Americans and Canadians culture Q&A Thread.

[Buzz Rules]

Well, I have spent YEARS (decades) living in the west coast areas (California and Oregon) and the east coast (Massachusetts) These are the areas that I am meeting people who do not know more than a scrap about Canada. Obviously, SOME of them do, but I would say they are the exceptions. One person was married to an Albertan. Our vet spent a year studying at the U of S (Saskatchewan), some people have visited Banff on vacation. I would say that the people in the northeast are more likely to at least know about eastern Canada, as it is a relatively easy drive to enter a "foreign" country. Many more people here have been to Niagara Falls or visited Montreal. They still don't know anything about the whole other side of Canada and little about the Maritimes. In Oregon, you could find people that had driven up to Vancouver or whatever. Same kind of thing.

Older generations maybe, but generations Y and Z now have a focus on learning what’s happening beyond our boarders. And actually food is apart of it. Look at the Food Channel for example. More and more shows are from viewpoint of outside cultures and diversity.

 

[ronandannette]

It would be very weird for a little kid to want to know what’s happening outside their neighbourhood, never mind a different country...

There must have been something in the water where you lived, Buzz. I have worked with kids my whole life and this has not been my experience at all. Are kids inquisitive? Absolutely! They are always interested in exploring the areas immediately around them and asking questions--checking out the bugs in the backyard, wondering how the toilet works, trying to light sticks on fire using a magnifying glass, whatever. American children have not culturally cornered the market on inquisitiveness...

Yes, @prairie_girl and @Frozen Canuck - very well put. This is exactly what I was trying to express! Maybe we could test our respective theories by getting Rick Mercer to resurrect the "Talking to Americans" format and do an episode with 9 year-olds?

...I looked it up, and this challenge was from Mary Berg's season. Coincidentally, I'm watching her on Food Network right now!

LOVE Mary Berg! I don't know if they've made a current season of Master Chef Canada but I surely was disappointed when they did Master Chef Canada Redemption (bringing back former contestants) and Dora the Plumber washed out a second time.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Yes, @prairie_girl and @Frozen Canuck - very well put. This is exactly what I was trying to express! Maybe we could test our respective theories by getting Rick Mercer to resurrect the "Talking to Americans" format and do an episode with 9 year-olds?

LOVE Mary Berg! I don't know if they've made a current season of Master Chef Canada but I surely was disappointed when they did Master Chef Canada Redemption (bringing back former contestants) and Dora the Plumber washed out a second time.

 

[Frozen Canuck]

Older generations maybe, but generations Y and Z now have a focus on learning what’s happening beyond our boarders.

What are you basing this on?

A focus? Really??? Or more of a tertiary glance? I have heard that some students possibly cover Canadian geography (label the provinces), and I have seen where in 6th grade, students are assigned a province to write a report on, or maybe gone into some historical details on how "Canada" won the War of 1812 but I wouldn't call that a focus. When I taught 6th Grade in Canada, ONE THIRD of our curriculum covered a study of the United States and the relationship between our two countries. Now that is a focus. This is an older reference (2010), but if you look at slide 24, you can see which states it was mandatory to study Canadian content, which states where it was only recommended, and which states could care less. Any day now, I should be meeting some of those kids who are now grown up and being able to have a conversation about where I am from without getting questioning glances and glazed expressions.

 

[SirDuff]

What are you basing this on?

A focus? Really??? Or more of a tertiary glance? I have heard that some students possibly cover Canadian geography (label the provinces), and I have seen where in 6th grade, students are assigned a province to write a report on, or maybe gone into some historical details on how "Canada" won the War of 1812 but I wouldn't call that a focus. When I taught 6th Grade in Canada, ONE THIRD of our curriculum covered a study of the United States and the relationship between our two countries. Now that is a focus. This is an older reference (2010), but if you look at slide 24, you can see which states it was mandatory to study Canadian content, which states where it was only recommended, and which states could care less. Any day now, I should be meeting some of those kids who are now grown up and being able to have a conversation about where I am from without getting questioning glances and glazed expressions.

I mean, of course, American children are amazing and asking questions that children in other countries aren't asking.

 

[rlk]

I mean, of course, American children are amazing and asking questions that children in other countries aren't asking.

I see you’ve met my children

 

[Buzz Rules]

I mean, of course, American children are amazing and asking questions that children in other countries aren't asking.

I know you are being sarcastic but I’m just going to roll with this due to national pride.

 

[Buzz Rules]

What are you basing this on?

A focus? Really??? Or more of a tertiary glance? I have heard that some students possibly cover Canadian geography (label the provinces), and I have seen where in 6th grade, students are assigned a province to write a report on, or maybe gone into some historical details on how "Canada" won the War of 1812 but I wouldn't call that a focus. When I taught 6th Grade in Canada, ONE THIRD of our curriculum covered a study of the United States and the relationship between our two countries. Now that is a focus. This is an older reference (2010), but if you look at slide 24, you can see which states it was mandatory to study Canadian content, which states where it was only recommended, and which states could care less. Any day now, I should be meeting some of those kids who are now grown up and being able to have a conversation about where I am from without getting questioning glances and glazed expressions.

