Around ~2008 I was in a Barcelona hostel and met a guy there. He started speaking and I interrupted him excitedly…“Oh you’re American!!”.

He looked down…the weight of pain curdled the air around us. You could sense deep sorrow welling beneath the surface of this man. He paused for what felt like an eternity to compose himself,

He looked up with a piercing, but harrowing, stare and said “No, I’m Canadian…”

I’ll never forget that moment. That sheer depth of emotion is something I haven’t experienced before or since.

Did I silently murder this poor Canadian soul? How do Canadians cope with the mistaken identity?

  • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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    This is a Caucasian issue only … I’m Indigenous Canadian - I’m a big tall brown, long dark haired full blooded Ojibway/Cree … and I’ve travelled the world in Asia, South America, Caribbean, northern Africa, Europe, Asia and India … I’m a budget traveller with my wife so we seldom stayed in any high end places.

    I’ve been confused for Portuguese, Brazilian, Moroccan, Algerian, Thai, Chinese, Malay, Indian, Pakistani, Burmese, Laotian, Peruvian, Ecuadorian, Mexican, Chilean but never for an American or even a Canadian. My personal favourite was being identified as an overweight Thai. I’m also a straight guy but I’ve had Sri Lankan men comment on my beautiful tits … lol. In Cambodia, we had a laugh as airport security couldn’t decide if they should have a male officer or a female officer pat me down … I sheepishly looked at the male guard and told him he was my guy … laughs all around. My proudest one was being identified as Peruvian … when I saw the Indigenous people in Cuzco, I felt like I had entered a dimension where I could see my grandparents, uncles, aunts and old Elders I knew a long time ago.

    My family on both sides of my family have been here for thousands of generations and I still meet people in my home country who assume I’m an immigrant of some sort.

    • magnetosphere@kbin.social
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      10 months ago

      If I knew the first thing about programming, I’d write a bot that replied “nice tits” randomly to your comments.

    • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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      Yeah people think I’m Arabic or Mexican but that’s not as bad as when they think I’m American

  • Troy@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    Gah! I had the comment mostly typed out and tabbed out and it was gone. Alas, here we go.

    Once I was in London (your London, not our fake one here in Canada) riding a bus. There was an empty window seat, so I asked the young lady “is this seat taken?” She looks up and me an scowls, clearing picking up what she perceived to be an American accent or turn if phrase and says: “it’s not for Americans.” I reply, “but I’m Canadian!” fully expecting it to end there. But to my surprise she says, “oh, in that case” and slides over to the window.

    In Germany, I’ve gotten into vigorous arguments with Germans over the proper adjective to use to describe where I’m from. See, in German, the adjective “American” describes anyone from the continents of North or South America. So when I tell them I am not an American, they usually respond with “yes you are.” Much debate follows, usually with beer involved.

    Speaking of beer. I was in Stuttgart for an open source hacker meeting a while back. After spending the day around a conference table and whiteboard, we head to the bar. The Germans in our group are ordering beer by the litre, in very large steins. When the server comes around, I ask for one as well, and she says: “most Americans find out beer pretty strong. Would you perhaps like to start with a half litre?” to which I naturally reply “But I’m Canadian!”. She just goes “oh, I’ll bring you a litre.”

    There are many more such examples. :)

  • usualsuspect191@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    I’m in Alberta. Many of the people I share this beautiful province think they’re American (or wish they were). It’s… Unfortunate

    • Chriswild@lemmy.world
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      As an American I’d prefer they not be American. I fucking loathe the people who let American conservatives spit in their mouth and ask for more.

      I don’t know what dumb fucker looks at Mississippi or West Virginia and aspires to be like that.

    • CashewNut 🏴󠁢󠁥󠁧󠁿@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      Become a devout monarchist. I’m a republican Brit but I lean into monarchy to wind up Americans. Nothing the Yanks hate more than monarchy. “The American mind can’t comprehend” monarchy.

      Mount a picture of Charles on the wall then have any visitors bow before it. Any that refuse should be ejected from your home for lack of loyalty to the Canadian crown. 😉

    • CashewNut 🏴󠁢󠁥󠁧󠁿@lemmy.worldOP
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      I’m a friendly Canadian who’s approachable

      I thought your whole ‘thing’ was that you’re polite and friendly!? Surely you don’t need to say “friendly” and “approachable”?

      With regards to your reputation for politeness/friendliness - do you think that’s compared to Americans? So for example you’re at the same level of polite as Brits? Or do you think your friendliness/politeness goes above Brits even.

      Obviously this is all stereotypes/generalisations. You’re average inner-London (UK) chav with a zombie knife isn’t that polite!

  • Evkob@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    I don’t mind getting mistaken for American, it’s an easy enough mistake to make.

