotypes abound worldwide...and the divisions they create simply make bad world affairs worse...
I don't know about you guys, but I think I'll go look at some airplane pictures. From Europe.

[AC_A340-500]

I had a look at the link. While the article does correctly point out some of the sentiment felt by Canadians, it fails to give an accurate picture of the "amplitude" or "intensity" with which Canadians hold on to these attitues. Canadians, in general, may tend towards these views, but they're certainly not staunch or adamant about them. Calling it "anti-American" is absolutely false. "Slightly critical" is probably more of an accurate assessment. Sounds more like the author is trying to rock the boat a little to make some headlines.

And EK773ER: no, I don't have a newspaper article to support my claims...

[b777]

Self importance can be seen plenty in Canada, where many people are actually proud of NOT being American, but not much else, and they rejoice in doing so.

I don't know what you are implying but I didn't experience overt dislike of Americans while I lived in Canada...perhaps you are talking about the separatist francophones from Quebec?...j/k

I love Canada because I grew up there and have many fond memories from those times. Certainly it has nothing to do with the so called self importance you speak of. Dude, you need to go and live in Canada and see for yourself...it's not as bad as you and that punkass writer make it out to be.

[EK773ER]

AC_A340-500-Wow. Thanks for all of the links. I find this all to be very interesting. I am not familiar with people saying they are from other countries to avoid being harassed, treated rudely, ect. I have been to many other countries and I don't exactly scream at the top of my lungs that I am American, but I certainly don't hide it. But anyways, about all of the stereotypes, most people don't really think those things. While it is widely known that certain countries are known for certain things, I certainly would never assume that the entire country is like that and anyone who does is extremely ignorant. Oh, one more thing. Ignorant people are abundant throughout the world, not just in the USA.
-EK773ER

[UFOSPACE99]

And finally (you're probably not going to want to hear this either), many of the backpackers travelling through Europe with Canadian flags on their packs are in fact Americans trying to hide the fact. This is not just a post 9/11 phenomenon either, 'cause I first started noticing it in 1994. In fact, if you've ever been abroad, chances are you know exactly what I'm talking about. But someone will probably post a reply explaining those cases away by saying they're left-wing liberal sellouts, or something.

AC_A340-500- I have never EVER heard of an American doing that. I've never heard of anyone doing that. I don't want to sound like a stupid "I Love America" American, but that was probably one of the stupidest comments I have ever had the midfortune of reading. A little proof would be greatly appreciated (i.e. newspaper article, ect).

As much as it pains me to say this but AC_A340-500 is correct. Having worked and travelled extensively on Europe as well as other parts of the globe, I have seen this phenomenon up close. I have given these individuals a hard time for selling out their birthright and their national idenity just for the illusion of safety when our paths would cross.

Aldo

[EK773ER]

Once again, thank you for the information.
-EK773ER

[Greg]

Once again, thank you for the information.
-EK773ER

Hey, EK, shoot at IAD, DCA, or BWI?

[EK773ER]

I shoot at IAD, Greg.

[dave_333]

I am Canadian Teen and I have to agree with the original statement. Although evil is a strong word I do believe that nowadays America is being run very poorly. We as Canadians get a lot of heat about not supporting our "friends" in Iraq, but why should we do something just because our friends do it. If the majority of Candians believe the war is wrong then we should not be fighting it and and I think we are doing the right thing right now.

Kids are taught at a very young age not to do something just because your friends are doing it if you believe it is wrong. Kids live by this statement but in todays modern world it seems that as you get older this statement becomes less applicable, so for those of you who are saying that kids don't know what they are talking about I think that you couldn't be more wrong. Kids these days in Canada are better educated than ever in world issues because we use morals to make our decisions and not politics and alliances.

[djarfur]

huh... that's pretty funny. But who knows what kind of sample size was used for this and did they segment the market? It's not fair to assume that there are actually 40% of teenagers who feel that way. There could be one hella big margin of error and at only a 95% confidence interval I would think. But who can say for sure and who really gives a flyin f-er. All the Americans I've ever met have been great.