| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 1:49:12 AM | To start with, I hold dual citizenship Canada/US, being born in New Jersey to Canadian parents and growing up mostly in Vancouver. Having lived and worked in both countries, seen large parts of both and studied their relationship I have formed my own conclusions (which will remain so). That said, I identify myself more as an American, for my own reasons and beliefs. This is not to say I do not like, or even love Canada, because I do, its just how I identify in terms of values.
However, I am repeatedly alienated by "tolerant" Canadians (women and men) the second they find out I am American or even dual, regardless of how they knew me or the length of time previous to finding this out. Generally, there is just a rant about how America is terrible, and why Canada is so much better, followed by a "don't talk to me again you damn Yankee". Its cost me relationships, friends and occasionally made the workplace frustrating.
Does anyone have any issues like this come up? In regards to race, nationality, orientation etc?
Foxx
P.S. Just had to vent... got another 2 hour long chewing out about why my country is going to hell | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:04:41 AM | | sorry - but the british got harrassed during the days of empire, belgium had to take the flack for the atrocities of the congo - so now it your turn I guess.... | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:08:29 AM | Well, its fine to voice an opinion about the country, so long as you can back it up. But I'm talking about blacklisting me because I am one of 330 million people from a politically defined area.
Foxx | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:29:26 AM | I've been to the States 3 times and everyone I met was lovely and charming... but people will be inclined to take it out on you purely because of your nationality.
My parents came out to australia when I was 11 - i was still getting called a POMiE **stard 5 years after that. Try not to fret about it - move to australia - our prime minister loves americans! | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:44:37 AM | So does our now . I guess I'm more frustrated by people arguing that America sucks because "the money is gay" (real quote) and other such trash. I'm fine with REAL reasons.
Foxx | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 3:14:24 AM | | Why are you spending your time debating this matter? No offence, but if you didn't bring it up and make a big deal about it I doubt it would be a majour issue. My take on this is you should figure out who you are based on YOU, not where you come from.....Most people don't go around saying, I'm Jewish, African, or anything like that. I'm Ukranian, and I don't go around debating things about it. Just live your life as a 'human being' and don't stress out about the rest....... | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 4:02:25 AM | | Well at work, weird conversations start, and I guess nationaliy came up. And he defended his beliefs, I doubt he runs around with American flag underwear, with his pants down screamin "If you don't love America suck my**** | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 4:39:03 AM | I can see where you are coming from Foxx. I dont think you are making it up or stressing about something that really isn't there...LOL...I have actually talked to many Canadians and one new friend I have says the same thing. (He has dual citizenship for work). He gets harrassed as well. Sometimes its friendly and other times it borders on rudeness.
You have a valid point. I think its clear (to me anyway) that you SEEM to be proud of your citizenship and at 20 you seem to KNOW who you are, so if someone is doing something that you don't approve of, you have the right to rant (whether it be here or to friends).
Unfortunatly, people are always going to have their opinions and be able to voice them, so maybe just become an expert at just letting them talk without actually listening...LOL
Good luck to ya | |
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nrk
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Joined: 3/31/2005
Msg: 10 | |
| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 5:56:58 AM | Well I have no particular love for the political arrogance of the US but my mom is also a dual citizen and it doesn't prevent me from respecting her views as a person. course...she identifies herself as a Canadian so perhaps that makes a difference? Oh...and she's my mom!! lol
I think Canadian's tend to sport a little bit of a moral superiority complex, given that we have no real global enemies and I'm sure that could get downright annoying to some Americans.
But I'm still a very proud Canadian and even if I do apply for dual citizenship down the road, I would still consider myself a Canuck. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 6:07:19 AM | | So do you know who killed Jimmy Hoffa? It's OK, you can tell me. And thanks for clearing up that lil softwood lumber fiasco. Yer alright by me, kid. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 6:26:43 AM | Yes I can relate, trying being a Citizen of Canada, and a Citizen of a Middle Eastern Country. Most people do not go around even discussing the issue, but at times it comes up...I am a citizen of Canada, and have papers declaring me a citizen of Jordan.
If your being born and raised an American, causing problems with relationships, ask yourself, would I have really wanted a relationship with a person so shallow that my citizenship causes them grief??
Come on now, I doubt very much I would want a relationship with a person, where my citizensip was an issue for them...
How could you even ask such a question about whether or not a persons race, nationality etc, caused any issues...where have you been for the last 20 plus years??? There is much written about prejudice since the beginning of time....How where African americans treated? How were Asians treated, and now how are Muslims/Middle Eastern people treated??????
Me thinks you may not read newspapers or know of your own American History..
