Why is there such an imbalance of what Americans know about Canada vs What Canadians know about the US?
What I don't understand is that most Americans don't even know who the Prime Minister is! Or can't name more than one province!
Please help me shed light on why America is so in the dark.
http://canada.gc.ca/acanada/vwctgry.htm?lang=eng&font=0
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M$15 Answers
For starters, he's not the President of Canada, which would seem more familiar. What the heck is a Prime Minister anyway?
Second, Canada has a lot of trees. Perhaps they can't see him for the trees.
Canada only has one land border, with the US. Americans have to divide their attention between two countries, Canada and Mexico.
Possibly another factor is the extent to which Americans and Canadians get their information from Google. If you google "Prime Minister Harper" you get 231,000 results. If you google "President Obama" you get 86,500,000 results. So the Canadians have much more opportunity to read about the American president.
Somewhat surprisingly, if you google "Prime Minister Harper" and Canada you get 96,400 results. If you google "President Obama" and Canada you get 9,670,000 results, ten times as many. I wonder if this leads many people to think that President Obama is president of Canada too?
But when you get right down to it, most Americans know that Canada has lots of trees, snow, and beer, and that its policemen wear red coats. Isn't that enough?
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M$It's not unique to Canada either.
Canadians (like most people) enjoy television and movies. You Yanks toss in all sorts of bits of history into your television and movie content. From photos to factual historical content (Forest Gump, Nixon, JFK, etc) you guys are very patriotic. Good on 'ya.
Since Canadians (and other folks around the world) enjoy movies and television so much... and because the U.S. makes the best television and movies... well it's only natural that we pick up (and enjoy) the historical, economic, and social lessons that they contain.
Some folks think that this means that Canadians loose part of their heritage. On the other hand, folks like me appreciate that Canada is made up of many different pieces and a big one of those is our connection to the U.S. We even have a very serious law up that is enforced by a crazy government group called the CRTC caled "CanCon". This law and these folks force media outlets and providers to distribute Canadian content; depending on the specific medium, Canadian content must be distributed in a "fair" ratio! You can find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_content
Here's a fun video of a Canadian comic asking folks from the U.S. some pretty funny questions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhTZ_tgMUdo
This is actually a video from a WHOLE SERIES of videos. Rick Mercer (the guy doing the interviewing) asks some pretty funny questions. I can't find it right now, but he (of course) got some funny answers from Bush one time.
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M$
Well... to be fair if some Canadian TV presenter confidently refers to some "fact" about Canada on air are you going to on camera say "Wait... I thought it was..." or "Umm... are you sure? That doesn't sound right..."
Also people hear that they expected to hear, just like they read what they expected to see written.
Many years ago I worked with a character who had a line he often used that probably reflects the reality of such questions:
"I neither know, nor do I care".
Although with politicians there might be a variant:
"I neither know, nor do I care. But for the sake of not hurting your feelings I will pretend like I give a damn."
Am inferring correctly? More young Americans could be blindfolded, put in front of a map of North America and told to throw a dart at Canada and be more likely to hit it than just to point at it with their eyes open?
And yet dear Canadians, take heart...
92% of young Americans can find Canada on a world map!
That is the same proportion as can find California and Texas on a map of the US. Alas for New York State, only 50% can find that. :)
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/roper2006/pdf/FINALReport2006GeogLitsurvey.pdf
http://machinist.salon.com/blog/2007/08/30/upton/
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/12591413/
@kalane, (giggle) I was referring to the wonderful video that Rob posted up (titter) you have to see the video, then you'll see why Toronto is the Capitol.
(chuckle)
@buddawiggi... I am guessing you didn't read any of the links before coming up with your comment.
If you troubled to read them before assuming I don't know what I;m talking about, you'd see thorough analysis of the issue from multiple persectives, including the in-depth research study by National Geographic where the numbers come from.
I'm getting pretty annoyed with people that take for granted that I made a stupid mistake when they have not done the most basic checking themselves.
After viewing the video, it all makes sense to me now!
You (rob) have such high points on Mahalo because you have an extra 5 minutes to each hour I have ( 1 American hour equals 65 Canadian minutes)
I also thought that Vancouver was the capitol if Canada, I'm so glad to know that the correct answer is Toronto.
