Now this is a post I meant to put up much sooner as the statement was made about 6 months into my year in Canada. Of course, it just happens that I get a ton of blog-related ideas, but rarely put most of them up. This one...well, I just had to address eventually, and now that I'm back in the U.S., I've been thinking about it even more (thanks election 2008).
While in Canada, I would often get asked directions or questions while I was on my bike. I guess I looked like I knew where things were and that I belonged there, but truthfully, there isn't much apparent difference between me and any other Vancouverite or Canadian. Since we North Americans look roughly the same, and honestly sound nearly the same (most of that "aboot" stuff you hear is from the Newfoundlanders, or Newfies, of Canada...kinda like our regional dialects of Wisconsin, New York, Boston, Chicago, or the South)...anyway, the assumption that I'm Canadian is quite understandable. Every now and then, people would detect some kind of accent and ask where I'm from and sometimes they were surprised. I can honestly say that my accent changes periodically...it's a little more...ok, country...when I'm in T-town vs when I'm in Florida or Vancouver. And I have been accused by at least one St. Louis friend of developing a slight Canadian accent which leans towards a long Ohhh sound.
My point is, it's really hard to tell the difference between Canadian and American from superficial things. However, there are TONS of stereotypes, and really, those seem to be how more people make their opinions. I was working with the film students on production sound and one of them was quite shocked at finding out I was American. (he's really bummed now because he would have liked me to stay in Vancouver so he could recommend me for jobs...which makes me sad too!) At a few parties I went to, many were surprised I was American...and it usually came up due to political discussions. Now, do you know WHY they were surprised? It actually all ties in with my views on the upcoming election.
Most people around the world (and since 9/11 I've been to England, France, and Canada) really do not like the U.S. these days. They think Americans are stupid, arrogant, and wasteful. They think we have the dumbest president ever and are increasingly frustrated with their own governments for going along with him. When they find out I'm American, they are surprised because they don't think most Americans would have the views that I have, which ultimately means that they are surprised I think about such issues, disagree with many of the U.S.'s policies, and that I can carry on an intelligent conversation about the whole thing!
I'm sure that some of these things I'm saying will bother, if not offend some readers here, but I don't write it for that reason. I write this as personal observation of what other countries think of us so that we can see that there is a problem out there. Clearly, most of these stereotypes are exactly that...stereotypes. Even people who agree with the current administration in the U.S...well, it doesn't mean they are unintelligent. It means we have complicated issues and many people are doing their very best to try and understand them and arrive at their own opinions...and in the upcoming election, vote to that end.
And I'm not saying that just because something is unpopular, we should change to be popular...but really, in this case, I tend to agree with the foreigners. I think that if many countries, often our allies, think that we are being ridiculous as a country..we ought to listen. Think of it as an intervention from your family. Sometimes they do know best. It probably helps that I didn't agree with some of these things to begin with, so of course I agree with the other nationalities. But really, it's disturbing to me, that in a conversation with one person at my school about foreign stereotypes...that Canadians are thought of as "nice", the English are thought of as "pompous", the French are thought of as "rude" and Americans are thought of as "stupid". Excellent, right? While "rude" and "pompous" aren't exactly great...stupid just seems...harsh. I should mention that this friend was from England...just so we have an even more global view on what people are saying.
And yes, when questioned as to my nationality, the Canadians that were shocked I was American..it was because they didn't find me to be stupid. They were surprised I could talk civilly about larger issues and that I actually disagreed with foreign policy and political leaders in the U.S. Granted, they often didn't approve of Canada's official stance on politics either. But whoever fully agrees with politics?
Now, some of you know my political stance and some of you know my leanings in this upcoming election (Go Obama!) and some of you will disapprove of my opinions precisely because it seems "un-American"...sure, if you follow Dubya's definition of "patriotic"...but he also supports torture and such, so I'm really not concerned with his definition.
I know this is getting a bit rambly, but I do want to point out that many Canadians and other nationalities were very happy to have deeper conversations with me AND it restored their faith in the U.S. that there are more opinions left in the country beyond what they see on TV or in stereotypes. Many of them, as also stated on a Canadian TV News program, would TRADE their vote in the next federal Canadian election in order to vote in the next U.S. election. Why? Because they think it's SO important and that America's global stance hugely affects Canada and the rest of the world. (if you're curious, most of the Canadians I spoke with supported Hillary or Obama..and I would convince the Hillary supporters that Obama was preferable over the two)
So, over half of Canadiands would trade their vote and think this election is crucial...what does that tell us? I think it means we should get informed and VOTE. It means we need to work with the world instead of against it, and foster relationships with other countries that don't lead to negative stereotypes, but instead lead to unity despite our differences...a search for common ground (maybe this would help our tanking dollar and poor economy! among other things). Before talking with many people about this, several Canadians even told me they had NO desire to go to the U.S., but now they would consider it because it's "not as bad as they thought".
I don't know if you ultimately think I was a good or bad ambassador to Canada during my year there, but I am very happy that I was able to eliminate some stereotypes and foster even a little bit of goodwill towards the U.S. When I left, with a wry smile, a few jokingly said "ok, you can come back to Canada if you want. You're an American we like". Of course, most Canadians don't hate us, but I did sense a lot of mistrust and complete loss of respect for the U.S. Hopefully this changes on a grander scale. And yes, Canadians are not always "nice" as we think, but for the most part, I love our neighbors to the north!
Ok...enough politics for now, but if you remind me, I might talk about my experience with the Canadian health care system too!
2 comments:
It says a lot that Canadians, for example, would trade their vote in their own election for a vote in the U.S. election. I would be very curious to see international polls and surveys to see who the world thinks should be the next U.S. president. The world believes and knows that the U.S. affects so much of the world.
I would have to agree, sadly, with the general consensus of the American stereotype. How many Americans could even begin to talk about the foreign affairs or politics of other countries, let alone their own?? The fact that so many people around the globe can do that about the U.S., and then would even go so far as to trade their vote if they could, should really make us stop and listen. They just might be worth listening to.
Great post! Very thoughtful, as you always are :)
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