tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post7015197568486092928..comments2009-05-06T08:21:05.267-07:00Julienoreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-49771611653354467512009-05-05T15:08:00.000-07:002009-05-05T15:08:00.000-07:00By the way where I live my school(yes I am a student) is so diverse everyone here knows the difference from a Korean, Chinese, and Japanese person. Can't really tell the difference in looks from an American and Canadian. I also didn't know that other countries even really cared about Americans, I know there is some hate in some countries but if you don't like Americans(not you specifically) don't ask. So if Canadians are mistaken for Americans that could become annoying. Just like if I went somewhere and everyone assumed I was Canadian...actually I probably wouldn't care(it might actually save me some trouble), but someone might not like being mistaken for a Canadian, personally I would think it would be easier if they asked if their North American, or not ask at all. done againmicaelaheg93http://www.blogger.com/profile/11059273970805226298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-74903195180311039382009-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:002009-05-05T14:56:00.000-07:00Hiya I'm an American, it's great sometimes not the best other times. Hmm yes Fast Food does need to stop, or at least people could eat less. And sure there is some overweight people, and I appreciate that you're not prejudice against Americans, thank you. But whats wrong with Irish pubs? Yes lots of people were uggs (I don't but that's because I prefer sneakers) but what's wrong with uggs? I don't think Japanese people are shy. I don't know anyone who owns tracksuits, know some who were sweats. Some can deff. be loud not all.( I know that's why its called a stereotype.) Speak a language that isn't English, is that supposed to be a bad thing? Whats wrong with dressing for comfort? A hoodie and jeans are great now and then. who the hell wears crocs? Hehe I do sometimes smile at people, but only when I'm happy. People do talk on cell phones a lot. I rarely hear anything about religion at all. Ok clarifying something and questioning some things. Canadians are cool, I guess, I don't know a lot about Canadian just that my friend lives there and that they seem just like people here just with their own personalities. ok done! love your blog it's fun to learn about different lifestyles.micaelaheg93http://www.blogger.com/profile/11059273970805226298noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-38011912327945092782009-01-15T13:43:00.000-08:002009-01-15T13:43:00.000-08:00THREE mini comments...how sweet is that!?! ill see you this year or the next done deal no foolsies.brandonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-21322335104098392472009-01-15T01:35:00.001-08:002009-01-15T01:35:00.001-08:00We will finally meet again when we're old.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-9798364965317680752009-01-15T01:35:00.000-08:002009-01-15T01:35:00.000-08:00I miss Brandon!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-75929369585837836532009-01-15T01:34:00.000-08:002009-01-15T01:34:00.000-08:00Brandon! I'll film your smilewink any day!Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-87365511437932943792009-01-13T02:46:00.000-08:002009-01-13T02:46:00.000-08:00LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOL OMFG! AMARICA, I AM WON!<BR/><BR/>disagree about the smiling tho. unless youre in a small city and &gt; 40 everyone goes out of their way to keep their eyes on some linear level, you can forget about left and right. if you want to catch someones attention you need to walk directly towards them and hope they arent looking at their feet or above you. we have an unending paranoia of people sneaking up on us, so that works too ( rear left and right included ). id love to elaborate, but americans dont multitask well, and im eating a cheeseburger while masturbating. i tried masturbating with the cheesburger but i ended up with ketchup and pickle juice in my urethra. basically we dont trust anyone. we dont want any trouble. if you are female most males will turn around to look and smile at your butt.<BR/><BR/>i wanted to make a music video sitting in my girlfriends car watching guys walk past her then checking out her butt. it sure does happen a lot! then maybe at the end id be holding the camera walking past one of the guys and id check out his butt and do a wink half grin. the camera would be in my hand tho so im not sure how anyone will see the smilewink. maybe a second camera would be in order. do you know where i could get one!? surely my credit sucks.<BR/><BR/>americans read blog entries several months after theyre posted, dont use proper puntuation, and are unfamiliar with the duration of the word several.