(love the video)
While it's sometimes upsetting to the citizens of the smaller neighbour, it's really pretty natural. There are more Americian TV shows, actors, musicians, businesses that are followed in Canada than the other way around. How could there not be when America has vastly more people?
In Europe there's a joke that goes something like this: "I can only name three famous Belgians, and two of them are fictional."
Even if you are a well-informed well-travelled person, you may know who the Prime Minister of Great Britain is, and the President of France. But do you know the equivalent for Holland or Norway?
People in the US may be less informed about the outside world than people in some other countries, but possibly it's because the outside world doesn't impinge on their lives so much.
I leave you with two facts to ponder...
1) During the run up to first Gulf War when there was a big international coalition with troops in the field, I saw a video of US troops being trained on who their allies were. They were asked in their training: "Great Britain - friend or foe?"
2) There were people in housing projects of Chicago that had never heard of the Twin Towers until 9/11.
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M$
Let me remind you all of this great cartoon. It applies to this question and the one about Michael Jackson's worldwide fame.
Although it's about New Yorkers, it's pretty true of people everywhere.
I remember that one... priceless.
A constant reminder of how skewed we Americans are.
(tsk, tsk)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Rp9MXoBNL8
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M$
You're right, ay... I forgot about the Great White North, ay.
There are more Canadians than we think that are down here in the States writing and acting in most of the major comedy shows here, ay.
It's EH!
(chuckle) "ay" is just "eh" with an American accent! (guffaw)
+1 for remembering to add the Bob and Doug reference into any mention of Canada. I think we should partition our local Canadian governments to force any online conversation about Canada to include a reference to Bob and Doug.
but ask us things about celebrities, politics and culture and you'll get an answer.
Have you ever watched a Canadian television show? Know any Canadian Bands? Ever had a poutine? It's not that they don't exist, but our "culture"( or whatever is left of it) Is being americanized. Most of our tv channels are american (so when your president wants to make an announcement, it ruins our tv show too), our tabloids are about american celebrities and well we have all the same fashion brands, everyone wants an i phone.. etc..
But why American don't know much about us? Well thanks to some nice stereotyping, Beer, hockey and mounties. I bet your thinking i have a nice french accent der, eh? There might be more trees in canada (thank god for that) But it doesn't mean people live in trees.. There are cities here too, most people live in cities. Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto.. Very big cities will all kinds of people.
If only some americans could stop thinking they're number 1 and take the time to notice this country, they'd be very surprised. But then again, i rather they not populated on our very green land :)
(I would like to state, i have no issue with americans, just ignorance.)
Moi
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M$
The average American doesn't realize how important Canadian national resources are to their economy because we are a benign presence. This lack of knowledge also feeds Canadian's feeling of moral superiority when it comes to our neighbours to the south.
My American friends, get a passport, come to Canada to visit and spend you Yankee bucks. We loves you, your TV and your money. Please leave your handguns at home, rifles are ok because we got big hairy things* for you to shoot here and 25 lb. lake trout to catch if you are fisherpeople.
* - bear, deer, moose, chipmunk BUT ABSOLUTELY NO BUNNY HUNTING!
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M$
Canadian Bunny Season is open!
http://beaglesunlimited.com/rabbithunting_hareandrabbithuntinginfo-CANADA.htm
Oh, the humanity!
Growing up in Indiana, I really didn't pay much attention to Canada because it didn't have much effect on me.
I took several trips across the border, but never paid any attention to the politics, just the scenery (it is a beautiful country by the way).
Also, I think Canada is seen by many Americans to be "harmless", as in not a threat to the US either militarily or economically. So knowing about Canada's government doesn't rank very high.
On the other side, America's government, culture, pretty much everything is world news (for better or for worse)
There was a Jon Stewart piece recently where they were interviewing farmers in the countryside of Iran and Americans on the streets of a big city.
The Iranians could name pretty much all of our political figures and the Americans either didn't know the Iranian politicians or couldn't pronounce their names.
But I think given a reason (a new Canadian friend, a trip to British Columbia, etc.) most Americans would brush up quite quickly.
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M$
@robbrown... is it true that all Canadians just love mayo on their French fries?
@brian san... it is sadly true.
@robbrown - if they invented Trivial Pursuit, why didn't they secretly add extra facts and info about Canada to even out the playing field?
