Why do Americans have such a generalized view of Canada?

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Pichi

I never heard of those kind of generalisations until I started hanging out with canadians ... who all talked about what americans think of canada, but I had never heard any of that from americans!

However, it IS true that americans don't learn much, if anything at all, about other countries. And overall, and yes, its a generalisation, lol, americans don't even think about other countries unless they meet someone from one, or are going on holidays to one or something. It is also true that a lot of americans know little even about other states in their own country.

I had never heard of all the things invented by canadians, done by canadians, and the work of canadians in both wars and peacemaking, all of which are hugely significant for the entire world, until I was dating a canadian (whom I married). I also was amazed by all he knew, and how the schools in canada teach about the us.

Once I moved to Canada, I was also seriously impacted by learning the difference in newscasts. Americans don't realize how narrow the views of the news they recieve is! I had watched world news on PBS for years so had some idea, but the news casts in canada truly opened my eyes even more.

Americans live in a bubble, and sadly, most dont realise it, and will staunchly disagree if you tell them that.

moglie

Because they are not taught it in school, have you seen their school system they are having a hard time learning about themselves.

TRKiev

As a Canadian/American, I find BOTH Americans and Canadians are both as guilty of over generalizing the other. No..Canadians don't live in igloos and no not all Americans are rednecks with Confederate flags in their 1976 Chevy Pickups. I suggest both Americans and Canadians visit each other's countries before making any statements about the other.
**Note** There are more moose in Maine, Vermont, and NH than in ALL of Canada.

EARL

The Americans are taught only about their country,most people I've talked to don't know anything outside their city let alone their state. I am a long distance truck driver & I talk to people all over the USA.I don't know what they are taught in school,it sure as hell isn't anything about Canada.I find the US ignorant on any policys outside their country

ALBPACE

I have actually heard Vancouver is a wild city. Is it not Canada's version of sin city? I have only been to Montreal and I here people from Montreal are totally different from people in Toronto. I am sure Canada is like every other country in this world. If you compare it to the US the people on the East Coast are different from the people from the South, West Coast or the Midwest. Our climates are very different as well. I assume Canada is similar in that nature when it comes to people's lifestyles and the climates in the different provinces.

just browsin

You have a beautiful country with a lot of different areas just like we do. You sound like you are very proud of it, and you should be (it's the Alaskan US residents that live in igloos, right? JK).

lalalyn

I know...it is amazing to see how some people know so little about the world they live in and are part of ! But I guess we could also find some Canadians that don't know much about the States either !
We are Canadians from Vancouver Island and I must admit that every time we go South, I am amazed to see that you cannot even find news talking about the Canadian weather, Stock market or general Canadian News anywhere on TV or in the papers, even though we, as Canadians, can find all this info for the States all the time.

Americans learn nothing in school about Canada, why I don't know, but when I was going to school, over half the year in we had to learn about the u.s. I usually skipped that class.

they are not invaded with Canadian News and TV. also Americans are like not too bright.
Also your Government do not what you to move to a better place. We are to peaceful for you to here from us. You will here about 11 peoples ares ted in Toronto: but not about the Rest of the Second Big est con try on Earth.

rhsaunders

Probably because they have not visited or studied it extensively. It is difficult to get a really good feel for the country because it is so large. I have enough trouble trying to keep track of all the peculiarities of the United States.

MaryBeth

Now YOU are over- generalizing about those of us south of your border!

lidstromnumber1fan

Why do Canadians have such a generalized view of Americans?

Jen G

Canada is beautiful. My grandfather lives in Comox.

old lady

Don't get your knickers in a knot. They generalize because they've never bothered to learn anything about Canada and pick up all their information from the comic strips.
It's not a good idea to correct all their misinformation because then they'll all want to move up here.

nbr660

As with many things, I believe this is blown out of proportion. My wife is a Canadian citizen and we recently relocated back to Ontario. Not all Americans are as fortunate as I am to see differences first hand.

Johnny

I do not think that is true, many Canadians say the same type of things about Americans. I usually find the guilty parties have never visited the other country. The problem with Canada is it is very unimportant and the day we run out of oil and rocks ppl will pay for it may be the first ghost country. I travelled extensively in both countries and when Americans find out I am Canadian they love to have some fun by teasing you about that kind of stuff, but I can usually get them rollin' on the floor laughing if I 'talks aliitles newf for em' bytunder'

We are not terrorists ÙŠØ§ Ø¹ÙŠÙ†ÙŠ

I live in an igloo in Nunavut

UnholySoldier

ive never heard anything bout cold or igloos. what ive heard is that canadians r only good for maple syrup and hockey...ooo yea and moose.

No O

Uh...
I've never heard ANY of the generalizations you just said about Vancouver.
Perhaps you should quit ATTEMPTING to talk about American generalizations, EH?

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