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SpudBoy
= Cult of Ray =

Equatorial Guinea
649 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2004 : 18:04:02
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Oh Most Stupid One (and I have the screen capture to prove it),
I generally agree with your assessment that that guy was a tool. We 'mer'cuns (not merkins, mind you.) down here would have made fun of him for being a moron. As far as egocentrism and overabundant nationalism, there are quite a few other countries out there that show the same, if not more, pride. I think America does show a weird brand of national-ego-ism that is really more brand loyalty. After all, how much did the Sugar Hill Gang *really* know about Adidas? If we're going to generalize, though we should compare and contrast the regional differences as well. Say, the frontier openness of the US desert southwest versus the austere lasciviousness of northern Switzerland.
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Little Black Francis
> Teenager of the Year <
  
3648 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2004 : 19:35:02
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Hate me, my jacket is not right |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =

664 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2004 : 20:31:57
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quote: Originally posted by floop
quote: Originally posted by This_Guy
in general americans are pretty good people. they happen to be a little proud, boisterous and arrogant, but in their hearts they just want the same thing as folks world wide.
to be loved as a pround, boisterous and arrogant people.
i'll never quite understood the anti-US vibe that's so prevalent among Canadians.
but that's what makes life special. mystery.
In Seattle there is (was; haven't been there for a while) an organization called Keep the Bastards Out whose mission is (was) to discourage Californians from moving there. They didn't like the idea of a population of 20 million in the Puget Sound Basin. It's inevitable of course but they might delay it a bit. I think the Canada/US thing is similar. |
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fudd
= Cult of Ray =

664 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2004 : 20:40:10
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quote: Originally posted by darwin
Once I was up in Canada for a week for my job and I saw a TV news report on the CBC where they sent a reporter to Washington D.C. to ask Americans where the capital of Canada is? Most of the Americans couldn't answer. They then went back to the anchors in the studio who in their pitter-patter conversation concluded that Canada needed to do a better of teaching Americans about Canada. I thought the better conclusion was that many Americans are dumb or don't care about the rest of the world. So, either Canadians are too nice or their self-esteem as a nation is a bit too low.
I told my dentist's assistant I was going to see the Pixies in Saskatoon. She asked who the Pixies were and where Saskatoon is. I said the greatest band in history and Seskatchewan. She asked where Seskatchewan is. I said go to Manitoba and it's one more over. She asked where Manitoba is. So I think the answer is that we Americans are pretty fucking dumb. She wasn't even embarassed. |
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klikger
= Cult of Ray =

693 Posts |
Posted - 05/11/2004 : 21:43:41
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I agree that a lot of Americans aren't really knowledgeable about other parts of the world. I didn't know what Canada's capital was either. :( And I have a super-high gpa as a college junior. We focus on American stuff here I guess. Self-centered, I guess. But Mexico City is the capital of Mexico. :) |
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This_Guy
- FB Fan -
Canada
146 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 04:42:57
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canadians make fun of americans because it's easy. |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
    
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 09:29:37
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so Cult, do you have a Canada flag patch on your backpack like most Canadian backpackers in Europe? |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
    
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 09:31:47
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quote: Originally posted by fudd
quote: Originally posted by floop
quote: Originally posted by This_Guy
in general americans are pretty good people. they happen to be a little proud, boisterous and arrogant, but in their hearts they just want the same thing as folks world wide.
to be loved as a pround, boisterous and arrogant people.
i'll never quite understood the anti-US vibe that's so prevalent among Canadians.
but that's what makes life special. mystery.
In Seattle there is (was; haven't been there for a while) an organization called Keep the Bastards Out whose mission is (was) to discourage Californians from moving there. They didn't like the idea of a population of 20 million in the Puget Sound Basin. It's inevitable of course but they might delay it a bit. I think the Canada/US thing is similar.
can you blame Californians for wanting to leave our perfect year-round weather for somewhere that rains 200 days of the year? |
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Cult_Of_Frank
= Black Noise Maker =
    
