Why do Canadian fans want the U.S. to lose?

[Pangu]

Its just a rivalry between geographical neighboors. Normally that's who you have rivalries with so it should hardly be surprising. Obviously some of us do not like the political state in the US, which is why the US antham was booed in Montreal, but normally in hockey its just a rivalry and we chear whoever plays the US just like we Sens fans chear on whoever plays the Leafs.

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

I disagree with many of your points, however the greatest disagreement I have is the belief that Canadians somehow have an inferiority complex. Canadians, at least the great majority of them, believe they live in the greatest country in the world. There is no need to feel inferior to any others. Many of the points you used as an example of our "inferiority complex" are simply points that are raised to counter misconceptions Americans, and others, have about the US.

The reason most Canadians are convinced that they live in the greatest country in the world is due to the inferiority complex that they have.

They attempt to tell themselves on a daily basis that their country is the greatest, to help them deal with the anxiety and lack of security that they feel as it relates to their place in the world vs. U.S.A. It is not uncommon for people to gloat about things in order to calm down their nerves, and to give themselves a sense of security and confidence.

If they were so sure that their country was indeed the greatest, they wouldn't feel the need to constantly tell themselves and tell other people that their country was the greatest.

 

[Lowetide]

I disagree with many of your points, however the greatest disagreement I have is the belief that Canadians somehow have an inferiority complex. Canadians, at least the great majority of them, believe they live in the greatest country in the world. There is no need to feel inferior to any others. Many of the points you used as an example of our "inferiority complex" are simply points that are raised to counter misconceptions Americans, and others, have about the US.

Not a word out of place.

 

[Old Hickory]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_of_1812

"Although the War of 1812 ended as a victory for the Canadian side, Americans often refer to it as a stalemate and it is often only dimly remembered south of the border it established."

Hehheheh

That would be the British. Canada was a British Colony back in 1812

The U.S. and Canada have never fought in a war.

Look at your own link

Combatants
United States British Empire

 

[Lowetide]

If they were so sure that their country was indeed the greatest, they wouldn't feel the need to constantly tell themselves and tell other people that their country was the greatest.

As opposed to Americans?

 

[Tuggy]

The reason most Canadians are convinced that they live in the greatest country in the world is due to the inferiority complex that they have.

They attempt to tell themselves on a daily basis that their country is the greatest, to help them deal with the anxiety and lack of security that they feel as it relates to their place in the world vs. U.S.A. It is not uncommon for people to gloat about things in order to calm down their nerves, and to give themselves a sense of security and confidence.

If they were so sure that their country was indeed the greatest, they wouldn't feel the need to constantly tell themselves and tell other people that their country was the greatest.

And Americans never say the same thing about their country?

This topic has nothing to do with any of the pretentious psycho-babble you have spewed out. The plain and simple truth is we are RIVALS. Just like the Leafs/Sens,Yankees/Red Sox..the list goes on.

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

Utter bullcrap. If anything, Canadians have a superiority complex. Not to Americans themselves, but when it comes to our societies. Rightly or wrongly, we are smug in our belief that we live in a more compassionate, caring society.

As for hockey, I will always roots for American teams over the Russians and Czechs. Bring on an all-North American final!

We are smug due to an inferiority complex. We feel the need to seek out things that supposedly makes Canada the best so as to not feel inferior. And when we find these supposed things we cling to them constantly, and get smug and arrogant, in order to boost up our security and confidence levels, so that we can be convinced that Canada does 'match-up' with the U.S.A.

It is sometimes odd how one's psyche works. Believe me, I know.

 

[Levitate]

I disagree with many of your points, however the greatest disagreement I have is the belief that Canadians somehow have an inferiority complex. Canadians, at least the great majority of them, believe they live in the greatest country in the world. There is no need to feel inferior to any others. Many of the points you used as an example of our "inferiority complex" are simply points that are raised to counter misconceptions Americans, and others, have about the US.

it's more that the tendency to compare themselves to the US and take any opportunity to put the US down makes it seem like canadians have an inferiority complex. like they're always trying to measure themselves against the US, even if no one is asking them to. i lived in canada for awhile and i got that a fair amount (though it was fairly good natured). i also learned that canadians don't always know as much about the US and what they're complaining about as they think they do...

