Americans and Canadians culture Q&A Thread.

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I find it really weird when they say I’m so proud I was born in Texas (for example). Why are you proud when you had zero say in the matter? It’s like saying I’m proud that I have blue eyes. Genetics did that, not me.

Well I'm guessing that's kinda a two-fold statement

I'm assuming majority of those who would say "I'm so proud to be born in ____" are still living there where they were born but there's another way of saying it and that's simply using the state's nickname for the citizens and to get even more nitty gritty you can also say you're proud or happy by using the city or the metro nickname for the citizens that live there. Same concept.

While moving can be quite difficult or impossible in some circumstances when there's choice in the matter many people in the U.S. find themselves saying they are happy or proud to live where they live. It can mean many things such as quality of life, family friendly, affordableness, political alignment and sometimes that also means while there's more diversity (as in where you live doesn't necessarily have an overwhelming majority of just one party) there's also groups and laws and activists that reflect your viewpoint, then there's activities to do, arts, inclusivity, overall culture, etc. So much.

And I'm assuming there's at least a possibility of the same thing going on in Canada, the idea of being proud or happy to be living in the province or territory where you live because of the things that exist there. Most of us in the U.S. probably wouldn't say we're proud to be a citizen of a state we were born in and yet left years before and haven't moved back, I'm also assuming there's at least a possibility of the same thing going on in Canada. You might identify as a citizen of the state (or in the case of Canada province or territory) you were born in but how strongly you feel about that probably depends on how your time went in the state you were born in. I'm a Missourian by birth but have lived as a Kansan since I was a few weeks old. My first identity is a Kansan not a Missourian however I most identify as a Kansas Citian by which I mean the KC Metro which is counties on both the Kansas and Missouri side. A Kansas Citian can also refer to a resident of either KCK or KCMO to make it all the more confusing. I'm quite proud (for the most part) of living where I live, there are things I'm not so proud of but for the most part I am.

Your example though of Texas is sorta unique. Texas has had a long history of being both part of the U.S. and yet feelings of just being their own.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

Interesting. Didn't know it only started in the 50s. I thought it was really old.

Nope. It was written in the 1880's, re-written in the 1920's to sell flags, and rewritten yet again to combat communism.

. It shows the vast gap in our collective ideology.

Collective ideology? Well remember the US has a population roughly 10 times the size of Canada which has roughly the population of California. While Canada does have it's cultural diversity it doesn't hold a candle to diversity even between states in the US. We don't really have a collective ideology. Even our political parties are diverse in their ideologies. I do find it interesting that despite what I just said you guys have 5 major political parties vs our 2. (am I right on that??)

 

[CdnCarrie]

We don’t have the Queen of England as any sort of figure head. Our leaders are not of noble birthright or particular status. Our country’s attitude is more of if you work the hardest, you should gain the most (whether this is right is up for debate). It’s a capitalistic attitude vs a socialistic one.

She's actually the Queen of Canada and our head of state.

We do have socialistic leanings but are still very much a capitalistic country.

 

[ronandannette]

Nope. It was written in the 1880's, re-written in the 1920's to sell flags, and rewritten yet again to combat communism.



Collective ideology? Well remember the US has a population roughly 10 times the size of Canada which has roughly the population of California. While Canada does have it's cultural diversity it doesn't hold a candle to diversity even between states in the US. We don't really have a collective ideology. Even our political parties are diverse in their ideologies. I do find it interesting that despite what I just said you guys have 5 major political parties vs our 2. (am I right on that??)

Sort of. It's complicated.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Nope. It was written in the 1880's, re-written in the 1920's to sell flags, and rewritten yet again to combat communism.



Collective ideology? Well remember the US has a population roughly 10 times the size of Canada which has roughly the population of California. While Canada does have it's cultural diversity it doesn't hold a candle to diversity even between states in the US. We don't really have a collective ideology. Even our political parties are diverse in their ideologies. I do find it interesting that despite what I just said you guys have 5 major political parties vs our 2. (am I right on that??)

The number of parties varies. As in the new People's Party that came in place recently. Or the Bloc Quebecois when it first become on the federal scene in the 90s. And the Reform party was a short lived party. For the most part there are 3 main parties and fringe ones.

 

[GreatLakes]

What kind of ties do you think we still have?

The Queen of England is literally the Queen of Canada. Even if she is just a symbolic figure head you still have another country's monarch as yours.

