Being a Canadian is great. Being a Canadian in an American college is also great. I was able to make new friends so easily; apparently, it’s pretty cool being foreign. I was asked so many questions, but the most common amongst those was “What are the differences between Canada and America?” This was the most difficult question because there are no large differences between the two countries. (One country may be a little bit ‘nicer’ as a whole, but I’ll let you decide which one.) But here are a few things that Americans should know about Canada or Canadians, from my point of view.
We speak differently than most of you. Yes, the northern states have a similar narrative to us, but for the most part, we have a different sound to our words. My friends tend to point out, 'pancake' or 'bag' or 'house'. So, next time you meet a Canadian ask them to say those words, it usually makes my friends laugh. As a whole, I have been told I sound more British than Americans. I won’t lie, I take that as a compliment. So, if being Canadian means I am semi-similar to British people, I’m all over that.
Toronto is a city. I repeat, Toronto is a city in Ontario. It isn’t even our capital so please stop thinking that Toronto is a province. There’s another one, a province is comparable to a state. We aren’t just one big piece of land we have dividing regions just like America. Also, it is spelt Saskatchewan and is pronounced just like it is spelt. SASK-at-CHE-wan. I swear, there are no tricks there. We are all diversified between 10 provinces and 3 territories, we don’t all live in Ontario, or just Toronto and Vancouver.
I know you think that everyone in Canada knows everyone else, but I promise, I do not know that one Canadian you met on a plane, or in a hockey tournament. Speaking of hockey, not all Canadians watch hockey or are obsessed with it. Most are, I’ll give you that. But there are a rare few who don’t live for the sport.
I do not live in the woods, in fact, I live on a pretty busy street, in a decently sized city. Where it might be true that Canada has more wooded areas than America, we are civilized and have urban cities. I am 5 minutes from the grocery store and I have a bowling alley, so obviously we’re not completely rural and isolated from society.
Finally, let’s settle this ‘eh’ debate right now. While it is true that Canadians do use the word ‘eh’, it has a purpose and meaning to it. Americans seem to think we just add it onto the end of our sentences for giggles, but the word serves a reason. An example of a sentence that would have eh on the end of it: “Those Seahawks sure beat down on the Patriots last night eh?” Eh defined as ‘what do you think’ or “Am I right?” So while, I understand that it’s kind of odd that we have a word that only our nation uses, it has a purpose and it’s awesome.
All in all, I’ve had some pretty weird questions asked of me such as “Do you guys listen to the same music we do?” and “Have you ever rode a moose?” (The answer is no by the way), but it’s kind of cool being the only person who is an expert on my country. I go to a school where I’m the only Canadian and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
