What does it mean to be Canadian?

[Savvy27]

I like to think of Canada as a noble experiment. An attempt at proving that people are truly capable of living in peace and prospering regardless of their personal heritage. Also I believe that Canada as a nation has long acknowledged that there is a just way of doing things and to discover that way is a complicated process that requires patience and consideration.

This is not to say that Canada has been an unequivocal success or that there haven't been some significant missteps througout our history, just that in the long view this is what I see Canada standing for.

I'm not sure what Canadians stand for. Or if that is even possible to answer. I'd like to say Canadians stand for democracy and liberty and medicare or whatever but I can't think of anything that represents the majority of Canadians I know.

The biggest difference between Canadians and Americans (as a people) is that Canadians are evolutionary and Americans revolutionary. This is evidenced by how the two countries achieved their respective independance. I think this is why it is easier for Canadians to accept changes.

For example, gun control in the US is a very difficult issue and a lot of that comes from the 2nd Ammendment. To alter the Constitution in America is to suggest that the laws in it, which have stood for hundreds of years and for the most part very successfully, are no longer suitable. This is revolutionary in itself, which makes it more difficult to accomplish.

(I know the Canadian constitution is a nightmare to try and change as well, but for this post I am only referring to the desire of the people for change, not the actual process)

As for how Canadians view Americans, I think that on a personal level most Canadians would honestly say that the majority of Americans they meet are good people. I think that a lot of the friction between the two nations comes from Canadians over-thinking Americans. I've heard people complain about Bush getting elected when he knows little about Canada, sure this is annoying but how much does that matter to an American who knows little about Canada themselves?

I've been guilty of this kind of over-thinking myself recently. I just about lost my mind when on the Daily Show they were making jokes about the renaming of the Iraq war to the Long War and they mentioned some other long wars including World War II 1942(!?)-1945. To me that is absolutely outrageous... but I'm not sure if I had learned about that war from an american viewpoint that I'd be equally upset.

Anyways to try and get back on track... I don't think Americans need to worry about how they would be percieved by Canadians (beyond some jokes or maybe an unwanted debate) because I think most people have good enough sense to recognize that an individual American is just as likely to be worthy of respect as any other national.

[Calgary Flames]

Nothing really... Honestly, I was just born here and am proud of that but I'd have no problem moving to the states.

All being Canadian means to me is that Hockey is like a Religion here. I suppose you could say that we're more easy going and polite in Canada but I don't see it in Calgary. Maybe Calgary is become more americanized but I don't see a difference in the people in Calgary or the places i've been in the U.S.

Canada is just Canada, I don't know how to describe being Canadian.

[Igottago]

Canadian identity is kinda not having an identity. As a nation, I don't think we really care about defining ourselves in a hard and fast way. We are happy to accept a more fluid definition of who and what we are, and fine with the fact that the definition can change. Part of the loose definition is definitely how different from the americans we are. We are the little brother to the Americans. Patriotism is a funny thing...I love Canada, I love being Canadian, but feel absolutely no need to wave canadian flags everywhere, and rarely think about how important I am in the world just because I'm Canadian. Would I think differently as an American? I think so...Canadian patriotism is much more reserved, and there is way less bravado involved. We love ourselves, but are careful not to let it come off as arrogant or demeaning to others.

[J pold]

Man I feel like I'm back in grade 8 writing my position paper.... anyway I am very patriotic but because I an the clock I can't really elaborate to much, but I do have a funny story, When I was in London I tried to get an objective opinion about the matter of the difference of Canadian and American, a man who ran a snowboard shop told me that the biggest difference he could find was that when he was finished a conversation with and American they would respond with "Have a Nice day" in comparison too a Canadian who never said that to him once, thought it was funny because I have never said have a nice day to anyone and can't remember the last time it was said too me.... that my 2 cents

[Frank the Tank]

Originally Posted by White Doors

You watch the Olympics? I've seen Canadian flags put on cars.. weird.

I'm talking about every day life, not huge international events.

[looooob]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I think it's kind of interesting that his question was what it is to be Canadian and what it is that differentiates us from Americans.

Maybe that is a small bit of insecurity that we have as a country that whenever someone asks what it is to be Canadian we instantly think the answer has less to do with our place in the world on an international stage than it does with what makes us differnet from Americans.

If we're so concerned with what makes us Canadians maybe we should stop trying to define in in terms of how we aren't American.

It's the same as with anything. Should the Flames try to define their identity by saying "We don't play run and gun like the Oilers and Canucks" or should we stick with out own style "We play solid defence, good forchecking, and limit our own mistakes while forcing and capitalizing on our opponenets mistakes".

Saying who we aren't doesn't define who we are.
Anyway that's my $0.02

while I agree with your points, I believe Lanny is in the US and presumably is addressing an audience of American kids, hence his need specifically to address the differences btwn the 2 countries

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by Bleeding Red

Canadians:
- pioneering spirit
- more socially concious
- more worldly

Americans:
- Entrepanurial Spirit
- more personally responsable
- more insular


I think a big difference is that Americans see themselves at the top - as the biggest boy in the room whose system (though with admitted flaws) has basically won the day (be it democracy, judicary, liberalism, capitalism). As such they feel they should be the leaders and others should step in line. A fierce sense of National pride.

Canadians do have a sense of national pride, just not as developed or as much of a focal point as in the US. Canadians know they are not the biggest boys in the room and are generally more willing to work things out.

