Close Reading

That Canadian accent is pretty good, better than most American attempts at it on TV/film.

I can mostly tell when people are Canadian rather than American. They speak different and have different vibes lol

I thought that was an American thing Canadians do the get out too

When I, an American, studied abroad in 2017 just after the Trump victory, they told us to tell people we’re Canadian ?

Wow, very interesting discussion. Many Canadians know about America but, many Americans do not know about Canada. Especially Africans Americans who do not know that Canada has African-Canadians too and other people of color also. Similarly, Canada and America are very related in just about everything. I know me being a American, if I was not a American. I would want to be a Canadian. Having been station at Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota and Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. I am familiar with the weather in Canada. The mistake I made was not to travel to Winnipeg, having spent over 6 years in North Dakota, I regret that so much especially during the summer time. Wishing our Canadian brothers and sister great blessings. As well as all Canadians too. I know there are still discrimination in both societies of America and Canada but, it dwindles everyday. From US Air Force Security Police Military Veteran and US American Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Police, now retired. GOD sped to Canada and GOD bless America.

My experience about Canada after living here for a few years now: \n1): Healthcare: There are two sides of it. If you need a specialist, forget about it, just live with your disease or problems and hope it will cure itself and won’t get worse. If you are in a life threatening condition and need a surgery, you’ll get it and the medical bill won’t scare you. I needed a dermatologist, never got one, eventually had to fly to the US for a simple treatment. \n2): Taxes: You’ll pay extra to take care of the large aging population of Canada and to maintain the infrastructure in the extreme cold weather. But, you can make a good use of your RRSP and TFSA accounts, and you can also buy American stocks without paying taxes. \n3): Travel and transportation: Forget about public transportation methods like buses and trains. You’re on your own. But a vehicle ownership isn’t very hard here. \n4): Social networking: Good luck with that. Good luck finding friends here or being a part of a friends group. Canadians are polite but not outgoing and extrovert. Most people make a few friends in Schools and College. You’re not going to see people of different races and origin hanging out with each other. \n5): Real estate: Population is growing, population is aging, it’s all happening but what’s not many houses are getting built. Buying your own house isn’t easy. If you’ve bought one, good luck with the energy prices. \n5): Landscape: It’s gorgeous out here, if you want to be happy in Canada, go out for sightseeing.\n6): Jobs: Totally depends in which jobs you can fit in and what previous experience you have. If you have previously done exactly what the job profile is asking for, for sure you can find a job.\n\nIn the end I would say, I have lived in many places, each come with their downsides, you have to see what works for you. There’s isn’t a perfect world really there isn’t. You have to take the bad with the good.

Let me tell you something from my own experience, and at 82 y.o. a have plenty of it. If someone chooses a country into which to emigrate, he or she makes a choice to accept the conditions and adjusts to them. Canada is not a place to baby disgruntled outsiders, but gives them a chance to become Canadian. If you expect anything different, you don't deserve that chance. \nI was born in Vienna, Austria, emigrated with my girl friend to New Zealand, got married there and created two new little Kiwis, and after 5 years we packed up our family and relocated to California, where we brought up our son and daughter as Americans. We'll never forget our Austrian heritage, and are forever thankful to the friendly Kiwis for the start in life they gave us. But, once we decided to move to the US, we accepted the life style of our new neighbors and tried to fit into their society as well as we could. When we reached retirement age, we bought a modest home in Oregon, where we still live now and proudly fly the US flag on appropriate occasions. For the privilege of choosing your country, you better show your gratitude and your worth.

