10 Myths About Canadians

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June 30, 2017

10 Myths About Canadians“Wherever you go in the world, you just have to say you’re Canadian and people laugh—” John Candy

In honor of Canada Day and our 150th birthday, I thought it would be fun to share some myths (and a few truths) about Canadians. This is tongue in cheek of course, and I have not researched this post. I’ve simply dug from my Canadian brain. So, don’t take all of this at face value or as a general statement on Canadians.

 we never lock our doors

according to Michael Moore, we don’t lock our doors in Canada. In his Oscar winning film, Bowling for Columbine, Moore paints Canada as a safe haven. Truth is, aside from my brother-in-law and his wife, many of us lock our doors. I am a habitual door locker, always have been. My BIL on the other hand, leaves his front door unlocked most of the time, and bikes on the front walk. I’m amazed they have never been robbed…I guess there’s some truth to our country being safe? Maybe I’m a pessimist,  after all.

we don’t own guns

Many Canadians own guns. We just have stricter laws on using and transporting them. Truthfully, the majority of gun owners are hunters therefore many own rifles, not handguns.

violence is rare

Not true. We’ve had our share of mass shootings, bombings and violence on the streets. Unfortunately, there is no safe haven from ‘crazy’.

we’re polite

I’ve seen some road rage, dog rage where owners shame other dog owners, and out and out bullying between people in public. So, I think it would be more accurate to say, we’re polite folk on the surface but we’re really harboring our anger and show it at the weirdest moments.

we’re bleeding hearts

We have our share of right wing politicians and supporters…we also have universal health care that isn’t perfect. We have a steep tax base in my Province but we also have amenities to show for it; highways and roads that are well kept, education system that is mostly working, healthcare, public parks that are second to none. We aren’t bleeding but we’re compassionate.

we’re communist

Not exactly. But again, healthcare for everyone means less quality in a broad sense but healthy people overall. That’s a win for everybody, in my opinion. We have a free market enterprise like any other first world country and right now, real estate leads the way. Not necessarily a good thing but there it is.

we dislike Americans

Not at all. We look up to Americans—or used to. Sorry, but the recent presidency is taking the shine away. We also have faith that Americans will make a change. We love your wines, your landscape, your glitz, your theme parks, your 4th of July celebrations, your shopping, your southern hospitality but we don’t like your president. Again, sorry.

we say ‘eh’ at the end of every sentence

Well, not every sentence. We do say it quite a bit though, for no apparent reason. We say sorry a lot, too (see above).

there’s ‘something in the water’

That is true and it’s fluoride. But we also have something that makes people really funny with a unique sense of humor; Jim Carey, Seth Rogan, Mike Meyers, Martin Short, Catherine O’Hara, Will Arnett, Eugene Levy, Samantha Bee, Gerry Dee, the late John Candy and I can’t forget Michael J Fox…and many more. So, this is more fact than myth.

we eat a lot of cheese

We make cheese but don’t eat all of it. We share it with you guys. I guess you can still call us ‘cheese heads’.

[ctt title=”‘Wherever you go in the world, you just have to say you\’re Canadian and people laugh.’ John Candy” tweet=”‘Wherever you go in the world, you just have to say you’re Canadian and people laugh.’ John Candy https://ctt.ec/Yr95a+” coverup=”Yr95a”]

Confession time: what are your beliefs about Canada or Canadians? If you’re Canadian, what would you add to this list? 

P.S. I’ll be reading your comments with a glass of Chardonnay that was made in honor of Canada’s 150th birthday. It was made by a local B.C. winery, Castoro d’Oro which means ‘beaver in the field’ or something like that. We Canadians really are a little strange. The beaver is our national symbol and is found on the nickel coin. Why do I find this funny?

41 Comments

  1. Kimberly

    July 25, 2017 at 3:56 pm

    HAHA!
    When I hear Americans swoon over that knob in Parliament I tell them “I did not vote with my vagina. I voted with my brain and voted for the other guy.”
    My father in law has a plethora of guns. All locked up. He shoots deer and whatnot in the forest. .. that’s if he doesn’t fall asleep first.
    I didn’t know that we made that much cheese.
    Is that why I’m so constipated?
    Just kidding!

    • lisa

      July 25, 2017 at 7:07 pm

      Ha. Well, I’m kind of a fan of our PM, but not everything he does : P I don’t vote with my V, either hahahha, I’ve never heard of that. Well, we make a lot of cheese. See? Your sleepy FIL is the perfect example of gun owners in Canada. LOL.

  2. Christine Carter

    July 21, 2017 at 7:16 pm

    Lisa, what a fun read and I learned so much about Canadians! I honestly thought Canadians were kind people with a very open heart, living wonderfully free lives. You opened my eyes to a few things I didn’t know and I still say Canadians are AWESOME!

    And yeah, our new presidents is really putting a dent in our reputation. Oy.