The concept of having a Royal Family is just weird to me and I wouldn't want to live under any monarch but to each their own.

 

[Buzz Rules]

The Queen of England is literally the Queen of Canada. Even if she is just a symbolic figure head you still have another country's monarch as yours.

The concept of having a Royal Family is just weird to me and I wouldn't want to live under any monarch but to each their own.

What is scary is that in the UK, the Queen still has the power to dissolve parliament. They still have not passed a law to eliminate that clause in their legal system.

 

[CdnCarrie]

While Canada does have it's cultural diversity it doesn't hold a candle to diversity even between states in the US. We don't really have a collective ideology.

I don't think this is correct.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I don't think this is correct.

Which collective ideology do you think we have between the states?

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Not a tradition but I'm confused why the USA doesn't care enough about its people to implement policies that all developed countries have in place like a proper maternity leave program. Even mat leave threads on here over the years (remember a doozy from about 10 years ago) when Americans are like "why should I pay for others to have kids" attitude.

I'm proud of the fact that we live in a country that helps their people and that we have those lovely ties to England.

Interesting the way you phrase that.

As has been pointed out, states’ rights can vary within the U.S. We have federal laws, and we have state laws. To make things really interesting, there can be local laws, as well.

Putting it very simply (and someone correct me if I’m wrong, because I’m not an expert on this), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that guarantees employees the right to take unpaid leave without penalty for caring for self or family members, and that includes maternity leave.

My state, MA, as one example (I can’t speak for other states as I have no idea how they work it), passed a law a few years back called the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act which provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, including time for bonding with a new child.

https://www.workingmother.com/massa...ents-need-to-know-about-new-paid-family-leave

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-pfml-is-different-than-fmla

There can be other laws, benefits and rights that come into play, as well.

https://www.masslegalhelp.org/employment-unemployment/time-off-personal-need

That is why it can be hard to generalize when it comes to the U.S. It’s often all about the states.

 

[ford family]

What is scary is that in the UK, the Queen still has the power to dissolve parliament. They still have not passed a law to eliminate that clause in their legal system.

Nope, incorrect.

ford family

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I don't think this is correct.

Nope, incorrect.

ford family

Care to elaborate? On either point?

 

[tvguy]

Collective ideology? Well remember the US has a population roughly 10 times the size of Canada which has roughly the population of California. While Canada does have it's cultural diversity it doesn't hold a candle to diversity even between states in the US. We don't really have a collective ideology. Even our political parties are diverse in their ideologies. I do find it interesting that despite what I just said you guys have 5 major political parties vs our 2. (am I right on that??)

I think Canada has a lot of diversity. Some of it is right up there with the U.S. Lord knows over the years here on the DIS I have witnessed some Canadian diversity.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Nope, incorrect.

ford family

The Monarch can also dissolve Parliament, and appoint a Prime Minister to their liking, which has been done throughout Her Majesty's reign. This duty falls upon the Monarch not only in England, but in the Commonwealth countries that retain the British Sovereign as their Monarch and Head of State.”
http://www.monarchist.org.uk/the-constitution.html

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_prerogative_in_the_United_Kingdom

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dissolution_of_the_Parliament_of_the_United_Kingdom

https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/role/relations-with-other-institutions/parliament-crown/

It looks like it changed in 2011 or 2018 as I searched online. So you are probably right. I stand corrected. But it seems what I said was true up until the last decade. Thanks for the information.

 

[prairie_girl]

Well I'm guessing that's kinda a two-fold statement

I'm assuming majority of those who would say "I'm so proud to be born in ____" are still living there where they were born but there's another way of saying it and that's simply using the state's nickname for the citizens and to get even more nitty gritty you can also say you're proud or happy by using the city or the metro nickname for the citizens that live there. Same concept.

While moving can be quite difficult or impossible in some circumstances when there's choice in the matter many people in the U.S. find themselves saying they are happy or proud to live where they live. It can mean many things such as quality of life, family friendly, affordableness, political alignment and sometimes that also means while there's more diversity (as in where you live doesn't necessarily have an overwhelming majority of just one party) there's also groups and laws and activists that reflect your viewpoint, then there's activities to do, arts, inclusivity, overall culture, etc. So much.