Wow, very well said. To often Canadians nowadays have a complex thinking they are just the Cat's pajamas and Americans are the scum of the earth. This was a nice objective, yet insightful summary of things.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by looooob

while I agree with your points, I believe Lanny is in the US and presumably is addressing an audience of American kids, hence his need specifically to address the differences btwn the 2 countries

Oh, I was in no way critisizing Lanny's question or thought process, but if indeed he is addressing an American audience perhaps he would still be better off talking about Canada's place in the world as opposed to how they are different from Americans.

It's the same example as I used before. You can tell someone how you are different but without a context it doesn't necessarily portray what you are all about.

Again my example:

If I were talking to someone from Pittsburg I'd be better of describing the Flames as I did above rather than saying:
The Flames score less goals than pittsburgh, and instead of our franchise rookie being a phenom of a forward, he's a defencman.

If he is indeed addressing an American audince I'd urge him to shy away from direct comparisons and again go with Canada's role (and our preception of it) on the international stage independant of The US. Certainly this role is greatly affected by the US, but that doesn't mean it isn't unique and can be discussed without completely comparing it to the US.

I hope you understand what I'm saying, I may not have gotten accross exactly what I meant to.

[Vulcan]

I always like this old joke about Canada.

We had the best of possibilties.

French culture,
British government,
and American knowhow.

Instead we ended up with

French government,
British knowhow,
and American culture.

I find this hillarous, although if you tell this to a nonCanadian, they may think it's demeaning. I like our ability to laugh at ourselves.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

I have been asked to speak to a graduating class of university students about what it is to be Canadian. I am very proud of my heritage and have an opinion (shocking isn't it) on what it is to be Canadian, but I thought I would like to hear what some other people think it is to be Canadian. Please keep the jokes to a minimum and try and help me augment a presentation on what are Canadian ideals, attitudes and culture (yes, we have a very fine culture, one to be proud of). I would like to hear from you folks what you think differentiates Canadians from Americans and what makes Canada the country it is.

Why don't you give them your true feeling about Americans, the States, and Democracy in general? You can give them one of your best juvenile:baby: , colourful adjective laced diatribes and end with "We're free to be hypocrits too".

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by HOZ

Why don't you give them your true feeling about Americans, the States, and Democracy in general? You can give them one of your best juvenile:baby: , colourful adjective laced diatribes and end with "We're free to be hypocrits too".

A little bitter are you? My guess is that you're a secretive, lonely whiskey drinker.

[White Doors]

Well someone mentioned Rye, well that's Canadian!

But when you really look at it, Canada isn't REALLY country... It's a federation, and let's face it - the differences of the provinces are really alot more different than the differences between most countries..
BUT that's cool too. If we can speak as 13 WITHIN the country but as ONE to the world it will work - but to compare a federation with a republic is akin to comparing the US to the UK... I mean how often do we think that Scots, Welsh and Brits as the same?

Do Canada a favour and talk to a Newf today

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Wow! Thank you to everyone. There is some really great stuff here. Really generated some good writing and research. Thanks for everyone sharing your feelings and comments.

Oh, and HOZ, the latest "game tapes" from FoxNews are on the way to you in Japan, so you'll have the latest talking points from your neo-con heros any day now!

[White Doors]

A true Canadian would accept and discuss Hoz's opinions without dismissing him/her.

[Lanny_MacDonald]

Originally Posted by White Doors

A true Canadian would accept and discuss Hoz's opinions without dismissing him/her.

A true Canadian would not stick their nose in other people's business.

HOZ is being a whiny bitch because he's been killed in a couple of debates of late. Not surprising really.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

A true Canadian would not stick their nose in other people's business.

HOZ is being a whiny bitch because he's been killed in a couple of debates of late. Not surprising really.

For further academic resource, I would check out Will Kymlicka who has written a good deal on what it means to be Canadian.

[HOZ]

Originally Posted by Lanny_MacDonald

A true Canadian would not stick their nose in other people's business.

HOZ is being a whiny bitch because he's been killed in a couple of debates of late. Not surprising really.

Come on Lanny....

I think there is more than a few people that would like to know how you can work in the States and hold the views you do about them?

How is it that your American co-workers haven't figured out how low you regard them and their country in general? Or have they and hence your continual presence on this board.

Why not let the newest grads know what you think of them, their government and their country? You do beleive it don't ya? What are you afraid of?

They are ignorant Americans! Show them you moral and intellectual superiority!!!! Give them both barrels!

[Mango]

While I was in Croatia, I had a small Canadian patch on my backpack. Although I was speaking Croatian while going through many of the cities, people would talk to me in English. One particular vendor in a street market said, "You come from a good country." I never really understood what being Canadian was until that moment. It was something so little, and yet, it impacted me a great deal.

When I hit Canadian soil again, I thought "Here I am. This country is who I am." Being Canadian represents patience, diversity, compassion, but above everything, tolerance. Our citizens are very Canadian-esque and it's not because we say "eh" .

[Displaced Flames fan]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

I don't see Canadian flags hanging from every street lamp in small towns as I drive through, nor on every other house. Its far more prominent in the States.

You don't see that in the States either, trust me.

Schools and gov't buildings and the occasional home. For a while, immediately following 9-11 it was very prominent. It's back to normal now.

The Maple Leaf is all over everything commercially up there. Look at all your stores and restaraunt chains. There's a Maple Leaf on everything. I like it personally.

[Displaced Flames fan]

Also, Andrea Martin is not Canadian. She's from Maine.