Ugh. I'm a Canadian who is repelled by Rick Mercer's way of feeding Canadians' blind spots and prejudices back to them. His comedy is smug. He is not a truth-teller—he shows people what they want to see.
Canadian prejudice against Americans has little to do with Americans and much to do with ourselves. It's a national neurosis (at least among the educated classes) which we're mostly unaware of. It quickly becomes obvious to Americans who notice it, though. I've had many conversations with American friends about this. Luckily for us, most Americans' feelings toward Canada are uncomplicated, friendly and warm, so they have no idea how far from reciprocated this is. It's also lucky for us that they think we're cute and don't take us seriously, because if they did they'd find a lot to be offended by.
The most curious aspect of Canadian prejudice against Americans is how openly and proudly we proclaim it, as if it could be nothing but endearing. This is a consequence of its being mostly unconscious.
Canadian prejudice against Americans has little to do with Americans and much to do with ourselves. It's a national neurosis (at least among the educated classes) which we're mostly unaware of. It quickly becomes obvious to Americans who notice it, though. I've had many conversations with American friends about this. Luckily for us, most Americans' feelings toward Canada are uncomplicated, friendly and warm, so they have no idea how far from reciprocated this is. It's also lucky for us that they think we're cute and don't take us seriously, because if they did they'd find a lot to be offended by.
The most curious aspect of Canadian prejudice against Americans is how openly and proudly we proclaim it, as if it could be nothing but endearing. This is a consequence of its being mostly unconscious.