    I have a loosely-related story which was not an easy mistake to make, though. I’m French-Canadian, and a few years back I was traveling in Vietnam with my partner at the time, speaking our accented French when talking to each other (we’re from New Brunswick). Anyway, we get to our hostel after arriving in a new city and hang out for a bit in the common area, planning the rest of our evening (in French of course). There was another couple there, who seemed to have overheard because they glanced towards us. When we glanced back, one of them excitedly said “We know where you guys are from!”

    We were a bit surprised, since our accent is pretty obscure and rare; “Oh really?”

    “Yeah you’re Russian!”

    My ex and I both had a good laugh before explaining that we’re French-Canadian. Here’s the kicker though: they were from Toronto and both said they speak French…

    I’ve also had the very unpleasant experience of Québecois or French people not believing me when I tell them in French that I’m a francophone and that French is my first language. So yeah, compared to that, you can call me American all day!

    • chiu@lemmy.ca
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      Woo New Brunswick! I feel you…as a proud Acadian NBer it’s tough out there.

  • Voroxpete@sh.itjust.works
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    10 months ago

    I was born and raised in England by my Canadian dad, and every time he heard the words “Is your dad American” I watched a little piece of his soul die.

  • streetfestival@lemmy.ca
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    Me, personally, it’s not a big deal. But in several ways Canadian identity is based on comparing ourselves with the United States, as if it were the only relevant comparator. I see this in policy and people’s national identification. So, I do think a good number of Canadians dislike being mistaken for Americans because it doesn’t align with their identity. Separate from that - and the context of this post is travel - there’s a popular idea amongst Canadian travellers - especially the hostel-going type - that the world perceives Canadians better than Americans. So, many will display Canada flags when they travel to preemptively fend off the idea that they’re American

  • eezeebee@lemmy.ca
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    10 months ago

    It’s only happened once and it was a fellow Canadian. For some reason they said I had a southern accent?

    Meanwhile some American friends who have heard my voice were all like, "you sound soooo Canadian!“

    • Troy@lemmy.ca
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      I was at a mixer (science conference) in California once, and was talking to a colleague when from behind us, out of nowhere: “did you just say aboot?”

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    Born in Canuckistan, I’ve lived in NY + WA and I work remotely with LA+GA people.

    Yanks pick out the Canada right away, and Canucks spot the dialect mods at similar pace. Neither country is confused about my origins, though.

    When I’m abroad, I remember to be polite as my mom taught me, and no one’s surprised to learn I’m Canadian :-D

    • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
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      The main thing is that we need to set ourselves apart from the States and the rest of the English-speaking Commonwealth by our demeanor rather than by accent.

  • Muscle_Meteor@discuss.tchncs.de
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    Nah its just statistics. Historically Canadas population has been less than 10% of that of the US, we’ve almost hit a record of 12% now.

    I live in Germany but im from BC so i get hit more often with the “it must snow a lot there!” and i have to explain that it only snows a few days a year and that i’m a cold weather bitch.

    Funny story though, i was on a pub crawl in 2018 in London (the real one) and i happen to run into a group of ~20 Canadian soldiers who had also joined it. There was 1 American on this pubcrawl and later in the night he comes up to me in a panic and says “NAME! You’re american right!?!” Haha. He had never been the minority before.

  • OttoVonNoob@lemmy.ca
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    This may be ranty, so sorry in advance. Canadians and Americans are very different. They are our brothers and we love them.That being said politically, socially and culturally we are very far apart. I would not be offended if someone thought I was American but I would correct them. I belive the equivalent would be if someone said “Oh your a Scott?” neighbour’s for over a 1000 years but not the same. I’m assuming your British sorry. Also, to add we do have a growing presence of “We should be part if America” weirdos. Who would say something like “Canada has no culture”.

    • blargerer@kbin.social
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      How much traveling have you done? I’m Canadian and don’t want to join America or something, and there are meaningful differences. But as someone that’s traveled a decent amount, we are way more similar than different. Even England and Australia feel way more alien than most places I’ve been in the the US do. (I’ll admit that one time I was in super rural Tennessee that it also felt quite alien)

      • OttoVonNoob@lemmy.ca
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        I do alot of traveling south, see alot of hockey and football games. I’m not saying it’s alien, it probably is the closest thing we have to a brother. That’s why I said we love them, Yada Yada Yada. But we are different and that view is becoming skewed. Also, I can almost say with certainty your from Ontario. As a Maritimer, Quebecer, Northerner, Indigenous or BC’er. Would probably say how wildly different it is. As we are both huge countries with mosaics of local cultures. But Ontario has a similar culture to Illinois, Minnesota or other northern states. Also, rural states are funny… Stopped at a roadside dinner in Minni a month ago and posters of Biden with Devil horns everywhere and no one flinched…

    • CashewNut 🏴󠁢󠁥󠁧󠁿@lemmy.worldOP
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      I’m assuming your British sorry

      This may be ranty, so sorry in advance. But Scots are British. They’re not English but they are British. Haha. :p

      Canadians and Americans are very different.