It takes me 3 months to get a doctor appointment in the US here in Seattle and I was just told several months to see my eye doctor. Depending on medical plan the insurance means you do not go to the specialist without a referral. So Canadians may not have as much to complain about. My parents were immigrants to Canada because it was easier (my father was in Danish Merchant Marine and was in China Sea when his appointment would come up in New York). They did not have it easy because they did not speak the language and worked hard to learn. Working as a housekeeper was the norm for females and my mother's education meant nothing when she expected to work in a bank. Danes stuck together and helped each other to get jobs, with carpentry (most had apprenticeships like brick laying), to socialize, etc. and this is normal for immigrants. Working multiple jobs was normal and having a great home was their American dream instead of a government apartment. It is true for all immigrants that their kids will do better than the parents. The kids will have no accent if they learn English by age 12. There are age cutoffs on learning a language in child development. During the hiring process the jobs are given to people the interviewer perceives as being like themselves. This is proven by psychologists (I am one). This puts immigrants at a disadvantage unless they have a rare skill without competition. Dad got his house and Mom took my sister and went back to Denmark because of health issues and the US has garbage medical care and social services for the elderly (poor sister didn't speak Danish because it wasn't allowed in case it impacted our English skill). As a daughter of immigrants I worked 20 hours days and weekends almost all my life. I put myself through school and have been successful despite being female and making much less than men. Immigrants need to realize that it will be their kids who make the big bucks and succeed while the parents who immigrated will struggle. As a cultural mix (US, Canadian and Danish citizen because of wacky sexist rules) I have had a lot of confusion over the years trying to fit in and figure out what my values are. I have had to ask my US husband is that behavior normal? Of course different states in the US or going 200 miles north to Canada means a different language to speak (Canadian or Spanish in the South) and different values, ways of dress, etc. so being an immigrant can mean just traveling 200 miles north or to an insane state like Texas or New York. Culture shock is everywhere but most of us move for the money. I am thinking of going back to Canada but my home was Vancouver and that now looks like a hell hole. My husband had over a million dollars in medical care and I really do not wish to lose all my assets to medical costs in the US. So now I am trying to choose between death by earthquake in BC somewhere or death by tornado or perhaps fire storm in Calgary due to climate change.

You quote total taxes paid by Canadians, then quote Income tax paid in other countries. That's comparing apples to oranges. In fact Canadians pay roughly the same percentage of income to taxes as equivalent Americans, and get far far more value for their contribution.

Honestly, I'd rather befriend a Canadian than an American. Especially since early 2020.\nNot that I hate my US friends, of course. Online is fine. But if I have to visit them in person? That's a quick pass. Unless they have moved to Canada, that is.

Always been friends? Thats funny because pretty sure that iff WW2 had not happened, Canada would have invaded the US as payback for the 1812 war. Because without WW2, the US never gets a war economy, all they have are riffle foot soldiers. Meanwhile Canada was already in a war economy due to its massive involvement in WW1 and viewed the US as a rival with a dangerously high population. Also in WW1 Canadian were feared for its crualty and its no mercy policies of make no prisoners, kill the surrendering, kill the wounded and their families. And right after WW1 Canada was in the perfect position fix the population problem by committing mass genocide against the US. It was really in WW2 where britain forced us to work side by side with the americans that a real friendship started between the US and Canada.

Dear old Canada! Annoys me that Canadians seem to be the butt of American jokes but the yanks could learn a lot from the Canadians methinks

Canada is like 3 countries in one, so it really depends where you are, especially if you wish to talk about culture. Im guessing you are in western Canada because that part is one of the youngest parts of Canada, it doesnt have much culture. Tho if you are in central Canada (Ontario) you'll most get a blend of american and english culture. The place where hawaiian and canadian pizza invented. Ontario is obsessed with pizza. \nTho the Eastern part is where Canadian culture is at its strongest AKA French Canada. Thats where most Canadian traditions like the Rigodon music and traditional food comes from such as: Pâté Chinois, Tourtière, Poutine, Donair, Poudigne Chômeur, Tarte au Sucre, Tarte au Fraise et Rhubarb and so on. French Canada even has its own version of french, its so different from the rest of the world that when a when they meet they wont understand half the words each sides say. French Canadian is based on the old french of the French nobility tho it completely disapeared in France during the revolutionary era because everyone that spoke it got executed. So french Canadian is basically a unique language now, i can totally see it getting rename as Canadian the language of Canada in the future especially of the west does indeed seperate. But right now its called the Joual. \nI hope i helped you fineeladies in having a better understanding of Canadian culture. \nIn a nutshell: English Canadians dont have a culture while french Canadians are extremely cultural.

