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Well, hello there. My name is Angella and I. Am. Canadian.
Maybe I should greet you in my native tongue.
Hello, eh?
Loralee guest posted for me in February while I ditched my kids sent my kids to visit their grandparents so that my Honey and I could spend a week laying on the beach in Mexico. Without kids. It was awful. Really.
Loralee’s post chronicled why she wants to make babies with Canada. Thinking about the great Canadian/American divide, I reflected on the differences between the two countries.
As a child growing up in Canada, I knew a whole lot about the US of A. Most of the television shows and commercials we watched were all from America. We did not watch much Canadian TV because, well, it sucked. We were so inundated with everything American, I felt like we were the same as those south of the border, with only minor differences. This is not the case.
The first reality check was when we went to Disneyland when I was in grade nine. We met some other kids by the pool at our hotel and when we told them that we were Canadian, they had all sorts of questions for us. “
Do your policeman really ride on horses?” (NO. Except for parades.)
“Have you ever heard of Nintendo?” (DUDE. I could kick your arse at Mario Bros.)
Do you guys live in an igloo?” (Oh, of course. We eat whale meat as a snack. ARE YOU KIDDING ME?)
I thought that we had just met some kids who may or may have not been hit with a Stupid Stick when they were born, and figured I should not take it too personally.
Fast forward to college, where we had American students who liked to wear t-shirts from In-N-Out Burger. I asked them, “What the heck is In-N-Out?” To which they replied, “What the heck is Tim Hortons?” Touche.
These folks were not ignorant about Canadian life, but had opened my eyes to the fact that there were different restaurants, chain stores, and maybe even culture ideals between the two countries. T
The majority of my blogging friends are American. I love them immensely (Including Loralee, obviously). I joined Twitter almost a year ago and have realized more and more the differences between our two countries. Americans have Target. I LOVE Target! They also have B&H Photo. I LOVE B&H photo! Neither chain is here in Canada and I weep over this daily. I kept hearing a lot of twitters about something called Trader Joe’s. I finally peeped up and asked what it was. It sounds AWESOME.
I was feeling like there was a whole lot of fun that Canada was missing out on! We had nothing to offer but great comedians, white tundra, and vast open spaces.
But then!
One night someone (I forget who. I have three kids. Memory is, um, a distant memory.) tweeted about eating Smarties. Most of my American friends had never even heard of Smarties. Well, what are called Smarties in the States are called Rockets here in Canada. Totally different candy. Our Smarties are chocolate with a candy coating. Like M&M’s, but a hundred times better.
After pursuing this further, it turns out that us Canadians have amazing treatss that Americans clamour for! Aero bars! Coffee Crisp! Purdy’s Hedgegogs! Ketchup Chips! I did a little giveaway and the response was overwhelming. It made me feel like Canada might actually have something to contribute to those south of the border. Like the little engine that could (eat chocolate).
I would love to hear:
a) Something else truly American that I am missing out on, but should check out while at BlogHer in July (See you there?) and
b) Something else you may or may not like about Canada. We’re the people North of you. Look up. Look waaayyy up.
*Rick Mercer (Canadian comedian) did a series on interviews he did with Americans about Canada. Apparently those California kids I met were not the only ones who did not know anything about us neighbours to the North. Here is one which includes a question answered by George W. Bush. The series is funny, I think, because it just proves that us Canadians don’t really rank as high in the States as we think we do.
Elizabeth says:
I flippin’ love “Talking to Americans”. It’s awesome. But, I guess we might be able to turn it the other way, as well?
Elizabeth’s last blog post..Perhaps I spoke too soon…
April 12th, 2008 at 12:49 am
Amanda Regan says:
I live in the U.K and have only heard of
Target & Trader Joes. I would love to visit one. It seems I’m really missing out not having these here.
It’s food things I’m really missiing out on. Ok, so I can buy any Cadburys chocolate I want and Heinz baked beans (in the tins) for about 20 cents but I do not have the chance to eat Twinkies, Biscuits & gravy or Grits.
