Canada

**slohairt** · 23rd May 09, 06:55 AM

I know I'm straying a bit off-topic here, but I witnessed a lot of vicious Anti-Americanism when I lived in Ireland. Especially from the younger generation (of which I am part). The treatment meted out to the older American tourists was a bit better (they were probably spending a lot of money) but bad things were said as soon as they were out of earshot. The younger Americans, particularly backpackers or students, were often blatantly insulted or ripped off on a regular basis. It was assumed straight-away that they were "Plastic Paddies" in search of shillelaghs and leprechauns. Sure, some of them were, but most were just abroad for the first time and trying to experience and enjoy a different culture. I was often ashamed by my own Irish countrymen.

As a fellow North American, I felt a certain kinship with the Americans I met, who were overwhelmingly friendly for the most part. In fact they were often friendlier than the Canadians I met!

It probably helped that, because of my accent, I myself was constantly mistaken for being an American! Most of the Americans upon hearing that I was Canadian didn't really consider me foreign. I know some might find that insulting but I didn't at all. It wasn't a matter of treating my citizenship as second-class, but rather acknowledging our similarities, which is something people in general should do more often.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 23rd May 09, 08:17 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

I don't really see the partisanship you speak of. There's been no mention of our (Canadian) political parties.

The original post contained comments of a "party political" nature, aimed specifically at the political administration of the United States. The revived thread has now moved to a discussion of anti-Americanism... as evidenced by your own, most recent, posting.

While I might agree with your posting (having lived in Ireland for 21 years), and certainly wouldn't have agreed with the OP in this thread, I feel that the thread really is dealing with "off topic" topics that might be better (and more frankly) addressed on some other forum.

**Dan R Porter** · 23rd May 09, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by slohairt

I know I'm straying a bit off-topic here, but I witnessed a lot of vicious Anti-Americanism when I lived in Ireland. Especially from the younger generation (of which I am part). The treatment meted out to the older American tourists was a bit better (they were probably spending a lot of money) but bad things were said as soon as they were out of earshot. The younger Americans, particularly backpackers or students, were often blatantly insulted or ripped off on a regular basis. It was assumed straight-away that they were "Plastic Paddies" in search of shillelaghs and leprechauns. Sure, some of them were, but most were just abroad for the first time and trying to experience and enjoy a different culture. I was often ashamed by my own Irish countrymen.

As a fellow North American, I felt a certain kinship with the Americans I met, who were overwhelmingly friendly for the most part. In fact they were often friendlier than the Canadians I met!

It probably helped that, because of my accent, I myself was constantly mistaken for being an American! Most of the Americans upon hearing that I was Canadian didn't really consider me foreign. I know some might find that insulting but I didn't at all. It wasn't a matter of treating my citizenship as second-class, but rather acknowledging our similarities, which is something people in general should do more often.

this makes me rethink my trip to ireland.

**KFCarter** · 23rd May 09, 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by Coinneach

And not all of those lovely Canadians are soldiers. It was the Canadian Embasssy in Iran that helped a few lucky Americans who managed to barely escape being held hostage in 1979-1980. They put themselves at great risk to help their southern neighbor.

A footnote to the story above:

The Canadian Parliament met in special (secret) session to pass a law that made it possible to issue passports to the rescued Americans and get them out of Iran.

The day the rescue was announced, the NHL Flames, playing their last season in Atlanta, had a game on their home ice at the Omni. I was in attendance when the crowd rose for the usual playing of the National Anthems. It's probably safe to say that most of the Americans in that crowd had never done more than mumble through the customary renditions of their own national anthem, but that night they rose as one and sand "O, Canada" so loudly it made the rafters ring. It was a spontaneous thing and very moving.

No question that there are Americans that are jingoistic and narrow-minded about other countries, Canada included. But most Americans are pretty quiet about such things until a moment presents itself to express their feelings. I think most Americans know that Canada is a nation to be admired and thank our stars for our northern neighbors.

**MacMillan of Rathdown** · 23rd May 09, 09:48 AM

Dan,
Don't cancel your trip just because of the comments made on this thread. By and large you will have a wonderful time, and you will meet some wonderful people. When you run into the odd jerk, all you have to do is smile and ignore them, the same as you would at home.

**ccga3359** · 23rd May 09, 10:02 AM

Originally Posted by Giant77

The deadliest people in the world...

Not too far from the truth. It reminds me of the joint US/Canadian special forces in WWII. Commomnly refered to the "Black Devils". two nations, one well respected and feared unit. A cooperation that continues today. I had a friend in the JTF2 that trained numerous times in Virginia with his American counterparts.

The shoulder patch worn by all of the 1st Special Service Force

**macwilkin** · 23rd May 09, 10:39 AM

Originally Posted by ccga3359

Not too far from the truth. It reminds me of the joint US/Canadian special forces in WWII. Commomnly refered to the "Black Devils". two nations, one well respected and feared unit. A cooperation that continues today. I had a friend in the JTF2 that trained numerous times in Virginia with his American counterparts.

The shoulder patch worn by all of the 1st Special Service Force

The 1st Special Service Force were known as "The Devil's Brigade". Their German opponents referred to them as "Die schwarze Teufeln" (The Black Devils).

T.

**slohairt** · 23rd May 09, 01:44 PM

Originally Posted by Dan R Porter

this makes me rethink my trip to ireland.

Don't let my post dissuade you! It also had something to do with the age group involved (and social circles as well). I was a 19-yeard-old student roughing it at the time and I'm pretty sure a lot of the 19-year-olds around here are snarkey turds as well!

I wasn't there as a tourist, so I saw things a bit differently. You'll meet a lot of great Irish people in Ireland and from all over the world.

**Giant77** · 24th May 09, 11:50 AM

I could have sworn I saw a movie about the The Devil's Brigade on TV. It shows when they first got together and some of the Canadian troops had on kilts, which was really cool and part of the reason why I watched the movie. I don't know what the name of it was, but it was a really good movie. On par with "Zulu" and "Dirty Dozen". Great movie and one that had humor and historical fact in it all together. If any one knows the name of it, please share, I just caught it on tv and never got the title.