<BR/><BR/>cheerio!AMARICA BRANDUNnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-68548787052484672272008-11-19T15:56:00.000-08:002008-11-19T15:56:00.000-08:00Your story is really interesting!Ive never been to Japan but i was in kora last summer(not the same XD) and i am canadian. And yes its true canadian we hate being mistaken for american, and not because american people are stupid or anything, its the whole popular cultural related to it. We cant really explain i think we just dont like...because sometimes even american think canadian is the same but its the fact here!<BR/>Well, during my trip i could see a difference when you act a certain way, and with the tips your giving thast exactly what i was doing, and that naturally my tip to do that, and automatically, people i was meeting were always like«hey you must be Canadian!»<BR/>And you know this summer was really not the right time to be american in Seoul, because of the beef issue, american would be attacked in streets late at night TT.TT <BR/>Well that was my story, and im sure it would have been the same in Japan...gotta try it one day for sure! <BR/>Hey and remember it must be because were proud of our country we dont liek being mistaken, you know when you ask a korean if hes japanese they always tend to be offended, because they often act the same, their country is really close, they say its because they are proud to be who they are now and other culture tends to hide them a little.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-25441343098688254312008-11-17T02:16:00.000-08:002008-11-17T02:16:00.000-08:00For the very last time...<BR/><BR/>I DIDN'T GIVE ANY OPINIONS AT ALL. I JUST LISTED A BUNCH OF STEREOTYPES.<BR/><BR/>Smile at strangers all you want. It's true. It puts everyone in a better mood. I like it when others smile at me, too.<BR/><BR/>(I'm just saying that it's a stereotype that Americans smile at other people...Canadians do it just as often, if not more, but it's not a Canadian stereotype. We have our own that have to do with maple syrup, etc.)Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-3035967871232966072008-11-14T13:49:00.000-08:002008-11-14T13:49:00.000-08:00"don't smile at strangers all the time."<BR/><BR/>Wait.. what? I'm very curious as to why you put that. I see nothing wrong with smiling at strangers. It puts anyone in a better mood.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-40149643697123992552008-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:002008-11-11T11:29:00.000-08:00Oh, haha. Well, there's another stereotype proven to be true - my American side thinks it's the center of the universe. D:<BR/><BR/>Sorry, I suck. :pKira Petersson-Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01873717217392468323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-68989833298235264962008-11-10T11:49:00.000-08:002008-11-10T11:49:00.000-08:00Hey Julie!<BR/>Thanks for your comment!<BR/>I didn't mean to offend anyone with the "escaping to Canada" comment. It's just an example of another stereotype. <BR/>It's sad to say that (of the people I have met here) not too many of them are interested in Canada. I think a lot of people view America as this huge safe haven from persecution and where their dreams can come true. I agree with this ideal to an extent but to be honest-America really doesn't allow that many refugees in anymore thanks to 9/11. It's even harder for people to get work visas and with new laws being passed everyday--you will have to "register" your trip just to visit! Crazy huh? So I guess my overall point is that their are a lot of stereotypes that need to be broken down and deconstructed. But that's a long, hard, tedious job....are you up for it?<BR/>BTW when's your next movie review? I saw "Nobody Knows" and wanted to kill myself afterward. Did you see anything at the TIFF?Kelsey in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463233308877115371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-31004385534251198482008-11-10T03:21:00.000-08:002008-11-10T03:21:00.000-08:00"Sorry for rambling incoherently again. I think Mexico is technically another neighbour of the States, right? Unless it's South American?"<BR/><BR/>Ha, I meant your other "our" -- your Canadian side. We have nobody on our border but America. <BR/>xox<BR/><BR/>You're right though, of course. Mexico is both of those things.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-67560623858646404082008-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:002008-11-09T12:07:00.000-08:00Thanks for the reply Julie.<BR/><BR/>The funny thing is, I can totally get that West Coast vibe from a lot of the things you just wrote. Particularly:<BR/><BR/>"<BR/>I think it's good that most Canadian people have sense of guilt over their history re the native people and that prevents the nationalism you see in other countries. <BR/>"<BR/><BR/>In the prairies, there's (unfortunately) a high level of racism regarding native Americans. It's so prominent, culturally, that it's hard to be even aware of it. It's really sad. Canadians tend to overlook the bad things in our country - "Well, we never had slaves like those Americans!" - but the way we've treated our natives is equally bad, and many prairie-dwellers don't get it. <BR/><BR/>I don't know what my Canadian identity is. The things people associate with Canada, like maple syrup, are actually french Canadian in origin, not plain old Canadian. I know my American side pretty well, I know what I'm supposed to be, but I'm tempered in it due to my Canadian upbringing. But what does being Canadian mean? We're stereotyped as dull, polite, and igloo-dwelling lumberjacks, but I'd love it if our identity could reflect that Molson commercial more. If that weren't just empty rhetoric, I'd feel more comfortable claiming that "My Canadian identity means x."<BR/><BR/>At the moment, being Canadian seems to mean ignoring the troubles of other global warming victims because "We've still got lots of trees and green grass - we don't have draughts." The idea of there being winners and losers in climate change is ridiculous in a global economy. I'm off-track again, sorry.<BR/><BR/>I agree with your point about bilingualism, I'm bilingual and happy with it (typical French/English), and I wasn't born into a bilingual family. My sister and I attended a French immersion school, which I think is a great idea which should be made mainstream. There are some Canadians who hate Pierre Trudeau though (not me), so I don't know. I'd like to see a united left wing in the Canadian government (as opposed to Green/NDP/Liberal) and more pride in our gay marriage initiatives. I'd like a Canadian national identity related to peace-keeping (not policing, ha), multi-culturalism, equal rights, health care and funding for the arts. Basically, I'd like us to be Swedish without the accent and the lutefisk. :D<BR/><BR/>Sorry for rambling incoherently again. I think Mexico is technically another neighbour of the States, right? Unless it's South American?Kira Petersson-Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01873717217392468323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-13197751011811408522008-11-08T19:12:00.000-08:002008-11-08T19:12:00.000-08:00Kira, thanks for the wonderful comment. You really did a great job of explaining the problems with explaining the Canadian identity. America is a powerful country with a monopoly on media all over the world. People in every country in the world "act like Americans" (I mean the media stereotype) because that's what we see. I totally agree with you on this important point about Canadians: <BR/>"<BR/>Naturally there are people who will "act American," whether it's the description popularly assumed or not, because that's what they see. And then naturally they'll get pissed when confronted with that fact, because their own sense of identity is weak.<BR/>"<BR/><BR/>The Canadian identity isn't a set identity. Except for those Molson ads half a decade ago, Canadians aren't encouraged to be overly nationalistic. I think this is a good thing, actually. But the one bad thing is that the Canadian identity lacks cohesiveness. We were British and we still have the queen on our money. We're the only neighbor of (arguably) the most powerful country in the world. We're a massive country with very few people so our habits, behavior and culture is really fragmented. Like you said, every part of Canada has a totally different culture to go along with it.<BR/><BR/>What are the things you think should be basics in the Canadian identity? I think every Canadian should be bi-lingual, whether or not it's French or Mandarin. I think that being bi-lingual should be a "Canadian" thing that all of us support for our children. I also hope we can continue to be proud of our health care plans and our government grants for artists, (which Harper is trying to ruin...) and our gorgeous nature and Pierre Trudeau. I'm glad most Canadians aren't overly nationalistic. I think it's good that most Canadian people have sense of guilt over their history re the native people and that prevents the nationalism you see in other countries. But that's debatable. What do you think about that? You have a unique perspective as a dual citizen.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-54956181097559341102008-11-08T08:56:00.000-08:002008-11-08T08:56:00.000-08:00So, I'm a dual citizen of America and Canada. I voted in both elections (people think this is illegal but it's not - I don't know where that idea came from), I've lived in both countries and I have family all over both countries.