I would love to trade with someone. English chocolate etc for some American.
Buying online just isn’t an option. I can only buy a box of 24 twinkies which with postage comes to an incredible $20+
Anyone wanna trade?
Amanda Regan’s last blog post..Views Of Marriage.
April 12th, 2008 at 5:44 am
ali says:
oh, Angella, i could go on and on and on. since i am american by birth and have liven in canada for 11 years…i know them both well…and i know what we are missing.
girl scout cookies
the right fruity pebbles
cheesecake factory
target
california pizza kitchen
carol’s cookies
nordstrom/macy’s/etc. (department stores. we have the crap - Sears and the over-the-top, holt renfrew…nothing in between)
JCrew
Anthropologie
DSW shoe warehouse
cookie crisp cereal
want me to keep going???
ali’s last blog post..things i have learned this week…
April 12th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Sharon says:
I have the best of both worlds, as I’m a dual citizen (Mom is American, Dad is Canadian). I’ve spent most of my life in Canada, but for a few years here and there I’ve lived in the USA.
Trader Joe’s is one of my favourites. They have a new-ish location in Bellingham WA, which is so much closer to the border than their other locations. I try to go once every few months, if I can.
Caribou Coffee is incredible, but it’s in only a few states. When I lived in MN, I drank it almost every day. Fantastic stuff!
I’m also a lover of Target, Barnes & Noble, Jack in the Box, In & Out, and numerous other stores/restaurants that I can’t think of because it’s 7:30am, and I’m not fully awake yet.
Sharon’s last blog post..A frustrating experience turned positive
April 12th, 2008 at 8:32 am
Sizzle says:
I love Canada and all things Canadian but that’s probably because my Dad was from there.
See you at BlogHer!
Sizzle’s last blog post..He’s the Cheesiest
April 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Mrs. Wilson says:
I LOVE “Talking to Americans”! It’s the most funny when they go to Harvard or something like that and they talk about climbing on Peter Mans Bridge or about how Canada should use American ports because they don’t have any access to water.
Anyway … In N Out burger is AWESOME!
Mrs. Wilson’s last blog post..IT’S A GIRL!
April 12th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Kami says:
I enjoy the Canadian questions! Too funny that they really think that about us. Of course, where I live, you really could live in an igloo. Not that anyone would want to though.
Kami’s last blog post..A man of few words
April 12th, 2008 at 9:11 am
Craig says:
Growing up in ND, we were big fans of the 18-year-old drinking age in Manitoba. I hear they don’t have that anymore, though.
Craig’s last blog post..Eve 6 Report
April 12th, 2008 at 2:32 pm
Invader Trent says:
I decided I would make a short list of the good and bad of Canada (in my mind).
The good: NoMeansNo, Hockey, Ellen Page, Molsen and possibly Shatner.
The bad: Celine Dion, Celine Dion, Celine Dion and possibly Shatner.
The “I don’t understand”: How do you tip strippers with Loonies? Do you have to warm them up first before attempting to put it in their g-string? Or do they just tote a coin purse around?
April 12th, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Connie says:
I was born and raised in Colorado, under a rock. I am learning so much from the comments on this post!
Ali….keep going! LOL!
Connie’s last blog post..No Fishing in Utah!
April 12th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Doug says:
The thing I am going to miss the most when I move Stateside are President’s Choice products. For Americans - it’s an in-store brand (Loblaw’s), but it’s got its hand in just about everything. For instance, I marinade with PC sauce, bank with my PC account, drink PC beer (which is surprisingly good), could get PC car insurance and a mortgage, have a PC frozen dinner for lunch at work and take PC bubble baths. I just love their products.
Target is essentially Zellers (they’re both owned by the same company now and you can really tell in their new stores). I do love Trader Joe’s, though.