That would be the British. Canada was a British Colony back in 1812

The U.S. and Canada have never fought in a war.

thank you

 

[Sammy*]

I disagree with many of your points, however the greatest disagreement I have is the belief that Canadians somehow have an inferiority complex. Canadians, at least the great majority of them, believe they live in the greatest country in the world. There is no need to feel inferior to any others. Many of the points you used as an example of our "inferiority complex" are simply points that are raised to counter misconceptions Americans, and others, have about the US.

No doubt. As well, the Heatley/Hull example was a joke. Heatley was basically raised his whole life in Canada, which Brett Hull was as well. They are both about as much German & American as I am Ukranian (my great grand parents were). Same goes for Bryan Trottier playing for the States (thats about as stupid as it gets).
The Ben Johnson,Bailey examples are a wholly different matter.

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

As opposed to Americans?

Hey, I am not talking about why Americans may or may not hate Canada here.

It is very possible that Americans have the same inferiority complex that I speak of.

I haven't talked about it because that was not what the original poster was asking about,

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

And Americans never say the same thing about their country?

This topic has nothing to do with any of the pretentious psycho-babble you have spewed out. The plain and simple truth is we are RIVALS. Just like the Leafs/Sens,Yankees/Red Sox..the list goes on.

You think Canadians hate American sports teams only because of a rivalry?

You think that politics, way of life, and us vs. them type things, don't enter into most Canadians minds when they boo Americans?

 

[Lowetide]

Hey, I am not talking about why Americans may or may not hate Canada here.

It is very possible that Americans have the same inferiority complex that I speak of.

I haven't talked about it because that was not what the original poster was asking about,

I think there are people in every country who feel inferior and there are others in each country who won't shut up about how superior their country is in comparison to the rest of the world.

You run into trouble when you tar everyone with the same brush.

I do not consider myself inferior, but have always been impressed with American nationalism and have at times wondered why Canadians are not more vocal. That is changing as time goes on and imo it's a good thing.

Nothing wrong with letting people know you're a proud Canadian.

 

[PecaFan]

The reason most Canadians are convinced that they live in the greatest country in the world is due to the inferiority complex that they have.

If they were so sure that their country was indeed the greatest, they wouldn't feel the need to constantly tell themselves and tell other people that their country was the greatest.

No, not quite. Canadians often feel a need to tell others about how great we are not out of inferiority, but out of lack of recognition. If you're being ignored on the world stage etc, then you crow about things to try and get noticed, to get your due or "props" in the modern vernacular. A subtle distinction, and one that is often mistaken for an inferiority complex.

As for the booing, I find it extremely tacky. Always have. It's boorish, and frankly reflects poorly on us as a country, and hockey fans. I haven't boo'd any team or player for decades, when I was a teenager who didn't know any better.

You want to cheer for the other team because of rivalry, fine, go ahead. Cheer on Sweden or Latvia with all your gusto as they play the US. But don't boo, it makes us look like idiots.

 

[Old Hickory]

And Americans never say the same thing about their country?

This topic has nothing to do with any of the pretentious psycho-babble you have spewed out. The plain and simple truth is we are RIVALS. Just like the Leafs/Sens,Yankees/Red Sox..the list goes on.

If you ask the average American. (Escpecially if they aren't a hockey fan) they aren't aware of a rivalry.
The average American sees Canada as our friendly neighbor to the North.

 

[Le Golie]

That would be the British. Canada was a British Colony back in 1812

The U.S. and Canada have never fought in a war.

Look at your own link

Yeah I am fully aware of that.

"Although the United States was officially at war with Great Britain, more than half of the British forces were made up of Canadian militia."

Whether Canada was a recognized country or a British Colony doesn't matter, these people identified themselves as Canadian. That's what I was getting at.

 

[Le Golie]

You think Canadians hate American sports teams only because of a rivalry?

You think that politics, way of life, and us vs. them type things, don't enter into most Canadians minds when they boo Americans?

Reilly? Is that you?

