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Every country has its flaws, known best by those who have an interest in their country and its government, and how it treats is people, and its partners around the world in trade and commerce, plus its humanitarian aid given freely.
When one is embroiled in extreme comparatives with another one will always compare the "flawed self" to the "obnoxious other". It is a no-win situation.

Each country must be weighed on its own merits and its own demerits, and a comparison between the country of Canada and the country of the United States is an exercise of waste unless one seeks only to insult the offending other.

There is no comparison, any more than two cousins could be twins. There is a 4,000 mile of friendship historically, but I see the desire to wall it up on both sides now. Originally, it was the Canadian side who disliked the Americans after George Bush took over, but long before that, (and they won't admit it), it started with VietNam and the draft dodgers. As Americans now realize Canadians are "not the friends to the north" they once were, they are becoming more defensive as well to the point of outright dislike. It's ok, the Canadians have hated the Americans for a number of years, but are now admitting it up front.

For me it is as if my two parents are getting a divorce and I can do nothing about it.

Alternatively, there are wonderful things about both countries, but why should the "characteristics" of one country be "wrong" in the eyes of another???

If Americans are loud, noisy, roiling, arrogant, or any other lusty descriptive, is the opposite true of Canadians?Are Canadians quiet, settled, subservient? I don't believe that is true. So what makes Americans wrong and Canadians right???? Perception of what we believe the "other" is like. Insecurity does funny things to one's perception of reality. Being put on the defensive is another thing which messes up reality. It is called Displacement and it is a real phenomenon. Don't believe me. Look it up.

Canadians claim Americans wear Canadian Maple Leaf patches in Europe as they are so rude and nobody wants to serve them, but Canadians are "loved". They also write Americans who visit Canada are stupid and ignorant. If I were treated as rudely in any country as the Canadians write of the Americans I would take my tourist dollars elsewhere.

I am all for separating the two and let's see who suffers.
At this point, I think the Canadians are becoming lazy, spoiled children, waiting for their government to do everything for them. That isn't my way at all. That isn't the American way either. That is why I am "in my comfort zone" down here, in control of my own destiny, and pleased to contribute to the country and pay my fair share on the way.

"If Americans are loud, noisy, roiling, arrogant, or any other lusty descriptive, is the opposite true of Canadians?" As a Canadian who has travelled to the states I don't find this, to the majority, is true. I think we believe what we want to believe.

"Canadians claim Americans wear Canadian Maple Leaf patches in Europe as they are so rude and nobody wants to serve them, but Canadians are "loved". They also write Americans who visit Canada are stupid and ignorant"

Yes, I hear this all the time. It is very nauseating and I don't think Canadians realize how elitist and snobby they sound. We are in denial.

I really am an odd man out up here. I have always been a defender of America (well since high school) and you wouldn't believe how that makes one an ugly duckling up here. Heck, my wife is from Colorado and her parents are one of the staunchest Republicans you'd ever come across.

I'm sorry that Canadian act like that. It is a real shame. I can say we are NOT all like that, but I can't say the nice ones are in the majority.

It is one of the reasons I dislike Europe. I think we are poisoned by their attitudes. I remember being in Ireland and was called a "fucking American" because the Irish lady was rude to me. I didn't correct her as to my nationality but proceeded to explain how rude she was.