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[Zigzz14]

As an American who has been to Canada many times I've got nothing but love for my Canadian brothers. Montreal is a lovely city and Toronto is a fun time too.

Real Talk: The reason Canadians have a massive superiority complex is because on the grand scheme of things they don't matter. Deep down they know it, but they shit on Americans to make themselves feel better about their standing in the world.

That is also in no way implies there aren't very shitty parts about America.

 

[Valhelm]

Because:

- Violence
- Gun culture
- Crime
- Inflated egos
- Patriotism (along with the "you're with us or against us" mentality)
- Religion
- Pledge of Allegiance (along with dissent being frowned upon. Fuck if I'm going to be forced into pledging allegiance to anything ever.)
- Bullies of the world
- Obesity
- E-Z everything
- Lawsuit frenzy
- Horrible healthcare

I guess that about sums it up. It's quite a shame because there are genuinely many good things about the States.

Britain was the "bully of the world" for centuries. Do you hold that against them, as well?

 

[Gustav]

Britain was the "bully of the world" for centuries. Do you hold that against them, as well?

That doesn't make any sense now, does it? This is about the status quo.

 

[Neo C.]

I met two Canadian girls in Japan and thought their world view isn't much different from Americans' one. The cultural difference between Canada and (Western) Europe is huge though.

 

[AtomicShroom]

Britain was the "bully of the world" for centuries. Do you hold that against them, as well?

I can't really hold a grudge for mistakes that happened before I was born, though I actually wish Canada would become sovereign. Monarchy sucks.

 

[muse41]

At least we're not loyal to the queen. We actually fought for our independence.

 

[Pedrito]

As an American who has been to Canada many times I've got nothing but love for my Canadian brothers. Montreal is a lovely city and Toronto is a fun time too.

Real Talk: The reason Canadians have a massive superiority complex is because on the grand scheme of things they don't matter. Deep down they know it, but they shit on Americans to make themselves feel better about their standing in the world.

That is also in no way implies there aren't very shitty parts about America.

I don't really think the average person gives a damn about how relevant their country is in the world. It's pretty much a question of population anyway.

At least we're not loyal to the queen. We actually fought for our independence.

We're not loyal to the queen either. We just happened to be born in a constitutionnal monarchy and no one care enough to change that considering it has little to no effect on our lives.

 

[Mononoke]

I don't really think the average person gives a damn about how relevant their country is in the world. It's pretty much a question of population anyway.



We're not loyal to the queen either. We just happened to be born in a constitutionnal monarchy and no one care enough to change that considering it has little to no effect on our lives.

Yeah agreed. I think it's more likely, they are more happy/content with their way of living, and see the flaws of America as loud and staggering (or more so, opposite of what they have). I don't know why this would cause people to "look down" on others, vs just be grateful they have something they feel is better. Maybe national pride is just something natural to any citizen. Then again, when America has the "greatest place for freedom" claim floating around, maybe we open ourselves to being looked down upon.

I know not every single American feels this way, or echoes that sentiment. But shit like that is pretty common I would say.

 

[Valhelm]

I don't really think the average person gives a damn about how relevant their country is in the world. It's pretty much a question of population anyway.

I don't think that's true at all. Indonesia is much larger than Great Britain, but plays a much smaller role in geopolitics.

 

[Maninthemirror]

Free healthcare
Taxes go into infrastructure
Less corruption
Politics dont involve family dynasties
Clean air
Healthier fitter nation
Better fashion sense
Better actors
Better laws regarding people who lived here before we invaded
Better relations in communities with multi racism and multi ethnic communities
Better gender perceptions
Tolerance of religion and non religion both

 

[Pedrito]

I don't think that's true at all. Indonesia is much larger than Great Britain, but plays a much smaller role in geopolitics.

Well population + money

 

[Parch]

IMHO it stems from interactions with Americans. You hear this all the time from both sides, when Americans come up to Canada they're puzzled why everyone is so nice, and when Canadians go to different places in America there is seemingly less casual social interaction and people are more standoffish.

Yeah, it's not good.
I think there's a pretty big difference between Americans and Canadians.

As for why Canada isn't a big fan of the US, the previous posted lists speak loudly.

 

[BocoDragon]

If you think about it, Canada and America are much like the same country split into two over ideology, like East and West Germany, India/Pakistan, or the Koreas.

Both are the British colonies of North America, and half split away from the crown (America), and half remained loyal (Canada).

So really, why wouldn't there be token rivalry between the two? Because each country is actually the anti-thesis of the other. But of course Americans have largely forgot about their "missing half" in the centuries due to their dominance.

