i too have some dear friends from the states. one of my biggest pet peeves, though, is what i find a general "americacentricity" that i find quite ignorant, especially when you're dealing with your neighbours. i remember making this comment once to an american friend of mine and he got all defensive, saying that he wasn't at all ignorant about canada. so i asked him what the capital of canada was - he said toronto.

then i asked him the name of our prime minister. not only was he clueless, he didn't even know what a prime minister was! he asked "you mean your president?" and i was like "uh, no, our prime minister." another friend told me once that he was hoping to be able to drive to my house for a visit - in T.O. - while he was visiting his friends in vancouver! he seemed stunned when i told him that that was akin to driving from NY to LA and it would take him days! it's a completely insular attitude and i personally find it a turnoff. just my opinion. :roll: