Is anyone getting sick of these Canadian "Americans visiting with skis in July" questions?

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The banter goes both ways! Many times anti-Canadian and anti-American statements are a result of provocation. Many of these are not stated merely to be offensive! There is a big difference! I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate someone (from any country) blatantly insulting the U.S. or it's citizens! If this was the case, most people would respond in kind and the insults would go back and forth. Intelligent people will recognize when someone applies stereotypes and ignorantly spouts off!
eg. http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Au30yFR1vFGt5dAzIUMSsPjAFQx.?qid=20060923053740AAljlSr

You should also note that the forums are not restricted to other countries, therefore the users on any forum could be from anywhere! It would be a mistake to assume that anti-American statements are from Canadians and vice versa.

I personally haven't seen any unprovoked anti-American statements made by Canadians. In fact, the majority of U.S. haters that I have seen were Americans themselves! I guess that they would have right to their opinion because it is their country, but the same statements made by someone else would be intolerable??

We get tired of it as well! Unfortunately, even questions like this keep the conflict flowing because Canadians will respond and some people won't like it, meanwhile, the Americans will respond and perhaps say something offensive and so on, and so on, and so on.....

For example, your question would have merit, if you, yourself had never expressed any type of anti-Canadian views, therefore, you would have firm ground to put your soapbox on. On the other hand, if you have done so, then you are doing exactly what you are saying that the Canadians have no right to do! This question would be the type of thing you would be complaining about if the asker was Canadian and speaking of Americans! You can't have your cake and eat it too!

"I am getting sick of these Americans.........." would have to be an acceptable statement by your terms, based on the fact that you feel justified in your actions and cannot criticize what you have done yourself! I refer to the Q&A that you use as reference for your question:
http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AuRAnERuuNMJLe5QM7jGAYeyFQx.?qid=20060924092330AAruOcL

Ironically, you, Sonic, seem to be the worst offender! Actually, I think you over-reacted! How on earth did a comment about skis turn into all of this? It is people like you that keep us in perpetual discord!

I am grateful to see that there were a few answers (from both countries) that saw through the stupidity and know that stereotypes don't work when you are talking about millions of people collectively! I am not anti-American, but I will come to my own defense and that of my country when it deems necessary! I just wouldn't have to stoop to slurs and name calling to get my point across! It is possible to be a Canadian and not be anti-American! In fact, I don't even know anyone who would be classified as an anti-American and trust me, we certainly don't spend any great amounts of time discussing Americans! I have never expressed anti-American sentiments (or any other nationality) as that would be an insult to my own intelligence!

Well... I'm glad you're not planning on "attacking us!" Why are you overstating the issue and stirring up trouble that doesn't exist? There's a word for you....instigator! You're blowing on cinders in hopes that you can flame the fire...but why? Nothing too harsh or drastic has been said, so I wonder why you are soooo angry! And judging by your rant, I sense some jealousy and insecurity. Must you lash out like this? You are an American...why are you so defensive? What have Canadians done to you that would be worse than what you've done?

If someone says, "Do all Canadians live in igloos?" and the response is, "Are all Americans dumb enough to believe that?" Then I think that there is a balance and it is a fair response! One is no better than the other because they are both being ignorant! In the end, both parties would be offended and angry! Total silliness! The trick is not to further these responses with questions such as this!

To all Americans: I know that Sonic doesn't speak for all of you, so no offense taken! In turn, I hope that you have not been offended by misplaced biases and stereotyping!

Scubabob: You've hit the nail right on the head!
OH MY! It's hot in here! : Very well put!

patgd25

I'm a Canadian and I know not all Americans are stupid like this. I have family and a lot of friends who live even further south than the Carolinas who know better than to ask about our igloos and the dog sleds we drive around in. However, I've also worked in Algonquin Park and seen people arrive, in the middle of July, with their skis on top of their SUV's, bundled up in their snow suits and pulling their skidoos behind them. I honestly don't think they would have packed all of that stuff up and drove for a couple of days if they didn't honestly think that they were going to see snow up here in the middle of summer. However, I've also seen Europeans do the same thing so, it's not just Americans who do it. Honestly, if I still had the photographs from when I worked up there, I would scan them into my computer just so I could show it does happen.

Personally, I love your country. There's so much diversity in so many of your states that it is a great place to visit. How many places in the world can you hike in beautiful scenery during the day and then have dinner at a 5 star restaurant that night.

thatchickistoast

I'm Canadian. I understand what you're saying but we're not as anti-American as you think. Just remember that when Canadians leave snarky remarks about Americans being so ignorant, etc, that this is partly based on fact. Here's an example: The question directly below yours in the travel>Canada section is "What is the warmest state in Canada?". Questions like these do give Americans a bad name and also I've had my own share of stupid questions about our country like "you can really drive there from the U.S.?" So unless you've heard it from our side too then you really shouldn't be sure American's aren't at least somewhat clueless about Canada.

Fleur de Lis

Hey! I am Canadian and I don't feel like that. I married an American. I get a kick out of playing with his friends on all these stereotypes. Most people know alot of these things aren't true. I don't mind answering questions about Canada, For those who really don't know about Canada. Now that my new home is New Orleans, alot of people there don't learn alot about Canada in school. We learned alot about US here, we had to know all the States and capital cities, etc.

moglie

Hey you do it to yourselves. I actually had afriend from University in Texas who asked when she was going to come visit me in July if she should bring her skis and would she need a coat. They may be generalizing but hey some of you are a bit stupid on "Canadiana"

scubabob

It's what we hear from some, not all American visitors. Are you now going to censor that, because you feel it's not true? Sorry, but it is true. I've had a question such as that directed at me.
Sonic. It seems that it's you that like to stir the pot and cause a lot of these little flare ups. It's enough to make us wonder if you aren't yet another reincarnation of JZwigger, Canadian Tuxedo, Canadasu@#!$&*) , and a few others. Your profile questions and answers certainly seem to support that.

smilingmick

Unfortunately there are people on here that speak badly of Americans. Please don't forget they are not the voice of Canada.
There are stupid people in every country. Unfortunately the stunned ones get heard way too much. Most Canadians feel a strong bond with Americans. Many people let politics rule their brains and forget what is really important. Honestly though,
most people I talk to like the USA.

longneck242002

Yes, you are right. Just people acting stupid. Enough is enough. Getting sickening.

Kelly + Eternal Universal Energy

I am sorry to say that some of my fellow Canadians may be negative and say degrading things about the U.S.A, but the same is true for some Americans who do the same thing to Canada. I am not saying it is right, but it is bound to happen.... in any culture there are ignorant and rude people, and sad to say thier actions are often the most noticed... and it ends up giving every other member of thier culture a bad name based on stereotypes. Please do not take the actions of the few ignorant, and negative representitives of Canada you have encountered to heart... there are people like that in every culture in the world but there are far more open-minded un-biased people living here that have respect for American people and in fact most of us have many friends from the US(Including me). So don't solely base your view of Canadians on the few idiots you meet, but on all the regular, friendly Canadian people who far outnumber the idiots. People tend to remember negative things and focus on that instead of looking at the whole, when you do you will notice not all Canadians are ignorant and not all Americans are either. Incidentally I have met some ignorant Americans who did have strange misconceptions about life in Canada,(when I lived on the border in Sarnia, ON by the Bluewater bridge, I did meet an American who stopped to ask directions to the nearest place to hunt caribou, they thought they were everywhere, even in Southern Ontario, and they did expect snow in the middle of summer) but I know that not all Americans are like that and I don't base my opinion of an entire culture on a few idiotic people... I have met far more polite, humorous, intelligent and friendly Americans and I am sure they far outnumber the ignorant ones.

wyldcatt76

I apologize for any snarky remarks I make regarding some of the questions on here. But some of the questions that have been on here have been removed for example "Are Canadians worried that we have a bigger army than you and that we might attack someday?". That is just one too, people are constantly asking stupid questions that make no sense and make Americans look like idiots. As for the story about the skiis, TRUE. TV shows don't help you either. Stuff like this does not help either http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytmOH1TAoHU plus there used to be a sho in Canada where they used to travel around the states asking people weird questions about Canada, but here is another example http://www.metacafe.com/watch/142898/ignorant_americans
I am sorry that a few people have given Americans a bad name,but stop pointing cameras at those few people.

Woohoo Leela, that was the one I was looking for but couldn't remember what it was called.
I love America, I have some very educated friends from there, but people need to stop pointing cameras at the idiots and then letting everyone watch them.

Constant_Traveler

Please do not forget how many people come on here and bash Canada and it is usually in a pretty angry and aggressive tone.

And while I think that we know that not all Americans are so stupid as to think that Canadians live in igloos, we have all met our share who do and it is pretty fun and sad all at the same time. This isn't a slight against you personally. I know there are smart Americans and some that get along just fine with Canadians but you know that there are some real morons that think that too. My father is American born and thought that we lived in igloos and ate Canadian bacon all day until he immigrated as a kid.

And I have traveled with Americans in Europe and was amazed at the ignorance of some of them, not all but some. I also live in Copenhagen now and I it is pretty bad here with how dumb some American tourist act. I actually feel more sorry for the Americans who aren't like this and come to travel in order to learn about other cultures because most people do just write you guys off as idiots and that isn't fair but there is a reason for it.

If I were you I would be more concerned with why people are saying these things because they are making you look bad and you obviously are not an idiot, I have seen you on here lots.

stevewbcanada

Marshal Macluhan (famous Canadian academic and philosopher) coined the term "global village" to describe the effect of mass media. We Canadians happen to live next door to the idiot.

Gemelli2

Eh?
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Lee

But seriously man we are smiling and winking and we love y'all but this sort of stuff really happens, really truly. I am happy to hear that you are not one of the above mentioned "dumb" Americans and that you have the ability to "educate" your fellow Americans about the truth. Rock on!

If you wanna see some hilarious examples try to find Rick Mercer's Talking to Americans online - you'll understand why we shake our heads. (I shamefully concede that many Canadians are just as uninformed)

festus_porkchop

Take away their beer, and Canadians would have no thoughts what so ever.

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