Do most Americans really think Canadians all live in Igloos and have dog sleds?

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mrs d

No, they aren't taught much about Canada, but, I'm an American and I know that's not true. They may be joking with you or maybe some are that dumb, I don't know.

extton

No, we think Alaskans live in igloos and have dog sleds :)

Except, of course, the ones that live in alaska.

As for the school thing...

No, we don't learn much about canada in school. We didn't in my school, anyway. We're taught about the geography and weather to a limited degree, and not much at all about the political system beyond the fact that its parliamentary.

Actually, the pervasive stereotype i've found in America is that Canada is culturally...just basically the same as america.
And to be honest, in my very brief time in Canada (halifax, nova scotia), i'm inclined to agree.

ustech84

I know some Canadians, and they have real houses, with indoor plumbing and everything!! And not one of them has a dog sled.

jasmine_loves_yooh

no hun thats Alaska

Amy

i don't know, but i am canadian to and i have noticed the same thing!

Zabela

Don't they, eh?

Krys-chan

I've noticed that a lot too *Is Canadian*. Let me know the answer, eh?

google_ftw

dont be dumb
dont be a steriotypical canadian who thinks thats all they know

bogusman82

I might expect a less educated person to think that way of Alaska, but not all of Canada. Although, it is true that Canada does not appear much in history books...

Jessie

So Canadians dont live in igloos?

steph

this chick my uncle use to date said one time she got asked
what we did with our dead in the winter?

haha

we ship them off on ice flows of course MU HAHA

Jocealoceee!!! Hahah, Josey.

Microwavable BACON?! Ommgg, awesomee, I must seem stupid. Hahaha! Okay, I know a few smart Americans, and they think most other Americans are ignorant. I've had a few people ask me how I had a computer if I lived in an igloo. I also heard of a survey on the news, a political one or something, made by Canadians or something that Americans had to answer. It was legitimate. Anyways, I think about 64% of Americans thought we lived in igloos. I mean, c'mon! We're just as advanced, if not more. Hmph. AND we have to learn about you guys in school. Ladidaa... Well, this is just my opinion. :D Byee! Xoxoxo.

cyanne2ak

Yeah, most of them do. They think the same thing about Alaskans...I lived there for 16 years and people STILL ask me stupid questions like that.

maigen_obx

No most American don't think you live in igloos, if they didn't live in igloos on Northern Exposure, they don't in Canada. I learned about Quebec in French class.

captbryguy

uh... I learned your beer is definately stronger...eh?
Could you give me directions to Red Greene's igloo
Or to their Posum Lake Lodge
Oh and I love your Moose (s)

sorrells316

not me, we have our problems with people from northern USA making fun of the way southern people live and talk, so don't think you have cornered the market on steroypification bashing! yo anyplace that people get along with other people is great in my book!

Brazilian Beauty

I don't think Americans are very educated about Canada at all. I live in Canada now for about 20 years, and every time I go to the U.S. I meet people that don't even know where Canada is...Sad eh !!! But it's true, they don't even know the President's name in Canada ( hehehe yes, they think Canada has a president ) ....To those that don't know much about Canada, it might be a good idea to google it ! We are their neighbors !

chemayo06

Actually us uneducated people in America usually just like to post our own stereotypes on other countries. So don't take it too personally. The schools are set up in a way where we are really only taught "our" perspective... Which really isn't all that great. Sorry to be so blunt, but that's all there is to it. Close-minded is a word (or two words, whatever) that comes to mind. I hope that college will be less close-minded on other cultures, but we will just have to see.

jason

in high school we werent taught anything about canada really. I think most of the people you talked to were just messing around, many of us live right next door to you so i hope they dont think the climate changes that drastically simply because of a border.

Sleepyguy

As a 27 year old American the answer is no. I have never been taught a single thing about Canada except that they are north of us and its cold. They don't teach it in school. I understand why the people you meet don't know much.

FL Girl

Don't be ridiculous. There are many Canadian visitors to the US, and in the winter, the Canadian "snowbirds" that stay for 6 months. We get to know them quite well, and about their culture.

My next door neighbors in the winter are Canadian, and 1/3 of the people in the place where I live are from Canada, in the winter. We discuss alot of things about Canada, and the US.

jenni jones

I don't remember learning a whole lot about Canada in school but I used to watch South Park and they make fun of Canadians (and whole lot of other stuff...had too stop watching this show) and that could be where some people are getting their "education".

Its Me

americans are not taught that much about canada in school but without that knowledge, I myself am not one that thinks you people all live in igloos and have dog sleds

Chinese Cowboy

My favorite story of ignorant Americans goes like this.
About 7 years ago I was at the University of Windsor, border city to Detroit. I was in a 7-11 with a buddy, and two women with kids asked us how to get to West Edmonton Mall. Okay, we're in Windsor, Ontario, and West Ed Mall is only on the other side of the country!! They wanted directions, so I asked why they wanted to go up. They said,

"We would like to do some shopping, take the kids on the rides, and then be home to have dinner for our husbands."

I couldn't stop laughing. The women again asked so I proceded to give them directions how to get to Edmonton from Windsor. So I drew them a map of Canada, and gave them a route which consisted going up the 401 to Toronto, then switching to the 400 to Barrie, then switching to Highway 1. I told them to drive past Manitoba, and then S-A-S-K-A-T-CH-W-A-N. I had to spell it out for them. I followed by saying to take a right turn on to highway 2 when they reach Calgary, and when they reach Edmonton to take White Mud Trail until they see the mall.

So the mother's asked me how long it would take. 1 hour? 2 hours? I laughed and said 6 days! They didn't believe me at all and I saw them drive up the highway! HAHAHAHAHA Stupid Americans.

Second Story... again in Windsor, a few of my friends decided to go see the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. At the border they asked us where we were going so I told the customs official. He says,

"Which team are they playing??"

I totally broke down in laughter. I said, this was the orchestra - musicians. But again he wanted to know the other team they were playing. I said, it's not a sports team, but a performance.

Stupid Americans

dolphin_friendly06

Agreed, very little is taught about Canadian history, etc., in American schools, although I do remember having a unit on Canada in 5th grade....

However, very few Americans think that Canadians live in igloos, etc. etc.....that's more often associated with Alaska.

jimmi

No, I don't think most of them think that. I believe they are just trying to be polite most of the time. I also think that by now most of them know we have snowmobiles and houses built from softwood lumber. We also have an army which they have borrowed and sent to Afgany Stan.

Unfortunately though, most Canadians have not yet discovered the wondrous delicacy of microwavable bacon........

Amy B

No, that would be people who live in Alaska, not canada :)

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