How to deal...

[SuperShyGuy]

... with stupid jokes I hear about my country. I'm Canadian for those who don't know.


(this is where I get on the soapbox)

Americans don't get it.

You make jokes about a Mexican, it's racist.
You make jokes about a Japanese person, it's racist.
You make jokes about France, it's racist.

All true, and all inapropriate at any time.

You make jokes about Canadians, "it's okay we're just jiving you".

Why?

I guess my question is how do I get the message across to Americans that those of us in Canada don't think any of the "Canadian" jokes are the least bit funny. Most of it is downright offensive to us. I'd like to get through one whole fucking week on the internet without hearing the words "winter", "maple syrup", or fucking "igloo". It isn't funny. It never was. It never will be.

Sorry if this seems out of place in "How To", but this place has the smarter minds of the board in general, and the room for serious debate exists here. Rant over for now.

 

[Ms_Lilith]

LOL


Okay, calm down there, fellow Canuck. I'm in BC. I hear the same jokes, and get told that I say aboot, instead of about, etc.

I love watching shows like Air Farce. If you watch a show like that, you realize that we propogate our own misery. Lol...

Look, Americans can make fun of us all they like, but then they'll remember that we have legalized pot, gay marriages, swing clubs (in Quebec), and we don't need to go to war. Everyone likes us.

So you can get your panties in a twist over simple-minded jokes, or you can laugh with them, knowing that us Canadians are nice folk, and people like us.

 

[_Milky_Whites_]

OK...a reply from an American.
I have no idea why there are so many canadian jokes. Call me naive, but I dont get it. Is there something I must be missing? Are Canadians any different than us? Ive yet to meet one who stands out in a crowd with "Canadian" or "Canuck" practically stamped on their heads. So, I'll just apologize for my country since I see you are upset. Hope that gives you a little ray of hope....

 

[cg_allstar]

... I'd like to get through one whole fucking week on the internet without hearing the words "winter", "maple syrup", or fucking "igloo". It isn't funny. It never was. It never will be...

That part alone made me laugh out loud.

 

[JupitersGirl]

OK...a reply from an American.
I have no idea why there are so many canadian jokes. Call me naive, but I dont get it. Is there something I must be missing? Are Canadians any different than us? Ive yet to meet one who stands out in a crowd with "Canadian" or "Canuck" practically stamped on their heads. <snip>....

I don't get it either...the only thing I can think of is that we also make fun of people from other states. It's not that we truly think people from certain other states are less intelligent, worthy, etc., we Americans just like to rib each other. It's an American pass time. I do see how it could get old though...I'm a North Carolinian who lived in Virginia for a while. You should have heard the jokes I had to put up with!!!

 

[_Milky_Whites_]

Understand that. I live in Kentucky. That word alone pulls up images for most Im sure. So I understand about the ribbing.

 

[watergirl]

Hmmm.... Here's my theory. (Keep in mind, I've never really gotten why jokes about Canada are supposed to be funny, either. You guys have us beat in a lot of ways.)

It's BECAUSE you're both superior to us in a lot of ways, and because the make-up of Canada, I guess, is a lot like here. It's more of a political line across a map and a word, Canada, that differentiates us, than any actual change in skin tone... So in a way, maybe people make jokes about Canada because they can say, "oh, we're just giving you a hard time," and not be accused of any racism?

I could be wrong. People could just be assholes. Yeah, that's proably it.

 

[DarlingNikki]

"Americans don't get it?" LOL. Having spent a lot of time in hostels and guesthouses all over the world, I can assure you that we Americans are expected to laugh off more than our fair share of jokes at our expense. You don't like jokes about winter, maple syrup, and igloos? Well, we don't like jokes about obesity, hillbillies, trailers, monolinguism, stupidity, and lack of awareness about the world. How should you deal with it? I don't know. I usually just avoid the person after that. It's not a nationality thing on the part of the joke makers, it's a personality thing. Some people are just like that, Americans and Canadians.

 

[cactiphile]

Reminds me of a joke

The English guy tells a joke:
"An Irishman walked into a bar..."

The Irish man tells the joke:
"A kerryman* walks into the bar..."

The Kerryman tells the joke:
"A killarney** man walks into a bar..."

The Killarney man tells the joke:
"A Spradoch*** street man walks into a bar..."

The guy on the Spradoch street tells the joke:
"?????????"



*Guy from county Kerry in Ireland
** A village in Kerry
*** A street in Killarney

 

[SuperShyGuy]

and lack of awareness about the world.

They wern't joking about that part. 95% of the time that part is true.


But the rest of it, I see your point.