I’ll find some modern statistics.

 

[adkkev]

I live roughly 200 miles from the Canadian border in a county of about 55,000 people. I am pretty sure that 98% of the people in this county have never been to Canada. Most don’t have any idea of what Canada is like, nor do they have any interest. My neighbors have been to Europe but never to any part of Canada. (fyi, we have been to many parts of Canada except for Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NWT, and Nunavet). Some around here know that Montreal is to the north because they see the sign on the Northway telling them how many miles it is to get there. Otherwise they couldn’t tell you what most of the major cities are in Canada except for maybe Toronto. Name a province? Nope. When we’ve shared our Canadian travels with others we have to really explain where we’ve been. But then again a lot of folks around here have trouble with knowing where things are in the states.
So, inquisitive? Not really. Unless it affects them directly most don’t know or even care. Most don’t even have a clue about the decisive battle at Saratoga in the revolution and the historic battlefield is less than 30 miles from here.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I live roughly 200 miles from the Canadian border in a county of about 55,000 people. I am pretty sure that 98% of the people in this county have never been to Canada. Most don’t have any idea of what Canada is like, nor do they have any interest. My neighbors have been to Europe but never to any part of Canada. (fyi, we have been to many parts of Canada except for Newfoundland, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, NWT, and Nunavet). Some around here know that Montreal is to the north because they see the sign on the Northway telling them how many miles it is to get there. Otherwise they couldn’t tell you what most of the major cities are in Canada except for maybe Toronto. Name a province? Nope. When we’ve shared our Canadian travels with others we have to really explain where we’ve been. But then again a lot of folks around here have trouble with knowing where things are in the states.
So, inquisitive? Not really. Unless it affects them directly most don’t know or even care. Most don’t even have a clue about the decisive battle at Saratoga in the revolution and the historic battlefield is less than 30 miles from here.

In my elementary school we learned the provinces of Canada when learning the 50 states and their capitals.

 

[prairie_girl]

In the USA, we sort of do with Canada. Americans in general are inquisitive people. So if there is a food that’s not part of our every day culture, we try to learn more about its origins.

I’m sorry, but this is laughable. Just look at the vast amount of people on these boards who have never been to Canada and have no interest to. I guarantee if we pulled 10 totally random American posters, 9/10 couldn’t label a map of Canada with the provinces and territories…even if we provided the names.

There must have been something in the water where you lived, Buzz. I have worked with kids my whole life and this has not been my experience at all. Are kids inquisitive? Absolutely! They are always interested in exploring the areas immediately around them and asking questions--checking out the bugs in the backyard, wondering how the toilet works, trying to light sticks on fire using a magnifying glass, whatever. American children have not culturally cornered the market on inquisitiveness.

However, are there 8 year-olds running around the US saying, "I just found out about pierogies! I want to learn all about the Ukraine so I can go and try some!"? No. I have met SO MANY AMERICANS, that when they ask where I'm from and I say, "Saskatchewan," I then have to go on and explain, "Kind of in the middle of Canada, right above Montana/North Dakota." Or when I say my sister lives in British Columbia, I have to say, "Way over on the west coast above Washington state." These people were not very inquisitive about Canada and the world around them growing up.

As an adult, I am much more open to learning about a food and then wanting to go and experience it in its local habitat--clam pizza at Mystic Pizza in Connecticut, Montreal smoked-meat sandwiches at Schwartz's Deli , authentic barbecue from the various regions, fried clams at the Cape, etc.

EXACTLY!!

Buzz, I think your next thread needs to be a straight-up Americans Q&A. I think you'd be surprised to find how different some of our lived experiences may be from yours, and how many of your generalizations may not be attributable to a broad-reaching "American culture."

He definitely seems hellbent on making sure we know how superior American is in every single way. Whatever the kool aid equivalent is down there (maybe Mountain Dew), he’s been drinking it for too long.

I really, really want to like this thread and contribute to it, but the constant (rose coloured view some might say) rah rah rah is hard to stomach.

 

[Buzz Rules]

I’m sorry, but this is laughable. Just look at the vast amount of people on these boards who have never been to Canada and have no interest to. I guarantee if we pulled 10 totally random American posters, 9/10 couldn’t label a map of Canada with the provinces and territories…even if we provided the names.

If they went to a good school they could.

EXACTLY!!

Depends on the population of Americans your looking at. The areas where school systems rank on the higher end, kids would. Parents in those areas tend to have higher paying jobs and higher education background. That tends to create a population in which are more aware of the world and try to learn more about it.

He definitely seems hellbent on making sure we know how superior American is in every single way. Whatever the kool aid equivalent is down there (maybe Mountain Dew), he’s been drinking it for too long.

