|
Americans posing as Canadian abroad
|
View this Thread in Original format
| Dr. DAS |
Knock it the off!
I know it's old news, but I thought it would be a good (and possibly repeat) subject for discussion.
I have spent a fair amount of time in the US, both as a civillian and as a soldier on brigade exercises to Fort Knox, KY. I have attended Veteran's Day celebrations as part of an exchange, marching with arms in an honour guard. I've been to your BBQ's, I've been to your parades.
I was touched to see that every single person stands up, places thier hand over thier heart and sings during the national anthem. I can honestly say that Americans are some of the most patriotic people I have ever met.
At home.
So why then, when travelling abroad, do so many American citizens not only hide thier heritage but misrepresent themselves as being Canadian? It's like loving your children, but pretending you don't know them in public because they're ugly.
Canada has worked hard over the last 140 some-odd years to build a unique identity.
During WWI, Canadians were the go-to guys for tough assignments, jobs other had tried and failed to accomplish. Canadian soldiers developed a reputation for being the baddest motherfcukers on the block.
In WWII, Canadians fought with distinction; again capturing difficult targets and helping rid the world of tyrrany. Fighting alongside British, American, French, Australian and other allied forces to bring down the axis of evil.
Canada stepped up to answer the call in Korea, the often forgotten Canadian war.
Since Korea, the Caniadian identity shifted to that of a peacekeeping nation, soldiers of peace and justice.
Our role in the world as a moral compass and trusted proxy has been perverted lately because of our new right-wing government, but remains an understood part of our social identity.
When I travel, I wear a Canadian flag on my pack and I wear it with pride. Being a Canadian abroad is a wonderful thing, the world loves us, people engage you.
In the last couple of years more and more travel sites (and I believe at least one US government agency) have suggested that Americans abroad wear Canadian flags or shirts (shirts which no Canadian actually wears) as a method of defence and gaining acceptance. That pisses me off.
You talk about being the world's police force (the politics of which I won't get into) and the defenders of democracy in the world, but hide behind the skirt of your Northern neighbour to avoid public opinion. Where is your pride then?Are you only proud to be American when talking to other Americans? Why the fairweather patriotism? Don't you find it insulting to the country you love so much, or your much-revered forefathers to not only conceal, but misrepresent your nationality?
I certainly find it disrespectful to parade around under the guise of being Canadian, when you don't embody - and in fact make the subject of scorn and amusement - Canadian values.
If you don't want to draw attention to your nationality that's your perrogative, but stop pretending to be something you're not. Stop denegrating our reputation. Maybe you don't see it, but you are taking something from all of us in the great white north. It's a sad day when I am assumed to be an American because I wear a Canadian flag. We have worked hard to create a global image for ourselves and you cheapen that with your deception. Knock it off.
/rant |
|
|
| Silky Johnson |
| Please, all they have to do is open their mouths and the gig is up. ;) |
|
|
| Lilith |
| I always wondered, why when trying to be polite you'd ask someone with a north american accent "oh, which part of Canada are you from?" and they didn't bat an eyelid or get upset to say somewhere in the US... asking a Canadian which part of the US they're from gets a bit 'punchy' :eek: |
|
|
| Dr. DAS |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lilith
I always wondered, why when trying to be polite you'd ask someone with a north american accent "oh, which part of Canada are you from?" and they didn't bat an eyelid or get upset to say somewhere in the US... asking a Canadian which part of the US they're from gets a bit 'punchy' :eek: |
What part of New Zealand are you from?
:tongue2 |
|
|
| Lilith |
| quote: | Originally posted by Dr. DAS
What part of New Zealand are you from?
:tongue2 |
I'm not Australian |
|
|
| Dr. DAS |
| quote: | Originally posted by Lilith
I'm not Australian |
Well . |
|
|
| XaNaX |
| quote: | Originally posted by jennypie
Please, all they have to do is open their mouths and the gig is up. ;) |
Bah, I just say 'eh' at the end of every sentence and nobody is the wiser |
|
|
| MeLLyMeL |
Who the FUK would pose as a canadian?
I would pose more as my fuking background before any other country.
Never have I seen or read anything that would tell me to 'pose' as a Canadian. |
|
|
| verndogs |
| I've gone abroad and have told people I'm from NY. People are normally surprised since Amercians don't really travel abroad. :gsmile: |
|
|
| Lilith |
| quote: | Originally posted by MeLLyMeL
Who the FUK would pose as a canadian? |
I guess when someone that looks like Bas wearing a tea towel on their head and an AK47 pointed at you asks if you're american... you might want to say no. :p |
|
|
| Dr. DAS |
| quote: | Originally posted by MeLLyMeL
Who the FUK would pose as a canadian?
I would pose more as my fuking background before any other country.
Never have I seen or read anything that would tell me to 'pose' as a Canadian. |
Link
Link
Link
etc, etc, etc... |
|
|
|
|
