US vs. Canada - which is better? (living, military)

[US-Traveller]

Which nation is a better place to live and why? I am in Chicago and two close family friends of mine and their families have moved to the Midwest from Toronto. Both are much happier here in the United States they feel that the US is much more diverse and even more progressive (which I found odd seeing as the US is much more conservative than Canada). I'd love it if some Canadians could chime in!

Also, why do some Americans say that they pretend to be Canadian while abroad? I am a frequent internation traveller and I have never pretended to be something other than American while abroad. I think even if foreigners are unhappy with the US government, they understand the difference between the people and the government.

[Scotslass]

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

Which nation is a better place to live and why? I am in Chicago and two close family friends of mine and their families have moved to the Midwest from Toronto. Both are much happier here in the United States they feel that the US is much more diverse and even more progressive (which I found odd seeing as the US is much more conservative than Canada). I'd love it if some Canadians could chime in!

Also, why do some Americans say that they pretend to be Canadian while abroad? I am a frequent internation traveller and I have never pretended to be something other than American while abroad. I think even if foreigners are unhappy with the US government, they understand the difference between the people and the government.

I would say that alot would pretend to be Canadian because generally they're more well liked.

Americans generally have the reputation as being loud, obnoxious, xenophobic, yadda yadda.

I would not be ashamed of where i come from though. My fiance is southern and doesn't hide it living here. He is popular because of his accent.

I think both Canada and the US are great but Canada has significantly lower crime, less guns, better government system. Americans are also scared of socialism which makes me laugh as i live in a socialist country and its not that bad. At least everyone is entitled to healthcare.

[orangeapple]

I wonder if this is just going to become another bash Americans thread....
I don't understand the "xenophobic" stereotype about Americans. Consistently, articles and surveys support that American travelers are the most adventurous with strange foods and interested in foreign customs. We're also really welcoming to foreign tourists in our country and even immigrants who contribute positively. I think that stereotype is unfounded and just plain malicious.

I have Spanish speaking family members who would say they are Mexican when traveling abroad, and they got a better reception than saying they were Americans. So I guess to ensure a more pleasant vacation, some people find not being American is better, whether you claim to be Canadian or whatever.

Anyway, all the Canadians I know seem to love the weather in California. That's their big plus for being here. Of course, the east coast or mid west of the US is not Cali weather either...
The other thing I hear them complain about in Canada is health care actually. They say you have to wait a long time to have anything taken care of and that the health care itself is not the quality we have in the US. Of course, for people who have no health care in the US, that doesn't sound so bad.

[minibrings]

Wow in another thread the OP now calls Canadians cowards:

Originally Posted by US-Traveller

WHY I CHOOSE TO KEEP MY JOB SEARCH TO THE UNITED STATES ONLY:

It is shocking to me that there hasn't been more press coverage back when this occured and more tension between Australia and the United States with Kevin Rudd's decision to withdraw all 550 combat troups from Iraq earlier this year. I find that really dissapointing, even though combat is over in Iraq. I think Australia could have still been more supportive. France, Canada, and now Australia are cowardly nations. All three bank on the United Kingdom and the United States.

This all goes back to the thing that puzzles me the most. The United States is the most generous when it comes to foreign aid and military support of our allies, but everyone talks about us behind our backs and people complain for no reason. In my opinion I feel it is jealousy.

perhaps this is the reason why some yanks pretend to be canucks? They don't want to be associated with ignorant boobs?

[minibrings]

Originally Posted by orangeapple

The other thing I hear them complain about in Canada is health care actually. They say you have to wait a long time to have anything taken care of and that the health care itself is not the quality we have in the US. Of course, for people who have no health care in the US, that doesn't sound so bad.

It would depend on where you are actually, just like in the US. I have never had to wait more than 40 minutes and have always gotten good care.. as good as the care I received in the states with my private provider.