I have always wondered this. I mean culturally, politically, everything. What do you think is the general consensus from Canadians about Americans, and what is your individual opinion?

Here's to some interesting general discussion! *cheers!*

-upstate new yorker

I remember former Triumph lead singer Rik Emmett said back in 1981 when Triumph were touring with "Allied Forces", Rik said "why Canadians hate Americans" when Jim Ladd did an radio interview with Rik back then but I forgot of what Rik said though.

Even a lot of Americans are annoyed with Americans. And a lot of us are really fed up with President Bush and there's so many social issues that are up for debate, it's crazy.
I know that some Canadians think that they know more about American news and American history than WE do, but I don't know how many think that. anyway... :lol:

I think a lot of people think Americans are self centred and full of themselves and care only about themselves.
What REALLY annoys me when Americans come to my store when I'm working and pay with American money and then I give them change in Canadian and they're like "Can I get this in American?" I can't tell you how many times I've heard that story from my co-workers too! It's hilarious! LOL!

I think we should be careful with this thread folks. As someone who's travelled much of the world and spent countless months visiting and working in the US, I think its a dangerous thing to star generalizing.

I've met some amazing people - warm, friendly, intelligent, compassionate - that just happened to be American. I've also met some Americans that were complete asses. But this applies to any country, to any group of people.

...jim

Yeah I totally agree with that, it's wrong to categorize people and associate a nationality with a type of personality.
*ponders...*

Hrm. A tough question. I've travelled around Canada, America and Europe (so I can only speak from those experiences).. however like Joleary had said.. it's a touchy subject. First off, I'd just like to say this : [b:8f57ec63a1]people are people[/b:8f57ec63a1]. You are always going to have the ignorant, the stereotypes, the loud boistrous people.. no matter WHICH country you have gone to. Believe, I've seen some pretty obnoxious English people as well as Americans.

I don't think you should generalize the people, as more so the government. For the most part even American people are sick of other American people. I have met so amazing Americans, as well as other nationalities. Yes -- Americans have a past of being a certain way.. however we can't peg all Americans as backwatered evangelists anymore then we can by saying all Canadians are stupid, fish and drink beer. Sure some of us DO... doesn't mean we all ARE.

I PERSONALLY have large quips with the American GOVERNMENT and MEDIA.. which then trickle into the populous. However I think many Americans are bright, savy, intelligent people that WILL and CAN make a difference.

Basically? People are people... despite their nationalities. If we spent more time on understanding each other, our histories, our beliefs.. then perhaps so many people would not spread hatred. You can't generalize a whole nation by one bad experience.

I don't think there are any differences at the core between Americans, Canadians, or any other nationality.

However, because of the news they get, the TV they watch, the things they're taught in school, and the morals and ethics they're raised with, there most definitely can be huge differences between nationalities and cultures.

I feel that from the Americans I have met (online, in person here, and while travelling throughout the U.S.) most of the difference lies in what they know about Canada and Canadians vs. what we know about the U.S. and Americans. Americans I've encountered definitely have some interesting ideas about us and our country. :P

This is a tricky one.

I think my initial reaction to the question would be that I have developed somewhat of a general distrust in "America" as a concept and, in turn, those that support it, especially those that do so blindly. As shown by the results of the last election (more interestingly, however, the results of the various referenda held), a slim majority of Americans believe in George W. Bush, "traditional values," and all the other sorts of things that, in my view, have made America a place that I would not want to live in at this point in history. I am further frustrated by the intense amount of apathy shown by the populus as a whole: even in one of the most heated political times of the last century or so, voter turnout is still absurdly low. That being said, however, I recognize that there is still a sizable minority that does believe in a better world. One that doesn't encompass the things that have become synonymous with the concept of "America": Greed, capitalism, war, bigotry, arrogance... to name a few. I refer to the 'concept' of America -- this is somewhat of a stereotype, but it also represents the things that the majority of people seem to think America stands for (though my words are probably much more harsh), rather than the people. Those who are in this sizable minority don't deserve to be associated with the negative stereotypes that often get attached to America. In recognizing this sizable minority, I recognize the fact that Americans cannot be classified as a whole. My opinion of Americans can't be based simply on the stereotype, nor can it really be based on their nationality at all. And for that reason, I choose not to have an 'opinion on Americans' -- only an opinion on 'America.'

That is my initial reaction. Then I stop, and think, and take a step back. I realize that that opinion is almost entirely political. Sadly, it's all I REALLY have to gauge what goes on in day-to-day America. I have no faith in any of the American media to fairly present to me what happens in a typical American household or on a typical American street. The fictional television is all highly glossed over, and reality TV is even less real than the fiction. The news media has a habit of over-doing EVERYTHING, so really provides me with no basis to form an opinion on Americans. What I really should base my 'opinion,' if I even choose to have one, on should be my personal experiences -- and I have enough to give them consideration.

