Americans and Canadians culture Q&A Thread.

[declansdad]

There’s absolutely nothing more special about being an American if you truly believe all nations are equal.
fwiw… Every person feels exactly that way about their homeland, that it’s the greatest place to call home and that we are lucky/blessed to live where we live.

Exactly.

I think Canada is a great place to live and has many advantages over other countries, just like it has disadvantages. I don't think it is any more special than anywhere else and our place in the world pecking order has nothing to do with anything.

I agree with the sentiment about being the greatest, as I see all nations as equals. However being an American is special and unless you are one, it’s hard for an non American to understand.

This statement makes very little sense. I don't know what you are trying to say.

 

[ronandannette]

Found this on What's Different in Canada

Woot!! Ginger Beef - it was life-altering when I first tasted it in '88 when I moved to Calgary.

Now I must admit I'm skeptical about peanut butter and California rolls being created here.

 

[lisaviolet]

America is. It’s harder (I been told) to get American citizenship in comparison to Canadian citizenship.

Who told you this? Curious.

 

[seshat0120]

With all due respect, that's pure American BS. Most people outside the US don't say the US is the greatest country in the world, that's an American thing. Being American is only seen as being special to an American.

Please don't think all Americans feel this way. What you said is what I was thinking.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Please don't think all Americans feel this way. What you said is what I was thinking.

And many don’t think like you as well.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Who told you this? Curious.

Some Canadian classmates I met in college. Like I said I don’t know how true it is. I think most modern countries are very selective on who gains citizenship in their countries.

 

[declansdad]

Please don't think all Americans feel this way. What you said is what I was thinking.

I don't. Some of my closest friends are Americans and they do not think that way.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Exactly.

I think Canada is a great place to live and has many advantages over other countries, just like it has disadvantages. I don't think it is any more special than anywhere else and our place in the world pecking order has nothing to do with anything.



This statement makes very little sense. I don't know what you are trying to say.

I believe all people of planet Earth are equal and deserve every human right of modern society. I’m not saying I’m a better person over another person of a different nationality. I’m saying our nation does amazing things for the advancement of technology, medicine, democracy, basic human rights (most of the time), and trying to advance the welfare of nations in need. I don’t mean special as an insult. I mean it as America is the land of dreams and opportunity. Many people believe that to be true and think living in America and being American is a special privilege. I hope I explained myself well.

 

[declansdad]

Who told you this? Curious.

It is harder in the sense that there is a limit on the green cards and the primary route to citizenship in the US is employment but Canada has more avenues available for immigrants. On a per capita basis, Canada accepts 4 times more immigrants per year than the USA.

 

[declansdad]

I believe all people of planet Earth are equal and deserve every human right of modern society. I’m not saying I’m a better person over another person of a different nationality. I’m saying our nation does amazing things for the advancement of technology, medicine, democracy, basic human rights (most of the time), and trying to advance the welfare of nations in need. I don’t mean special as an insult. I mean it as America is the land of dreams and opportunity. Many people believe that to be true and think living in America and being American is a special privilege. I hope I explained myself well.

What you've explained, in a passive-aggressive manner, is that you believe the US to be better than everyone else. I don't think you are actually believe yourself to be better than everyone else but you have definitely drunk the kool-aid.

Every year there are a large number of countries that rank higher on the freedom, places to live and happiness scales. Not everyone is looking for the "American Dream". You can achieve that in many other countries.

 

[Buzz Rules]

What you've explained, in a passive-aggressive manner, is that you believe the US to be better than everyone else. I don't think you are actually believe yourself to be better than everyone else but you have definitely drunk the kool-aid.

Every year there are a large number of countries that rank higher on the freedom, places to live and happiness scales. Not everyone is looking for the "American Dream". You can achieve that in many other countries.

I didn’t say everyone wants the American dream. I said many. It’s the reason a topic we can’t discuss, would support my statement. Your right that I don’t believe I’m better than anyone. And I never said the USA is better than other countries. I’m saying many around the world see it as a special place (and some hate it just as much). Many countries hold America in a high regard for what we do to help the world when other countries can’t. I don’t know how to say that without coming across as arrogant which is not my intent at all.

 

[Buzz Rules]

It is harder in the sense that there is a limit on the green cards and the primary route to citizenship in the US is employment but Canada has more avenues available for immigrants. On a per capita basis, Canada accepts 4 times more immigrants per year than the USA.

Is part of the reason Canada accepts more immigrants because of a need in the economy or population growth (aging population/need for younger workforce?)? Genuinely asking.

 

[OnceUponATime15]

@Buzz Rules I think your perception of your homeland is coloured by the idealism you’ve been raised with.. that you have very little idea how the US in recent years is perceived on the world stage. Yes.. the US has had major accomplishments in many areas, but so have many other countries. And yes.. you have a storied military history, but so does the UK among others. But on todays global stage - other countries are making major strides, keeping pace or exceeding the US in medical, technological, telecommunication, and manufacturing. The balance of commerce is shifting to countries that have become global titans - think the far East (Asia/pan Asia) . Many other countries are giving humanitarian aid throughout the world, not only to the Ukraine… As i said in my previous post, everyone sees their homeland as special.. but those with a global viewpoint are seeing the bigger picture.

 

[prairie_girl]

I didn’t say everyone wants the American dream. I said many. It’s the reason a topic we can’t discuss, would support my statement. Your right that I don’t believe I’m better than anyone. And I never said the USA is better than other countries. I’m saying many around the world see it as a special place (and some hate it just as much). Many countries hold America in a high regard for what we do to help the world when other countries can’t. I don’t know how to say that without coming across as arrogant which is not my intent at all.

I have a question for you, and I promise it’s not a gotcha. What do you consider to be the American Dream?

 

[Buzz Rules]

I have a question for you, and I promise it’s not a gotcha. What do you consider to be the American Dream?

Oxford Dictionary:
the American dream
noun: American dream
the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.

 

[prairie_girl]

Oxford Dictionary:
the American dream
noun: American dream
the ideal by which equality of opportunity is available to any American, allowing the highest aspirations and goals to be achieved.

I didn’t ask what Oxford Dictionary defined it as; I asked how YOU define it.

 

[declansdad]

Is part of the reason Canada accepts more immigrants because of a need in the economy or population growth (aging population/need for younger workforce?)? Genuinely asking.

3 reasons:

strengthen the economy
reunite families
provide humanitarian relief to refugees

 

[lisaviolet]

Editing simply because I do not want to have an immigration debate, beyond I don't think there is any simplicity in comparing any system in regards to ease. And SirDuff said what I wanted, in a more eloquent and informative way.

 

[lisaviolet]

Some Canadian classmates I met in college. Like I said I don’t know how true it is. I think most modern countries are very selective on who gains citizenship in their countries.

Thank you Buzz.

I highly doubt all of those classmates knew how it was the other way around.

I certainly did not, until I was in situations that educated me about my own country's system through loved ones and through work. I would swear when I was younger that I did know. But I was wrong, I did not until life opened up these experiences to me..

 

[lisaviolet]

Buzz, just because you love history -

The reunification of families in our immigration policy became a big deal in the Trudeau era (Pierre I am referring to, not our present Prime Minister)

Canada, I am sure not unlike many countries, had an almost cruel system before those decisions were made, that would not let families come as a whole. And many a time parents would come to change their economics. And the effects of separation often could not be fully repaired, even with reunification.