Are the houseguests secretly Canucks!! ;) ;)
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Are the houseguests secretly Canucks!! ;) ;)
Jasper | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 08:14 am  I was watching our Canadian live coverage of the Olympics last night and I remembered what makes us Canadian. (Bear with me..this does relate to BB) For the most part, we truly believe and feel that, as long as our athletes do their very best that is what is important. To win is just great icing on the cake. Americans and Aussies, on the other hand, go in with the confidence that they are the best and they will win!! Canadians would like to win but we are very happy to cheer on other magnificent teams to victory. We would really like it, I sometimes think, if everyone could win. We are renowned peacemakers, negotiators and diplomats in the world. So...look at the houseguests. Wouldn't you say that Cass, Curtis, Josh and (sigh) Jamie and (alas) George exhibit true Canadian tendencies. Let's all get along and let's all win!! Eddie, on the other hand, is a true American, who realizes that it is a GAME and the object of the game is to win, to beat the other guys... not to make them your best friends! As Joe has said so well I AM CANADIAN and proud of it...but it does not help us to win. |
Petunia | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 09:14 am  "We are renowned peacemakers, negotiators and diplomats in the world." You are? I've honestly never heard that before. |
Gonnagetfired | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 09:18 am  Hey Jasper! I love that Joe "I Am Canadian" Commerical. I've only been to Toronto but absolutely LOVED IT! I hope to see a lot more of Canada someday, especially the Canadian Rockies. Where in Canada do you live? When I come to Canada, can I crash with you? (just kidding!!! ) |
Jasper | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 09:56 am  Hey Petunia, where are you from? One of our past Prime Ministers, Lester Pearson (known as the Peacemaker) won a Noble Peace Prize for resolving the SUEZ Crisis. He was a mover behind the United Nations Emergency Force (the UN Peacekeepers) and also a founder of NATO. Canadian soldiers today can be found all over the world as members of the UN peacekeeping forces (we were in Bosnia long before the Americans came). A Canadian John Humphrey was a drafter of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Our Current External Affairs minister, Lloyd Axworthy, has set up a committee at the UN to try and get all countries to move in faster to prevent genocide throughout the world. We were instrumental in gathering all the countries together in the Anti Land Mine deal. There's lots more...just read the history books. Gonnagetfired...I am in Northern Ontaio in Sudbury. It's beautiful up here. 33 lakes within the city boundaries! I bet you'd love it. |
Petunia | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 10:37 am  How did I know that you were going to throw a list at me? Canadians are nothing if not great list makers ;-) In any case, I had no doubt you could give me examples of particularly noteworthy citizens/acts, I'm just questioning your take on how other countries perceive you. btw - I'm an American (Princeton, NJ). We've done okay in the Peacemaking / Diplomatic /Negotiating categories ourselves (read the history books). Contrary to what you may believe, most of us aren't all about winning at any cost, just as I'm sure you don't live in an igloo and eat Beaver meat. I guess my bottom line is that I'm offended by your suggestion that Eddie is representative of the 'average' American. |
Mysteri | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 10:53 am  Well I learned something today. We have a friend from Sainte-Foy visiting us. We got into a discussion on the reason that Quebec hates America (It does?). The reason is, in the 1800's (or therabouts) American Troops attacked Quebec (We did?...that wasn't in the history books that I remember) I thought maybe that took place during the French-Indian War (but to my best recollection it was mostly fighting Indians and not much fighting French. (Before we get into THAT conversation - My husband and children are members of the Oneida Tribe)... So you see what YOU perceive is not exactly what others percieve of you. I always felt that Canada was the equivalent of the Red-Headed Step Child of England euphemism (sigh - cliches are awful aren't they? I'm red headed too.) I've never heard Canada and peacekeeping or diplomacy in the same sentance, although I do know the origins of Nobel Peace Prize winners. From my perspective, I believe the US meddles a bit TOO much in world affairs - always rushing to help other countries with soldiers, aid (medical and nutritional). Seems to me that a little of that money would be better spent fixing our owns problems of hunger before everyone else's. But that is another rant altogether. I hopes that somewere amidst my rambling, you understand what I am trying to say. |
Sasha | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 11:15 am  First of all not of Quebec "hates" America. Not all "Americans" are like Eddie. Sterotypes are wrong, no matter if they are positive or negative. One should not use such techniques to pre-judge people. However, I do not feel that any of the posters were trying to put down the other nation. Like family, nationality is a very sensitive issue. But a few facts: Canada is recognized by the United Nations for its peacekeeping duties, as well named the number 1 country to live in. France is a close second. As a Canadian I am very proud of my nation. I believe that I can proud of Canada without putting down the USA. I only experienced life in Canada -- and it is good. I believe many Americans have a good life in the States as well. No nation is perfect. And everyone has different criteria to rate them. |
Djgrrl | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 11:30 am  Where did it say being like "Eddie" was a bad thing ? I agree he has a lot more conviction in him to win. To play the game. I have an American friend who has moved to Canada. She is dilligently reading books to learn the history and culture of Canada. She said the US education system just didn't teach them about Canada. Also size has a lot to do with. DJ Who is running harder on her treadmill to generate power to keep the igloo warm, watch TV and cook her beaver meat ;) |
Novasea | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 11:44 am  ... you shouldn't be surprised Jasper (are you?) Another difference is that Americans don't know as much as Canadians about things outside of their country - "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" would be out a lot of skits on our neighbours to the south . Any Americans see that program? I had a friend who lived in Michigan, a boarding on Canada state, she was college educated and yet she didn't even know the Canadian flag! Cunacks don't focus as much on themselves (newswise and as a group)therefore get more exposure to other worldly things. I'd be willing to bet *some Canadians know more about the United States than *some Americans too.
