How are Canadians and Americans dissimilar?

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SÃ©bastien

1. Strict Gun Laws.
2. Same-sex Marriage, nationwide.
3. Same-sex couples adoption, nationwide.
4. Universal healthcare.
5. Safer
6. Less segregation - no "inner-city" problems
7. Respected, not out of fear.
8. Part of the Commonwealth of Nations
9. Strong, militarily (believe it or not)

In no particular order.

Z (zed)'s answer says it all. :D

1. We don't carry guns and shoot people.
2. We have universal health care so we don't have to worry about dying in the streets because we can't afford to see a doctor.
3. We can travel to Cuba
4. 90% of the planet doesn't hate our guts
5. We have a choice of political parties that is not limited to a right wing party and a REALLY right wing party.
6. Our military is all over the world peacekeeping instead of running around invading other places.
7. Our murder rate is about 1/10 that of the US per capita.
8. We know how to spell Saskatchewan, honour and valour
9. We don't have to pretend we're Americans when we travel to other places
10. We don't insist that people in foreign countries we visit speak English
11. We've never invaded the US. The US has invaded Canada. Twice. And lost. Twice. (1776 and 1812)
12. Canada has never sponsored terrorism against the US whereas the US sponsored terrorism against Canada (the Fenian raids of 1870s)
13. We have Mountain Equipment Co-op. The US has Piggly Wiggly grocery stores.
14. Canada has been governed throughout most of its history by the Liberal Party. In Canada being called Liberal is a compliment not an insult.
15. Canada didn't wait to be attacked before joining with the Allies to fight during WW2.

...et cetera...

* Habseligkeiten

So many ways, darling. I agree with the first and third poster. I am so proud to be Canadian. I would not want to be American even if someone offered me $ 4000. Seriously.

Just look at the fact, that we live beside Americans - a superpower, destructive country. But time after time, we put our foots down when the US goes on its period. They asked us for Vietnam, we said f*ck no and we offered a safe haven for people avoiding the draft. Then again with Iraq. We're more free than you, however our country was never attacked. When we help, we help. We don't barge into countries to "liberate", we go with UN backing, and we acutally LIBERATE. We may have a Christian majority as in religion, but that has never affected our national decisions [abortion + gay marriage]. We are not a melting pot; but a fruit bowl/mosque. No requirements when you come here, nothing you have to be before the other. Some people say, "What the hell is a Canadian anyway?". Well, that's just the thing. We're undefinable. I find that so amazing. However, tolerant, peaceful, just and kind are what we've become known as to the rest of world. Can't say it's too far from the mark : ]

Edit: I find it kind of frustrating when Americans get mad at us for having pride in our country. For thinking anything is better than the Almighty USA. Not all Americans of course; most are understanding and accepting of our views : )

*ajidamoon* the Eh team

The main differences between Canada and the US is we are on the forefront of upholding equal human rights for all here. Homosexuals are free to marry here, marry, not get a "civil" union. Abortion is free, on demand and not subject to parental approval. Health care is provided through our tax dollars, and no one is ever denied medically necessary treatments. We have higher taxes, but a much higher quality of life. More preventative medicines and therapies. Canadians, on average, live longer than americans. We are rated fourth best country in the world to live in, coming in after Iceland, Australia and Sweden. Our education system has been rated superior. Our society is a more secular one, with a great separation of religion and government, law, schooling, anything public. Our people are generally warm, friendly and inviting. We will bend over backwards to help someone in need. We have all the same freedoms afforded americans, and more so. However, the general public is not allowed to carry a hand gun here, we have no "right to bear arms" nor do we need one. Canada has a significantly lower crime rate when comparing cities of likewise populations. And of course, my favourite thing about Canada, is our four, beautiful seasons..
Just a few things, off the top of my head. I already posted this in a similar answer this morning, but it still applies here as well.

*Z's answer is accurate, perhaps a bit on the hostile side, but spend awhile in this section and you will know why. There is a daily barrage of "Canada sucks, US rocks" answers to Canadian questions.....it can get to you, and occasionally I post a grumpy answer.

****As it is quite impossible to compare actual people, as people living two blocks away from each other are completely different, I listed the ways in which our societies are different. If the truth is too much for some to handle, perhaps they would be better staying off of the internet, where information is a finger press away.

thinkingtime

Canadians don't wear american flags when they travel.

Mathew H

lol typically bitter responses. THIS Canadian will give you his opinion.

First of all... I don't think you can really measure dissimilarity among Canada and the US in terms of nation. You really have to look regionally I think. For example... I live in Southern Alberta. I have far more in common with someone in Montana, Wyoming, Utah in terms of employment, shared history, etc.. .than I do with someone who lives in Ontario or on the East Coast. A guy living in Ontario has far more in common with a guy in Michigan then he would with me.... you see what I"m getting at?

I would argue culturally (generally speaking), most English (note how I stress ENGLISH) Canadians aren't any different than Americans. We have the same holidays (mostly), we have a shared European based history, we eat the same foods, we share the same addictions, we live in the same types of houses, we work the same types of jobs.... the similarities are really infinite in that respect.

POLITICALLY, however, I would argue there are lots of differences. Canadians tend to be a bit more Liberal... our political structure is virtually identicle to that of Britain... and it shows. The political personalities and political culture in Canada tend to resemble the British model far more than the American model.

So if you will... think of Canada and the United States like Austria and Germany, New Zealand and Australia (we have a bit more difference than this one), or even North Korea and South Korea (with obvious differences in politics).

BUT again... really depends on what region. Our two countries occupy a continent... both nations are VERY diverse. That, and also noted that a third of Canada is VERY different than the United States.. .a thrid of CAnada is French speaking with a completely different culture.

It would be more appropriate to say that Canadian provinces generally share more in common with Northern States than Southern ones if you were to actually try and tangibly measure cultural similarities.

I'll probably get a huge thumbs down... most Canadians like to define themselves by minute differences between themselves and Americans... I used to do that too, but then I grew up.

slipstreamer

They are actually very similar except some Canadians have a very childish, anti-american, self-righteous attitude.

Canadians do have better healthcare. But Canada isn't perfect - neither is the US. Americans don't complain as much though. Must be the cold.

harry k

Canadian have an extreme case of poor self esteem, as shown by many of the answers given.

They have no national identity, other than they are NOT Americans.

Chris L

What an educated answer you give Z; great to see ignorant Canadians posting on here. Fire those verbal barbs; yeah that should get your point across. Just plain stupid...... in reality, people are people everywhere you go. Canadians and Americans have different ideals, but really I see no real difference between the two when I go to the U.S. or living here in Canada day to day....

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