"Growing up in Indiana, I really didn't pay much attention to Canada because it didn't have much effect on me."
This makes sense. But still...
Don't overlook that among other things, Canadians invented some stuff that may have effected folks way down in Indiana :)
The telephone (which is debatable)
Basketball (which is not debatable)
The lightbulb
The electric car
The microscope
Hockey and Goalie Masks
Heart valve operations
Insulin
Snowblowers (of course)
The zipper
and of course Trivial Pursuit
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_did_canada_really_invent
@bunnyphuphu : No, Mayo on french fries is mostly a European / Dutch thing. We have a pretty multicultural mix of folks including a significant number of very nice Dutch people. It's not uncommon to see Mayo on fries here, but I wouldn't say that it's a Canadian thing.
"Poutine" or french fries with cheese curds and gravy on them is however a Canadian thing.
'cause then it wouldn't sell :)
Ever wonder why so many U.S. films are made in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal but our own Canadian content sinks in the U.S. market?
It's the same reason :)
http://archives.cbc.ca/lifestyle/pastimes/clip/2234/
@robbrown. There are exceptions with films in Canada that mention Canada. Look at "The Whole Nine Yards" it shock full of Canadian references. (mayo)
And there I was thinking that the only time that it would be really useful to know thing like Canada's captial would be for things like Trivial Pursuit. :)
I think I should have changed my wording to "Growing up in Indiana, I really didn't pay attention to Canada because I didn't know of any ways that it affected me".
I would like to make it clear that in many cases (including mine), it's not about feeling superior to Canada. There are many things about America I don't like, and as was pointed out here, many things to like about Canada.
Same for Japan. Growing up, I couldn't have told you much of anything about Japan (other than about their cars). But now that I am living in Japan, I know (maybe too much) about Japan and it's government.
I'd also like to point out that the stereotypical American not knowing about other countries (that I was one of until a few years ago) is not something I approve of. And I think it is something that is slowly going away, with the help of things like social media and better news media (there is at least Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert!)
So as a sign of solidarity, I am now using a purple bar (Canada's national color) on my avatar in support of the state capitol of Toronto and their fight to use the 24 hour time system. But I still don't support blasting around our monuments.
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M$
The U.S. is so geographically and ethnically diverse, there is not as much of a desire to travel outside of the country. I consider myself a pretty culturally-savvy person. I've traveled a lot, including to Canada, and I found it beautiful. Although, I *can* name more than one province, and I bet a majority of Americans can, I will admit that I have no idea who the current Prime Minister is. Knowing this information is just not of any relevance to me at all.
In contrast, to the chagrin of some, the politics and popular culture of the U.S. plays a major role worldwide. When Canada starts producing the most popular films and music, becomes a military superpower, and has elections that are covered worldwide, I would be willing to bet that more people will be able to name the Prime Minister of Canada.
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M$
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M$
My sarcastic wit
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M$
The long answer: In the west one ocean, in the east another ocean, in the south one Latin country they don´t understand, in the north another Anglo-French country they don´t understand, in the middle their president who guide the nation´s world wide leadership and doesn´t speak other language different than English, 270 congressman of which only 15% has a passport and a whole country of 300 million citizens not in the need to learn, communicate or interact with the rest of the world. No wonder why Americans don´t know much about Canada!
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
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M$America has no such incentive to watch Canada's economy and politics. Add to this, America's habitual isolationism and the failure to know anything at all about Canada or about any other country's politics and economy is a natural consequence.
This will all change, of course: if Canada ever becomes the global superpower - or if the Canadian dollar is named as the benchmark international currency.
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M$
Thanks for your well-made points, kalane.
It's wonderful to hear Canadians, at least, may not suffer too much in this global recession.
Although I'm an American, I attended graduate school in Toronto for 3 years, and I've lived abroad elsewhere for many years: so I've met many Canadians over the years of whom I've asked this question about why Canada and Canadian affairs are so invisible in America.
Canadians from all economic means whom I've talked with - in 14 countries now, including Canada - are always telling me about how utterly dependent their economy is upon the US economy: much to their chagrin, as they say they'd much rather not be so closely identified with, and dependent upon, America. The Canadians I've spoken with always have countless examples of the Canadian economy falling drastically because x-y-z happens in the US. And they tell me that this is why Canadians cannot afford not to know what's happening in America politically and economically, like it or not.
