What do Americans think about Canadians?

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PuffinScores@reddit

I would say that this general "we don't think about Canadians" response is a weak way to say Canadians represent no trouble for us.

They don't ask for US monetary support because Canada doesn't need our support.

They don't pull us into wars because Canada doesn't get into wars.

They don't have an illegal entry problem, with Canadians sneaking into the US for a better life, because they have good lives in Canada.

They don't try to retake Wisconsin, Minnesota, Indiana or other former Candian territories because Canada respects past agreements.

Overall, I would say this non-impression many claim to have about Canadians is actually a very positive impression, arising from the fact that Canadians are quiet, non-aggressive and not prone to threats. They don't require our help at all. But, Americans should not mistake this easy relationship as no relationship, or one that should be taken for granted.

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Mediocre-Oil-5322@reddit

Most Americans think of Canadians as more or less the same as us. The joke around me is that if you have only gone to Canada, you have never actually traveled internationally. We share a language, our cultures are about 95% similar, we play the same sports, we have been allies through multiple wars. Our current government has chosen an antagonistic stance with regard to Canada, but I don't think that stance reflects the attitude that the majority of Americans have regarding Canada. Canadians are still friends/brothers/allies to most of us.

A lot of other people are responding that we don't think about Canadians. There is some truth to that. While our movies and television shows are often popular in Canada, and news from the USA is well reported by Canadian news sources, the same isn't true in reverse. We don't get a lot of Canadian media, and Canada's political activities and general news aren't given a lot of attention here. So, many Americans don't really think about Canada at all. I probably do more than most, but I live only 2.5 hours from Toronto, and I usually travel to Canada at least once or twice per year. I would love to visit more.

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AilanthusHydra@reddit

Generally positive, culturally fairly close in many ways to the immediately adjacent parts of the US (far less the further you get from the border) but with a stronger retained British influence (and also much stronger French influence), but not in a "they're just Variant Americans" way, more a "this goes both ways and we heavily influence each other." Often dfferent policy priorities, though whether this is a positive, negative, or completely neutral really depends on who you're talking to and on what topic.

The similar-but-different can end up reduced to novelty where there really are deeper historical reasons for it, but it was a very permeable border for a very long time and a lot of people in border areas have family and friends on both sides.

I suspect Americans who do not literally look at Canada daily as a function of their local geography think about it much less frequently.

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MCE85@reddit

Didnt think much at all until i visited the canadian rockies.

The amount of shirts and random things with anti-american stuff on it was pretty crazy. Souvenir shops too! Like, you know who mostly go to souvenir shops, right? Tourists from other countries.

Completely changed my opinion from neutral to what a bunch of weird jealous assholes.

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Kels121212@reddit

I have worked with many individuals from Quebec and some from Toronto. For the most part it was a pleasant experience. People are people though.. Some good, some bad. Most in the middle. Its not really a nataionality.

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Stoned-monkey@reddit

They always think they are better than us, but we are nearly identical. In fact IIRC the majority of Canadians are descended from Americans who left after the revolution.

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HereComesTheSun91@reddit

They like to give the impression that they think they’re better, but it’s just to mask their inferiority complex around us

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Stoned-monkey@reddit

Nah man I think you are thinking too deep into it, I think you might just hate Canadians

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HereComesTheSun91@reddit

I don’t hate them. I’m pretty ambivalent actually. It’s just my observation from visiting family over the years. Think what you’d like tho 🤷🏽‍♀️

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GetInTheHole@reddit

A dour and pessimistic people. Spend way too much mental energy on making sure everyone knows they aren't Americans and listing the ways Canada is better than America.

Refuse to believe anyone could know hockey as well as they do.

I grew up a stone's throw from the US/Manitoba/Saskatchewan border. Individually, Canadians aren't much different than Americans. Some good, some bad. In a group? And especially online? Feral.

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Imightbeafanofthis@reddit

We like Canadians, except for the ones who are unlikeable. haha

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yetiinrio@reddit

Had a good laugh at them back during the Winter Olympics lol

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greenandredofmaigheo@reddit

Quebec City & Montreal: What I imagine New Orleans would be like if there wasn't the Louisiana purchase

ones that talk like you may as well be in Ireland or Scotland? What I imagine it'd be like if either of those countries were a colonial power

Ontario? The Great Lakes region except with healthcare.

Alberta? The American South except with winter.

Vancouver? San Francisco/Seattle/Portland except with healthcare.

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ScoutB@reddit

Americans without guns.

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supersonicspeed_@reddit (OP)

Wrong

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Shadesandsox@reddit

About the American part or the gun part?

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Fully_COYS@reddit

Checking in from Detroit- hello neighbors!! On the whole, I like them better than most Americans- less fascistic.

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Arleare13@reddit

I've been to Canada many, many times. Always love it. Very good people there.

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ToastPlusNine@reddit

I'm in Minnesota, so to me Canadians feel like that cousin who has their shit together and you hear great things about - that I probably should see more but for some reason we dont.

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MovieAshamed4140@reddit

I love my Canadian Brothers and Sisters. I will champion their freedom as much as ours. We are united but not one.

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CUBuffs1992@reddit

We don’t often. We like them though.

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supersonicspeed_@reddit (OP)

Thank you

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PissedCaucasian@reddit

The only time I think of Canadians is ordering more of Timmy’s dark roast online. Also When it’s super hot I think of the late June I spent in Quebec and it was high 60s the whole time. Never went further south in the summer since then.

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Soggy-Attempt@reddit

Who?

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supersonicspeed_@reddit (OP)

Canadians?

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Totodile386@reddit

Just dissolve the border, that artificial tool of division. People will live.

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ObligationLarge3315@reddit

We don't really think of them at all. A teacher of mine affectionally called Canada "America's Top Hat" once and that's always stuck with me. They're basically just like us except its colder up there and they speak french.

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New_Part91@reddit

We don’t. Except when they flood into our warm climates during winter. Or sneak across the border year round to shop in our stores.

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supersonicspeed_@reddit (OP)

At least I’m Canadian.

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Poutine is good

Strip clubs are even better

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