<BR/><BR/>You know, Canadian identity is... Hard to grasp. We tend to identify ourselves based on what we're not. IE, we're not Quebecois, we're not American, we're not British, etc. Most people will point to multiculturalism as a Canadian ideal, but then you have to wonder if that's why Canadian don't have a solid identity. We have lots of regional groups with identity (French Canadians have their maple everything, Maritimers have the accent, Prairie people have their cold weathers and cowboy boots, and the left coast has their organic food - oh, and the North has their aboriginal cultures), but what does Canada have, as a whole? <BR/>I think that because the US has such a stronb national identity it's easy to pick up on a stereotype, because some things (like intense nationalism) are encouraged. <BR/><BR/>Canadians get really riled up about being called American because of our "cameo" identities. Who are we if we aren't "not American"? When I was in France everybody asked me if I was British, so when I told them I was American and Canadian, everyone was shocked. <BR/><BR/>Did I even have a point to this comment? I don't remember. I guess it's this: Like it or not, what Julie said other people view as American is what a lot of people view as American, and it does apply to a certain segment of the population. Clearly loads of people still eat at McDonald's, Taco Bell and the like - they're stillmulti-billion dollar industries. Julie's point about Canadians being over-sensitive is also true, and the truth of it is nuanced. Canadian TV is full of American shows, Canadian magasines and the literary scene are no different. Naturally there are people who will "act American," whether it's the description popularly assumed or not, because that's what they see. And then naturally they'll get pissed when confronted with that fact, because their own sense of identity is weak. Basically, this was a very long entry saying I agree with Julie. :/Kira Petersson-Martinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01873717217392468323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-10751523160647246482008-11-08T03:17:00.000-08:002008-11-08T03:17:00.000-08:00Fair enough, if you think I did a crappy job. Good for you for being a proud American. It's nice to be happy about the country you come from.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-12133780316370523482008-11-07T16:57:00.000-08:002008-11-07T16:57:00.000-08:00Well, all of these comments aside, I don't care what you meant to imply, you did a crappy job of doing it. <BR/><BR/>And, yes, even if American's are fat and uneducated and will talk about the election with anyone who will listen, I, for one, am proud to be an American.Tokyo Cowgirlhttp://www.tokyocowgirl.typepad.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-46530030716420429202008-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:002008-11-07T14:56:00.000-08:00This debate could go on forever. <BR/><BR/>I think Paul Mooney said it best "Everybody wants to Black and nobody wants to be Black."<BR/><BR/>This time around, "Eveybody wants to be America-but nobody wants to be American."<BR/><BR/>(even though it should be "everyone" not "everybody")<BR/><BR/>In my time here, I have seen more Japanese people wearing Ugg boots and Crocs than ANY Americans I know. Out of my American friends--I'm the only "fat" one. They are all super skinny. And Julie-- no one eats at McDonalds anymore! We all saw Micheal Moore's film and read Fast Food Nation back in the early 90s. Duh!<BR/><BR/>We all shop at Whole Foods, watch independent films, and use organic products now.Kelsey in Japanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15463233308877115371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-53668298311126094042008-11-07T02:25:00.000-08:002008-11-07T02:25:00.000-08:00"Really, doesn't it make you a bit of a sheep to go along with all the others that buy into the idea that Americans are inherently bad?"<BR/><BR/>Feel free to give me a direct quote from my post where I said anything at all about my opinions of American people. You won't be able to do it, because I didn't give my opinion. In fact, you still have no idea about my opinions because I didn't write anything about my opinion.<BR/><BR/>Talking about a common stereotype is completely different than actually believing it. <BR/><BR/>I did, however, say that I don't give my attention to stereotypes of American people any more than I think "all Japanese people are shy" or "all German people love beer and chocolate" or any other stereotype.<BR/><BR/>You didn't read my post.<BR/>You skimmed it.<BR/>If you're upset, re-read it and if you're intelligent, you'll be able to tell the difference between talking about something bad that other people think and actually holding the same ignorant beliefs.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-73698302007470127452008-11-06T18:43:00.000-08:002008-11-06T18:43:00.000-08:00Julie,<BR/>I am not trying to imply that you live under a rock or anything of the like however, you really seem to be misunderstanding my point. Really, doesn't it make you a bit of a sheep to go along with all the others that buy into the idea that Americans are inherently bad? That is such an unoriginal topic to write a post about. Did that really seem like a great talking point? I know that you opened it up at the end to people who are in Japan but did you expect no response from your American readership? You were endorsed by Katie from Venuszine, after all. I really don't want to seem so negative but you've had so many arrogant and seemingly misguided posts in the last year I wonder if you're ok...Perhaps if you could drop the elitist