Canada
11690 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 09:48:44
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quote: Originally posted by floop
so Cult, do you have a Canada flag patch on your backpack like most Canadian backpackers in Europe?
You bet. Though don't mistake that for unchecked pride, it's more a "not American" flag than anything else. I met up with quite a few Americans who felt compelled to do the same thing. I felt sorry for them.
"Join the Cult of Frank / And you'll be enlightened" |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
    
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 11:05:18
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i've always found that to be kind of pathetic. Canadians feeling like they need to have a Canadian flag patch to signify "not American". namely, because a.) why can't you just let the fact that you're Canadian naturally emerge in conversation or what have you? is it really necessairy to wear it on your shirtsleeve? b.) do you really think it gives you that many more perks? do you really think people will treat you that much better because you're Canadian? ie. do you really think they care? c.) did it occur to you that it might be insulting to Americans? because it is very "i'm not American"..
i just think it's sad that Canadians go so far out of their way to announce that they're Canadian when i don't think anyone really cares. |
Edited by - floop on 05/12/2004 12:40:41 |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
 
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 11:08:51
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I don't know, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, I'm not sure
I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
   
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 11:13:55
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You obviously care floop.
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
    
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 11:22:10
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i was going to say earlier, regarding the anti-American thing.. there are plenty of reasons for anyone not to like the United States government. this is fact. what i hate though, is when you're traveling abroad and you get sucked into political discussions (always a fun topic when you're on vacation), and people hold you personally responsible for your country's administration. like Spudboy already pointed out, we're not all in the same boat here. but for some reason, whenever i've been abroad, people feel the need to make me ambassador of the US or something. and i'm expected to personally answer for wrongdoings in our government etc.. to me, this attitude is more ignorant than not being familiar with Canadian geography..
what's pisses me off even more than this is people who have a strong opinion formed about American people but who have never visited the Unites States once in their life. i don't want to name names (Dave Noisy), but i've seen this come up in discussions before, and i find that approach to be worse than ignorant.
i think Canadians are in kind of an identiy crisis as a nation. one of the only ways to try and define themselves is by being very strongly "we're NOT American".. even though they watch American TV, eat American food, listen to American music etc etc.. it's kind of a conundrum i imagine. but then, i can't say because i haven't visited Canada yet.
i might be taking a fishing trip there with my Dad very soon. please be kind to me.. and i apologize in advance for my lack of geography prowess.
Floop |
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floop
= Wannabe Volunteer =
    
Mexico
15297 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 11:35:08
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quote: Originally posted by Carolynanna
You obviously care floop.
i care from the standpoint of a mildly-insulted American. i've traveled abroad a pretty good deal. and that's one thing that started getting on my nerves the more i noticed it. the stupid Canada patches. it would be one thing if it was merely Canadian pride.. but Cult admitted it straight out, it really means "i'm not American".. there's this implied (unfounded) superiority that goes along with the sentiment. and why shouldn't we find it insulting?
what i don't think you Canadian travelers realize is that, most people treat other people on a person-by-person basis. sure, there are stupid Americans who have made the rest of us look bad traveling.. and our President doesn't make us look good. but i don't think most people (even in Paris) are going to hate your guts just because your American (a few countries excepted), or treat you better just because you're Canadian. i've had good experiences almost everywhere i've been. even with limited foreign language skills.
and yes, i've seen the American travelers who i was embarassed to be associated with. but, again, it seems kind of pathetic to me to go to such lengths to say "I'm Canadian, NOT American".. when that kind of thing can organically emerge from conversation without haveing to wear a flag. |
Edited by - floop on 05/12/2004 11:40:08 |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
   
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 12:23:33
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You said it yourself, watch American TV, eat American food, listen to American music etc etc.. There's more American content here than Canadian. So let us have the fricken patches. Its not superiority, its pre-correcting a mistaken assumption. |
Edited by - Carolynanna on 05/12/2004 12:25:58 |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
  
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:04:04
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quote: Originally posted by fudd
In Seattle there is (was; haven't been there for a while) an organization called Keep the Bastards Out whose mission is (was) to discourage Californians from moving there. They didn't like the idea of a population of 20 million in the Puget Sound Basin. It's inevitable of course but they might delay it a bit. I think the Canada/US thing is similar.
I recall reading an article 15 years ago in the LA Times about that. The funny thing is they showed the actual statistics and found that more people had moved from Washington to California than the other way around. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
  
