The Ugly Anti-American (Yanks are real hosers, eh!)

The Toronto Star ^ | June 25, 2005 | David Bruser

[quidnunc]

A reporter posing as a friendly U.S. tourist on Toronto's streets finds Canadians aren't as affable or open-minded as we'd like to think

Warmonger. Bible thumper. Braggart.

All popular, contemporary stereotypes of Americans.

Though one would think us "polite" Canadians would not utter these to an American's face, a reporter posing as a U.S. tourist learned his place in this city right quick.

During a couple of days walking major streets in the centre of Toronto, this pretender introduced himself to several locals and limped away with sore feet and the feeling that I'd been picked on.

Having lived in Mississippi for a couple of years, I felt impersonating a Southerner was within my limited acting skills. Nothing too obvious, no 10-gallon cowboy hats or "I do declare's". Just a few "y'alls,"mixed in withsupport of George W.

While many were happy to talk geopolitics and differentiate between the U.S. government and its citizens, several others did not make that distinction, projecting the perceived sins of a nation onto me.

In Kensington Market, the tone was shrill. Of five people I approached, two were downright sanctimonious.

First, I approached John, sitting on a stoop smoking, a Toronto hat on his head. I asked for a lighter, introduced myself and said I'd noticed anti-Americanism in Toronto. He asked if I was a Republican and I said I was.

Then John asked, "Are you a fundamentalist of some kind?"

"This is Kensington Market," he added. "It's about the worst place for fellow right-wingers."

After I thanked him for his time and started walking away, he instructed, "Reconsider your views."

Yessir.

By no means a scientific or comprehensive survey, I sidled up to strangers bearing no ill will to ask for directions or the use of a lighter for a cigarette, introduced myself, told them where I was from, then turned the conversation to politics.

-snip-

[Slings and Arrows]

Canadian Healthcare: Where the abortions are free, but there's a 10-month waiting list.

[Slings and Arrows]

Canada is the answer to a question that noboby bothered to ask.

I like that. New tagline!

[Tribune7]

"What's the definition of a Canadian? An unarmed American with healthcare."

A better definition is "an unarmed American with free access to a waiting list."

[Last Dakotan]

In Kensington Market, the tone was shrill. Of five people I approached, two were downright sanctimonious.

Ahh, I see he met some liberals.

[McGavin999]

Canadians hating Americans. Isn't that like the fat, ugly girl in class who hates the cheerleader who was just crowned Homecomeing Queen?

[Reactionary]

Canada: The Little France of North America. It's smarmy, arrogant, condescending and smug. It's useless for anything but bloated rhetoric and moral posturing.

[MSM Hater]

I just snorted my Michelob out my nose I was laughing so hard when I read your one-liner.

[Slings and Arrows]

Many thanks - there is no higher compliment than a nasally-ejected beverage.

[WLR]

Let's see..

We go to Canada with money (gobs of it) on vacation, Drink their whiskey, Take the few attractive young women they have, drag them by the hair to the US and marry them. Hunt, kill and eat their nice game animals then send back pictures to our Canadian "In Laws" of us and our wives as we stand underneath a nice Canadian Moose head mounted on the wall.
The final insult?

They know, we know, the New Hampshire National Guard Association's, Mothers Auxillary Corps could beat their Army without our sweet Moms messing up either their most recient hairdo or the bunt cake in the oven.

To be fair of course one must acknowledge the American Boy Scout Association would be expected to issue a tasking to Cub Scout Pack 111 Elk River to assist the Moms in crossing the Canadian Border in case of rain.
Be honest wouldn't you be a little unhappy with us too? :)

Wm

[ozzymandus]

Boycott Canada. Vacation in North Dakota. They talk the same and are much friendlier. Besides, there's more to do and the money isn't pink.

[hosepipe]

[ Be honest wouldn't you be a little unhappy with us too? :) ]

HuH... Your point being.?...
Canada is a parasite on the American Military Umbrella.?.

[hosepipe]

[ Boycott Canada. Vacation in North Dakota. They talk the same and are much friendlier. Besides, there's more to do and the money isn't pink. ]

Better, visit Alaska.. which is Canada without the Canadians.. only better..
We have two republican partys (Reg. and Rinos) and guns are as common as whisk brooms..

Better fishin, more glaciers, pannable Gold in some streams, bigger mountains, friendlier people, more land, streams, lakes than anywhere in the U.S., and few political liberals.. Much bigger than Texasd, d;-)~, and size counts..

[DB]

Sarcasm...

[Dog Gone]

Thanks for posting the whole thing.

[RemainCALM]

I for one no longer travel to places that are un American. Places like Canada, Illinois, West Virginia, California and Vermont.

Hey friend- West Virginia went for Bush in both 2000 and 2004. You won't find a more "American" place anywhere.

[Bar-Face]

I don't think I would be welcome in any state that elects Robt. Byrd (KKK_WV) to Congress and the Senate for OVER 50 years. That is not a part of American I am proud of.

[riri]

Canadians--so irrelevant, I don't even have a stereotype of them to speak of.