Listen, it's not like I go off the deep end every time I have to hear another stupid joke that ends in "eh". But seriously, there comes a point where enough is enough. I've never understood how nationalist humor is funny , I probably never will. I just have heard one too many of those jokes this week and needed to let off a little steam. Thanks everyone for letting me rant a bit.

 

[DarlingNikki]

Hey, I know exactly how you feel. And if it makes you feel better, I neither make nor laugh at Canadian jokes.

 

[dollface007]

Okay, I'm going to put it out there.....
I have made Canadian jokes before. I once dated a man who was Canadian, and I used to tease him about things like curling and moose and things like that. I like to think that I was not coming from a xenophobic place when i said those things, but just the opposite. I know that there is really no fundamental difference between Americans and Canadians, and anything "negative" that i say about Canada is absolutely absurd because Canada is a great country and the rest of the world could learn alot from the positive example of Canada and it's people as a nation. I think that's part of the reason why people feel like they are free to make fun of Canadians to their faces....it's because substantively, there's really nothing to make fun of. I used to call my Mexican ex-roommate, whom I love dearly, "you dirty Mexican" and we would laugh hysterically. We thought it was funny because we both know that "dirty" is an absurd stereotype for Mexicans and that we were both above making or taking such a statement seriously. Would I ever say "dirty Mexican" in front of someone i didn't know or apply it to anyone else who wouldn't get the joke? Absolutely not!!!!
When I made fun of my Canadian beau, i fully expected him to throw a comment about fat stupid Americans right back at me. We both got a kick out of it.
All that said, this is my form of humor. If it is not your cup of tea, then you have every right to be offended at the use of stereotypes at your expense. I would never just come up to and say, "Hey, hoser!" if i somehow knew you were canadian and knew nothing about your sense of humor or how you would take it (actually, i don't think i would say it if i did...tired joke).
Anyways, I'm glad that you spoke up, and I think we all need a reminder from time to time that stereotypes are just that, and that nothing positive comes from them.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Thanks for your post, dollface007, and you are right. It isn't that the jokes can't be funny, it's more the tone or the way they are used that can bug me I guess. Vixenshe brought up a Canadian show called "Royal Canadian Air Farce" which is a long running Canadian show, that basically has got it's laughs forever by making fun of everything about our own country. It's a vastly successful show, and pretty funny (though "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" is better for my money!). Certainly there are Americans who "get it" and understand how to use the humor properly. It's just the few who actually think the joke they are making is original, or actually funny on a level that isn't so friendly that I take issue with.

Anyway, it is a topic that isn't easy to discuss and thanks to everyone who has replied. I really didn't mean to sound quite so angry, lol, and in general I'd say most people I've run into online are pretty respectful of each other's cultures. Maybe that's part of what the internet can do for the world in a positive way - bring us more into a single community, instead of trying to divide us by the ever-so-subtle differences between us.

Anyway, hope everyone has a good day.

 

[y=mx+b]

Try being from the mid-west. Depending on what state you are from your either:

gosh I love da Pack,
Da Bears rule,
Ya, Da Vikings might be in da play offs dis year,

Ya, you betcha!


Fuck-n-A people, you see Fargo once and you think its a true representation.

Believe me, I sympathize with you my Canadian friend

 

[SexyChele]

I don't think I've ever made a joke involving Canadians. I might be wrong, but I don't think so. Of course, I don't think Maple Syrup is funny.

Anyway, I think part of it is that y'all look like most of us. White. And, for the most part, we share ancestors - English and French. In that regard, you are "part of the tribe" and any jokes are, in a way, considered a poke at those within our "circle" of race. Make sense?

Look at how Americans treat each other, for goodness sake! We have the New Englanders, the New Yorkers, folks from anywhere in the south, the mid-west gets picked on overly much, anyone from Texas can tell you how rough it is going to another state, and even the northwest isn't safe. And California? Sheesh! I live here and get it all the time! Talk about nationalist humor? We have state humor!

And you have to admit that we Americans get quite a ribbing from the Canadians, as well. More so than any other North or South American country. So some of it might simply be, "hey, you make a joke about me, I'll do the same to you." No, not really bright, but I think, for the most part, in good humor.

Living in So California, where we get LOTS of tourists from around the world, I constantly hear the decrying of Americans in general, and Californians in particular. I respons depending on my mood - either laugh with them, retort with a joke about their country, get all serious and explain exactly why what they said was stupid, or simply give them "a look" and walk away.

You know, when people make comments about other countries it's strange. They don't think they are making comments about individual people, just about a country as a whole. Frequently, I'm told I don't look or act like a "typical So Californian" and I am often apologized to. Thing is, I don't fit their ideal of the Southern California stereotype. Very few of us do. So it is best not to take it personally and if it truly bugs, just walk away.