While in Canada, my perception (not my opinion -- this is simply the way I perceive the experiences I've had) of Americans has always been one of sheer ignorance and cultural insensitivity. While I have almost as much difficulty adjusting to US currency and Americans do to adjusting to Canadian currency, it goes beyond that. Many (and I mean MANY) Americans assume that their currency should be and is accepted everywhere in the world -- that's simply not true. Most border towns and tourist towns (including most of Southern Ontario) will accept US Dollars as a courtesy to customers, but, like accepting personal cheques, isn't something they have to do. And they most certainly will not give you US Dollars in your change. The other reason I say I perceive them as ignorant is that on many many occasions I've witnessed Americans completely in awe of the fact that, really, Canada is just like the US in so many ways! We have cities, and streets, and even though we're a little farther north you still can't ski in most parts of the country after March. While I was in Vancouver this summer, on my way into a club there were some girls from Boise waiting outside for a friend, and as I showed my ID to a bouncer they asked if they could see what a "Canada Driver's Licence" looked like - they were startled to discover that each province issues its own licences. At the other extreme, I've known Americans to expect everything here to be identical to everything in the US -- completely shocked at the fact that liquor isn't available at gas stations, that they can't bring their firearms over the border, and that we don't celebrate the Fourth of July, or Thanksgiving in November! I guess to summarize -- most Americans I've encountered *in Canada* seem to have difficulty with the fact that Canada is NOT part of the United States, but that it does have a lot of similarities.

While in the US though, I've found things to be (mostly) different. I've done a lot of travelling in the US over the last couple of years and found most Americans to be informed, intelligent, and friendly people. There are obviously geographical variances, as there are in Canada. The people in Boston are, next to Haligonians, the friendliest and most helpful people I have ever met in my life; at the same time NYC'ers are pretty close to the rudest and pushiest (certain exceptions obviously apply, particularly to Long Islanders lol). Even in parts of the country that I expected (based on political and social stereotypes) to be somewhat less receptive to me, such as Nebraska or Arizona, I found people to be incredibly friendly and helpful. In their element, I find that most Americans I meet are really great people, and really no different than Canadians.

Not that I expected different mind you, but since this thread is on our opinions of Americans, I think this loops me back around to my ultimate point: while I do have an opinion and somewhat of a distaste towards the concept of "America" and everything George W. Bush and the majority of American voters seem to stand for, my opinion of "Americans" is generally based on a case-by-case individual perception. Sure there are Americans out there that i can't stand; but there are also Americans that I consider to be my very close friends. Someone else mentioned that 'people are people' -- I think this applies perfectly to how I feel.

As for the general consensus; well... we're Canadians, we can never really come to a general consensus, so I have no idea what it would be! lol.

I have problems with at least 50odd% of Americans. The majority of American media is frightening as well.

My distrust and disgust mainly lies with the government. And that just doesn't go for the Bush administration. Clinton was no angel himself if people really cared to read up on some of the atrocities committed under his reign. What worries me is whether or not there will ever be a president that I can stomach.

Jean Cretien deciding not to join Bush's war in Iraq was when my pride in Canada shone the brightest.

[quote:175b2d8edb="Sweet One"]This is a tricky one.



As for the general consensus; well... we're Canadians, we can never really come to a general consensus, so I have no idea what it would be! lol.[/quote:175b2d8edb]

I think it comes down to two things really.. are we discussing our perception of the INDIVIDUAL or the GOVERNMENT ? I think we have a hard time seperating the two of them as Canadians (same with many foreigners) Canadians as a whole are more accepting of "America" then Europe by far. But it comes to a point when we are generalizing the individual as the "product" (being government and the idea of "America") and the "product" AS the individual.... which really though they are relative... aren't always co-dependant on each other.

I don't exactly get where you're going, PT, but I think we're agreeing.

For the most part, great people. Horrid, shockingly hypocritical government. But then 51% of the people chose it, so I guess I should change my first line to "49% great people." =)

xo
t.

Haha! I really like the way you guys really explained your answers. This helps me to understand where you all are coming from. As an American I know I would really like to see the whole voting/electoral college thing changed. Like Siren said, only 51% (of motivated registered voters) chose our president. Hardly "the majority."
One problem contributing to voter apathy is that we don't have many actual politicians to choose from. OK so you'll get like 3 or 4 choices, but 2 are total idiots and you can't decide between the remaining two because they're both changing their stances and repeating generic phrases like, "I'm going to lower unemployment rates" to try to appeal to more voters. It's really messed up. But. Ya know. Whattaya gonna do... start small I guess with your own town/city/state/province and make small changes. i remind myself that politics is actually a SCIENCE and there is is a whole canon and formulas to go by. :wink:

I still have a problem calling politics a science, even though I am currently studying it.

the electoral college is a disgrace, and i find it amazing that a nation that prides itself on its modernism would employ such an archaic means of electing a government. the whole representation-by-population idea is dangerous. how can a country call itself (quite arrogantly i might add) "the greatest democracy on earth", and operate on a system where someone can actually win the popular vote and lose the election? it's ridiculous.

venting (with love of course =)
siren

[color=darkblue:350c1bf511]I don't have anything against the Americans. [/color:350c1bf511]

yeah, i totally agree with you siren. Overall though, I love my country. I mean, basically wherever there are people, there are going to be injustices. It's not just limited to a few places in the world.
...ponders...

Siren,

You're right on the money there. [i:44f272cd05]Ridicurrous[/i:44f272cd05].

hmmm tough question. For me I'm friends with the people I like regardless of their country and that's that. I have some great friends from the US. I'm not fond of US politics right now but I'm also not friends with the president lol. It's really hard to generalize people by their country I think.