25 Funny Differences Between Canadians And Americans

Posted by , Updated on November 29, 2023

Canada and the United States have somewhat of a love hate relationship. It’s a sibling rivalry that goes back centuries. So what exactly are the differences between the two? Today we’re going to take a look at how the longest unprotected border in the world has defined North America. These are 25 Funny Differences Between Canadians And Americans!

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25

Canadians tend to trust authority, whereas Americans are suspicious of it.

American RevolutionSource: House_of_Suns via reddit

This goes back to the fact that the Canadians remained loyal to the crown, while America showed King George the door.

24

Canadians bond over hockey, Americans bond over football. In general, Canadians also put less emphasis on sport.

hockeySource: kirlysue via reddit
23

Canadians spend a lot of time comparing themselves to the US. Americans don’t think about Canada very often at all. Actually...almost never.

Canada, you mean America JrSource: huffingtonpost.ca
22

Some parts of Canada sell milk in bags. Bagged milk would be highly suspicious in the US.

milk bigSource: brs677 via reddit
21

The US sees itself as a melting pot, while Canada sees itself as a mosaic.

Canadian_Mosaic_WallSource: telegraph.co.uk

The difference is very slight, but basically in the US, there is more mixing and blending between immigrant cultures, while in Canada immigrants tend to keep more of their language and traditions rather than mix with others.

20

Canadians have more of a tall-poppy syndrome, which is a tendency to distrust or discredit anyone who stands out in a prominent position or wealth.

stand outSource: techcrunch.com

In this sense, Canada is a lot more like Europe. Conformity is more encouraged in Canada than the US. If America does well at anything, it’s encouraging innovation and non-conformity.

19

Canadians love their flag, but Americans seem to love their flag more. Seriously, nobody beats America at flags. (You can’t beat Canadians at maple syrup though!)

US and Canada flagsSource: Basdad via reddit
18

Canadians put more emphasis on higher education.

appleSource: universityaffairs.ca

Actually, Canada puts more emphasis on it than any other country in the world. It leads the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) with 53% of its population having a college education. The OECD average is 32%.

17

Canadians generally approve of their government; Americans hate and distrust theirs.

governmentSource: hilltimes.com

This boils down to the fact that Canadians see government as a good thing, while Americans see it as a necessary evil.

16

Americans are more individualistic.

wild westSource: canada.pch.gc.ca

It goes back to the Wild West mentality. The very word “Canada,” on the other hand, is derived from a local Iroquoian word for “village.” Canadians are more communally minded.

15

Canada’s right wing is America’s left wing.

OttowaSource: huffingtonpost.ca

In the political sense, Canadian politics tend to be more liberal. This doesn’t mean that Canada doesn’t have conservative politics; it certainly does. The political system is a lot less polarized, however, and doesn’t pull to the extremes as much. (It has 5 primary political parties.)

 

Want more Canadian politics? Check out 25 Times Justin Trudeau Made You Wish You Were Canadian.

14

Both Americans and Canadians think they are more “free.”

chainsSource: theatlantic.com

In Canada this is due to more progressive policies; in the US it is due to lack of government policies.

13

Americans are more confrontational.

sorrySource: kirlysue via reddit

Not necessarily in a bad way, but Canadians are more likely to just hold everything in and let it stew. Or apologize…

12

Canadians pretend Canada has no problems. Americans pretend the US just has “quirks.”

no problemSource: u1tr4me0w via reddit
11

Canadians don't get to experience the joys of Pandora and Spotify due to licensing restrictions.

Pandora2-LogoSource: bustle.com
10

Although Canadians do feel quite a bit of connection with their province/city, Americans identify much more with their state than they do with the country as a whole (except for Quebec...Canada's Texas).

TexasSource: news.com.au
9

Canadians talk about the War of 1812 a lot. Americans aren’t quite sure what that is. Boston Tea Party anyone?

War of 1812Source: pbs.org
8

Canadians are more passive aggressive.

passive aggressiveSource: thestar.com

A good example of this would be tribalism and all of its derivatives. While it is more overt in the US, that doesn’t mean it’s any less in Canada. It just comes out in a more backhanded fashion.

7

Canadians brag about how cold it is, while Americans brag about how warm it is.

cold hotSource: theglobeandmail.com

Unless you live in Minnesota…then you’re basically Canadian.

6

Americans are much more polarized on almost everything.

handshakeSource: usnews.com

But then again, there are more people in just California than all of Canada, so it makes sense that Canadians would be more unified.

5

In the US, talking about American politics is taboo, but in Canada, talking about American politics is a national past-time.

rubiks cubeSource: theglobeandmail.com
4

Canadians are more likely to take off their shoes in the house.

shoesSource: nboylie via reddit

Of course, this depends on location, but in many parts of the US, walking with shoes in the house is acceptable. Maybe it’s the cowboy influence?

3

Canadians think Canada is completely different from the US. Americans, on the other hand, don’t notice much of a difference between the two countries.

nothing was the sameSource: theguardian.com

Note: from a European perspective any differences will seem a bit overstated.

2

Americans have it easier when it comes to shopping online. Many stores DON'T offer online shopping, and many of them don't even have a website to begin with.

Online-Sales-Ecommercebustle.com
1

Canadan have two official languages on a national level, English and French. Americans have NO official language on a national level; each state decides whether or not to adopt (English) as an official language.

language chalkboardSource: washingtonpost.com, politifact.com, wikipedia.com


Featured Image: Shutterstock,

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