 

[AtomicShroom]

What's E-Z everything? Sorry, dumb Ewwro here.

And more on topic, I think the US, along with North Korea, is the only country where their leader refers to it as the "greatest country on earth". This also upsets quite a lot of people.

Just take a trip to the States and you will see. Many things are advertised as being E-Z (easy). E-Z Pass, E-Z Credit, E-Z Loan, E-Z Wash, etc... I've never seen anything like it. It's being used as a marketing gimmick because it appears that Americans truly fear anything that could possibly challenge their brains. This emphasis on everything having to be so easy is really something that offers an intricate reflection on their entire culture.

 

[wsippel]

Jealousy

Believe me, no first world country is jealous.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

More often it's the rational people being shouted down with chants of USA USA. I cringe any time I hear it.

Really? Its never been like that here on the West coast. Maybe in the South or Midwest that makes more sense. There is still pride in the country, but its tempered with the understanding that we can be better and should strive to improve.

 

[Squire]

Because despite sharing a bunch of values, they have universal health care, better education, less obesity, less prison population, etc. It's kinda like America done properly (and I say this as an American).

This. From what I know, Canada might just be objectively better.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

Americans and Canadians arguing over whose beer is better? Hmm.

You haven't had much craft beer from America recently have you? Some of the best, if not the best in the world.

 

[Konka]

Because despite sharing a bunch of values, they have universal health care, better education, less obesity, less prison population, etc. It's kinda like America done properly (and I say this as an American).

And yet the worlds best Universities and hospitals are in America.

 

[Zen]

Took this out of the fridge just for you.

Ah well this makes sense at least, I thought you were trying to say it didn't exist at all.

Though as already mentioned I believe it is more than just Ontario that has the bagged goodness.

I should really just edit that post XD

This chart seems kind of odd to me, especially when first nations (aboriginals) make up about 4.3% of the overall Canadian population that seem to be absent from this chart.

In the town I currently reside in, natives make up roughly 20% of the overall population.

I have not been able to track down the chart (since it is linked via an image hosting site), and am sticking to census data etc. It does not look right to me either.

 

[cdyhybrid]

Haters gonna hate.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

And yet the worlds best Universities and hospitals are in America.

California's university systems (USC, UC, and CCC) shits all over the rest of the world. I really wish more places would adopt it.

 

[Big-E]

I hate this fucking beer talk. Americans just go on and on about craft beer thinking they are the only place in the world with craft beer. Canada has craft beer too and as someone who has tried a lot of craft beer, America isn't some dominating force.

 

[manual4]

cause we are better than them

 

[Parch]

Canadians are nicer and more laid back. While Americans are much more loud and aggressive. Gun culture and all that. It's even reflected in our national anthems.

"The bombs bursting in air."
In other words... killing people. US always seems to be at war with somebody.

While in Canada it's...
"We stand on guard for thee"
I guess that means while you're out killing people, we'll watch your house for you.

Just leave some beer in the fridge.

 

[entremet]

Not winning a Stanley Cup in more than 20 years does that you.

*I kid, fellow neighbors to the north.

 

[SecretMoblin]

I can't really hold a grudge for mistakes that happened before I was born, though I actually wish Canada would become sovereign. Monarchy sucks.

yay

now is your time to fight, my canadian brethren!

rise up and cast off the shackles of colonial oppression!

you guys already changed your flag, anyway (and thank God(merica) you did, the new one is hella chill)

 

[Kieli]

Edit: I've been making a ton of stupid posts recently. America is ok people, in my book.

 

[BGBW]

But Canadians are Americans seeing as they are part of the American continents. That's why smart folk call the citizens of the United States Yanks to avoid this confusion.

 

[DUFFMCWALIN]

But Canadians are Americans seeing as they are part of the American continents. That's why smart folk call the citizens of the United States Yanks to avoid this confusion.

no. Do people seriously argue this point? It just seems like a meme on Gaf. Its pretty well known why US citizens are called Americans.

 

[entremet]

It's really hard to compare Canada to the US. The US has ten times the population and much more political diversity.

 

[jaypah]

I didn't know Canada had that much of a chip on their shoulder about the US. As an American I find that absolutely hilarious. Whatevz! I haven't been to Canada since I was 8 or 9 but it was very nice. The wife and I would like to go someday.

 

[jerry1594]

They think they on some next elevated status like us Europeans. We just consider them Americas bitch tho :lolololololol

And Europe isn't?

 

[plasmawave]

Because we are your hat.

