When you boil it down, are Canadians and Americans really that different?
149941
In my experience there are some small but significant differences.
949514
Depends what exactly you're talking about.\n\nI'm Canadian but I have an American husband. Hence all his family is American. We're working on a visa to bring me down there to him. But not for the US, if I had my choice, I'd stay here. But he's got a really really good job there that I can't ask him to leave and he'd probably never find here.\n\nSo... I'm not blind to American faults. But I also don't hate the country. The people are strong, influential, fascinating. But America has glaring faults and sometimes the things they do absolutely terrify me.\n\nThe odd thing is, I love the US almost as much as I love Canada and there's no where else (but New Orleans) in the world that I'd rather live if I'm not living in Canada. I just absolutely hate the direction it's going in. \n\nReligion is gaining far too much power in the country. And that needs to change for it's own good. Or it will no longer be the "land of the free" but the land of the oppressed and hated.\n\nSo how do I feel? I love them. But they terrify me.
435738
I personally like Canadians and think it is perfectly ok to assume an american persona when drunk. This is also good for america as we europeans believe them to be religious fanatics and it would give them some good press if we thought they could cut loose, throw up in the street and start a punch up like all us normal people.
498272
Over all I think you have it wrong.  I am Canadian, however, I have a son-in-law and granddaughter living in Texas and relatives scattered throughout both countries.  However, who do you class as Americans.  As I see it the North American continent consist of Canada, USA, and Mexico.  With this in mind, who is American?  If there is a dislike from nation to another, it is a personal agenda of the thinker.  But, if you really want to know the deep thoughts of why people of USA have any conflict with Canadians? You will have to take some history lessons; In the past like around early 1700 - 1800 there has been conflicts between Canada and USA and Canada is the only country in the world that has burnt the Whitehouse and not only once but, twice.  Plus the name Enterprise used by USA on ships was first a Canadian ship built in the late 1700 in Nova Scotia.  In conflict between Canada and USA the HMS Enterprise is responsible for seizing and sinking of 156 USA ships before it was finally cornered in a bay by seven USA ships, all hands lost.  The name Enterprise is a USA trophy.  But, I prefer to love thy neighbor, it makes for good rumors.
156456
No, because I am Canadian :)LIVING AND WORKING in the USA.  Problem with that?  I'm legit, I was born in Canada, but raised in the USA, is that ok with you?
674007
I know several Canadians that put US folks to shame where politics are concerned. They are much more attuned to international affairs, domestic affairs than their southern neighbors are attuned to Canadian affairs.
398989
Several people at my church in Michigan are Canadians, including the 2 ministers. From my long and thoughtful conversations with Canadians I have found that Canadians are a very diverse group of people, yet are unified by a strong desire to remain separate from the US both politically and personally. As one Canadian put it " being a Canadian is like living in an apartment above a noisy drunk, an incredibly well armed drunk."
1034786
No, I'll assume what I want, and if I'm wrong I'm wrong. It's not meant to be insulting. Like if I was in Europe and someone asked me if I was american when I'm Canadian, even though I don't care for the states I wouldn't be offended by the person. People make mistakes. It's not a big deal.
579215
Languages change all the time as a natural part of their progression.  Sometimes these changes are adopted and perpetuated and sometimes they are not.  Different groups often choose to perpetuate different changes.  Since Canadians and Americans belong to different cultural groups (there are actually several relevant regions in the U.S.) they have chosen to perpetuate different language characteristics.\n\nSee if you can watch the movie "American Tongues" if you'd like to learn more about how different dialects of English work.
301069
I am Canadian with many relatives in the US.  I have spent 35 years between the two countries and let me tell you, there are many social differences between the two countries.  I could spend the next two hours writing on the subject, but I will try to sum it up quickly and simply.  \n\nThe United Nations examines many cultural and social aspects when they determine their top 50 countries to live in list.\n\nLiteracy, infant mortality, life expectancy, murder rates, corruption, and poverty to list but a few. Using these aspects to measure a country's "status" as it were.  Canada has fallen on the list over the years to Norway, but for most of the 90'S we were #1.  The US was around the 25-30 area.\n\nI point out to my American relatives (all of whom believe that their nation is the best in the world, even though many have never travelled) that their communist neighbour Cuba has a higher standard of living than they do according to the UN.\n\nAs humble as we Canadians like to think we are, we are very proud and grateful that many of the negative social challenges that are ever present in the US don't exist here (at least not on the scale it is in the US).  I don't know one Canadian who would ever want our two nations to merge.\n\nWe have a relatively unknown multi-cultured utopia up here and we would like to keep it that way.