to be Canadian but like the Yanks too  |
Bad_Murtle | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 12:10 pm  Don't you recall during some crisis in the 1980's, American tourists in Europe would try to pass themselves off as Canadian? And another incident after which the whole world was thanking Canadians... can't remember... end of a hostage crisis? |
Bad_Murtle | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 12:17 pm  The Canadians have a great rep. internationally for peacemaking and diplomacy. Please excuse my doofus fellow American posters who don't read the papers or watch Peter Jennings. |
Spot | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 12:17 pm  I heard an interesting quote concerning the contrast between the American and Canadian psyche (don't remember the source). The example used was the conversion to metric as a national standard. It was thought to be a good idea by both countries. The governments presented the idea to their respective countrymen. The Canadians, being easy-going, reasonable and full of desire to get along, responded "Change? Well, if you say it will be better, we will do our best to make it work." They adapted the change readily. The Americans' response was closer to "Change? Why? Don't want to! Can't make me!" And we didn't change. We in the lower 48 + 2 are definitely very independent, okay, bull-headed. And I agree that I think Eddie comes the closest to reflecting our national personality (I said closest, not a perfect match!!) |
Jasper | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 01:43 pm  Thanks for the support people. And Petunia I am really sorry if I inadvertently offended you. I certainly did not think what I said was offensive at all. I did not say Eddie would win at any cost. Just that he recognized it was an opportunity to win, not to make new friends. In fact, if anything I was afraid I might offend some of my fellow canucks (which is why I made sure to say I was a canuck)because I happen to admire eddie's feelings here more than the others...and was wishing that our Olympians felt a little more of the American confidence and drive to win. Again, I really was not trying to put down Americans. Heck my whole family, aside from me, are American citizens living in Arizona. I love it there. I just like it here even better!! (and like all Canadians ;) I can't stand creating dissension!) |
Petunia | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 02:10 pm  I am so sorry, Jasper! I was, at first, fascinated by your take on your country -how people view their country of origin has always interested me- and then the Eddie thing started to get to me... I meant no harm. |
Psp | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 03:54 pm  Hrm, I think that 1800s stuff would be the war of 1812. Wasn't officialy a country back then, but it was called Canada. It's been a while since I took Canadian history, but I think that was the first and last time that Canada (OK it was the Brits, the French and the local First Nations) had the ability to beat the Americans military-wise. I think the Canadian troops even burned down a major American landmark during that war, but darned if I can remember which one. This national stereotypes thing is pretty funny at times. Last time my wife and I were down at Disneyland we were sitting in the hotel hot tub. Out of the eight people in the pool, seven of us were from within 50km of Vancouver, B.C. Do you think that there's something in the Canadian psyche that triggers late-night hot tub visits? |
Frostilicus | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 04:00 pm  The White House. We (Canadians) burnt down the White House. And then we ate their breakfast on their lawn while they fled. But that's old news. |
Eddieluver | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 04:57 pm  Jasper: Ever heard of Elvis Stoiko or however you spell his name or how about your even bigger whiner Kurt Browning? *laughs uncontrollably* You really don't watch these two do you? Neither follow the rules when it comes to ice skating and judges and I think it was the 94 Worlds where Canada was hosting it and showed ONLY only Elvis constantly who put down the Americans on that broadcast. Cut to America's broadcast later that day and we showed ALL of the skaters and were not judgemental unlike the Canucks. I love Canada and have been there quite a few times but to sit there and say that Canadians are NOT competitive well you must live in the part where they sit and play Go Fish all day. Yes, your uh country are the peacemakers my ass! Get a clue. I have watched both of these skaters since the beginning of their careers and can just imagine how the rest of the sports are like in Canada. C'mon Canadians I'm waiting for your responses! |
Jasper | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 07:13 pm  My My Eddieluver. Calm down. I have no desire to vent with you. You are free to have your opinion as I am free to have mine. I like Americans and said nothing bad about them that I can see. I only said that sometimes I wish we Canadians were more competitive than we usually are. I am sorry you do not feel the same way about Canadians but that is life and I guess we will survive it. Have a happy day |
