I read this article in the local newspaper about how Canadians are being urged not to boast about being Canadian near the 'sensitive' Yanks. It appears that our wearing Canadian flags everywhere while we are travelling, and that we constantly bring up that we are actually Canadian and not American is creating resentment towards Canada.

Hmmm.

It also says that Americans know very little about my home country. This is of no surprise to the average Canadian because we are often asked if we live in igloos and if we enjoy living in really cold temperatures. What surprised me was that very few Americans knew that we did not support their efforts in Iraq. As well, they did not understand why Canada would want to distance themselves from the US. Finally, I found it funny when the group members were 'shocked' by the Canadian facts and figure sheets.

(Just to clarify... Yes, there are areas of Canada that are really cold but there are also areas that are quite moderate, like where I live.)

Personally, I found this article quite amusing and a bit disturbing. Why? I think it is most about identity. Americans have a strong national identity and I think that they need to realize that Canadians do not share that identity and thus we must always point out that our culture is different.

As well, I don't know if you know this but when I was in school, most of our studies included large modules of US geography, sociology and history. Most text books were printed in the US and thus our schooling was dominated by this information. We tried to hang on to our uniquely Canadian ways of speaking and spelling and even that seems to be disappearing. We seemed to have this tiny identity that was overshadowed by this huge economic force to the south. Sure, we want to point out the differences. We are different and, you know what? We are damned proud of it.

And then there are the paper sizes. Can someone out there explain why every other country in the world uses metric stationery supplies (A4, A5, etc) and that we use legal and letter sizes? Because of this monstrous economic power to our south, they had to be 'unique' and develop their own paper sizes. Thus, as we share that border, we got stuck with it too. (One of these days, I am going to start my movement towards changing that)

I believe that many Canadians will snicker at this article. Why? Because we've grown up with this ignorance and it doesn't appear it will ever change.

Don't get me wrong. I have some awesome friends south of the border and all over the world for that matter. It's just that we wish that those who do not know would take a little initiative and learn a little about their neighbours to the North and what our lives really are like. (Well, I shouldn't say they are totally ignorant, they certainly know enough to buy their prescription medication by mail order to get it cheaper.

I'd love to hear what you have to say. And for you American folks, don't be shy. It's nice to hear how things 'tick'get different perspectives.

As well, check out some prose on being Canadian!