I am the worst Canadian I know. Forget about Justin Bieber.
For the past 12 years of my life, I have pledged allegiance to the flag of the United States of America every morning.
One day I looked around my AP Stats classroom and realized I was one of 3 people standing for the pledge.
The intercom crackles.
Boys and girls please stand.
I pledge allegiance
To the flag
Wait…
I’m not an American. What am I saying?
Everyone else was on their phones or talking to their friends when I had this epiphany. How ironic was it that the Canadian is the only one saying the pledge? How is it that I’ve been so conditioned to the cadence of these words that I know longer registered their meaning? Am I a bad Canadian?
As far as Canadian culture, knowledge, and stereotypes go, I have fallen short in almost every category.
- I hate poutine: a classic Canadian dish featuring french fries topped with brown gravy and cheese curds. Although it sounds appetizing to most, upon first bite I was unable to stand the soggy sodium infused pile of potatoes.
- I don’t know the tune of the Canadian national anthem. If you ever want to discuss Canadian politics, geography, history with me, I will say you have got the wrong person.My lack of knowledge is embarrassing to the point that when I was in scholastic bowl, and a question about Canada was asked, everyone would turn to me…and I would turn to Albert Zhao, the hockey fanatic.
All I really know about Canadian politics is limited to the plethora of Justin Traedeau memes and merchandise I’ve found on the Internet. - I’ve never had Tim Hortons, the Canadian equivalent of Starbucks.
- I don’t call bag “baeg”, I say “sorry” and not “sorey”. The only French words I know are “Oui” and “Bonjour.”
A guide to Canadian stereotypes (Courtesy of Global News)
I don’t know what being connected to a country feels like.
I’ve grown up in this limbo of nationality, neither being an American nor feeling Canadian (pile that on top of being the child of first generation Chinese immigrants you will get some serious identity confusion).
It’s been so easy (and fun) pretending to be an American these past 12 years of my life. I can’t imagine anything else. I’ve grown up singing the Star Spangled Banner, watching fireworks on the Fourth of July, the Superbowl on Superbowl Sunday, Oscars and Grammys, eating McDonald’s hamburgers, Wisconsin cheese, and Thanksgiving turkey.
The only times I’ve ever visited Canada were to renew my visa or visit my cousins every couple of years.
Despite the triviality of these moments, they’ve come to form the basis of my identity as a fake American and have made it so easy to forget being a Canadian.
Yet as I’m turning 18 in less than half a year, with my visa expiring, and attending the University of Toronto, this small aspect of my identity has come to pull me back, yet again reminding me of the influence that birthplace really does have over one’s life.
So in order to embrace my Canadian roots, I’ve decided I would devote more time to studying basic Canadian history, politics, pop culture.
But whether this cuts it, whether learning new tricks will make me more “Canadian” – I don’t know.
What I do know is that regardless of where I am, I’ve found connection through the people I’ve known. My friends, my family, have reminded me that no matter where a person is from, belonging can always be felt through relationships. Above all, I hope to find that same sense of belonging in Canada, through whatever new friendships that I might find.
But as of now, I will continue to live in ignorant bliss, enjoying my last moments of being a pseudo-American.
Special thanks to Jubilee for the blog idea;)
As a fellow “pseudo-American”, born in Singapore with a Chinese passport, I related to the very core of this blog. Yet, your info on Canadian culture and stereotypes was new to me and super interesting! I have to admit, when someone says Canadian, boom! The name “Stephanie” pops into my head, but of course, that’s not your one singular identity. As for the assimilation part, well, I say the pledge, too. Let me know when you’re visiting from Toronto next year so we can continue to be apple-pie-eating, barbecuing, pledging non-Americans together.
Hi Nicole! I’m so relieved to hear that I’m not the only one who says the pledge in the morning! As a fellow non-American, we can be fake patriots together. I’m so glad my blog was informative to you- hopefully, I will have more knowledge about Canada next year. I am honored to hear that I am a true Canadian in your eyes and would be delighted to partake in more fake American activities with you next year.
HI MY FAVORITE LITTLE CANADIAN! I absolutely loved reading your blog and exploring what it takes to be Canadian. I think the first thing I personally think of when someone says they’re Canadian is their luck with healthcare and not having road rage because they are incredibly nice. You, my friend, has definitely fit into the latter and will be apart of the former as well 🙂 And though you don’t fit the true stereotype of being Canadian, you are a Stephanie, an Canadian born American Chinese a truly one of a kind little bean that will do just fine in both Canada and America. I with you the best of luck in your Canadian endeavors and hope you learn enough Canadian facts to play a larger role in our future quiz bowl team.
Thank you for your very thoughtful and kind words Doris! I will work hard to support the future quiz bowl team.