Doug’s last blog post..And Doug is off to…
April 12th, 2008 at 4:56 pm
Sra says:
I love Smarties. You can generally find them in London markets in the US. I think everyone else has better candy than we do.
I salivate over Canada’s health care system, but besides that, yeah, I really haven’t thought much about Canada. Y’all put out some great musicians, though.
Sra’s last blog post..Palomino @ Velour, Sat Apr 12, 8:PM
April 12th, 2008 at 5:02 pm
moosh in indy. says:
Wunderbars, PLEASE SEND WUNDERBARS.
moosh in indy.’s last blog post..FLDS vs. LDS
April 12th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
heather says:
I’m dying to visit Prince Edwards Island, I don’t know that he US has anything that amazingly beautiful (at least it looks amazingly beautiful in pictures and movies)
Traders Joe’s isn’t all its cracked up to be. Prepackaged veggies in packages that are either too small or too many and their prices are a bit high.
lately I am all over Jamba Juice- fruit smoothies that are super yummy and mildly healthy!
heather’s last blog post..For Your Weekend
April 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am
metalia says:
I’d say your missing out on Girl Scout cookies, but they’re coming to you VERY SOON. I promise. I deeply envy your healthcare system…and candy. You know, the important stuff.
metalia’s last blog post..It Couldn’t Be Any Worse Than Anything Michael Bay Has Come Up With (IMPORTANT UPDATES ADDED)
April 13th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
heidi says:
i’m from BC and have spent the past 4 years living in southern california w/ my husband (who is from here). i have a bag of ketchup chips that my parents brought for me when they visited a few weeks ago. i’m saving it for when i get REALLY homesick.
something truly american that you should try? rubio’s fish tacos! sounds awful, tastes divine. on second thought, i’m not sure if they’re truly american, or truly mexican….
i miss too many canadian products to list, but sleeman’s pale ale would be at the top of my list.
heidi’s last blog post..a tidbit from this morning’s sermon
April 13th, 2008 at 12:38 pm
Michele says:
Great post Angella! Don’t you just love being Canadian?
April 13th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
The Over-Thinker says:
Health Care and Hedgehogs!!!
I think you should do a post of Top 10 Canadian Foods (and this time include a bunch of salty stuff for Doritos-lovers, like moi)
The Over-Thinker’s last blog post..Sucking in Public
April 13th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Krista says:
Wow…I’m an American that grew up in Colorado but now lives in Chattanooga (a small Southern city in the southeast corner of Tennessee) and don’t know some of the American things listed in the comments. In-n-Out Burger is Californian and I’ve never been that far West. Trader Joe’s is for big cities and their larger wallets (I’d have to go all the way to Atlanta for a Trader Joe’s!).
However, here are some snacks I like to buy and you all can tell me if they’re local, regional, or national:
*Cheez-its (as in, “Get your own box”)
*Chips (white corn tortilla chips) and salsa
*Chee-tos
Breakfast Cereals:
*Rice Krispies
*Golden Grahams
Restaurants:
*Steak-n-Shake (regional, I know: Southeast and Midwest US)
*Eat-n-Park (regional, again: this time its location is Western Pennsylvania; I lived in PA for a while)
*Big River Brewery (local: Chattanooga. If you ever visit, be sure to go to Big River)
What do you all say? Local, regional, or national?
Krista’s last blog post..A Lovely Tea
April 14th, 2008 at 9:38 am
Craig says:
Invader,
I can answer your question. During the aforementioned Manitoba trip, I witnessed strippers sticking loonies to their bodies with saliva, and patrons would attempt to knock them off by throwing coins at them. True story.
Craig’s last blog post..Hopping the Bus
April 14th, 2008 at 10:35 am
Izzy says:
You mean you don’t really eat blubber?
The stupid stick…rofl
Izzy’s last blog post..My Parenting Book Deal Should Be Coming Any Day Now
April 14th, 2008 at 9:50 pm