      I respectfully disagree…

      1. You sound the same.
      2. I asked who you guys would support in a war between UK and America - You seemed to support the US more.
      3. Your humour is more American than British. Do you even banter?
      4. You literally ride moose into battle.
      5. You think it’s acceptable to tickle beavers.
      6. You love guns.

      About the only thing that seems un-American is that fox Justin Trudeau and it seems you’re planning to vote him out next election. How, why? Have you seen that face? He isn’t a man! He’s a god!

      So Canadian == American.

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        10 months ago

        6a - Canadians go shooting in forests
        6b - Americans go shooting in schools, shopping malls, or other public places

        I’m American. I’m allowed to make dark jokes about how screwed up our society is.

        • DerisionConsulting@lemmy.ca
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          I think that everyone can make jokes about the mass shooting events, as long as it’s not about any one specific event, and at least until you guys stop having about 12 per week.

          You guys are actually doing pretty good this year, only 12 in the past 15 days!
          And only 54 kids killed by guns this year so far, that’s only like 1 every 8 hours.
          https://www.gunviolencearchive.org/

      • Kbin_space_program@kbin.social
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        Trudeau looks great, gives decent speeches.

        Absolutely spineless and rudderless when it comes to actual decisions.

        So now we’re on track to get a guy that makes Mike fucking Johnson seem like a upright and well adjusted individual.

      • OttoVonNoob@lemmy.ca
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        1. I mean accent is such a strange thing to say is similar. You can’t compare a new York accent to Toronto. This video is a good sum https://youtu.be/9XpVHbFsLDQ?feature=shared

        2. I mean if we support you guys, we’re dead and we gained you guys 3 hours xD. Also, politically speaking I don’t think anyone on Lemmy is deciding our international relations.

        3. I grew up with Mr Bean on the CBC and Monty Python movies on CBC on Sundays.(Showing my age) I can’t say for sure ether way but that’s a wild assumption xD.

        4.??

        5.??

        1. We have 70 less guns per person than the states.

        https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estimated_number_of_civilian_guns_per_capita_by_country#/media/File%3AWorld_map_of_civilian_gun_ownership_-_2nd_color_scheme.svg

      • IninewCrow@lemmy.ca
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        The only thing you got wrong here is in tickling a beaver … riding a moose into battle is less dangerous than tickling a beaver who can snap at you like a weasel and rip your finger off in the blink of an eye.

        • nyan@lemmy.cafe
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          The UK had no beavers for hundreds of years, so it makes sense that its denizens wouldn’t know that beavers aren’t ticklish. 🫠

      • ILikeBoobies@lemmy.ca
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        1 - it’s like Australia vs UK, if you aren’t around it then you can’t spot the difference. Look up Nova Scotians talking and Texans talking then play them back to back. There are some differences

        2 - Weird

        3 - We banter and watch British comedies. Don’t really care for American comedies

        4 - how is that not different? If you were comparing us to Finland it might be a similarity

        5 - ?

        6 - No we don’t

        How, why?

        The other guy promises to favour India in immigration and give express citizenship to those people

  • CanadaPlus@futurology.today
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    You must have caught that schmuck on a really bad day. I’m not upset by it, because we are really hard to tell apart. Some people do take mild offence, but it’s a pretty unfair thing to expect someone to guess.

    Often, it’s good to point out you’re Canadian abroad, because we’re just less hated globally. Occasionally being “American” can be handy, especially in America.

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    I wouldn’t feel too bad for mistaking a Canadian for an American. Our accents sound so similar that I don’t think its a big deal, especially for non native, or non North American english speakers.

    That’s what I tell every Canadian I know who’s travelling anyhow. Just kindly tell them you are Canadian if they ever refer to you as American. Or carry Canadian insignia if you are concerned about it.

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    A lot of Canadians can be bothered by it. I’ve seen them bothered by it. It’s sorta cute.

    However, I’m ethnically Chinese (born in UK) and the ongoing joke is how Asians (Orientals if you’re from the UK) hate being confused for one another as well.

    Also, not gonna lie, I’ve confused Taiwanese/Chinese/Japanese/Korean/what-have-you people before. However, I don’t get called racist because I’m East-Asian :P

    Here’s the deal. I don’t care … people are rarely ever doing it to get a rise out of you. Most of the time, these are conversation starters. Also, I’m a Chinese-Brit that was confused for being Japanese growing up. Then I moved to Canada and when I said I grew up in London. They all thought I meant London Ontario because apparently London England didn’t exist. Then I moved back to Canada and they all thought I was American.

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    If I got any angry for being mistaken for an American, I would be angry all the time. I’m living in Japan. People just assume I’m American. Makes sense right? Tons of yanks; not so many canucks.