523065
not really.\n\nmy whole family is french canadian and we don't have particularly high cheekbones.
317250
I'm not sure why you think that Canada is "more respected."\nBy whom? I'm an American living in Europe and I learned in the many years here that all they do is compare themselves to the U.S. They criticized the Irak war, but it was a matter of them not having money for their armed forces. Of course they are very loud at criticizing, but they depend on the U.S.A. for their defense. At this time they see no direct risks (Cold War is over), so they play the important ones. \nWhat has me wondering all the time is that a country like Canada still embraces MONARCHY!!! I think this is extremely ridiculous.
571404
Canadians are generally nice people, their country looks like the US but the people is much more "European", even if they are also very north Americans in most ways.  I must say that I know especially Fench-Canadians, because I visited Montreal and Quebec.
408979
i am canadian and have worked in busy tourist towns off and on for several years. let me tell you, that some americans are the most ignorant people i have ever met. they are the only country that will come into the store and ask "is that in american dollars?" .....you're in CANADA. it's in CANADIAN dollars! and that is just the tip of the iceberg on dumb questions. from my experience with americans, they have the attitude that the world revolves around them. sorry, it doesn't.\n\n***Just to clarify, this isn't every american! many of them are very nice and smart and not ignorant at all!***
171297
It depends on what you are looking for.  "Better" is a word that can mean anything, and can be defined only by the person using it.\n\nPeople in both countries are very friendly, kind, helpful and caring.  They have many of the same aspirations and goals. They want the same things  or similar things for their children.  They both have strong family values.  Both countries care strongly about their citizens, and citizens of both countries care strongly about thier countries.  For the most part, they have similar cultural and ethinc groups.  Both countries have a very strong second language group - French in Canada, Spanish in the US.  Both countries have similar good records in terms of acceptance of different cultural groups, but also similar problems in terms of cultural and ethnic misunderstandings, intolerance, and prejudice.  Both countries are trying to deal with various controversial social issues, each in its own way - abortion, same sex marriage, medical cannabis, etc.  In the US these issues tend to be dealt with state by state, while in Canada they tend to be dealt with nationally.  Both countries have a democratic form of government.  Both countries have a federal/national government as well as state/provincial governments.  Both countries use English as its main language.  Both countries have great variety in terms of landscape, geology, coastline, etc.  Canada and the US are each other's best trading partners.  We share professional sports organizations - the NHL, etc. and interest in the same sports - hockey, baseball, football.  Players from each country play on teams in the other country.\n\nCanada has the US beat in may ways.  In Canada, there is far less crime, though crime in Canada is increasing.  Health care is free to all - no insurance needed, and no matter what the care that is needed.  Many professionals are paid more in Canada than in the US - note teachers and day care workers especially.  Believe it or not, the cost of living is much lower in Canada than in the US.  Care of seniors and those with special needs is better in Canada.  Contrary to what a previous person answered, the education system is much better in Canada.  Elementary and high schools are much more progressive in many ways.  University and college education costs much less in Canada than in the US.  Canada's social services safety net is much better.   Canada does much better with recycling and protectin the environment.  Canada has much more pure water resources.  Many public schools in Canada still allow the Lord's prayer as part of daily life.  \n\nHowever, in many parts of the US the weather is much better for sure.  There are more opportunities for employment, simply because the population is so much larger, which automatically creates employment.  Travel throughout the US is much easier and cheaper than travel throughout Canada.  The US dollar is more acceptable and well known in the international market place.  There are often more choices in the US in some ways - what to do, food, where to shop, etc., again related to a much larger population.  In the US people are much more dedicated to their flag and wear their patriotism much more openly than Canadians do.  The US is an easier country for retired people in some ways, including employment, and a less stressful climate.\n\nI could continue.  So I hope this answer helps put some perspective on this question.  Canadians and Americans have more in common, I think, than they have differences, and neither country is overall better than the other.  they each have their good characteristics and their problems, just like any other aspect of our world.
425907
Not at all. We all have periods of self doubt. It doesn't matter if you're American or not. It doesn't make you any less American.
963976
I am from Canada. I have an American sister and I visit her often. I have never meet an American I haven't liked. Also love the beautiful country.