How to deal...

[lovinanalandy]

You make jokes about a Mexican, it's racist.
You make jokes about a Japanese person, it's racist.
You make jokes about France, it's racist.

SSG, Wulf7 is absolutely spot-on: We hate the French. Can't stand 'em. Haven't since they gave us that statue in New York. In fact, they're about the last group of folks it's OK for us to rip with impunity. And, from what I understand, it's reciprocated and we're fine with that. (Though the Freedom fries/toast/dressing etc. thing is absofuckinglutely absurd.) But we love Canada, eh. (Except for Quebec, they're too much like the French.) You've got tons going for you: A lack of hand guns, free health care, lenient pot laws, younger drinking age, more nudity in your strip clubs, good beer, wonderful big cities like Toronto and Vancouver and lots of wide open spaces, etc. As a lifelong resident of the northern Midwest, I love traveling to CAN. B.C. is beautiful; if I were rich I'd have a place at Whistler. I usually like your posts, but why the complex? Come on, man, relax a little. CAN and the U.S., we're like brothers. We can tease each other but still know we're in it together. Let's face it: some things about Canada are funny, just like here in the States. You call your dollar the Loony. That's funny. We had a silver dollar that wasn't even round. That's funny, too. Some of you talk funny. Same here (as a resident of Minnesoootah I know how true that is). The list goes on and on. But when the shit goes down we're usually there for each other. Hell, Canada's my second favorite country without a damn doubt.

Many of the previous respondents have already mentioned the fact that we make fun of each other, also. Urban vs. rural, North vs. South, East vs. West. It's nothing personal when the barbs fly north of the border. Now granted, there are lots and lots of stupid folks in the States who have no knowledge of Canada. Most of these people don't know anything about their bordering state, either. Please feel free to ignore them, that's what we try and do. In the meantime, don't be so uptight. You live in a fantastic place. Who gives a shit what we say?

 

[Bobmi357]

Just when I thought I'd calmed down.....

Someone had to say something so incredibly stupid.

And no I won't be apologizing for that either. That's a stupid thing to say, and to be frank anyone who thinks it isn't can kiss my Canadian ass.

First off, explain how a country comprised of 10 provinces and 3 territories suddinly all became one state? I defy anyone to explain that one away.


And quoting Wulf7



Well, the genius who thinks of my country as the 51'st state managed to get it wrong. Last time I checked countries start with capital letters. They did manage to capitalize New York, New Jersey, and Idaho not surprisingly though.

Well then you won't mind it at all if we stop all the canadians from coming down here and shopping, buying gas, going to movies, using our doctors etc?

Personally I don't consider canada the 51st state. But that is the prevailing attitude up here along the border. In the summer months the canadians out number the locals by nearly 4 to 1.

 

[Carnus]

I am a Native Texan and every time i hear somebody tell a Texas joke i think of that great line of truth that Lyle Lovette wrote....
"That's right, you're not from Texas. Texas wants you anyway."
I feel sorry for you Carnus, you must get alot of shit from Texans about being from Oklahoma! I have a coworker from Oklahoma, and it NEVER STOPS (on both ends).

Yeah,, I do catch a lot of hell, but I tend to give it back in good form. To me it is a lot of fun more than anything else. hehehehe

Best one I have been told lately was that when I moved to TX the average IQ went down in both places. hehehehehe

Carnus

 

[dollface007]

Re: Re: How to deal...

SSG, Wulf7 is absolutely spot-on: We hate the French.

Who's this "we" you're talking about, you big fucking blowhard????? Speak for youself and don't drag the rest of the Americans with open minds and IQs over 10 into it.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Ack. Triple post.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

I guess Lit had a little breakdown there. What was that?

 

[SuperShyGuy]

I've edited the original text of this post out. It's because I'm deciding there is no real fight that needs to happen here, and everyone is entitled to their opinion even if I disagree.

Have a good day all.

 

[lovinanalandy]

Re: Re: Re: How to deal...

