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Dec 07, 04
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Why Americans pretend to be Canadian
Why Americans pretend to be Canadian
By Elaine Monaghan Travellers adopt new identity to escape scorn abroad FOR some Americans, to be mistaken for a Canadian is the ultimate humiliation, yet hundreds of US citizens travelling abroad have willingly acquired a disguise of a T-shirt with a Canadian flag. Traditionally, Americans have looked down on their northern neighbours and Canadians are the butt of a thousand American jokes. But faced with hostility on their foreign holidays, some Americans are going to great lengths to conceal their nationality. Those prepared to make the switch can now buy maple leaf stickers for their luggage. The truly adventurous can even learn the dialect and replenish their knowledge of the adopted homeland with the help of the quick reference guide How to Speak Canadian, Eh? Relations between the two countries have been strained by Canada’s refusal to back the US-led war on Iraq. President Bush did not help matters during a recent visit to Ottawa. Confronted by protesters, he said that he was grateful to those Canadians who came out to wave “with all five fingers”. However, Mr Bush’s election victory last month prompted a flood of inquiries on Canada’s main immigration website. Sensing a business opportunity, an American company is selling a “Go Canadian” package for $24.95 (£13) after an employee heard of someone being harassed over US politics during a recent trip overseas. “It was not meant as a slight against the US or Canada,” Bill Broadbent, president of T-shirtKing.com, said. “Some people might not mind, but others just want to be on vacation. So we were joking that they could just go as Canadians, and that just kind of evolved.” The package’s quick reference guide offers tips in case an American in disguise gets quizzed on Canada. On sports the guide suggests: “This is easy to remember. There is only one real sport in Canada and it is called hockey. Regardless of any trivia question, the answer is ‘Wayne Gretzky’.” If a Canadian had to “deke out of a meeting”, it means he avoided the meeting. If someone is headed to “Hogtown”, that is Canadian for Toronto. A trip to “Cowtown” means that the person is going to Calgary. TALK LIKE A NATIVE: AN AH TO ZED GUIDE Allophone: someone whose first language is neither English nor French Chesterfield: a sofa Eh?: an utterance regularly injected into conversations which has the meaning “don’t you think?” Elevator: lift Homo milk: full fat (homogenised) milk Housecoat: dressing gown Keener: sycophant, an overly keen person Lineup: queue Loonie: one dollar coin, on which appears a Loon: native Canadian bird Pogey: unemployment benefit Poutine: a dish typical to Quebec consisting of fries, cheese curds and gravy Runners: trainers Tap: the same as in British English, rather than the US faucet The States: the USA Toonie: two dollar coin Tuque: knitted hat Washroom: toilet Zed: the final letter of the alphabet 
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Dec 07, 04
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i didnt read the whole thing but when i went to europe, we met quite a few poser canadians. they said there is an actual difference in treatment americans and candians get abroad.
some guy even said his luggage didnt get tossed around as much with a can. tag on it.. lol
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Dec 07, 04
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thank god i can prove where i'm from with my passport.
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Dec 07, 04
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we're just lucky we are form the better end of the continent..
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Dec 07, 04
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its because of people like this
http://www.hugi.is/hahradi/bigboxes....1208&f_id=1211
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Dec 07, 04
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I love being a Canadian you are recieved much more warmly abroad it is very true. When I was in the Carribean many Canadians would go out at night and feel safe. While the Americans stuck it to compounds and secured areas. truly I love being a Canadian..
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Dec 08, 04
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^ werd.. and they do it so they wont get mad shit.. cuz everyone hates our country, and most of us would rather be canadian anyway.
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Dec 08, 04
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Quote:
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Dec 08, 04
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Many reasons of unconforting country maybe this site will help out to explan you better of few of many reasons that this is pushing people either on the rong side or out the game:
http://www.stopthelie.com/
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Dec 08, 04
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So true. I met a few Americans in Australia who wore Canadian flags on their backpacks. I'd ask them wehre they were from and they'd quickly tell me they were really American and look around suspiciously. Haha. I thought it was funny and it makes me proud to be Canadian.
And those Canadian lingo interpretations? I think some of those things are more common in the East (?) cuz I don't say tap, trainers or lift. That's what Australians and the British say.
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Dec 08, 04
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Quote:
haha....fuck that makes americans look so stupid...
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