I came to Canada with a US college degree and I later earned a Canadian university degree. I speak both languages fluently. Can't find a good job with a worthy salary and perks. Canadian mediocrity and passive aggressive racism got in my way. I can't wait to get citizenship and leave this place. Canada isn't nicer than America. Passive aggressive Canadian racism is just as bad as overt American racism.

we make fun of the americans but how are we different when we think canada is the centre of universe; when only canadian experiene/education matters. it's a shame really.

I am Canadian with an American wife for 37 years. Sometimes we fight but we always know we love each other.

As a Canadian I desperately want to leave! Freedom is an illusion! Trudeau is a dictator! It's too fucking cold! Allot of the People are patronizing faux intellectuals who mostly have a false sense of superiority over our American brothers and sisters!

My problem is that I am over qualified when it comes to finding a job - I have both American and Canadian experience. Canada is getting out of control and life here is becomming a punishment for new commers so they turn against one another and people are no longer friendly, unless they need favor from you - then they trash you.

I've heard Canadians are awful pple. I used to like them but they are racist n horrible. They treat outsiders like really bad. Americans r much nicer now I understand why Americans hate Canadians.

Canadian tour?! You're playing 3 dates! That's not a Canadian tour. That's an American tour with 3 Canadian dates... The closest show is an 11 hour drive. Pfft...

As an American with Canadian relatives, this is spot on.

Poor Canadians don’t even know what continent they live on. Of course they’re Americans.

Living in Australia at the moment. Folks ask me if I'm American or Canadian. \nTheir always a bit bummed when I say American. \nBut not as much as I am.

So accurate. My coworker is a Canadian and I asked him about Bieber also. He swears he’s American and switches the conversation lol

In Australia I had someone guess that I was Canadian. He said afterward that he based that on his experience that Canadians tended to be offended by being mistaken for Americans, but Americans didn't seem to mind being mistaken for Canadians.\nA couple of days later I mentioned that to a Canadian. He was a little surprised and told me that it would never occur to him to be bothered by that. I asked why not and he reminded me that Canada had over 30 million people while the Untied States had over 300 million. It's not personal. If you honestly have no idea and are just rolling the dice with your answer then your odds of being right are ten times higher if you guess Untied States.

Im dead.. newfie accent :'D The anger at being confused for Americans is real though. We are definitely different.... and no Bieber is not canadian. He's a traitor XD You guys nailed it eh? (btw it's poo teen.. the way you said it is basically saying prostitute)

I am happy you are conquering the American -Canadian people ??

Asking a Canadian if they’re American is the _exact_ same thing as asking an Irish person if they’re English.\nSolidarity my maple syrup loving brethren.

You can always tell a Canadian from an American. Play a real - not Hollywood - gunshot sound effect. And the American ducks, but the Canadian has no idea what it is.

Did you have to look up Canadian celebrities who are mistaken to be Americans or did you just know these?\n\nPoutine sounded like Putin to me! ?

CANADA IS THE BEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD, EVERY PROVINCES HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL, ALL CANADIANS FROM THE EAST TO THE WEST ARE VERY NICE TO PEOPLES, KIND, STRONG, POLITE, COURAGEOUS, AUTHENTIC ETC.. WE ARE VERY, VERY DIFFERENT THAN AMERICAN!!!!!!!!