b.s. you could get past whatever it is that is causing you to write without really thinking. Also, I'm sorry for my moronic joke about NAFTA. <BR/>Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoy having a few less readers.Godlesscupcakenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-28450120230572498362008-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:002008-11-06T17:03:00.000-08:00I think this is a fight you are liable not to win, Julie. It is obvious that the people reacting negatively to this post either did not fully read it or do not understand its point and I doubt that any further elucidation will really help. That being said I will put forth my best effort in the simplest manner possible:<BR/><BR/>Julie does not necessarily advocate nor does she ascribe to the stereotypes about which she wrote. She is merely pointing out the fact that those stereotypes exist and that many people, especially in Japan, harbor those specific stereotypes about Americans. Canadians (it does not even really have to be Canadians but just anyone non-American who speaks with a North American accent) should not be upset when they are mistaken for an American and they fit with the stereotype that Japanese people have formed for Americans. <BR/><BR/>Nowhere in her post did she say, "The stereotypes that I have about Americans." She merely said, "The stereotypes that exist about Americans." It is a fairly simple distinction.Jessehttp://myspace.com/jsparks125noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-81259748985050703872008-11-06T02:34:00.000-08:002008-11-06T02:34:00.000-08:00@the lady with the Canadian husband<BR/><BR/>There is no "grudge match" between Canadians and Americans. Canadians get annoyed when people abroad assume they are Americans. And why not? I would be annoyed if people thought I was an American, too. Not only is the stereotype unflattering, but Canada is a completely different country. You asked, "Is it NAFTA-induced?" and that makes me think that you may need to open your eyes a little bit. Try to think of a few reasons why people who are not American would not want to be asked if they are American. Try your hardest. I am sure that you will come up with a few reasons.<BR/><BR/>No, you don't need to remind me that the stereotypes I described are stereotypes. Because I WROTE that they are stereotypes. You don't need to tell me that educated and well-dressed Americans exist unless you think I live under a rock and know nothing about the world at all. I think you completely missed the whole point of this post. I did not express my opinion about American people in any way. Here is what I said:<BR/><BR/>1. Many people abroad think that Canadians are American.<BR/><BR/>2. This bothers many Canadians a lot.<BR/><BR/>3. I think that if it bothers them to be called American, Canadians should stop looking and acting exactly like an American stereotype.<BR/><BR/>4. If it doesn't bother them to be called American, that is perfectly fine.<BR/><BR/>5. End.<BR/><BR/>...And of course those stereotypes about Americans are "obtuse" -- ALL stereotypes are obtuse. They're stereotypes.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-32306235913776459992008-11-05T17:32:00.000-08:002008-11-05T17:32:00.000-08:00I sincerely hope the perception the rest of the world has about Americans will change now that we have President Elect Obama, particularly with Canadians. I really do not understand this north American grudge match. Is is NAFTA induced? <BR/>Anyway, I realize my original comment made have been a tad rushed and somewhat dysfunctional. Nonetheless, I feel that your post was somewhat offensive especially now that I have reread it and gave it some time to "sink in". I feel that yet again you have generalized and published a somewhat arrogant and obtuse post. Julie, I understand that this is your blog and it's contents are merely your reflections, however, perhaps you should watch more carefully what you share with the whole world? I'm sure I needn't remind you that the stereotypical Americans you described are just that. They are not in fact even the norm. Most citizens are healthier, better educated and better dressed than you make realize. I'm sorry the tourists you've seen haven't been up to your standards. I'm sure similar things are thought about Canadian tourists. Need I mention my husband who has lately made himself unpopular at his work for wearing pro-Canadian/anti-American items? I struggle to understand why it is that some Canadians feel so superior...Godlesscupcakenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6259162477992853660.post-10441092725263796162008-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:002008-11-05T08:21:00.000-08:00I wonder if the impression of Americans abroad will change now that Obama has been elected. I think it will. I overheard someone on the train saying that he will finally be able to be proud of being an American now.Juliehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05907241018505730014noreply@blogger.com