Follow along and read my comments below the video:
Hey, I am not a lumberjack or a fur trader
and i don't live in an igloo
or eat blubber or own a dog sled
and i don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really, really nice.
I have a prime minister, not a president.
I speak English and French, not "American"
and i pronounce it "about" not "aboot"
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack
I believe in peacekeeping, not policing
diversity not assimilation
and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal
a touque is a hat
a chesterfield is a couch
and it is pronounced "ZED" not "ZEE", "ZED".
Canada is the 2nd largest land mass
the first nation of hockey
and the best part of North America
my name is Joe and I am Canadian
thank you.
Explanation:
Hey, I am not a lumberjack or a fur trader
and i don't live in an igloo
or eat blubber or own a dog sled
[Still...Americans think this is the image of a typical Canadian. They ask us..sometimes...those that know where Canada is...]
or i don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, though I'm certain they're really, really nice.
[Funny because it is not uncommon if you tell an America that you are from Canada, they will ask: "Ah, from Canada, do you know Jimmy in Toronto?" -- I am not kidding. This is why it's funny. It is true. Canadians find this hilarious...but annoying]
I have a prime minister, not a president.
[they think every country has a president]
I speak English and French, not "American"
and i pronounce it "about" not "aboot"
[Very common for American to ask Canadians: "Say "about", Say "about"!". They think it is hilarious....we think it is annoying. We do have more of an "oo" sound compared to "ow" - especially in eastern Canada, where they really do say "aboot"! And I ask people from Nova Scotia to say "aboot" ;-) ]
I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack
[For many, many years Canadians traveling abroad will sew a Canadian flag on their packpack so they will not be mistaken for American. Canadians pride themselves on an excellent global reputation of not invading, attacking or overthrowing nations. In Europe, if you speak English people assume you are British, or worse: American. When you tell them you are Canadian, their expression changes, their face lights up. It is so nice. I always appreicate it and never get tired of it.
FYI - Americans know about this flag on the backpack and some American travelers sew Canadian flags on theirs. Shameful.]
I believe in peacekeeping, not policing
[Canada is a long time supporter of UN Peacekeeping missions. In fact a former Canadian Prime Minister: Lester Pearson created the UN Peacekeeping Forces for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize]
diversity not assimilation
[America's vision: E Pluribus Unum - it is on the back of the US dollar bill - it means: from many, one. People move from many countries and many cultures to America. When you move to America, you must assilimate - become American. Canada has a vision and a policy of multiculturalism. People move from many countries and many cultures to Canada. When you move to Canada, you can be or do anything you like - continue to practice your beliefs and culture. Diversity]
and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal
[mmm....?]
a touque is a hat
[this is a Canadian word.]
a chesterfield is a couch
[From the English furniture maker. my parents always refer to the sofa as a "Chesterfield". Sound strange? What do Japanese call a stapler?...]
and it is pronounced "ZED" not "ZEE", "ZED".
[It is.]
Canada is the 2nd largest land mass
[It is.]
the first nation of hockey
[It is.]
and the best part of North America
[It is.]
my name is Joe and I am Canadian
thank you.
[Canadians are known for being very, very polite - compared to Americans. Thus the "thank you" at the end.]
Now you have a much better understanding of Canadians :-)
Thank you.
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