Stuff Americans do or have that is totally different from Canadians. \n1. Americans put their macaroni & cheese in the oven, Canadians just cook it over the stove in a pot and stir in the seasoning after \n2. Americans have to pay a whole lot of money for their medications, in Canada it's mostly covered \n3. Americans talk with a weird slang dependin on which part their from, in Canada its plain english or french. (but nothing like the UK english at all) \n4. Americans don't make their poutine fries properly, in Canada its done the finest \n5. Americans have access to some of the best shopping malls in the world, Canada has to basically get everything shipped from there at extra cost.\n6. Americans well a good majority of the states can open carry firearms, in Canada that is completely illegal (but you could have a hunting rifle or crossbow if the RCMP license you to)\n7. Americans federal system is the FEDS and the ATF (correct me if i'm wrong), in Canada its the RCMP. (an NO they do not ride horses everywhere.)\n8. Americans have a much warmer weather all year around, in Canada its freezing most of the year and only get 3 ~ 4 months of warm weather.\n9. Americans well mostly in New York they have awesome chopped cheese sandwiches and cheesesteaks, in Canada you could never find that at Subway.\n10. Americans have Target, Chik-Fil-A, and Walgreens, in Canada we have Tim Hortons, Mary Browns, and Shoppers Drug Mart.

All good things... keeps people out who want to move and change Canada to be more like where they came from. I emigrated from the USA - best decision ever. Canadians are awesome - friendly, respectful, peaceful and polite (in general of course). American society has become too arrogant, disrespectful, rude, self-entitled, divided, angry and even violent.

It's not just immigrants who leave Canada. My parents were born in Canada. My grandparents were born in Canada and six of my great-grandparents too. I was born in Toronto. Got my first degree from a Canadian university. Then a Master degree with a teaching assistantship at an American university. Then got a scholarship to study at a UK university. in the UK asked to conduct a graduate seminar for MSc students in quantitative analysis and computer applications at a major UK university. Then appointed senior research officer and leader of a research program in operational research. Then appointed principal scientist for a UK government agency. Eight years studying and working abroad in senior positions. Time to return to Canada. But could I get a job? I could not. \nAnd so I have a base in another Commonwealth country with a better climate, lower living costs, less tax and less government regulation. And from that base, I have worked in 20 countries all over Asia. With none of the bullshit I hear from the likes of Justin Trudeau. And none of the age discrimination common in Canada.

Not Canadian but I have a thing for BC. As it reminds me of the American Northwest plus northern California. I just adore the trio of Seattle, Portland and San Francisco?

Things changed\n1)Auto Pact replaced by Free Trade in the 1980's by PM Brian Mulroney. The Auto Pact required that motor vehicles purchased in Canada had to be manufactured in Canada. Free Trade allowed Canadian auto jobs to be offshored to USA and Mexico. \n2) American Subsidiaries closed down in Canada and retooled in China/Asia with cheap local labour/ laxer environmental regulations.\n3) Labour laws in Provinces and Territories allowed part time work to replace full time work to avoid paying benefits and severance. Temp Employment through agencies exploded. \n4) Temporary foreign worker legislation allows working for low wages in all industries to be normalized.\nCanadians now have an economy based on selling and delivering fast food to each other.

Oh yes, the snow birds coming to Hemet,ca. Let me explain to you the Canadians in that group would get drink, poison cats, they turned the American flag upside down on the flag pole. I only met one Canadian I liked and she told me, I'm not like them.

Life is excellent in Toronto and southern Ontario so I'm not going anywhere. If I were forced to move, I'd pick Ottawa or Kingston (both also in Ontario, of course). Out of province, my first choice would be Halifax for sure (all of Nova Scotia is pretty special) and probably St. John or Charlottetown next. On the west coast, Victoria just edges out Vancouver in my books. A little surprised that Quebec is first in your ranking but I do love visiting there. Alberta is gorgeous but culturally it's vibe is more American than Canadian. Anyone else find that?

in my opinion, the Canadian provinces are more balanced than the American states in terms of which is the best and which is the worst

What if you have american experience? would that work for Canadian employers?

America is more racist but immigrants can and are accepted as Americans and can access the life of anyone in society. On the other hand Canada wants immigrants it can abuse, forming an underclass they can stand on top of. And while initially it’s a big step up, it’s frustrating that you or your children are never given the opportunity to progress.\n\nI can tell you from experience that going from a high social strata of society in your home country to going to an underclass is very jarring. People will claim that the diversity you’re adding is great but white Canadians don’t want to actually be your friend, you’re likely to only hang out with your group of other “New Canadians” (immigrants/refugees). And everyone just acts like it’s normal for you to live an inferior life… that’s your place in society.

