I haven’t written in a while – not so much because of my well-documented unreliability as a blogger/journal keeper, but, rather, because there isn’t much else to say at this point. I used this blog to explore life after losing Mom and Dad , and that process is mostly complete. That is, I’ve more or less figured out my identity without them. Not that there isn’t always more to learn, but the main process of discovery has reached it’s natural conclusion. The year in London was the best way for me to figure things out, because it took me away from everything that was familiar. The fact that I’m going back to the new apartment keeps me from taking any steps backward when I get back to New York.
But I digress – those topics are for the next entry (the last one from London, and the penultimate overall). This particular entry is about something very different, as you can no doubt tell by the title. Now, don’t get me wrong, I have nothing against our neighbors to the North. I’ve been to Canada. It’s a beautiful country, and I hope to see more of it (particularly the Canadian Rockies). They love hockey, the people are friendly (I met some lovely Canadian couples on my trip to Greece and Turkey this year), they produce some decent TV programs, what’s not to like? Except this one tiny thing – it’s a little something I’ve discovered through my various experiences living abroad: Canadians get offended if you call them American.
Come on, guys, where’s the love? Is it so bad to mistaken for Americans? Are we really “The Great Satan?” You’d think so if you heard the number of times people have asked me if I am Canadian or, my personal favorite, North American: “Is that a North American accent I detect?” “What part of Canada are you from?” Um, the part that’s in the United States?
It’s not that I’m offended by being called Canadian – like I said, lovely country, lovely people. No, I am offended that Canadians abroad are so offended to be called American that they have everyone running scared. When did Canadian become the “safe” guess when it comes to nationality? And, I kind of hate to burst their bubble, but just about every Fulbright teacher who was in the UK this year can attest to the fact that a lot of people here think Canada is the 51st state (in some cases the 52nd). Frankly, if I were Canadian, I’d be more offended by the fact that people don’t seem to know they’re a real country. In fact, you’d think the British would know Canada’s a commonwealth country. Just sayin’.
Hmm, so maybe being asked what part of Canada I’m from simply means, “What part of the state of Canada, in the US are you from?” Food for thought. Kind of sad when you think about it, actually. Oh, and while we’re on the topic, people might need to broaden their definition of a North American accent. The geographically challenged over here don’t seem to realize that Mexico is part of North America. Of course, before I get too cocky, I’m sure there are more than a few Americans/Canadians who forget that little fact too.
We are an increasingly global society. The understanding of that is one of the reasons I wanted to do this exchange. The lack of understanding of that is one of the reasons I struggled this year – for the first time in my life I was called a “foreigner,” in that negative way we’ve all heard used about others. I’ve had to defend the American perspective, and explain why some Americans don’t have the most open worldview (when you can travel 1000 miles in any direction and still be in your own country, sometimes it’s hard to see beyond your borders). I wouldn’t mind so much if the people challenging American Xenophobia weren’t the same ones lamenting the number of foreigners in London in their next breath. A little pot and kettle there, don’t you think?
A lot of people from home asked me how the students in the UK were different from students back home. In fact, they’re not. Not really. Teenage girls are teenage girls, no matter where you are. People are people. That’s what we seem to forget. We get caught up in labels; we focus on the differences, and we miss the big picture. American . . . Canadian . . . Mexican . . . we’re all North American, as are all the people who have moved to North America from around the world. English . . . Scottish . . . Welsh . . . Northern Irish . . . you’re all British, as are all those who have moved to the UK to start a new life. Diversity brings flavor and vibrancy to the world. Embrace it. So, you got that, Canada? – Lighten up! There are worse things in life than being called American! No offense. xo
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