And I'm assuming there's at least a possibility of the same thing going on in Canada, the idea of being proud or happy to be living in the province or territory where you live because of the things that exist there. Most of us in the U.S. probably wouldn't say we're proud to be a citizen of a state we were born in and yet left years before and haven't moved back, I'm also assuming there's at least a possibility of the same thing going on in Canada. You might identify as a citizen of the state (or in the case of Canada province or territory) you were born in but how strongly you feel about that probably depends on how your time went in the state you were born in. I'm a Missourian by birth but have lived as a Kansan since I was a few weeks old. My first identity is a Kansan not a Missourian however I most identify as a Kansas Citian by which I mean the KC Metro which is counties on both the Kansas and Missouri side. A Kansas Citian can also refer to a resident of either KCK or KCMO to make it all the more confusing. I'm quite proud (for the most part) of living where I live, there are things I'm not so proud of but for the most part I am.

Your example though of Texas is sorta unique. Texas has had a long history of being both part of the U.S. and yet feelings of just being their own.

I’m quoting you, but this is directed at everyone who quoted me. You missed The point of what I said. I get being proud to live in a country, that you have chosen to stay in when there is a way for you to move if you so desired. I’m saying the weird part is to say you are proud you were BORN in a certain state, when that is clearly out of your hands.

I don't think this is correct.

Definitely not. Folklorama springs to mind.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Which collective ideology do you think we have between the states?

I think all nations must have some type of collective ideology to make them a nation. In your case - "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" , capitalism and fear of socialism, strong advocates of guns - just to name a few.

What do you think the collective ideologies are between the provinces? I think the universal healthcare and social benefits are some that define us.
If you had no collective identity then you wouldn't be a nation.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I think Canada has a lot of diversity. Some of it is right up there with the U.S. Lord knows over the years here on the DIS I have witnessed some Canadian diversity.

Oh I know Canada has a diverse population. I just don't think it's anywhere near as diverse as the US. How could it be? The population is a tenth of the US.

Just driving through some states is like visiting different countries here. You're from California. That's like 5 countries in itself. LOL

 

[CdnCarrie]

Interesting the way you phrase that.

As has been pointed out, states’ rights can vary within the U.S. We have federal laws, and we have state laws. To make things really interesting, there can be local laws, as well.

Putting it very simply (and someone correct me if I’m wrong, because I’m not an expert on this), the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is a federal law that guarantees employees the right to take unpaid leave without penalty for caring for self or family members, and that includes maternity leave.

My state, MA, as one example (I can’t speak for other states as I have no idea how they work it), passed a law a few years back called the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act which provides up to 12 weeks of paid family leave, including time for bonding with a new child.

https://www.workingmother.com/massa...ents-need-to-know-about-new-paid-family-leave

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/how-pfml-is-different-than-fmla

There can be other laws, benefits and rights that come into play, as well.

https://www.masslegalhelp.org/employment-unemployment/time-off-personal-need

That is why it can be hard to generalize when it comes to the U.S. It’s often all about the states.

Good point!

Another difference is the centralization of power in the federal government vs the states/provincial governments!

I think state powers are much stronger than our provincial ones. We give more strength to the federal level.
There also seems to be more distrust of government in the USA (for example 2nd amendment and defending against the government) which is more so absent in the Canadian society (except Alberta....). This probably comes from the way our countries were born.

 

[CdnCarrie]

Oh I know Canada has a diverse population. I just don't think it's anywhere near as diverse as the US. How could it be? The population is a tenth of the US.

Just driving through some states is like visiting different countries here. You're from California. That's like 5 countries in itself. LOL

The population size doesn't matter. It's the make up of the population. You could have 1000 people of the same nationality or 100 people of mixed nationalities. Not sure why you think population has anything to do with it.
Our immigration is similar to yours.

Driving through my closest states - North Dakota and Minnesota it does not look very diverse.

 

[OhDannyBoy]

I think all nations must have some time of collective ideology to make them a nation. In your case - "life, liberty and pursuit of happiness" , capitalism and fear of socialism, strong advocates of guns - just to name a few.

I think it's our lack of collective ideology that makes the US what it is. There are as many anti-capitalists and embracers of socialism in the US as there are Capitalists. And guns? Second amendment arguments are one of the most divisive.

What do you think the collective ideologies are between the provinces?

Hockey is king and maple syrup for all? (j/k)

If you had no collective identity then you wouldn't be a nation.

Says who?