Canada is what you make of it. You can arrive rich and end up poor and you can arrive poor and end up rich. In between that, you can have a great life that balances your needs. I’ve seen immigrants succeed simply because they see the opportunity in front of them . They worked hard in their own counties to stay just above the poverty line ,but when they apply that same effort here it pays off ten times greater. I feel that compared to a lot of immigrants, natural born Canadians come across as spoiled and a little lazy…we are. We haven’t had to struggle the same way someone from a poorer country might have. I’ve talked to people who’ve worked ten to twelve hours a day just to stay afloat. If you did that here you could make plenty of money to live and have some left over. As far as owning a house goes,yes it’s expensive . I feel that homeownership in any country is relatively expensive. Here is a tip; use that soaring home prices to your advantage. Houses are expensive but you can make a lot of money buying and selling. I recommend putting together a buyers group and share the house for a few years, then sell at a profit, buy a bigger house or two smaller houses.try to buy the worst house in the best neighbourhood and fix it up slowly . That house could double in value in five or six years in the Toronto market. This is nothing new of course ,the people from India and China seem to do this a lot here ,it drives up prices and profits. On the downside to this ,you are now part of the problem. As the housing prices are driven up the non wealthy can no longer afford to own a house . They are at the mercy of high rents with no rewards of ownership. They are caught in a cycle of hard work and (relative)poverty. This could also be you if you can’t keep up the house payments and are forced to rent.\nHow well you speak English is important but your native language is also useful here because Canada is half immigrants . As a Canadian that speaks only english (Irish descent)I have to say to all newcomers that I’m very impressed that you have learned a new language and that you may even speak more than two! Don’t be embarrassed about your abilities . I find that in my experience , Canadians do not look down on people just because they don’t know English. In fact ,I’ve known people that have lived here for decades and still know very little English. They are comfortable in their communities and they function just fine. Learn as much English as suits your needs and be proud of any gains you make.\nOutside of Toronto are other cities that you might consider when looking at southern Ontario.From my experience,most are generally the same, just not as big . There are large immigrant communities in London Ontario, Hamilton and just outside of Toronto where housing is just a little bit less expensive but the commute to work is probably longer. This is just my opinion but in the small towns there are less people of colour , (which is what people of no colour call everyone else . I wonder if I’m called a person of no colour in some other culture ? LoL ). That might make it harder for you to feel integrated ,if that’s what you want. I’m not saying that people from other cultures can’t make it in a small town , I’m just saying that it’s definitely not Toronto . Here, people of any nationality can feel like they have a place where they can belong . It seems that no matter where you are from ,there is a community already here that’s set up restaurants and stores and clothing shops and newcomer support systems. And if your from Portugal or China or India or Africa or the Middle East, there are large groups of your kin here that have established roots for generations and you probably know this already.\nToronto means meeting place and that becomes evident quickly. I was born here and it’s one of the things I love the most about my city. I’m not going to say that there isn’t systemic racism here ,the people of no colour still kind of keep the top position , but as we become a minority in a decade or so ,I hope that will shift to a broader spectrum. It’s certainly happening already. One good thing is that the police department tries to hire people of colour so that racialism may play a smaller role. We’re getting used to seeing our politicians more and more reflect their constituents.\nI have to talk about the weather. Because I’m from here I’m used to the extremes of minus thirty and plus thirty . Eventually you get used to it (somewhat). Dressing in the right clothes is important. Summer is easy , but winter is different. It’s trying to kill you. Spend the most that you can afford on winter cloths . If you can afford a quality parka you should get one. The hood can be drawn around the face and stay out of the wind.\nIf not ,think of layers with a outer layer that blocks the wind. We have things called long Johns that are basically full length thick cotton or nylon pants that go on under your pants and a pair of extra thick socks. Buy your boots to fit your thick socks. Try to get the best boots you can afford ,it’s something that you might spend a little extra for but never regret.\nAll in all we are a fairly organized and peaceful society. Most people are friendly and will give you a chance . We have a good social safety net here and you don’t have to be homeless or starving if you don’t want to. There are people and organizations set up to help ,that truly try to get people back on their feet. It’s a good investment that pays off in ways that matter for the quality of life in a big city. I’m not putting my American neighbours down when I say they do things differently. They have their ways ,we have ours. This is just something that we do because we’re trying to learn how to help those that society has discarded or can’t find their place. Sure we have one or two areas where the homeless have pitched tents and we have some resources for them if they want. Unfortunately The mayor recently forced a small camp to move from a very visible place to more scattered locations. There were social workers involved as well as protesters trying to protect them. I didn’t like that happening and I want to see even more resources dedicated to them ,but on the other hand ,we are trying to avoid something like what happens on the streets when it’s just ignored. When I see YouTube videos of the streets of Philadelphia I’m extremely saddened. I thank the lucky stars that I was born in Toronto Canada.\nFor all it’s pollution and expense and crowds ,I think it’s a great place to do almost anything your heart desires . For every ugly building there is a beautiful park ,for every honked horn there is a birds call , for every cold and dark day there is beautiful sunny one around the corner.