Oh, and it is Mexican, not Mezican!

And one other thing: there is currently an ad out by Carl's Jr (hamburger joint) that heavily pokes fun at France's historical "cowardly" behavior. I think it's neither funny nor amusing. In fact, I find it distasteful. But then, I've found Carl's Jr's advertising unappealing for many years, and have not patronized their establishments for at least 10 years because of it. But, hey, that's just me!

So, smile and be proud that you come from a beautiful and diverse country. Not many have what you have, you know? (Can only speak for BC, as it's the only part of Canada I've been to, but it is incredibly beautiful and the people are truly amazing)

 

[SuperShyGuy]

away.

Oh, and it is Mexican, not Mezican!

Oops, simple typo. I'll go back and correct it.

 

[Carnus]

I live in Texas and grew up in Oklahoma. I have traveled all of the US in the last few years and have heard jokes about almost every state, country and ethnicity. I don't think it is anything like people thinking they are superior, or wanting to make sure someone 'knows their place' I personally think it is just a way to cause a smile, yes sometimes it gets to people a bit too much, but overall most of the jokes are the same. I have heard the toothbrush joke told on most every state, ethnic jokes that change color faster than a small town stoplight. (small joke) and jokes concerning other countries inability to fight off a common cold. But while we might feel some of them are offensive, we have all laughed as some of them as well. Take them as they were meant, do your best to defeat the stereotype, and don't pass on the ones you find offensive is my best advice on that one.

And in case you didn't know it,,, the toothbrush joke, told on the state I am living in just to keep it from beng a case of me picking on anyone.

Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Texas?

If it had been in any other state they would have called it a teethbrush.

Carnus
(and I don't own a hat, boots or a belt with my name on it)

hehehehe

smile and the world smiles with you, frown and all you get is sour looks from the bartender.

 

[SuperShyGuy]

And in case you didn't know it,,, the toothbrush joke, told on the state I am living in just to keep it from beng a case of me picking on anyone.

Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Texas?

If it had been in any other state they would have called it a teethbrush.

Carnus
(and I don't own a hat, boots or a belt with my name on it)

hehehehe

smile and the world smiles with you, frown and all you get is sour looks from the bartender.

Okay, okay I have to admit that joke made me laugh. I guess I got all riled up over nothing really. I know 9/10 people mean no harm with the jokes.

Teethbrush.

 

[dollface007]

I live in Texas and grew up in Oklahoma.....
And in case you didn't know it,,, the toothbrush joke, told on the state I am living in just to keep it from beng a case of me picking on anyone.

Did you know that the toothbrush was invented in Texas?

If it had been in any other state they would have called it a teethbrush.

Carnus
(and I don't own a hat, boots or a belt with my name on it)

hehehehe

smile and the world smiles with you, frown and all you get is sour looks from the bartender.

I am a Native Texan and every time i hear somebody tell a Texas joke i think of that great line of truth that Lyle Lovette wrote....
"That's right, you're not from Texas. Texas wants you anyway."
I feel sorry for you Carnus, you must get alot of shit from Texans about being from Oklahoma! I have a coworker from Oklahoma, and it NEVER STOPS (on both ends).

 

[CelticFrog]

there is a commercial...

I downloaded it a bit ago, so I can't remember exactly what it said or why, but it's actually rather amusing to watch from the 'picked on' point of view, especially if you're from Canada. It's from ESPN and shows a bunch of guys in a cubicle setting. The new guy is from Canada and one mankeeps trying to make jokes to his face, saying 'eh' all the time, etc.
Canadian man sits and takes it, then beats the crap out of joker. Funnier to watch than describe.
Much much funnier to watch than describe, now that I reread this. But it's the best way I can think of to put it, so I'll put this out ---- if you'd like to see it, PM me with your email address and I'll see what I can do about sending it to you. Be warned, it's a pretty big file so if you'd rather the kazaa filename, I'll send you that instead.


Ang

 

[SuperShyGuy]

Re: there is a commercial...

I downloaded it a bit ago, so I can't remember exactly what it said or why, but it's actually rather amusing to watch from the 'picked on' point of view, especially if you're from Canada. It's from ESPN and shows a bunch of guys in a cubicle setting. The new guy is from Canada and one mankeeps trying to make jokes to his face, saying 'eh' all the time, etc.
Canadian man sits and takes it, then beats the crap out of joker. Funnier to watch than describe.
Much much funnier to watch than describe, now that I reread this. But it's the best way I can think of to put it, so I'll put this out ---- if you'd like to see it, PM me with your email address and I'll see what I can do about sending it to you. Be warned, it's a pretty big file so if you'd rather the kazaa filename, I'll send you that instead.