 

[Pathos]

They think they on some next elevated status like us Europeans. We just consider them Americas bitch tho :lolololololol

lol europe

 

[Kieli]

It's really hard to compare Canada to the US. The US has ten times the population and much more political diversity.

This is not relevant to your comment about political diversity.

But my mind was blowded away when someone told me the reason there are only 2 parties in Amuurika is because they legislated that it's illegal for any other party to advertise during their campaign.

Holy shiznizzles.

 

[manual4]

i have heard of bagged powder milk but not liquid.

Our Canadian politics is pretty boring and we generally fight about the dumbest things at times.

fight over gay marriage is a thing of the past for us, guns aren't an issue, health care is great (for the most part), good welfare programs(i have only ever seen one homeless person in my life and that was in Calgary, still need some work though). Our radio and tv are dull as hell, my local tv new station sucks, seen youtube makers produce better shit tbh.

plus we aint that worried about some imaginary threat that gets everyone in american in hysteria.

Went to Montana once, its like they have never seen a black person in their life.

 

[railGUN]

Pretty much why, summed up nicely.

 

[plasmawave]

Please accept our apology.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZSHulmerE

 

[braves01]

Canadians are mostly a literal joke to Americans. Not out of ill-will or anything, but just because Canadians are basically like slightly strange Americans. Otherwise they're almost culturally the same except for that weird French part which is pretty much a different country.

 

[manual4]

Canadians are mostly a literal joke to Americans. Not out of ill-will or anything, but just because Canadians are basically like slightly strange Americans. Otherwise they're almost culturally the same except for that weird French part which is pretty much a different country.

not really.

 

[Socreges]

I am not Canadian or American, but I have lived in Canada for 8 years.

Whenever I bring up the US to my Canadian friends they always act condescending towards their neighbors.

Is there something that I am missing? I think that the two countries share a lot of the same values and have a lot in common.

Please enlighten this international student.

Don't couple your friends with all Canadians. Tribalism rides with ignorance. Most educated and well-travelled Canadians would agree that there are a lot of great Americans and it's a great country in many respects.

It's also distinct from Canada in some ways and arguably worth looking down (with qualifications) on for those reasons. Foreign policy, corruption in politics, NSA, education levels, religiosity (more the intensity of it and it's dovetailing with politics), ignorance of the world, racism, individualism over communitarianism, materialism.

Canada does absolutely have some of these problems as well - just not to the same degree.

 

[entremet]

This is not relevant to your comment about political diversity.

But my mind was blowded away when someone told me the reason there are only 2 parties in Amuurika is because they legislated that it's illegal for any other party to advertise during their campaign.

Holy shiznizzles.

I'm taking about state politics. A NY republican and a South Carolina republican are very different.

 

[Parch]

not really.

Not really by a lot. We share some things, but culturally Canadians are very different from Americans. It's not even close.

 

[shadyspace]

Not really by a lot. We share some things, but culturally Canadians are very different from Americans. It's not even close.

Sure, sure, you're all special little snowflakes. Don't let the mean Americans tell you any different.

 

[Socreges]

shadyspace! GAF's resident 'Canada kicked my dog' guy.

 

[shadyspace]

I can't help it, I have a intense bias against boring.

 

[Parch]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZSHulmerE

This is excellent. The Canadian apology is a wonderful thing.

 

[ISOM]

Everyone looks down on Americans.

I say this as an American.

Yet people have no problem absorbing and watching american media. Movies, tv, books etc. I just find it funny that people look down on a country where their favorite shows come from.

 

[Zen]

Canada's population is 86% non-hispanic white. The USAs population is 63% non-hispanic white. Percentages of minority populations are larger in the US than Canada with perhaps one or two exceptions, but generally it's almost twice as diverse as canada. So yes, Canada has a diverse racial representation, but that representation makes up a very small percentage of the overall population compared to the US.

That... is not how judging ethnic diversity works per say, at least not scientifically. I am not disagreeing with you, just pointing out that Canada tops diversity, and while it is no US, it is not at the forefront of most homogeneous countries. With that in mind, I do not think it is fair to offhandedly remark that Canada is racially homogeneous. In the sense that it does not paint the full picture as tribalism is a thing that exists, which separates ~races~ through cultural constructs that can range from insignificant to very much the other end of the spectrum.

Another thing I like to do is compare Canada to California because they have about the same population sizes. In that light Canada's ethnic diversity is downright pathetic.

Apples to oranges. Canada has very open immigration policies and foreign born citizens as a percentage of the total population is the highest of any G8 country.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_foreign-born_population