I’m Canadian citizen and I hate Canada! My ultimate dream and goal is to leave this pisshole and live in the American Virgin Islands ??

Friends, If we are a American can we go to Canada without visa, and same wise Canadian can go to America?

I know Canada is not perfect and I find you’re a bit hard on the red maple leaf... just because you don’t find the same things as your native country. It’s like\nfrench people coming from France, going to Quebec province an complaining about the food, the weather etc... well we’re not France, sorry to say! But I can\ntry to understand your situation; it’s probably inevitable that the comparison between your country and Canada would show up eventually. I see regularly \nimmigrants moving here and it’s true that it’s not easy. (Some people will have to be cab drivers because they can’t find work in their field). But you have\nopportunities if you work hard. I have the example of a Russian truck driver who move here with his family (wife, two kids). The man started by working for\na general transport company, then was able to buy his own truck. Now he’s able to work with whoever he wants. So I think every experience is different.\nOne other thing I noticed is that for families coming here it will always be easier for kids (even teens) to adapt quicker then their parents. I live in the east\n(the maritimes) and there is not very large cities. Some immigrants that come here will stay for a while but then they would move to a larger city (like\nToronto) because that city must have the most ethnic diversity in Canada. For cultural differences true that Canadians are like Americans in the «none»\nfashion trending. It’s a different mentality then Europe because over there fashion is a statement; you are judge on your appearance. Here, not as much.\nIt shows you don’t like winter and if you don’t your not a real Canadian! :-) Don’t generalize, a lot of people here like winter. And for taxes I don’t have a clear\nexplanation other then we have a huge empty country that needs roads, infrastructures, etc. and someone has to pay for it! (fun fact, all the population\nof Canada could fit in a country like Poland... it shows how empty it is here). Finally, and I heard this many times, maybe the people or the part of the\ngovernment to blame is Immigration Canada. Maybe they give to much of an idealistic image of Canada! I truly hope that all will be fine for you here.\nDon’t forget that you can make a change to the society; if you don’t like it, you can make it better! Cheers! (Sorry for this long message)

Dont Americans and Canadians make fun of each other like every bordering countries around the world?

A large majority of Canadians talk shit about the USA on a daily basis I find it funny how most Americans are completely unaware of this

She must be depressed like every american Canadian women who have 2 or 3 kids without father don't have money to fed them. You can't earn money for your own contry. we Asian and indian people are the one who get high paid jobs in your contry and paid taxes and here i see a waiters abusing indian man with good slary and better Life style

You guys need to explain why Canada's waiting line is so long. Canada prioritizes the patients into the worst conditions first like cancer over a broken leg. Canada wants to save everyone and not leave any canadians behind, america is all about leaving americans behind to die to cant afford healthcare and to not being able to make a decent living. America is all about letting their own die. It wont change. Selfishness is america.

It's obvious that Canada kicks America's ass. I wish I was Canadian and not American.