Around ~2008 I was in a Barcelona hostel and met a guy there. He started speaking and I interrupted him excitedly…“Oh you’re American!!”.
He looked down…the weight of pain curdled the air around us. You could sense deep sorrow welling beneath the surface of this man. He paused for what felt like an eternity to compose himself,
He looked up with a piercing, but harrowing, stare and said “No, I’m Canadian…”
I’ll never forget that moment. That sheer depth of emotion is something I haven’t experienced before or since.
Did I silently murder this poor Canadian soul? How do Canadians cope with the mistaken identity?
I wish I wasn’t white.
It’s only happened once and it was a fellow Canadian. For some reason they said I had a southern accent?
Meanwhile some American friends who have heard my voice were all like, "you sound soooo Canadian!“
I was at a mixer (science conference) in California once, and was talking to a colleague when from behind us, out of nowhere: “did you just say aboot?”
I was born and raised in England by my Canadian dad, and every time he heard the words “Is your dad American” I watched a little piece of his soul die.
I’m in Alberta. Many of the people I share this beautiful province think they’re American (or wish they were). It’s… Unfortunate
As an American I’d prefer they not be American. I fucking loathe the people who let American conservatives spit in their mouth and ask for more.
I don’t know what dumb fucker looks at Mississippi or West Virginia and aspires to be like that.
Me, personally, it’s not a big deal. But in several ways Canadian identity is based on comparing ourselves with the United States, as if it were the only relevant comparator. I see this in policy and people’s national identification. So, I do think a good number of Canadians dislike being mistaken for Americans because it doesn’t align with their identity. Separate from that - and the context of this post is travel - there’s a popular idea amongst Canadian travellers - especially the hostel-going type - that the world perceives Canadians better than Americans. So, many will display Canada flags when they travel to preemptively fend off the idea that they’re American
Yes, we see ourselves as British or French
Nah its just statistics. Historically Canadas population has been less than 10% of that of the US, we’ve almost hit a record of 12% now.
I live in Germany but im from BC so i get hit more often with the “it must snow a lot there!” and i have to explain that it only snows a few days a year and that i’m a cold weather bitch.
Funny story though, i was on a pub crawl in 2018 in London (the real one) and i happen to run into a group of ~20 Canadian soldiers who had also joined it. There was 1 American on this pubcrawl and later in the night he comes up to me in a panic and says “NAME! You’re american right!?!” Haha. He had never been the minority before.
This may be an unpopular opinion, but Canadians are Americans not just technically, but also culturally. The difference between a Canadian and an American is similar to an American in NY and another in Alaska. Very similar, but they are a little different but not as much as compared to say English person or Australian. So when people assume I am American, I am not offended as yeah…we really kinda are. We share the same culture that is nearly identical. So much so that most Americans cannot tell Canadians are Canadians until they have spoken for a bit and picked up a few key word differences.
I’ve heard it said that America and Great Britain are “divided by a common language.” I’ve had friendships with British people that consisted largely of “Hey, tell me about this snack food you have that I’ve just now heard of.”
That just doesn’t exist between America and Canada. We’re on the same page. We’re easily mistaken for each other…by each other. Talking to a Canadian about something we’re both interested in is an extremely similar experience to talking to another American.
If I got any angry for being mistaken for an American, I would be angry all the time. I’m living in Japan. People’s just assume I’m American. Makes sense right? Tons of yanks; not so many canucks.
You must have caught that schmuck on a really bad day. I’m not upset by it, because we are really hard to tell apart. Some people do take mild offence, but it’s a pretty unfair thing to expect someone to guess.
Often, it’s good to point out you’re Canadian abroad, because we’re just less hated globally. Occasionally being “American” can be handy, especially in America.
A lot of Canadians can be bothered by it. I’ve seen them bothered by it. It’s sorta cute.
However, I’m ethnically Chinese (born in UK) and the ongoing joke is how Asians (Orientals if you’re from the UK) hate being confused for one another as well.
Also, not gonna lie, I’ve confused Taiwanese/Chinese/Japanese/Korean/what-have-you people before. However, I don’t get called racist because I’m East-Asian :P
Here’s the deal. I don’t care … people are rarely ever doing it to get a rise out of you. Most of the time, these are conversation starters. Also, I’m a Chinese-Brit that was confused for being Japanese growing up. Then I moved to Canada and when I said I grew up in London. They all thought I meant London Ontario because apparently London England didn’t exist. Then I moved back to Canada and they all thought I was American.
I remember when travelling to South America and being ask where I’m from: “I’m Canadian.”, and being replied to “Ahhh Quebec”. I’m french canadian but pretty much billingual. Somehow they always managed to tell I was from Quebec. Weird.
Only when I’m travelling in the States.
I feel like because right wing politics have gotten to such an extreme down there that I need to actively make it known I’m not a bigot if that make sense?
I want people to know I’m a friendly Canadian who’s approachable
I’m a friendly Canadian who’s approachable
I thought your whole ‘thing’ was that you’re polite and friendly!? Surely you don’t need to say “friendly” and “approachable”?
With regards to your reputation for politeness/friendliness - do you think that’s compared to Americans? So for example you’re at the same level of polite as Brits? Or do you think your friendliness/politeness goes above Brits even.
Obviously this is all stereotypes/generalisations. You’re average inner-London (UK) chav with a zombie knife isn’t that polite!
I wouldn’t feel too bad for mistaking a Canadian for an American. Our accents sound so similar that I don’t think its a big deal, especially for non native, or non North American english speakers.
That’s what I tell every Canadian I know who’s travelling anyhow. Just kindly tell them you are Canadian if they ever refer to you as American. Or carry Canadian insignia if you are concerned about it.
Born in Canuckistan, I’ve lived in NY + WA and I work remotely with LA+GA people.
Yanks pick out the Canada right away, and Canucks spot the dialect mods at similar pace. Neither country is confused about my origins, though.
When I’m abroad, I remember to be polite as my mom taught me, and no one seems to mistake it.
The main thing is that we need to set ourselves apart from the States and the rest of the English-speaking Commonwealth by our demeanor rather than by accent.