Who's this "we" you're talking about, you big fucking blowhard????? Speak for youself and don't drag the rest of the Americans with open minds and IQs over 10 into it.

Wow. It's just a gross generalization with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Sorry if you were offended. Given your earlier posts about the ridiculousness of stereotypes I would've guessed you'd understand. I personally have nothing against the French or the people of any other nation (even those our president chooses to bomb). The sad truth, though, is that the majority of Americans do have negative feelings towards the French. A Gallop poll done in February indicated that Amercian anger at the French was at an all-time high. And, conversely, French anti-Americanism grew even greater during our military action in Iraq. I'm not judging either, but those are the facts. And, frankly, France is fun to rib. I mean, they were so threatened by Greenpeace they had to blow up a boat. That's silly.

SSG, sorry to hijack your thread. If you ski/board maybe I'll see you in the mountains of B.C. this winter.

 

[dollface007]

sorry

Wow. It's just a gross generalization with tongue firmly planted in cheek. Sorry if you were offended. Given your earlier posts about the ridiculousness of stereotypes I would've guessed you'd understand. I personally have nothing against the French or the people of any other nation (even those our president chooses to bomb). The sad truth, though, is that the majority of Americans do have negative feelings towards the French. A Gallop poll done in February indicated that Amercian anger at the French was at an all-time high. And, conversely, French anti-Americanism grew even greater during our military action in Iraq. I'm not judging either, but those are the facts. And, frankly, France is fun to rib. I mean, they were so threatened by Greenpeace they had to blow up a boat. That's silly.

SSG, sorry to hijack your thread. If you ski/board maybe I'll see you in the mountains of B.C. this winter.

I'm relieved that you were partly joking....but some people have already said some pretty ignorant shit on this thread, so i took it seriously. It is still a misrepresentation to say that "we hate the French." Hate is a very strong word, and while I'm sure alot of Americans were disappointed that the French gov't didn't rush to our side in Iraq (i, for one, was proud that they stuck to their guns), hating French people is a far cry from that. I know there are *some* people that feel this way, and I'm not denying the whole stupid anti-France thing, i just think you are characterizing it the wrong way. There is anti-americanism everywhere now, and it is probably greater everywhere since the Iraq war, not just in France.
sorry to get off topic, SuperShyGuy....just wanted to clear things up.

 

[Wantonica]

Dare I say this?

I've realized that all of us are comprised of something that may bear the brunt of a joke. The problem arises when the words make some laugh and others angry. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to know who might become disgruntled at what...

For example, the "dumb blonde" jokes I have endured throughout my life were easily dismissed and made me laugh too. On the other hand, string together some words that poke fun at my heritage and aren't a bit amusing to me, or laugh at a tradition you don't even understand, and watch my eyes turn from green to black.

I must think of my friend who moved here from West Virginia. Not only does she laugh at the hillbilly jabs directed at her, she freely adds her own to the banter.

It does all come down to stereotyping, which we all do to a point. The importance is knowing when it is appropriate in the context of a "joke", and whether the particular audience will find it amusing or become angry. I wish we could put a lid on those who attempt to speak for an entire population when harrassing another entire population, but it is part of our freedom of speech.

Happy day,
Wantonica

 

[lovinanalandy]

Re: sorry

While I still don't think you completely see my point (message board meanings are so easily misconstrued, aren't they?), I'm glad you don't *hate* me. You are totally right about one thing: I am a blowhard. Even my closest friends would be quick to confirm that. And I'm definitely with you on your quote below.

... (i, for one, was proud that they stuck to their guns) ...

 

[TNRkitect2b]

If it makes you feel better, I haven't heard a single Canadian joke from anyone (including myself) in al least the last year... (now the dumb southern jokes, almost every day... hell, we even tell jokes about the fans of other colleges down here...)

 

[SlickTony]

I came up in Texas and when I worked among people from the middle east I got all the allusions to guns, cowboys, etc. We were target shooting with a pellet gun in back of the office and they expected me to be a much better shot than I was.

