What Americans Love About Canada
The Appeal of the Land of the True North, Strong and Free
Saying sorry. Igloos in Ottawa. Being treated like royalty in Quebec. Cheap Canadian funny money.
First of all, American tourists just love to hear Canadians repeat “Sorry,” even when it isn’t their fault. If an American tourist is texting on their phone in a rent a car, and back-ends a Canadian car, the Canadian will emerge from his vehicle and say “Sorry” for being in the way. If an American visits Canada in May, and the temperature is 40 degrees, Canadians will say “Sorry” for the miserable weather.
Americans also enjoy visiting Ottawa in winter, one of the coldest capitals in the world, in order to see the igloos. Many residents of Ottawa build igloos in our backyards during winter, to maintain the traditions of our ancestors, and spend at least one night a week sleeping in them. Just as some Scandinavians take polar dips for health reasons, we believe that our bodies benefit from exposure to cold. We would be happy to have our American friends join us for a sleepover, but most Americans would opt to sit in the outdoor jacuzzi and drink beer, while taking selfies with the igloo in the background.
Quebec City is a popular destination for American tourists, as old Quebec is the most European city in North America. Many Quebecers prefer American tourists to those from other parts of Canada. Quebecers perceive English Canadians as descendants of the abominable and arrogant British oppressors, but Americans as the noble and heroic conquerors of the British.
Furthermore, Quebecers expect Canadian tourists to speak French. When they don’t, Quebecers will feign ignorance of English and mutter under their breath. But when an American appears, Quebecers greet them with ingratiating smiles, and effortlessly switch into perfect English. Americans enjoy being treated like royalty by Quebecers.
Americans also appreciate the Canadian dollar. First, our money looks funny, as it is multi-colored like monopoly money, but worth a little more. Second, the exchange rate heavily favors the Americans. I recall a scene from the movie “Canadian Bacon.” An American police officer, played by John Candy, and some of his cohorts are “invading” Canada in a cube van spray-painted with anti-Canadian slurs. A motorcycle cop portrayed by Dan Ackroyd pulls them over and fines them. “That’ll be $1000 Canadian, or $10 American, if you prefer.”
I believe there are other aspects of Canada that Americans respect. Canadians are unfailingly kind and polite, without an aggressive bone in our bodies. During the War of 1812, for example, the Canadians never wanted to fight. It was the despicable British imperialists who surrounded Washington and burned the White House. Near the end of the war, in one infamous incident, regular Canadian and American soldiers met for a truce. They exchanged trinkets and other items proper to each country, such as Kentucky bourbon for maple syrup. We have been great neighbours ever since.
