Why exactly do we enjoy tormenting Canada?

[signingupforgames]

To most Americans, Canada is a fun punching bag. We make fun of their accent, clothes, mannerisms, and (what made me want to start this topic(See: LoadingReadyRun)) their tendency to apologize.

So my big question is. WHY?

 

[DeadlyYellow]

Because people are stupid?

Though I don't think I've seen anything more offensive than that one Fox news clip. I'm going to have to find that now.

 

[The DSM]

They made Justin Bieber.

They ruined the music industry, not America!

Oh and it draws fire away from the English, with our bad teeth and top hats...

 

[Vetterthorir783]

So my big question is. WHY?

MY big question? Why NOT?

Seriously though, in my experience, and also all stereotypes that are seen, Canadians are very polite people(unless you fuck with their Hockey), and so they make the easiest target. Kinda like the nerds in High School. Why do jocks pick on nerds? because they are more likely to go along with it, and 'apologize' for hitting themselves repeatedly, even if it is your hand causing them to bash their own skull in.

 

[Baby Tea]

what made me want to start this topic(See: LoadingReadyRun)

You know that the guys of LoadingReadyRun are Canadian, right?
If there is one thing we Canadians are great at: it's self depreciating humor.

But more on topic, it happens on both sides of the border. Canadians make fun of 'gun toting' Americans, and Americans make fun of Igloo-living Canadians. It's a friendly banter we have going between us. The Canadian jokes in the 'How I met your Mother' TV show always make me laugh, and 'Talking to Americans' with Rick Mercer also always made me laugh.

It's just friendly rib poking.

 

[lostzombies.com]

No idea, I personally love Canada. I have never met a Canadian who hasn't been incredibly friendly and funny. The country looks beautiful and the society has a European feel to it, not to mention that also have similar values, healthcare etc... If I had to move away from England I would want to live in Canada.

Canada ftw

 

[BonsaiK]

They made Justin Bieber.

They ruined the music industry, not America!

Spoiler: to be honest Canada has way better music than the US right now

 

[Asturiel]

You know that the guys of LoadingReadyRun are Canadian, right?
If there is one thing we Canadians are great at: it's self depreciating humor.

But more on topic, it happens on both sides of the border. Canadians make fun of 'gun toting' Americans, and Americans make fun of Igloo-living Canadians. It's a friendly banter we have going between us. The Canadian jokes in the 'How I met your Mother' TV show always make me laugh, and 'Talking to Americans' with Rick Mercer also always made me laugh.

It's just friendly rib poking.

Yep Baby Tea has it pretty well covered, we Canadians are pretty creative when it comes to making fun of ourselves, but then again we kickass so it all evens out.

 

[Fenreil]

Yeah, it's pretty much harmless ridicule around here. People mostly just like to make fun of the whole "eh" thing. Hell, even children's TV shows do it. That, and it's a convenient place to blame stuff on.

 

[SnootyEnglishman]

because they're the closest country we can make fun of without having to deal with politically correct BS and other legalities. Personally i don't care.

 

[Irridium]

Because with the entire world picking on the U.S., we need someone to vent on.

We still love you guys.

 

[Tharwen]

Do we? I don't.

I just torment stupid people, usually without them even knowing it.

 

[SharpDressedNerd]

They made Justin Bieber.

They ruined the music industry, not America!

Oh and it draws fire away from the English, with our bad teeth and top hats...

Justin Bieber was simply revenge on America for Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

 

[The Austin]

I always thought it was because we're neighbors.

It's kind of like a love/hate relationship.

[small]I love Canada, they gave me syrup and beanies.[/small]

Justin Bieber was simply revenge on America for Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers.

Yeah, we're all sorry about that.

 

[2012 Wont Happen]

Stereotypes are fun.

Ask me about Canada, I'll tell you they ride moose, play hockey and apologize a lot (which, is not really a bad stereotype to have- being polite)

Ask me about France, I'll probably say that they surrender a lot and love cheese and wine (despite them having one of the most impressive military histories of any country in the world)

Ask me about the United States of America (my own country), I'll tell you its just a bunch of Bible thumping, burger guzzling, hummer driving, politically ignorant cowboys (even though I know a lot of really good people here).

Do I believe these stereotypes? Of course not. However, its just a bit of universal humor that has developed and is part of the culture. As long as you don't use stereotypes in a serious or hateful manner, and you can laugh at the stereotypes of yourself as well as those of others its fine.

edit-

Also, there is a chance that I may be moving to Canada sometime in my life. While the hockey nut and moose rider stereotypes are off, in my experience Canadians are actually quite nice and it seems like it would be a great place to live.

 

[Vitor Goncalves]

By we you mean Americans, I mean, you, not us, we don't torment Canada.

 

[end_boss]

As a Canadian, in most cases when I see American programming/movies make fun of Canada, I tend to find it amusing, in one way or another. When you think of it, Americans make fun of American stereotypes more than they make fun of Canada, so it's not like they're necessarily being hypocrites.

Case in point: South Park's "Blame Canada" does make a few jokes about Canada and Canadian culture, but the heart of the song is actually a scathing criticism of America's lack of willingness to take personal responsibility for their own shortcomings. It's funny to see how many Americans rally behind that song as their anti-Canadian anthem, and it's shameful (but amusing) how many Canadians took offense to it.

 

[end_boss]

And before anybody else goes there first, I'll tell you that Canadians actually DO apologize for Celine Dion and Nickelback. We're actually very, very sorry about that.

 

[lee1287]

i love canada. im from the UK though. Hockey, cold weather. What more could i want?

 

[Soviet Heavy]

You make fun of us because we can take it. If someone makes fun of you, you just invade their country.

Just kidding. Mostly I think its because we're kinda smug about the fact that we are very aware of how ignorant most americans are of other countries cultures.

I remember my mother told me about one time she and my dad were in Montreal, and a bunch of Texans were in the same restaurant. They seemed completely ignorant of the fact that it was a french restaurant, and they kept making racist comments against the quebecois.