[nfotiu]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

When I'm down there and am asked where I'm from, I'll say "Calgary" and leave that hanging, with no additional help like "Alberta" or "Canada."

Then I'll just wait to see what happens.

I'd say that 9.5 times out of 10, Americans I encounter have heard of Calgary and know where it is.

In the 70's and 80's, that was definitely not the case. Canada was definitely not on the radar then and certainly not western Canada.

On the other hand, in a rural part of Georgia a couple of years ago, in discussing something with an obviously prosperous and intelligent business lady, she asked if I knew someone named Bob in Toronto, even after I'd said "Calgary." Lady, one is a city of five million, the other is a city of one million and they're about 2,000 miles apart. That's like asking someone from Los Angeles if they know Bob in New York. That was funny somehow, someway.

I was in Kerrville, Texas a couple of years ago standing around when a middle aged fellow meandered nearby real friendly and asked me some question about the local university basketball team. Basically a surefire conversation starter in that part of the world. My blank face and clear lack of enthusiasm for the subject material followed by a shrugged shoulders and statement "Don't really know. Don't follow US college sports. I'm from Calgary" caused his face to go into instant confusion followed by distaste. I think he hastily left because he was pretty sure I was gay from that moment on. Also, I didn't feel threatened and didn't wish I was packing heat to deter his unwelcome question.

Cowperson

I'd say more people I run into here know where Calgary is versus people in Calgary knowing where Richmond is and they are similarly sized cities.