Stop it

I've noticed that a lot of my Canadian friends spend a lot of time bitching about Americans. I think I need to speak up here, as the girlfriend of a very lovely American, who is just so far from the stereotype everyone goes off on.

I have to say I bought into these things too, but Josh said one thing that changed my entire perspective. He said that 51 per cent of Americans are the die-hard Republicans, the tea partiers, and the stereotypes. But the other 49 per cent are just like all of us up here in Canada.

I met such an amazing bunch of people in Josh's friends. I feel like I fit in right away. I really hate seeing the American trashing on Facebook, because it is so not true to what I have seen. Travelling through the U.S., people were friendly and helpful. Yea we saw the simple redneck types, I remember one town in Wyoming in particular that Josh and I giggled our way through. But no one cared that I was from Canada. People were interested. They asked questions when they found out I was from the north. I even had one woman (who's husband is a Canadian) ask me to pronounce certain words for her. She'd laugh, I sipped my wine, and we all walked away respecting each other and enjoying the conversation.

Also, the myth that Americans are not educated is ridiculous. A lot of that one comes from people who have not stepped outside of a high school education themselves. Sorry guys.

I just think it's stupid to sit around casting an entire country full of people into one category. Those of you doing the trashing obviously haven't figured out that hey, media is biased! This comes from a reporter, too. What sells in newspapers is the insane tea party philosophy and anti-health care fanatics. What doesn't sell is amazing, happy and friendly Americans, like Josh, his friends and family. I think Josh's 51/49 ratio might even be off, but he is the expert I suppose!

So please stop it. You're all making yourselves sound stupid. Besides a few expectations of cliched Canadiana and the odd giggle when I say eh, I have never been welcomed so warmly by a group of people in my entire life.

Love,
Annalee, a Canadian very much in love with an American.