It seems to me that sometimes you just have to roll with it. I mean, look at Ashton Kutcher (a pleasant task in itself)--he's from Iowa, and one of his quotes is, "Hey, we're from Iowa--we don't know how to be cool!"

FWIW, most of my perceptions of Canada are positive. What's not to like about a country which has given us L.M. Mongtomery and For Better or For Worse?

 

[lovinanalandy]

It seems to me that sometimes you just have to roll with it. I mean, look at Ashton Kutcher (a pleasant task in itself)--he's from Iowa, and one of his quotes is, "Hey, we're from Iowa--we don't know how to be cool!"

One of my fave Iowa jokes comes from Iowa native/comedian Jake Johansson: "I was 18 before I realized I was even allowed to leave."

 

[Carnus]

FWIW, most of my perceptions of Canada are positive. What's not to like about a country which has given us L.M. Mongtomery and For Better or For Worse?

And you can still get a good Cuban cigar there.


Carnus

 

[SlickTony]

I will say that I've thought my government's policy WRT Cuba is silly. It's not that I hold any brief for Cuba's government or any affection for Castro; the sooner the old bastard shuffles off, the better off Cuba will be.

No, it's that (I)the policy does not work.[/I] Far from causing the people to rise up and throw Castro out, it's united many Cubans behind him, for all that there's a plentiful supply of dissidents for him to harrass. (2) It is inconsistent; the reasons given for maintaining the policy are inconsistent and hypocritical. The government is not doing the same things it claimed were successful in bringing down the old Soviet Union.

The US government is kowtowing to the large old-guard Cuban immigrant community here. Maybe something will get accomplished when they shuffle off, too.

 

[Chuckwrox]

For the record: I love Canadians. Maybe I haven't met enough of them, yet, but I love Canadians.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

I will say that I've thought my government's policy WRT Cuba is silly. It's not that I hold any brief for Cuba's government or any affection for Castro; the sooner the old bastard shuffles off, the better off Cuba will be.

No, it's that (I)the policy does not work.[/I] Far from causing the people to rise up and throw Castro out, it's united many Cubans behind him, for all that there's a plentiful supply of dissidents for him to harrass. (2) It is inconsistent; the reasons given for maintaining the policy are inconsistent and hypocritical. The government is not doing the same things it claimed were successful in bringing down the old Soviet Union.

The US government is kowtowing to the large old-guard Cuban immigrant community here. Maybe something will get accomplished when they shuffle off, too.

I remember a couple of years ago (maybe even more than that, but I do remember the story), a Canadian water treatment company that also did business in the States wanted to sell water purification equipment to Cuba, which is basically a nececcity - we all need clean water. The American government threatened to have the company shut down in the States and have the heads of the company arrested if the deal went through. Needless to say the deal with the Cubans fell through. How is that supposed to help the people of Cuba?

 

[SlickTony]

How is that supposed to help the people of Cuba?

Exactly.

 

[xxxsmooothxxx]

blame canada....

...the song is way funny.....anyway...

i was in vancouver awhile ago and really appreciated the drinking laws and strip clubs....almost got my scrawny ass beat up at a hockey game and i think i got SARS there, and had a really good time....great place to visit...

but i think people get awauy with making fun of other people (like americans sticking it to the canadians) because they mean it to be good natured and really don't think it hurts anyone. i know of people who HATE others, but i don't think i can recall anyone who hates the canadians (at least here in Cali)...

lots of poeple genuinely hate america and make fun of her, but i get over it. i really like my country and i suspect most canadians like their own country. i suppose it's best to let wise cracks, even if hurtful, blow right by you and keep on being a canuck....

 

[SlickTony]

I only hate one Canadian in the whole world...a psychobitch I met in WX. I swear that if I knew who she was and saw her on fire, I would not piss on her to put her out. Literally. But that was another board and another time.