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 6:43:13 AM | | The fact that anyone would pre judge a person based on where they are from is riduclous. Some americans may be morally corrupt or arrogant...or whatever..ROFL...but I have heard some pretty mean things said about Canadians....Everyone has their opinion and that is welcomed, but as long as everyone knows that not everyone is what their country represents.... | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 8:20:42 AM | I has a serious relationship with someone from Seattle for 4 years, and I constantly heard, "how could you". Easily at the time. As much as we like to say we're tolerant, it only applies to things we understand. Would I date someone from the US again? Definitely.
If they don't understand or don't care to understand your background or your feelings, they aren't worth your time. That sounds harsh, I'm sorry. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 9:01:33 AM | Hey man I can totally relate. I was born in AB but have lived all over, my lil sis was born in dallas and has her dual. I have lived in TX and OR, and have felt the Oh.... ur canadian and silence. I think everyone is discrimnating because its a fear of the unknown. If you havent lived there then you just dont know. People are people and sometimes, people look for something to poke at you about, Its up to you to let it roll off your back so to speak. Everyone is different in some way, regardless of culture or nationality or where you were born.
So all in all I think that its all a frame of mind. I rest soundly knowing that I am very open to other cultures and nationalities, they tell me the greatest jokes, make some crazy good food that I totally enjoy trying out, and have traditions that I find very interesting and noble. So head up, you are the bigger man because you have the experience to know that you arent " a damn yank" and no you werent aware George was brainwashing the US military. hee hee  | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 9:27:28 AM | Hmmm, that sucks dude. But I don't hate you because you're American...you annoy me for other reasons entirely
Okay, in all seriousness, you've got opinions, and you're not afraid to voice them. As a result, you've got to be prepared for people to go against that, whether they do so in an intelligent fashion or not. It's a risk you take from opening yourself to the subject. I don't think that people who automatically alienate are really worth the headache of dealing with them, so all I can recommend is to 'rise above it'. However, if there really are serious issues (and I'm guessing it more has to do with your politics than your nationality), don't let yourself make it an issue, and hopefully others will follow the example. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 10:18:15 AM | Well, unfortunately some people make their decision on a person completely based on generalizations from their origin. I have had people have a hate on for me and make all sorts of assumptions about me cause of my family heritage (german). Typically, they are english wankers (Lol-its a joke!)
But people of limited intellects and capacities tend to have to live by these generalisations as their ability to open their mind is not available. It is unfortunate but you are not missing out in not befriending these peoples. A mind is like a parachute, it only works when open.
Granted, I think alot of people are not overly tolerant of our american neighbors and will come to decisions a lil faster than we would on others.
Right now the US is extremely polarized as a nation, between the red and blue states and so when you make connections with the red states you tend to be deontologically opposed to the majority of the canadian populace. Combined with the militaristic nature and apparent dissolution of freedoms in the US, alot of canadians are nervous. This does not excuse their behaviour however does explain it some. At least that is what i figure... | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 11:14:25 AM | the biggest reason americans are hated worldwide is thier arrogance.and most of them haven't got a clue about any place outside of thier country.
some examples:
1)canada didn't help in the iraqi war.
2)soccer bowl 1979-abc sports says the whitecaps are from the village of vancouver.
3)weed is legal
4)free medicare
5)canada let the terrorists into the states.
6)"you can't do that to us!we're american!"
feel free to add more. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 12:24:32 PM | 7) in the '94 nhl playoffs... Vancouver & Dallas:
an American Dallas "hockey fan" was asked on a US news channel, of all things, where "Vancouver" is... (remember they were playing against each other!)
the fan's response: "in Pennsylvania somewhere" | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:03:27 PM | Its funny, in my Canada/US relations course, we looked at that "American Ignorance" towards Canada, and as much as it exists, Canadians are surprisingly ignorant about MUCH (not all) of the United States as well. It swings both ways, though Canadians have more reason to know about them than a person in Dallas would to know about Canada.
My experience as being recognized as being from Canada when I was in the US has been mostly positive, though people basically just say how nice the people are and how beautiful it is
Foxx | |
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odlss
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Joined: 8/30/2005
Msg: 21 | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:35:24 PM | who cares if you're dual. My sister married an american and two of my closest friends here in victoria are either half american or full.
Its not your fault that Bush is an idiot | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:39:18 PM | So who cares?
you live here now dontya?
many of us come from different countries and many WORSE countries than the US
adapt
you'll always get some people who are opinionated and really don't know what they're talking about
if you know better than them, just smile and walk away | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 2:41:39 PM | sorry but this isnt about you but the perception of Americans in general.
Regarding my post and your response: Sorry but if youre supposedly a "hocky fan" you should have an IDEA of where the teams are located...?
Also if he really didnt know where Vancouver, BC was, shouldnt he at least have known Vancouver, Washington was?
these are just simple observations. | |
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| My little secret...
Posted: 4/28/2006 3:37:00 PM | i talk to yanks on the net all the time.the farther south you go,the dumber they get.
i found when i was in mexico,the locals could at least tell ya who our pm is.
in atlanta,they think the south park movie was a documentury. | |
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