What America Really Thinks About Canada.
February 17, 2009 at 1:44 am 10 comments
I recommend reading this piece that appeared in the Toronto Star today. It’s by Eric Weiner, an American, who writes about U.S opinion of Canada with regards to Obama’s upcoming visit, and brings the funny. You can read the entire essay here – it’s a short, easy read.
He starts off by telling us why American takes no interest:
“It’s not personal, really. It’s geopolitical. You’re just too … nice. Nice doesn’t get our attention. Threatening gets our attention, and you, Canada, are anything but threatening, except on the hockey rink, of course, but we don’t take hockey all that seriously.”
But eventually he reveals the truth. America is jealous. They realize our superiority in being Canadian, but can’t bring themselves to appreciate it, being so tightly wrapped in their own essence.
“The truth is we envy you, though of course we never admit that to anyone, not even ourselves. We envy your health-care system. We envy your prudent, sober banks. We envy your restraint on the international stage. We envy your very happiness. We envy everything about you. Except your weather, of course. Nobody envies that.”
How can we blame Americans for being jealous? Well, Americans, you can come and visit us anytime you like. Bring lots of money.
(When will the jealousy end?)
Entry filed under: Canadian/American relations, culture, International recognition, nationalism, Views of Canada.
Canadian Fermentation 
1.
Alex L. | February 17, 2009 at 3:57 am
Ummm… how do I ask this nicely… do canadians really have those flip top heads.
2.
Ahmnodt Heare | February 17, 2009 at 4:00 am
The jealousy will end when Canada takes over the United States. Then we will all be Canadians. (I hope this means I’ll have a Tim Horton’s in my neighbourhood)
3.
ian in hamburg | February 17, 2009 at 6:33 am
It’s like living next door to a psycho. You get to be a spectator to lots of drama, attention-seeking, bullying… then close the door and shut it out for a while, happy you don’t have to be a part of it if you just stay out of their way. I’m happy there’s an ocean between us.
4.
C. Fraser | February 18, 2009 at 2:30 am
Alex: Only the men…if you know what I mean.
Ahmnodt: I like your thinking! Free Timbits for you!
Ian: America’s not so bad. At least they do have hockey!
5.
nursemyra | February 18, 2009 at 6:29 am
Timbits? Are they anything like the famous Australian Tim Tams?
6.
C. Fraser | February 18, 2009 at 6:57 pm
If you show me your Tim Tams, I’ll show you my Timbits.
timbits are just small doughnuts, one or two bites, in a round, ball-like structure. They come in a variety of flavours, and are usually very tasty. Other chains will sell similar products, but timbits come from the Tim Hortons doughnut chain, and are the most popular.
7.
nursemyra | February 19, 2009 at 8:30 pm
oh now i remember! I tasted them when i was in Canada, aren’t they supposed to be the missing “hole” from larger doughnuts?
🙂
8.
azahar | February 20, 2009 at 6:51 pm
Yeah, I always thought Timbits were the holes they punched out of the doughnuts during production.
9.
C. Fraser | February 21, 2009 at 10:10 pm
I’m not sure they are punched out holes from doughnuts, or separate productions – I don’t know the process. They look like they are the missing piece of dough from the doughnut middle, though.
10.
daranee | February 22, 2009 at 6:44 pm
Ian, you are hilarious! I think I agree with the author about Americans envying Canadians. If you listen to an American who is dissing Canada, there just seems to be no rational explanation for what their problem is. This is a sure sign that it is jealousy. I mean for what reason would an American not like Canada except perhaps that they are insecure about their own country.