 

[MXD]

7) A lot of Canadians like to have a double-standard when it comes to a specific issue of athletics, one that not surprisingly serves to try to make Canada look more athletically dominant than they really are. This double-standard refers to the fact that people from other countries who play for Canada are 100% Canadian (see Donovan Bailey, Dany Heatley, etc.). And people from Canada who play for other countries are still 100% Canadian but are merely 'traitors' (see Brett Hull). This is absurd. A country can't take credit for Brett Hull, then continue to take credit for Donovan Bailey.
QUOTE]

It has nothing to do with hockey, but your post made me remember a lot about the whole Greg Rusedski defection..

 

[Old Hickory]

Yeah I am fully aware of that.

"Although the United States was officially at war with Great Britain, more than half of the British forces were made up of Canadian militia."

Whether Canada was a recognized country or a British Colony doesn't matter, these people identified themselves as Canadian. That's what I was getting at.

So when the Native Americans attacked the Vikings back in the 1400's was that a United States Victory that we should include with WWI, The Spanish American War, the US-Mexican War, Korea, etc

And how come we never here about the American involvement in the French and Indian War back in 1750.

The answer to both of these is that the U.S. did not yet exist, just as an Independent Canadian Country didn't in 1812.

 

[joe_shannon_1983*]

I think there are people in every country who feel inferior and there are others in each country who won't shut up about how superior their country is in comparison to the rest of the world.

I agree with that.

You run into trouble when you tar everyone with the same brush.

I didn't do that. I tried to even put a dislaimer in my original post that I was not referring to ALL Canadians.

I do not consider myself inferior, but have always been impressed with American nationalism and have at times wondered why Canadians are not more vocal. That is changing as time goes on and imo it's a good thing.

Nothing wrong with letting people know you're a proud Canadian.

I suppose there is nothing wrong with being proud and patriotic of one's country. A certain degree of pride and patriotism is a good thing.

However, it can get to the point of being 'over the top'. Growing up, I always liked Canada's pride and patriotism. It existed, but not the extent that American pride and patriotism exist, which was a good thing in my opinion.

Recently, however, Canada seems to have gotten out of control, and too much like the U.S.A. when it comes to being proud and patriotic.

It seems as though you can't get into one long conversation anymore with most fellow Canadians without them bringing up something that is supposedly great about Canada. This is a little too much pride and patriotism, in my opinion.

 

[Seachd]

The answer to both of these is that the U.S. did not yet exist, just as an Independent Canadian Country didn't in 1812.

I don't think anyone was talking about an independent Canadian country - just Canada, regardless of its official status as a nation.

 

[Macman]

If they were so sure that their country was indeed the greatest, they wouldn't feel the need to constantly tell themselves and tell other people that their country was the greatest.

What a pile of crap. Americans are always telling the world that their country is the greatest. I never would have guessed it's because they have an inferiority complex.

 

[Le Golie]

So when the Native Americans attacked the Vikings back in the 1400's was that a United States Victory that we should include with WWI, The Spanish American War, the US-Mexican War, Korea, etc

And how come we never here about the American involvement in the French and Indian War back in 1750.

The answer to both of these is that the U.S. did not yet exist, just as an Independent Canadian Country didn't in 1812.

Yawn.

Ok, you keep on with your apples and oranges. I'm not going to worry about it anymore.

 

[Lowetide]

ferns8916: I should have said "a person" instead of "you", it implied you personally which wasn't my intent.

Looks like we've both noticed a more verbal patriotism in Canada over the last few years and have different viewpoints.

 

[jaydub*]

Yeah I am fully aware of that.

"Although the United States was officially at war with Great Britain, more than half of the British forces were made up of Canadian militia."

Whether Canada was a recognized country or a British Colony doesn't matter, these people identified themselves as Canadian. That's what I was getting at.

there was no canada. are you taking pride in the fact that britain didnt want its own troops to do a lot of the dirty work so it used men from its colony because they were more expendable? canada didnt burn down the us capital. britain did. it was not a canadian-american conflict. it was a british-american one.

 

[Old Hickory]

Yawn.

Ok, you keep on with your apples and oranges. I'm not going to worry about it anymore.

You're obviously worried or you wouldn't have replied or posted it in the first place.