Canadian Patriotism (esp. in border areas) (houses, to buy, school)

[MidniteBreeze]

I've heard there's been a rise in Canadian patriotism in recent years, especially since the famous Molson ad. We all know about the Canadian flag on the backback thing (mostly to differentiate yourselves from the "ugly Americans" when traveling abroad, I assume), but I've also seen a lot more "flag waving" among Canadians who are just traveling "locally" (i.e., our neighbors from Ontario who come down to shop or whatever.) Lots of Canadian flags on their vehicles, Maple Leaf sweatshirts and bags, that sort of thing.

I'm wondering if this is just a show of national pride, or are you trying to make it clear to us locals that you are indeeed, "not one of us?" (In spite of our sub-standard educational system, most of us CAN read your license plates and we DO know that Ontario and Manitoba are not states north of Minnesota, lol.) I guess I could see it more if you were traveling "deeper" into the U.S. father from home, but we Minnesotans, at least, are pretty "used" to Canadians (and we thank you for spending your money here!)

Please don't take me wrong, I'm not personally offended by it or anything, and I think you guys have just as much of a right to be proud of your country as anyone (maybe more so). But, at least for me personally, I think I would feel kind of silly waving American flags around Thunder Bay or Fort Fances or Winnipeg. Not that I'm ashamed of or trying to hide the fact that I'm an American (I'm sure you guys can read the word "Minnesota" on my license plate as well!), but I guess I just don't feel the need to "advertise" it?

I look forward to your thoughts

[Wallaroo]

Canada should promote itself as "The Better America" instead of "We are not Americans!"

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by Wallaroo

Canada should promote itself as "The Better America" instead of "We are not Americans!"

Funny, but actually I like America better, however I also like to insist that we are not "America Jr." It has nothing to do with being better or worse, just to me there's one "America" and one "Canada."

America is the place you can speak English AND still own a pistol, not pay (in comparison) excessive amounts of tax and be able to buy liquor, beer and wine from a grocery store and strongly value independence and/or personal freedoms.

Also, Canada is not trying to be like America (U.S.A.), we just are the way we (most of us) feel comfortable and it's pure coincidence that we resemble American culture in many ways.

[ColdCanadian]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

but I've also seen a lot more "flag waving" among Canadians who are just traveling "locally" (i.e., our neighbors from Ontario who come down to shop or whatever.) Lots of Canadian flags on their vehicles, Maple Leaf sweatshirts and bags, that sort of thing.

I'm wondering if this is just a show of national pride, or are you trying to make it clear to us locals that you are indeeed, "not one of us?" (In spite of our sub-standard educational system, most of us CAN read your license plates and we DO know that Ontario and Manitoba are not states north of Minnesota, lol.) I guess I could see it more if you were traveling "deeper" into the U.S. father from home, but we Minnesotans, at least, are pretty "used" to Canadians (and we thank you for spending your money here!)

Please don't take me wrong, I'm not personally offended by it or anything, and I think you guys have just as much of a right to be proud of your country as anyone (maybe more so). But, at least for me personally, I think I would feel kind of silly waving American flags around Thunder Bay or Fort Fances or Winnipeg. Not that I'm ashamed of or trying to hide the fact that I'm an American (I'm sure you guys can read the word "Minnesota" on my license plate as well!), but I guess I just don't feel the need to "advertise" it?

I look forward to your thoughts

Really? Actual Canadian flags waving from cars are unusual around the Toronto area. Perhaps it's more common in other parts of our country, or maybe you just saw a few people who do things differently than the rest of us.

Maybe not interested in removing the flags after they crossed the border?
Perhaps a few did have some weird attitudes about the U.S., but most people here don't.

Maple Leaf fans?

That has nothing to do with national patriotism, that's just about being devoted to the Leafs and/or regionalism for parts of Ontario.
Fairly common here even though they haven't won in 40 years.

(most Canadians DO NOT like the Leafs and think Leaf fans are crazy; easily the most despised team in Canada outside of Ontario. They're kind of a joke to everyone else. )

[SouthCoast604]

I live in B.C. and have been in pretty much every province and all over the States but have never seen what you're talking about.

I know that around the time of the World Juniors (or other hockey championships), you see a lot of people with the team's logo (it's red and white, but it's not the Canadian flag, although similar) on their cars. Also around Canada Day (our 4th of July).

Not sure what you're talking about.....

[Robynator]

I haven't noticed it either. However, isn't this a case of the pot calling the kettle black?

[MidniteBreeze]

Oh, when I said maple leaf sweatshirts, I wasn't referring to the team, just kind of a "generic" Canadian maple leaf on a sweatshirt, bag, or whatever (unless there's some other sports logo I'm not familiar with? I think I know the NHL logo though.)

Based on what you guys are saying, sounds like this is a very localized issue...maybe some rednecks up in I-falls pissed some folks off on their way to the Wal-Mart (closest one to the Falls is in Canada) and they're "getting back" at us now...who knows!