Fishhead | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 07:50 pm  All kidding aside both countries have been Allies for the last century and are both fortunate to have each other. Canada has the natural resources and the USA has the population base. One of our family members is a proud Normandy Vet. He always thanks God for the Yanks because they have carried the main burden of resisting terrorists, rogue nations etc. for the last 50 years. Anyway I believe that since both countries are composed of people from all over the world (just like the UN),they will be amalgamated along with Mexico to compete with China and the European Union in the near future. On that exiting note, lets go back to talking bout Chicken George..... |
Enb | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 08:01 pm  Personally I think Americans and Canadians are a lot alike. BB proves it. |
Nadi | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 08:24 pm  I'm Canadian and personally offended that anyone would suggest George or Jamie have Canadian qualities. Eddie is my personal favorite. I'm not sure why this thread turned into a bash session. Both Countries have their great qualities. Saying Americans are more competitive than Canadians is by no means a slam on America. Whining figure skaters were brought into the equation. Speaking of Athletics and competitiveness: while individual Canadians may be equally competitive as athletes from other countries, our Nation as a whole is not. Our Universities do not give athletic scholarships. Our provincial/national athletes do not receive the same grants etc. that Athletes in other countries receive. Unfortunately we just aren't as competitive as other Countries are. We don't have the same desire to win at all costs. Competition isn't a bad thing. I believe Eddie is the most competitive houseguest and at the same time I admire his reasons for wanting to win the most. |
Korang | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 09:43 pm  Stereotypes are nasty, nasty things, and assuming a certain people all share most of the same traits is inane, at first glance. but the thing is - and this is just my take on the ish - the real nastiness behind stereotypes is that most of them fulfill themselves. I am a Canadian, and a proud one at that. I've been down to the US once in my life (from Winnipeg, MB to Bismarck, ND) and I did notice a change in the people's attitudes and stuff. It was fascinating how many assumptions these Americans had 'aboot' us and how little they in reality knew. Also, I know lots of Americans on the Internet fairly well, as well as about 1/2 as many Canadians (excluding people whom I know in person to avoid bias). My american associates tend to be a little bit more hot-headed and egotistical than their canadian counterparts. and yes, Nadi was right in what he/she said. Actually, pretty much everything he/she said. Athletics up here are far secondary to academic achievement in Canada while apparently the converse is true in the US. The way I see it, in the long run it doesn't really matter if the people in West Armpit can play football better than those lousy East Armpitians when they're all gonna end up in the same pathetic boat as each other when school's out. Sorry if I offended anyone with that last post.. those are just my personal beliefs. |
Yankee_In_Ca | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 10:06 pm  As an American living in Canada, I am privy to stereotypes from both sides. The ideas that Canadians have about Americans and that Americans have about Canadians are rooted in small measures of truth, but both are way-blown-out-of-the-stratosphere sterotypes. Neither side is completely correct, because neither side could possibly ever completely understand the experience of the other. But isn't that true of all sterotypes, be they racial, religious, regional? They are just that ... stereotypes and generalizations. I choose to live in Canada. I am proud of Canada and consider it my home. I'm also proud to be an American. I love Canada and I love the United States. Methinks we should consider ourselves lucky to be NORTH AMERICANS. |
Wendy | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 10:10 pm  I read all the messages and must add my Canadian perspective: 1. I think in many ways Eddie does fit what many Canadians (and even Europeans) think many Americans are like: loud, aggressive and overly competitive. It's a bit unsettling for a society that is known to be passive to witness. 2. I have come to the conclusion that people in Quebec hate everything. (I'm bitter because the other day, while in McDonald's, some chick looked at my disgustedly because I couldn't speak French.) 3. Petunia's lack of knowledge about Canada's international reputation just proves, yet again, how we are bombarded by U.S history and details since elementary school and they know very little about Canada. I would even go as far as saying many Americans don't want to know anything about Canada. Even Eddie has said some negative and misinformed things about Canada. 4. I lived most of my life in Northern Alberta. I have met too many hicks and NONE of them are like George. I DO NOT think he is anything like your average Canadian. 5. Eddieluver: You can't be serious. Don't you think Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan (both AMERICANS) exemplify competitiveness? Using figure skating is a bad example. Now if you had argued how violent hockey is...that would be different story. 6. Canadians and Americans are not alike. The fact that we have a much better health care system proves it. |
Wendy | Saturday, September 16, 2000 - 10:12 pm  You've got a point, Yankee. Whether you're Canadian or American, we're pretty damn fortunate to live where we do. |