    • lisa

      July 22, 2017 at 3:29 pm

      Hey Chris, I believe you are correct in thinking we Canadians are open-hearted and free. We’re not so innocent though as Michael Moore may have portrayed us. Trump rhymes with Gump.

  3. Jane Thrive

    July 21, 2017 at 10:14 am

    So sorry I’m late to the Canada Day celebrations–Happy Canada Day! Love and hugs and p.s. i also am not happy about our president and that could be its own post. however, i share in your hope and believe that Americans can make change. <3

    • lisa

      July 21, 2017 at 6:35 pm

      Aw, that okay Jane!! Happy belated 4th to you 😀 where is the summer going?

  4. Eli@CoachDaddy

    July 11, 2017 at 12:14 pm

    Oh, Canada. My kids and I can be awfully harsh when it comes to international competition, and Canada sometimes appears in our cross hairs (so too does every other nation!)

    We do love Stephanie Labbe, however.

    • lisa

      July 11, 2017 at 1:38 pm

      Hahah! I wonder what we did? Don’t answer that. Ah, yes a soccer star. That makes sense 🙂

  5. My Inner Chick

    July 9, 2017 at 1:14 pm

    CANADA Rockssssss!
    And I Looooove your Prime Minister.
    O, La, Laaaa.
    Do you like him, Lisa? Give me the scoop.
    Please don’t judge us by Mr. T.
    I will NEVER say he’s “my” President.
    I have no respect for this person, whom happens to sit at the White House.
    🙁
    xxx kiss from Duluth.

    • lisa

      July 11, 2017 at 1:37 pm

      Hey Kim, your comment made me smile. Yes, I like my PM. He is a stand up guy, tries his best although he has his critics, too. I won’t judge you by Mr. T. I agree with you! xoxo

  6. Marcia @ Menopausal Mother

    July 7, 2017 at 5:46 pm

    Canada is such a beautiful place—you are fortunate to live there. And I LOVE all the fun comedians who are natives from there. Awesome!

    • lisa

      July 7, 2017 at 10:41 pm

      Thank you, Marcia. It really is beautiful here. I do feel fortunate. Yes, the comedians are unique!

  7. Akaleistar

    July 4, 2017 at 5:06 pm

    Happy Canada Day (a little late)!

    • lisa

      July 5, 2017 at 10:46 am

      Thank you! No worries, it’s never too late 😀

  8. Chrys Fey

    July 3, 2017 at 5:07 pm

    I did think that Canada was a safer place to be. I wonder why we don’t hear about the bad things that happen there. Hmm…

    “That is true and it’s fluoride.” HAHA!!!!

    And I don’t blame the Canadians for not looking up to Americans as much as they had. Not at all.

    I know it’s past but HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

    • lisa

      July 4, 2017 at 10:44 am

      Well, Canada is safer than the U.S. but it isn’t violence-free. I don’t think you hear much about Canada good or bad. Just so much more going on at home for you guys that your media tends to focus on homeland events. Thanks, Chrys! Happy 4th of July celebrations to you!

  9. Jeri

    July 3, 2017 at 12:40 pm

    I’ve been asked more than a few times if I’m Canadian. I grew up in North Idaho not far from the border. I use “eh” on a regular basis and round out my vowels as well.

    • lisa

      July 4, 2017 at 10:42 am

      Oh, interesting, Jeri! Maybe you have some Canadian blood from your anscestors (way back). Haha, glad you say ‘eh’ as much as me! This from a Literature phD graduate!

  10. Tamara

    July 3, 2017 at 8:54 am

    ha, this is fun! Although I’m not sure I had any preconceived notions about Canadians at all. Too big of a country! Just the way it’s hard to have one about Americans.
    That said, we DO think you know how to vote for a leader better than us.
    And we do think you have moose walking down the streets all day long.

    • lisa

      July 4, 2017 at 10:41 am

      You’re right, Tamara! Well, the political leader issue will hopefully be resolved sooner rather than later by you guys. Haha, the moose walking down the street may happen in the Yukon Territories, but I haven’t seen any in our streets LOL. They certainly can be found in our forests and mountainous areas though.

  11. Sheryl

    July 2, 2017 at 5:35 pm

    My husband lived in Michigan for two years and has such a respect for Canada. I have always had such good thoughts about Canada because of my interactions with individuals from there. I’m not so sure I could handle the cold during the winter but I’ve seen such beautiful photos.

    We are more alike that we know!

    • lisa

      July 4, 2017 at 10:40 am

      Thank you so much, Sheryl! I think we deserve that 🙂 It gets darn cold in some provinces and northern cities. I’m fortunate to live in a city that is a) close to the ocean and b) has very mild winters. WE are very much alike, I believe!

  12. Caitlin | Beuaty & Colour

    July 1, 2017 at 9:52 pm

    Happy Canada Day and great read!

    • lisa

      July 2, 2017 at 9:16 am

      Thank you, Caitlin!

  13. Harleena Singh

    June 30, 2017 at 11:03 pm

    Hi Lisa,

    Interesting indeed 🙂

    I learnt a lot of things about Canadians today! Wishing you a very Happy Canada Day as well – cheers!

    Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend 🙂

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 1:47 pm

      Thank you, Harleena! Glad you learned some things about us humble Canadians 🙂 Cheers!

  14. dgkaye

    June 30, 2017 at 8:22 pm

    Fabulous recap of our wonderful country Lisa. You didn’t leave too much out, and lol, the beaver.
    I love America and all that it offers and feel sad that I’ve lost my zest to travel there right now with the current climate. I’ll stop right there.
    I think we’re pretty polite in many ways, and hey, we’re only human, we all have our moments. Road rage seems to be a growing thing, or at least here in Toronto, there seems to be a growing population of bad drivers.
    I always lock my doors. Crime doesn’t escape anywhere, it’s just less in many places, but why take the chance?
    Cheers to you my Canadian friend. Enjoy the Chardonnay! <3

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 1:46 pm

      Thank you, DG! 😀 Overall, we are a polite nation. Exactly, why take that chance? Cheers to my fellow Canadian and yes, I’ll enjoy that glass later today!

      • dgkaye

        July 3, 2017 at 1:20 pm

        <3

  15. Shann Eva

    June 30, 2017 at 6:20 pm

    Happy Canada Day! I think many people think some of these things about where I’m from too…Wisconsin. They call us cheese heads! I wish all of the world was safe enough to keep our doors unlocked.

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:30 am

      Thank you, Shann! I like your Wisconsin accent 🙂 Glad you are a cheese head too! I also wish we could leave doors unlocked and not worry but it seems, those days are gone (or maybe that never was a good idea to begin with).

  16. D. A. Wolf

    June 30, 2017 at 3:36 pm

    “Used to” look up to Americans. Yup. I get that. On behalf of my country, pretty sorry about what’s going on. (Please don’t build a wall!)

    The rest of those myths — all the good, cool things? Everything is relative, right? But in my experience, Canadians are saner as a whole than your neighbors to the south. (Um, yes, us…)

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:28 am

      Hi D.A., We definitely won’t be building a wall!! 😛 We Canadians are pretty sane. Thanks for stopping by, D.A. Happy 4th to you!

  17. Ellen Shook

    June 30, 2017 at 11:55 am

    I have always been rather intrigued by Canada and it’s occupants! My family visited Winnipeg when I was about 10 years old, and that’s the extent of my first-hand experience. In college I took a class about Great Britain and it’s Empire, and there was a section on Canada. I think it was the shortest on in the course, with the part on India the most in-depth. I have been trying to talk the husband into a rail trip across Canada, but he is not yet convinced. At any rate, I don’t think I had ever heard of these myths, so good to know that we are more alike than different! Furthermore, your president is much cuter and nicer than ours! Allow me to apologize for the bat-shit crazy person now in the White House. We are all hoping he is gone sooner rather than later.

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:27 am

      Hi Ellen, I haven’t been to Winnipeg! I’ve heard good things though (just not in the winter—LOL). Well, I’m not surprised the section on Canada was the shortest, haha. A rail trip across Canada would be gorgeous! Keep coaxing your Hubs, I think you would love it. Our Prime Minister is handsome as hell (to quote Taylor Swift) but sometimes I wonder if that works against him a bit. He has good intentions though. I’m sure your bat-shit crazy person will be gone soon. Nice to see you, Ellen!

  18. Balroop Singh

    June 30, 2017 at 11:43 am

    I enjoyed reading about Canadian myths Lisa…all cultures and countries have their share! People are alike all over the world, only molded differently due to the kind of environment they get.
    What struck me the most is ‘we are bleeding hearts’…isn’t it a virtue to have a heart that bleeds? It may be figurative but it sounds good!
    Nice, light-hearted post! Thanks for sharing. Have a wonderful weekend!

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:24 am

      Yes, that’s a good way to put it, Balroop. Ha, a bleeding heart might be too detrimental but I hear what you’re saying. 😀

  19. Beth

    June 30, 2017 at 11:23 am

    A lot of us don’t like our President either. It’s been a tough few months. I loved this post! Happy Canada Day!

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:23 am

      It must be really tough watching that shit and it’s your own country. Thanks, Beth!

  20. Charlotte

    June 30, 2017 at 10:55 am

    Reading this makes me feel like I’m a Canadian, lol.

    Also you do really have some very humorous people there.

    I apologize sincerely for this total dipsh*t of a president. Someone else can have him 🙂 Do you know I can’t even watch him on TV? I can’t even describe it, but it’s like a weird reaction where I cringe and break out in hives and… okay, let’s not think about him anymore…

    Happy birthday, Canada! 🙂 And hope you have a great weekend, Lisa! *HUGS*

    • lisa

      July 1, 2017 at 10:22 am

      Maybe you have some Canadian blood in you, Charlotte 🙂 the prez gets attention for all the wrong reasons…but that isn’t about to change until he does. Thanks, Charlotte and enjoy your 4th!

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