Ang

Actually I know the commercial you mean. I'm pretty sure they aired the same one up here. The gist of it was the American guy in the office bugs the Canadian, then the Canadian droppes all his papers, pulls the guy's jacket over his head, and throws some cartoony punches. It's basically an in-joke about fighting in hockey really, substitute gloves for papers and his jersey for his sport coat. Trust me poeple who haven't seen it, it's not nearly as offensive or violent as it sounds.

Actually I think it was rather well liked up here, but it sort of vanished prety quick. I'm sure someone probably complained about having punching in a commercial that was supposed to be funny or something like that. And the CRTC (they're the body that governs what is acceptable content on TV up here) bend very easily on stuff like that. I'm still stunned The Osbournes made it past them somehow.

 

[Bobmi357]

Look at how Americans treat each other, for goodness sake! We have the New Englanders, the New Yorkers, folks from anywhere in the south, the mid-west gets picked on overly much, anyone from Texas can tell you how rough it is going to another state, and even the northwest isn't safe. And California? Sheesh! I live here and get it all the time! Talk about nationalist humor? We have state humor!

HEY NOW!!!

Youse awta be tankful I doant type like I tawk. An NO making fun of us Noo Yawkas oddawize I'll send some wizeguys ova dere to mess you up!

As a native New Yorker, born and lived in the city for 35 yrs, and now living in the wilderness in Northern Idaho, I am constantly ribbed about my accent. After 10 yrs of living in Idaho, it can still catch with me with words like "thirsty" (toisty), New Jersey (Noo Joisy), Mother (Mudda), Father (Fadda) etc... My wife claims there is no difference in the way I pronounce LORE and LAW. Shrug, I figure if 8 million of us tawk that way, its gud enuf for me.

The problem with canada is they are too much like us. So much so that the people up here consider canada the 51st state. Brits don't sound like us, eat funny stuff and drink tea too much, aussies talk even funnier than brits and we won't mention what they do with the joeys. But canadians don't sound all that different (except for the those around Quebec). They are pretty indistinguishable from those of us living close to the us/canada border.

 

[Wulf7]

I can sympathize with it getting on ones nerves but Americans get picked on just as much. For the most part its all in friendly jest in my mind. I can get rather tired of Euros saying all Americans are geographically challenged and don't know what a map is or how to spell some country's name.

Making fun of the french is not racist or wrong..just inevitable. Darn snooty, smelly, snail eating frogs.


(I did find the whole French/Freedom fries etc. thing totally lame though. Just don't ever criticize me for making fun of the french government or its history. Its a favorite pastime of mine.)

 

[SuperShyGuy]

The problem with canada is they are too much like us. So much so that the people up here consider canada the 51st state

Just when I thought I'd calmed down.....

Someone had to say something so incredibly stupid.

And no I won't be apologizing for that either. That's a stupid thing to say, and to be frank anyone who thinks it isn't can kiss my Canadian ass.

First off, explain how a country comprised of 10 provinces and 3 territories suddinly all became one state? I defy anyone to explain that one away.


And quoting Wulf7

I can get rather tired of Euros saying all Americans are geographically challenged and don't know what a map is or how to spell some country's name.

Well, the genius who thinks of my country as the 51'st state managed to get it wrong. Last time I checked countries start with capital letters. They did manage to capitalize New York, New Jersey, and Idaho not surprisingly though.

 

[sheath]

I didn't really notice jokes about the southern states, since I have grown up with them...they were just part of the culture, I guess. Only when I went to the north for a while did I realize that many people had come to believe that stereotypes those jokes set about southerners! And now...I cannot stand it when a joke is thrown my way about big trucks, country music, wife-beater shirts, long hair, trailers...the list goes on and on.

And don't even get me started about 'Mexico jokes'. Lord have mercy, I am liable to attack somebody over that.

I simply tell someone, firmly and clearly, that I do NOT appreciate it. Sure, they think it's a joke. But it is MY heritage, my lifestyle and my choices that they are poking fun at, and that is not acceptable. I'm sure I come across sometimes as a cold bitch, but hey...I can only take so many jokes about the south before I start to get pretty pissed off.

I would call them on it. It is probably so ingrained in some people that they don't even realize they are doing it. You know...the same way that so many people react negatively toward someone of another race, simply because they were brought up to believe the stereotypes that were fed to them? It's the same thing.

Be proud of who you are, and stand up for yourself.

S.