The truth is that in the global scheme of things, being "Canadian" is more of an ideal than a citizenship.
Most of the people that I know here have only a vague idea of what Canada is about. Here goes:
- Anne of Greene Gables
- Trees, forests and mountains (think Banff)
- waterfalls
- winter
- Maple Syrup and Salmon (not together, but are surprised that they can be cooked together)
- Space
- Northern Lights
- Safe (compared with the 'states)
- Winter Sports
That's the view from Japan, anyhow. Socially and morally, we make no difference here. In the grand scheme of things, and from other people I work with/talk to I think we ring more clearly with the middle powers of Europe and are viewed in a very simplistic way as the largest blue state if we were to ever merge with the USA. For the most part, Canada is a nebulous state, not always in mind but never in the way.
I like living here without any pre-programmed attitude being struck against me though, so I enjoy it that way.
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