I really, really want to like this thread and contribute to it, but the constant (rose coloured view some might say) rah rah rah is hard to stomach.

I actually resent this. I never said the USA is a better country. Do I think my country is stronger militarily and economically? Yes. Do I think we have a fairer system of government? Also yes. Do I think we could learn from your healthcare system but not completely copy it to improve our own? Definitely. Do we all agree both countries are great at many things and have great citizens? I would hope so. I know my country is not perfect and yours isn’t either. But I love my country greatly as I’m sure you do yours. I have asked through many posts, that if you want to contribute to this thread, you are more than welcome to. But mostly, you try to just take a dig at any prideful thing I say about the USA. I get you don’t like us for political reasons and we can’t talk about those things here. I just wish sometimes you could post something positive about American culture. Oh, I also have hated kool-aid/Mountain Dew since I was 5. I’m a Canada Dry ginger ale type of guy.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Edit: I was wrong @adkkev . I’m sorry.

 

[prairie_girl]

If they went to a good school they could.


Depends on the population of Americans your looking at. The areas where school systems rank on the higher end, kids would. Parents in those areas tend to have higher paying jobs and higher education background. That tends to create a population in which are more aware of the world and try to learn more about it.


I actually resent this. I never said the USA is a better country. Do I think my country is stronger militarily and economically? Yes. Do I think we have a fairer system of government? Also yes. Do I think we could learn from your healthcare system but not completely copy it to improve our own? Definitely. Do we all agree both countries are great at many things and have great citizens? I would hope so. I know my country is not perfect and yours isn’t either. But I love my country greatly as I’m sure you do yours. I have asked through many posts, that if you want to contribute to this thread, you are more than welcome to. But mostly, you try to just take a dig at any prideful thing I say about the USA. I get you don’t like us for political reasons and we can’t talk about those things here. I just wish sometimes you could post something positive about American culture. Oh, I also have hated kool-aid/Mountain Dew since I was 5. I’m a Canada Dry ginger ale type of guy.

You know what? You’re right. I have been trying harder to be more empathetic, but I slipped today. I’m sorry.

 

[adkkev]

North of the NY Capital region has different standards of education compared to the rest of the Tri-State area (NYC/Hudson Valley/CT/NJ), in my opinion.

Good to know. I’ll let my adult children know that they received a substandard education. I suppose the one that still lives here should consider moving so my grandchildren don’t miss out on that awesome downstate education! I don’t even want to guess what your assessment of my other grandchildren’s education in Alaska might be. Or what their life might be like up there.

 

[porschegrl]

LOVE Mary Berg! I don't know if they've made a current season of Master Chef Canada but I surely was disappointed when they did Master Chef Canada Redemption (bringing back former contestants) and Dora the Plumber washed out a second time.

So guess what I did today? I watched all of Dora's episodes from season 1 and redemption. Strong, talented Alberta woman! I had to laugh when she got excited about a burger challenge, but then she was flummoxed when they couldn't use beef.

I also watched Mary's audition. Kooky and charming (and of course, an exceptional cook) right from the start!

 

[ronandannette]

OK, thanks to @porschegrl , let's take this in a bit of a different direction.
American friends - did you know Canada has their own versions of the competition shows Master Chef, Top Chef, Big Brother, The Amazing Race and my most beloved The Great British Baking Show? I wonder if there's any way you can stream them? We also briefly had a Canadian version of Chopped but it was hosted by that weirdo Dean McDermott and he was pretty terrible, and hardly a shining example of Canadian talent.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Good to know. I’ll let my adult children know that they received a substandard education. I suppose the one that still lives here should consider moving so my grandchildren don’t miss out on that awesome downstate education! I don’t even want to guess what your assessment of my other grandchildren’s education in Alaska might be. Or what their life might be like up there.

I never said substandard. I said different. How many college prep schools or public schools that rank high in the region are north of Albany compared to below? Genuinely asking. My opinion honestly comes from people who came from the area that I met in college. Granted, that’s a small sample size. It wasn’t meant as an insult. It’s partly something I heard in the past. I apologize if it came across as snooty. That was not my intention. I wasn’t talking about local colleges by the way. I’m going to start working on how to word my messages better. Again I apologize.

 

[Buzz Rules]

You know what? You’re right. I have been trying harder to be more empathetic, but I slipped today. I’m sorry.

No worries. Thanks for the response.

 

[Buzz Rules]

OK, thanks to @porschegrl , let's take this in a bit of a different direction.
American friends - did you know Canada has their own versions of the competition shows Master Chef, Top Chef, Big Brother, The Amazing Race and my most beloved The Great British Baking Show? I wonder if there's any way you can stream them? We also briefly had a Canadian version of Chopped but it was hosted by that weirdo Dean McDermott and he was pretty terrible, and hardly a shining example of Canadian talent.

We know about them. They don’t show them here unless the stations need to air something in a bind.