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:06:53
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quote: Originally posted by floop
i just think it's sad that Canadians go so far out of their way to announce that they're Canadian when i don't think anyone really cares.
Has Mike Myers ever done an interview in which he didn't somehow bring up the fact that he's Canadian? |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
 
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:21:51
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I hate Americans because they did not bring forth the glory child Michael J. Fox.
I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
    
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:32:53
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I thought Mike Myers was English?
Michael Myers is definately American though. He is a nasty piece of work.
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
  
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:41:04
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So floop, you don't like it when others gerneralize about Americans, but you can say our entire population has an identity crisis? Based on what? A handful of Canadians you've met? A handful of Canadians on this board? A television show that makes fun of America (which is on CBC, a Canadian government run network)? Everything that pisses you off about the worlds poor treatment of Americans, you are doing to Canadians, except with WAY less knowledge about Canada than the average European or Canadian has about America.
I'm not trying to be argumentative, though it kinda sounds that way. You're a good guy floop (from what I know of you), but what the hell is wrong with a Canadian saying "I'm not American, I'm Canadian, and I'm proud of my country" by wearing a flag on his backpack? Can you get more humble and subtle than that? It's a tiny little patch on a back-pack. It's not like we're burning the stars and stripes. |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
 
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:46:24
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I understand you floop. You see, Canada is to the USA what Belgium is to France.
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
  
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:47:24
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quote: Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
I understand you floop. You see, Canada is to the USA what Belgium is to France.

We have better chocolate? |
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Carolynanna
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
   
Canada
6556 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:49:50
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and better beer. |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
    
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:51:24
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And better fb.net members???
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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The Calistanian
* Dog in the Sand *
 
USA
1342 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:52:07
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quote: Originally posted by speedy_m
quote: Originally posted by Adnan_le_Terrible
I understand you floop. You see, Canada is to the USA what Belgium is to France.

We have better chocolate?
No, waffles. Er, wait, that's Belgian.
I am a man with 3 fingers...but that doesn't count my index finger nor my thumb. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
  
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 13:58:20
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quote: Originally posted by Carolynanna
and better beer.
We have better beer in the USA. |
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speedy_m
= Frankofile =
  
Canada
3581 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 14:00:51
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Oh my BLT, you don't want to got there.... |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
  
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 14:06:31
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Until you've had the finer beers of California, you don't either. |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
   
USA
5456 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 14:13:29
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quote: Originally posted by BLT
Until you've had the finer beers of California, you don't either.
Amen. Anchor Steam. Mmmmmm. |
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BLT
> Teenager of the Year <
  
South Sandwich Islands
4204 Posts |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
 
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 15:41:32
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Do you really think that we make a difference between Canadians and Americans, here?
And I didn't get your "even" in Paris, floop. You see, there are many Americans living in Paris, especially in some parts of the city (Saint Germain des Près). French history has been connected to American history in many ways. Do you really think that there is an anti-American feeling here?
Secondly, I don't see why you are so upset because the Canadians wear those patches. True, they're a little rideiculous. But as you pointed out, they are trying to build their identity which is different from their more powerful neighbour. I don't see why, as an American, you find that "insulting".
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Edited by - Adnan_le_Terrible on 05/12/2004 15:44:42 |
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darwin
>> Denizen of the Citizens Band <<
   
USA
5456 Posts |
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Homers_pet_monkey
= Official forum monkey =
    
United Kingdom
17125 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 16:13:05
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I had no idea she was Canadian either.
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!! |
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Adnan_le_Terrible
* Dog in the Sand *
 
France
1973 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 16:33:06
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Don't worry, there are tests when you apply for the us citizenship, she'll never make it.
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IceCream
= Quote Accumulator =
 
USA
1850 Posts |
Posted - 05/12/2004 : 19:25:24
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quote: Originally posted by Homers_pet_monkey
And better fb.net members???
Hansel and Gretel have formed a band, .....And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Breadcrumbs!!!
I am curious, Mike:
Who are your top 5 favorite FB forum members? |
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