<p>With regard to the Rick Mercer:</p>
<p>Al Gore must have been shocked to learn that a major Canadian television personality thought that Toronto was the capital of Canada.</p>
<p>While I agree that we are bombarded by American tv, and most Canadians live within a relatively short distance from the U.S./Canada border, those aren’t the only reasons that Canadians are better informed about their neighbors. Canadian kids study U.S. (and world) history much more extensively than the reverse. The other difference is that, in my experience, Canadians travel a lot more than Americans do. I don’t know a single Canadian who has not been to the U.S. Not a one. And it would take me some time to come up with a few who have not been overseas, either to Europe, Asia or Australia.</p>
<p>“amazing Canadian food”? Still not sure what that would be. ;)</p>
<p>aDad, I think that Rick Mercer’s humor zoomed right over your head!</p>
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<p>One exception to that might be HGTV. I’m an addict-love both the real estate shows and the remodeling and decorating “before and after shows.” A LOT of them are filmed in Canada.</p>
<p>The only Canadian joke I know:</p>
<p>Given its history and geography Canada could have had the best of three worlds. It could have had British stability of government, American technology, and French culture. But what it ended up with is French stability of government, British technology, and American culture.</p>
<p>Alwaysamom… amazing Canadian Food… wouldn’t that be poutine… or beaver tails… apply directly to arteries, skips the stomach and lands right on the waistline. LOL</p>
<p>When my D went to Croatia 2 years ago on a self guided tour she was amazed that most of her college friends did not have the foggiest idea where that was so she then said the former Yugoslavia and again they looked at her with a blank stare.</p>
<p>Yes we get bombarded with US television but lets not forget that anybody who really wants to watch a well broadcasted hockey game will try to find it on a Canadian network, if you want the Olympics watch it on the Canadian network as we show all countries competing even if a Canadian is not in it. Our news networks generally will show both sides of an international news item and are generally not as politically motivated as some of the US Networks. We are getting there though believe me. That is not a reflection on the people but on the strength of the political parties.</p>
<p>I am in the US at the very least once a month and in April for example I will be there 9 times to see my D and activities she is in. There is definetly a lack of understanding towards Canadians in a lot of way and on the other hand I know there is a lot of lack of patience towards the US from Canadians. </p>
<p>I am proud to say that I feel at home in both countries. </p>
<p>Has anyone even noticed that I have intentionally avoided the term Americans???</p>
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<p>Could that be because there is not enough historically significant/interesting Canadian history to fill an entire year of study? ;)</p>
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<p>That sounds like a compliment to the US!</p>
<p>“Has anyone even noticed that I have intentionally avoided the term Americans???”</p>
<p>yes, but you also have not coined a satisfying term for referring to US-residents. Until you come up with a better one, I propose continuing to use ‘Americans’ to mean ‘U.S. residents’ unless the context indicates differently.</p>
<p>The thing is (I’ve been to Canada several times, loved it,and hope to visit Lake Louise) that it’s hard to really talk about American culture in a way that actually means anything. I live in Mobwives land. My niece lives in the deep south. My boss is a wealthy Pakistani-American, my dear friend is an Orthodox Jew. There isn’t a lot of overlap there. Americans learn a lot about other cultures just by living in America because we have a lot of them. I’m confident that I have very little in common with my uncle’s relatives who have ranched in Idaho for over a century. I have some relatives of my own who I visit and feel like I’m on an alien planet. You can’t have this discussion seriously without acknowledging how many different “cultures” are present in America and that what you would get in one area or group would be as different or more different than the distinction between the US and Canada as being stereotyped here. I’ve had the great blessing to get to “know” alwaysamom here and I suspect that she and her wonderful family would fit right in in educated, polished circles in Manhattan, but my loser relatives in Kentucky might not be such a good fit!</p>
<p>I also noticed that you didn’t use the word American. But I agree with memake. There is no better term and when angry people in the Middle East burn the US flag and yell “Death to America” they aren’t talking about Canada or Mexico.</p>
<p>ONward and memake… I know and I agree that there is no better term but let me ask you a question because I have had this happen many times . When you are in another country other than Canada and someone ask you where you are from do you respond from the United Staes or America? I would venture to say that most say America. It is a mute point because there is no other term I can think of, it is just another one of my pointless pet peeves. Sorry if I offended someone by not using the term American.</p>
<p>I would venture to say that most say America.</p>
<p>I would say “United States”. Of course when my D is abroad people always think she is from Spain, either that or Scandinavia. ;)</p>
<p>I say New York. No matter where I am.</p>
<p>Because, really, what else does one need to know!!</p>
<p>I am not offended by it. In Europe, I tended to say America but when we have been in Canada, Mexico and Argentina, I say the States as I know the sensitivity of the issue. But I personally consider myself an American not a United Stater; so there we go.</p>
<p>I have learned one thing by living outside of my country for over 20 years. There is no difference not in the grand scheme of things. The world is an amazing place, the whole ball.</p>
<p>I say, “the US.”</p>
<p>I work in Times Square. I could start a whole thread telling ugly tourist stories, and let me tell you Americans aren’t the worst here. I won’t mention specific groups, but there are times when you can guess ethnicity based on behavior.</p>
<p>zoosermom, I will there in about 6 weeks as my D’s college is performing at the Lincoln Centre. I will try to not stand out as a Canadian lol 
I do know what you mean though and really this whole thread is so universal that it should be what can we (all countries) learn from each other. I must say that in order to get to hotel I think I will need to give my W some tranquilizers and a bottle of wine as I must drive into Manhatten. I am not worried about it but my W sure is, it will be tense drive for a while.</p>
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You must be very proud! (My middle schooler is performing at Carnegie Hall this week, so I can relate.)</p>
<p>Canadians don’t stick out and don’t have any bad habits in terms of tourism. In fact, I would say Canadians are among the most pleasant tourists to have around. Japanese, too. Love 'em.</p>
<p>Driving in Manhattan isn’t that terrible if you leave yourself extra time and just be super patient. If you’re prone to road rage, you could be in trouble, but Canadians don’t have road rage, do they?</p>
<p>Dont worry road rage is not an American (there I said it lol) phenomena In general I am a very patient driver and dont let things get to me. If I miss a turn its oh well I will take the next one and work my way back. We always leave lots of extra time when we are not familiar with where we are going. </p>
<p>Congrats to your middle schooler. We are hoping this is not the last time our D will be playing at the Lincoln Centre in her career but who knows.</p>
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This is exactly the right idea. Manhattan is easy to navigate – good luck!</p>