For the most part I think we all get along pretty well though...driving along the Rainy River you see houses on both sides of the border flying BOTH flags. Nice that we don't have to worry about building some silly fence like they do down on the Rio Grande!

[LovestheSun]

Originally Posted by MidniteBreeze

I've heard there's been a rise in Canadian patriotism in recent years, especially since the famous Molson ad. We all know about the Canadian flag on the backback thing (mostly to differentiate yourselves from the "ugly Americans" when traveling abroad, I assume), but I've also seen a lot more "flag waving" among Canadians who are just traveling "locally" (i.e., our neighbors from Ontario who come down to shop or whatever.) Lots of Canadian flags on their vehicles, Maple Leaf sweatshirts and bags, that sort of thing.

I'm wondering if this is just a show of national pride, or are you trying to make it clear to us locals that you are indeeed, "not one of us?" (In spite of our sub-standard educational system, most of us CAN read your license plates and we DO know that Ontario and Manitoba are not states north of Minnesota, lol.) I guess I could see it more if you were traveling "deeper" into the U.S. father from home, but we Minnesotans, at least, are pretty "used" to Canadians (and we thank you for spending your money here!)

Please don't take me wrong, I'm not personally offended by it or anything, and I think you guys have just as much of a right to be proud of your country as anyone (maybe more so). But, at least for me personally, I think I would feel kind of silly waving American flags around Thunder Bay or Fort Fances or Winnipeg. Not that I'm ashamed of or trying to hide the fact that I'm an American (I'm sure you guys can read the word "Minnesota" on my license plate as well!), but I guess I just don't feel the need to "advertise" it?

I look forward to your thoughts

I'm rather confused at this post and its intent. The grim realities of geo-politics suggest that there has never been a more dangerous time in the world to travel to certain parts of the world and be considered a US citizen than today. Would some travellers want to ensure there is no confusion, possibly. Would I encourage my son or daughter to distinguish their citizenship if I felt it would assure their safety by a small measure - absolutely.

Another dynamic to explain the flag presentation on backpacks or t-shirts could simply be a matter of being comfortable with the idea that you are a tourist and traveler outside of your home borders. The distinction can sometimes create great moments of hospitality and conversation.

The last thing I'm going to do while traveling is to pretend that I'm a local -- I'm not. I'm a Canadian not a ..... (fill in the blank).

From my own personal experience seeing seeing tourists visit my home community, I can speak to this issue somewhat. I live in a community whose second largest industry is tourism, (and of this - visitors from the US are the vast majority). Most of the travellers are so blatantly stuck in their own culture you would think that they have no idea they are in another country.

AS one example, my son, who worked at a gas station/minnow shop for three years, became well acquainted with the tourist travellers. Rarely, and I mean RARELY, would a tourist arrive with Canadian funds. They would drop their US funds on the table as if there was absolutely nothing wrong with paying for items in a foreign currency. Conversely, I have travelled to the US many times over the past 30 years and not one occasion can I recall a vendor accepting Canadian money. On many occasions I actually had retail clerks disregard my canadian coins, pushing them back to me saying that they don't accept *foreign* money.

So, you might notice in your country visitors distinguishing themselves, but do you notice your countrymen while travelling??

Just a thought.....

[mishigas73]

LOL, after reading this, and after speaking with some friends about this issue over the past couple of days, I REALLY wish that I had clipped this editorial out of the Vancouver Sun over this past weekend. It was about the rise of the loonie against the American dollar, and began with something to the effect of, "The American pride has taken a beating".

While I couldn't really argue with the rest of the content of the piece, I DID find it humorous that it started with speaking about "American pride". Frankly, with all of the places that I've lived here in the States (which, aside from the midwest, pretty much covers the gamut), I have NEVER seen a group of people who are MORE patriotic and prideful about their country than the Canadians I have met.

After spending the time I have up in Canada over the past two years, I've come to accept a lot of things....but, not Canadians dissing the fact that Americans are patriotic.

These people ARE Canadian. No ifs, ands or buts. Heck, that was apparent the first time I was up there and had about 10 Canucks harping on me about my government, about who I had voted for, and the fact that we in the US actually wiegh our produce solely in pounds. If they wanted to prove that they had the bigger....erm....land mass in North America...they surely did a good job.

I'm really not one to press these issues, so maybe that's why I've been so accepted. Where would fighting against this get me? But, the more I travel back and forth across the border, the more I realize how patriotic I am. And, as I think about it, I do think that this Canadian attitude is quite humorous. Standing on its own, I would have no issues with it. But, it just becomes way too funny when it's at the expense of Americans.

[Robynator]

The fact that Canadians have a chip on their shoulder/inferiority complex for Americans is nothing new.

But come on guys... you're coming from the country of the stars and stripes forever! For God Bless America! A country that starts its schooling by pledging allegiance to the flag. There are way more stars and stripes flying/being worn in the USA (and outside of the USA) than possibly all Canadian flags ever made, ever. Americans take patriotism to a new extreme. Many Canadians just have an embarrassing habit of, well... "my country is better than your country, so there" which they love to shovel on Americans. Take it with a grain of salt.