Jasperrodrick | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 07:30 am  By the way, apropos of nothing (except maybe education re other countries), I distinctly heard Bob Kostas on the NBC olympic coverage, state that Mexico City was in Central America! What's wrong with that picture! |
Mbliving | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 08:13 am  Canadians can pretty much travel the world as people perceive as harmless. The term "ugly American" is out there in other countries. While in Europe, we had to constantly assure people we were Candians. We learn about Canadian, American and European history in school. We live about a 3-4 hour DRIVE from North Dakota. I spoke to someone while visiting and she thought we had winter year round. I was amazed. Personally I feel we're much alike, but you have Disney World, no fair! |
Petunia | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 09:33 am  "Petunia's lack of knowledge about Canada's international reputation just proves, yet again, how we are bombarded by U.S history and details since elementary school and they know very little about Canada. " Um... no, it doesn't prove any such thing. I happen to know quite a bit about Canada - what I didn't know was that Canadians feel that they're viewed as peace keepers, diplomats, etc... two entirely different matters. But I will give you that American children probably learn more about England, Russia, and other more militant nations than they do about Canada. "I would even go as far as saying many Americans don't want to know anything about Canada." Why would you think that we'd actively resist knowledge about one particular nation? What would be the point? |
Korang | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 09:53 am  Hehe... a few days ago in english class we were shown a propaganda film entitled "Red Nightmare" (we were studying the Crucible and it somewhat tied in) and the funniest fact in the movie showed just how ignorant some Americans can be. In the movie, made in the 50's by Warner bros. (and commisionned by some US government dealy), the church was turned into a russian inventions exhibit, and in that exhibit was a telephone. the main character (an American who was catapulted into a fantasy USA with communist rule) picked up the telephone and screamed, "This invention isn't russian! It was made by Alexander Graham Bell, an American!" Bell was from Nova Scotia, Canada. |
Petunia | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 10:39 am  Forgive my American "ignorance", but... Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland, schooled in England and became an American citizen in 1882. He later built a summer home in Nova Scotia and is buried there. He never gave up his American citizenship. |
Noslonna | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 11:18 am  PROUD TO BE A CANADIAN BB FAN! | * | |
Bulltwinkle | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 11:22 am  I've enjoyed this thread. I live in Texas (talk about proudly living with a stereotype), and am part of a group that hosts people from the UK, Canada, and Australia. The one thing I've noticed about Yanks, UKer's, Auzzies, and Canadians is we speak a common language that none of the others understand. The group usually has one discussion a day about misunderstandings, and or "You can't say that". |
Eddieluver | Sunday, September 17, 2000 - 11:46 am  Jasper: I thought I've seen it all on this board but alas now it's country against country. I LOVE Canada in fact I have been there quite a few times. I, however, think every country and person is competitve and has that in them. I can't believe there are people on here stating that Canada is exempt from this type of behavior. Peacemakers? Well, I have heard that Canadians hate Americans if that's what you call PEACE over there? I've never experienced that myself but others I know have and didn't uh care for it. This is too funny! Jasper do you even compete in sports? I've even seen the Canadians go CRAZY over that sport Sweeping I think that's what it is called. The Americans as well as the rest of the world knows better than to believe this kind of thread. I'm just on here to prove that your statement has NO true reasoning behind it. Wendy: Thanks for proving my point about Hockey as well. *laughs* Have you seen your ice dancers? You want to talk about brutal? I would compare them to the Russians who thrive on competition but that would be a compliment. Yes, the Canadians are peacelovers. I can't even begin to fathom why you honestly don't think you are just as competitive as the rest of the world. Perhaps you're just naive and have never competed in anything real like say anything to do with competitive sports over there. Also, as I said before look at the Elvis Stoiko and your fave (my mom's too unfortunately) Kurt Browning. Competitive? You can bet the farm on that one sweetheart and when they don't get their way Kurt even steps off the ice. He's not only competitive but a complete prima donna! Yes, I agree with your examples of our skaters but you also have the same kind in your group. Canada just like America thrives on this type of competitive sport. Also, when your country covered those Worlds you did a GREAT job of covering Canada but forgot about the rest of the world. Okay, I'm waiting for those Kurt and Elvis fans to try and slam me. *laughs* |
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