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Why is it that Canadians constantly root against the USA in sporting events, even when Canadian teams are not involved? For instance, Ive been watching the IIHF World Junior Championships which are being held in Saskatoon. Yesterday I watched Canada narrowly squeak out a win against the USA in a SO, naturally the crowd was 99.999% Canadian-biased. But today I tune in to watch the USA vs Finland and once again the crowd is 99.999% Finnish-biased. I figured, you know, that maybe our neighbors would root for the USA. What gives? Why do you Canadians absolutely despise everything USA (at least in the sporting world)?
Because, America and Canada are sisters and America is the hot slutty bombshell that gets all the action while Canada is the buck-toothed bookworm with Coke-bottle glasses who spends Friday nights at home?
I am a Canadian living in the US and I think it is mainly a jealousy thing. You have 300 million people to draw athletes from whereas we have only 30 million. Plus, your athletes are paid more and have better training. Thus, most of the time, you win! Since we are such close neighbors geographically and socially, there is a competitive streak and we are totally bunked that most the time you win (and we are still bitter about all the Canadian hockey players going to US teams for $$$ and now the cup will prob. never be back in Canada).
I am a Canadian living in the US and I think it is mainly a jealousy thing. You have 300 million people to draw athletes from whereas we have only 30 million. Plus, your athletes are paid more and have better training. Thus, most of the time, you win! Since we are such close neighbors geographically and socially, there is a competitive streak and we are totally bunked that most the time you win (and we are still bitter about all the Canadian hockey players going to US teams for $$$ and now the cup will prob. never be back in Canada).
Even for hockey though? Canadian hockey players are generally paid higher than Americans (NHL-level) due to talent, so that alleviates the whole higher-paid/more talent argument. I just dont get it. If it was Canada vs, say, Sweden here in Chicago, most of the crowd would cheer on Canada, but we dont get the same respect from Canadians abroad. I just find it odd, thats all.
Because it's obvious there's somewhat of a rivalry between the Canadian and American hockey teams.. plus the US is the only real threat to Canada in the IIHF championship anyways, so they'd obviously want to see the US fail against the opposing teams.
Honestly I think most of it is just plain simple rivalry! The Americans have an excellent Junior Hockey Team (again this year) and most Canadians sense that they are the "real" opponent and not the Russians as they used to be. Even though the Canadians usually win those head-to-head battles against the US it's still an excellent matchup and no one can say the games are boring. I think people should check their political affliations at the turnstiles BEFORE they enter the rink. Politics and sports should never go together but there will always be those who feel strongly for whatever reason and take it out at a sporting event. Personally I would never root for an Eurpoen team over the US but I am only one Canadian. In the past we've had anthems being booed at some NHL based cities during the playoffs which is totally disrespectful and down right tasteless. Montreal and Philadelphia are both examples of how not to behave at a sporting event!
Many Canadians feel there's very little difference between Americans and us Canadians, which can foster confusion for a Canadian's national identity.
It's far easier to dwell on our differences as a way to "feel Canadian", a way to stir artificial pride,
because otherwise many of us see ourselves as "like Americans, but without ..."
Usually the people who bash 'Americanisms' come across as somewhat insecure.
Even the Olympics, yes Canadians will be competing with the world, but many Canadian spectators/viewers will probably be thinking
"...If a Canadian gets a gold in "X", that will show Europeans or Asians that we are better than Americans at this particular event..."
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