I’m all for stereotypes. They’re always good for a laugh or the backbone of a new sit-com. Are they all accurate? Yes. I 100% believe that stereotypes are well-rounded representations of cultures, races, hair-colours, and political alignments.
Just kidding.
I actually have some major beef with the Canadian stereotype these days. Correct me if I’m wrong, people-who-likely-know-more-about-this-stereotype-than-the-actual-Canadian, but are we or are we not just assumed to be polite, spineless, hockey-playing, donut-making, maple syrup-drinking Americans?
My last trip out of the country was quite some time ago but yes, I experienced many times the “OH! You’re a CANADIAN! Here I was thinking you were American…sorry!”
So then I think, if you really couldn’t tell from the get-go, how much nicer can we actually be? I mean, as a Maritimer I do have some niceness and charm built in, but Toronto-natives are too busy smoking to cover the smell of vagabond urine to be friendly. And how do I suddenly become less of a betch as soon as you find out where I’m from? Believe me, I don’t…I’m already talking about you behind your back and hating on your ugly shoes.
[Of course, the beautiful Dutch people use this statement in a completely different light as they still treat all of us like heroes for our work during WWII. I don't know how many times teary-eyed seniors personally thanked ME for the greatness of Canadians. THAT was amazing.]
That being said, I completely embodied one aspect of the stereotype all week. My hatred of this past (for the love of god make it all be over) winter has been well-documented. This week it has been sunny and about 15 degrees (59 Fahrenheit) and I have walked the dog every day until he could barely drag one paw in front of the other, I wore t-shirts outdoors, I saw people wearing shorts and considered it, and I even thought about tanning in the backyard.
This phenomenon is what I like to call, Canada-warm.
After months of our eyes being frozen shut, even the slightest heat means that it’s officially summer and we should begin taking complete advantage of it in case Global Warming doesn’t pull through.