Meanwhile, most Americans of all economic means, both at home and abroad, of whom I've asked the same question many times over the years, aren't aware of the American economy constantly rising and falling drastically every time something happens politically or economically in Canada...
So while the two economies are ovbviously interdependent on a massive financial scale, it still seems as if a kind of economic determinism and pragmatism is at play in this invisibility of Canada and Canadian affairs in America. That the US economy doesn't rise and fall drastically with Canadian affairs ~ as the Canadian economy is said to with American affairs ~ is a huge part of this economic determinism and pragmatism.
The American economy is actually quite dependent on Canada. For example, (quote from this National Geographic article http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2009/03/canadian-oil-sands/kunzig-text/3)
"The U.S. imports more oil from Canada than from any other nation, about 19 percent of its total foreign supply."
This table from the U.S. foreign trade statistics (http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/statistics/product/enduse/imports/c1220.html) shows that, in addition to Oil, the U.S also imported tens of billions of dollars worth of food, $30 billion worth of natural gas, tens of billions of dollars worth of metals and metal products and dozens of other natural resources and products to a tune of $339,491,425 worth of goods in 2008.
While the U.S. is Canada's largest foreign investor, Canada is only the fifth largest U.S. investor (http://www.buyusa.gov/canada/en/traderelationsusacanada.html).
So, I'd argue that the U.S. economy is as dependent on Canada as vice versa. As stated in the buyUSA article noted above: "The relationship between the United States and Canada is the closest and most extensive in the world. It is reflected in the staggering volume of bilateral trade--the equivalent of $1.5 billion a day in goods..."
The U.S. gets a huge volume of its wood, oil, natural gas, water and other resources and products from Canada.
The two countries are interdependent on one another for a variety of factors and, while the Canadian economy does tend to rise and fall with that of the U.S., as stated, Canadians are among the countries least affected by the global economic crisis.
it's not 70%, it's much closer to 50%. your math is wrong.
Sure '93 was the last time a Canadian team won, but look at the rosters of any Stanley Cup team since, they are all well over 70% Canadian players.
I'd like to point out that Canada has beaten the US in both the JR. and Olympic competition (Hockey) almost every year for the last 10-15!!
Also, I'd like to note that most Americans seem to think that the US is the centre of the world, this is not the case. Secondly, Canada is larger in land mass than the US, how many knew that, however, the population is much smaller.
I think the biggest issue is that Canadians let people live, do what they want. We're known for not being in other people's shorts all the time, this also has the negative effect that though we are currently the Biggest country in the world, no one hears about us and we get little or no respect.
The BlackBerry was left out as a great Canadian invention. How many amazing games have come of out LucasArts Montreal?
Let me make another, I live in Flanders. I wear my little Maple Leaf and I get treated as an honored guest here, especially when I visit sites from the war or encounter people who lived through that.
The Amercians were here too and they liberated this country as well, but I work with quite a few of them. Some have lived here for 20yrs, they have never learned the language, only do their purchases on the US bases and don't do so well out in public.
This isn't a rant against America, I have many American colleagues and a few friends among them. They, however, perpetuate the closed -minded persona that much of the world sees as American right now.
It's unfortunate and something that I think will take many, many years to change.
Oh and by the way, there must be 100 countries around the world that have Prime Ministers and not a President.
Hornet's Nest, meet Mahalo!
Why did you leave out Hockey?
"For starters, he's not the President of Canada, which would seem more familiar. What the heck is a Prime Minister anyway? "
Grab a beer... this one is complicated.
Basically, our system of government is a copy of the British parliamentary system. We don't have "Kings" or "Queens" (although, downtown Toronto right now would correct me), our government is setup to respect and take point from those crazy lords and ladies across the pond.
The "Office of the Prime Minister" was formed when our country was confederated back in 1867.
So in the same breath that Gordon Brown is the Prime Minister of the U.K.... our own Stephen Harper is the head government honcho in Canada.
Since the last time a Canadian team won the Stanley Cup was in 1993, Americans who have heard of hockey think that the Canadians who play hockey have moved to the 'States to play on its teams.
That's what I said. Yes they were born in Canada, but they came to the States to play for American teams. They only go back for the Olympics.