[Former Proud Canadian]

It depends who you are and where you are going.

As a Canadian I understand the officer's point of view when I am entering the US. Do I have a legitimate reason for entry? Do I qualify for entry? Does the length of my stay match my reason for entry? Am I bringing something in that should be taxed or confiscated? Their questioning is based on these factors. I have found them, on the whole, to be polite, open and friendly, like most Americans. The best policy is "yes sir, no sir, three bags full sir".

As a Canadian coming back to Canada it is a different story. They have to let me back in so the questioning is limited to should they be collecting taxes from me or am I trying to bring in some contraband. Once my citizenship has been established I find the Canadian officers to be dismissive and disinterested.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wife and I passed through the border at Pigeon River, heading for Thunder Bay last fall. The Canadian border officer asked what our plans were for a day in his country.
“We're headed to the Thunder Bay Amethyst Mine,” I said.
“Never heard of it,” he said. Must’ve transferred in from Quebec...