why are americans so much more patriotic than canadians?

Honey, What you see on tv is not what it is everywhere here. I am American but also a citizen of the world. Patriotism has taken a huge hit here starting back during the Nam war...I for one am not pleased with how a few in power have mishandled our country.. Put it this way..My Da was proud to be American but he was first generation and it meant something.. Don't get me wrong I have many family members that have been in different branches of the service and gone to war but we have to sometimes swallow real hard to say we are American... I feel sure if Extreme came to Canada and found a soldier to honor in the same way you would see the same excitement.. Sweets everyone wants to jump on the bandwagon... Canada is a lovely country..you don't butt into other's business all the time like US does.. I am toying with the idea of moving there.. xoxoxoxoxo

That's something I never knew about Canadians. I've never known anyone who lives there but for some reason I always just figured they were patriotic. The US is also a huge melting pot of nationalities to the point that we don't even know if the English language is still the main language here any more. But, like you say we are a very patriotic country.

The United States was created in a radical way. It was paid for freedom by standing up and fighting against outside tyranny. Just as the orignal settlers were outcasts from the Kings of Europe. When those people were then taxed and treated like servants after their taste of freedom they fought. This coming together in Arms and gaining freedom and successfully defending it. Allow us to be very proud of the accomplishments of our forefathers and the government by the governed here. I think this is why despite our faults we are uniquely proud of our American Heritage and the origins of our Country. Thanks. I am Proud to be US Navy Retired.

I think the reason why the people in the US is so patriotic is a complex one. I have lived there for a year and attended high school. I have many dear friends from the US. I do not want to offend anyone, if I do I apologize, but here is my view on this: The US is a large nation and has come to play an important role in international organizations like the UN, NATO and so forth. The US president often greatly emphazise the US' importance for making the world a better place and a more democratic place. This is paired with lack of good knowledge about other people, other countries and other chosen ways of living. My dear, intelligent, kind, newsoriented, knowledgable friends in high school knew far less about the world than my friends from europe, australia, asia, and so forth. When you have the impression that your own country must be the best place in the world to live, it is the most democratic and kindest nation in the world, you should extend your way of living to the rest of the world - you will get to be very patriotic. Most other people I know know that there are many ways of organizing a democratic and good society. Even if they love their country they think that other countries can be different but just as good to their citizens. My US friends asked me if it would be possible for me to go bck to my country with no trouble at all after having tried their way of life. Would there be any trouble with my countrys socialist government? And so on. I am from Norway. A reasonably democratic, modern and developed country. I consider myself to be a free individual with huge opportunities - just like my american friends. I too love my country, but I know that our way is not necessaryly the best for everyone else. I am patriotic - but would never think of my country as the number one in the world. We do not promote our own country everywhere we go. I think I share this with a lot of people around the world. And I think that this makes us seem less patriotic than Americans.

If I remember correctly it was in the mid 90's when Quebec wanted to separate from Canada. During the elections, the vote to secede from the country was lost by 1%, do I remember correctly? With that type of difference in culture, it's hard to have a homogenous espirit de corps. The French and English Canadians are no way divided by language, but also by attitudes. I've been to Montreal and they're a lot different than the English Canadians I know. I'm a son of immigrants and was one of those proud U.S. Marines, regardless of my parent's racial background. As immigrants they were obliged to learn english and US civics. They don't have to learn 2 cultures, just one. Yet another point is that the US is the modern day version of the Roman Empire....so sometimes maybe we let that power get to our heads.

Personally, I think Canadians are very patriotic as a general whole. I don't think we're always as loud and up front about it as in the US, but it's there. When was the last time you talked to a Canadian who wasn't proud to live there. I don't think it's necessarily drilled into us either the way it is in the states. While I have always been proud to be Canadian, patriotism was not really something I remember being talked about much when I was growing up. I don't mean to sound rude but I think to a certain extent patriotism is forced on Americans, and often isn't as genuine as a result. My own patriotism didn't come from anyone telling me that i was supposed to be proud or loyal to my country. It was a gradual learning process, that came as a result of travel and exposure to all the great things that this country has to offer both past and present. I felt deeply moved when I had a chance to travel out east and experience a side of life in Canada that I had never really seen first hand before. I remember the first opportunity I had when I was young to discuss health care with someone from the US with a similar upbringing to me, and how different our experiences had been. I vividly remember hearing Pierre Trudeau's war measures speech and talking about that as a defining moment in Canadian democracy. All of these things have culminated in me being extremely proud to be Canadian. And I think for a lot of Canadians (though i can't speak for us all), our melting pot of diversity is something that we're all very proud of. You can feel patriotism for your country, while still being rpoud of your roots too.

Well may the America is taking good care of it's people.Any affection is a two way thing.In countries like India where the leaders are the leeches and care a double hoot for the people where the patriotism will come from.

When Trudeau became Prime Minister, he was into cultural diversity and you cannot become a pure Canadian if you are to put your former nation or culture first. So rather than being a Canadian, you ware a German-Canadian with the emphasis on German, or more so an Iraqi Muslim Canadian with the emphasis on Iraqi and Muslim, since precedence is giving to someone who does not come from Europe and is of Christian heritage. They expect you to keep your heritage and emphasize that. You see the Canadian commercials, instead of showing someone who may have some Italian, Japanese background but is definitely American or Canadian, they emphasize the ethnic background along with the accents so when you notice the Nova Scotia commercials, you are not thinking "A Canadian couple who used to live in Greece is getting a loan, you are thinking, "A Green couple who live in Canada is getting a loan." It is a world of difference. Also while Americans can enjoy various things, there are things that Canadians have to enjoy - cold, hockey, curling, and disparaging Americans and being leftist and social party confirmed. The political parties follow the same suit, if your party leader is against people who were red hats (a silly example) then all the members of that party have to be. Oh even though I have Canadian citizenship, I do not refer myself as a Canadian but as someone living in Canada.

I think it's because Americans, wherever they go, they talk about their country, movie stars or singers. They don't care where these people originally came from, although magazines would mention heritage of famous people, but they would talk about them as Americans and then they will be telling people about American products they use or wear. If you notice, this is the same thing that English people do too.On the other hand I notice that French people, don't do this as much. I guess their language and fashion have done enough :) But talking about something doesn't always mean serving it. I think that's what matters. I heard an English quote "Right or Wrong it's my country" I think it's great if someone loves their country so much that they always talk about the greatness of it, but it's even better that they are ready to serve their country whenever required. Canadians do not force immigrants to adopt their way of life, just their values and law. I think this is a fair trade. I love it here, especially now tax is even lower. Also, if Canada is at war and women of all size and age are required to serve, I will take my kitchen knives with me and some pepper

I didn't realize Canadians weren't patriotic. I would think there are probably as many patriots in Canada as there are in the US. One of the reasons I think Americans are so patriotic is because so many Americans have experienced or know someone who has experienced living through some kind of war. I'm not saying Canadians haven't, I'm just saying, so many people have or know someone who has fought for our freedom, our beliefs, our families and so on. Our freedom and the things we believe in are close to our hearts. It's a passion that we live by, live for, fight and die for. Americans are an emotional lot.....and have very strong beliefs. It is a country that is also considered a 'melting pot', filled with different cultures and passions. We are big on heritage and preserving that heritage. We are big on what our heritage was founded on and we don't cotton to too many people trying to take that away or change it..... Our country was founded on freedom for all, and the right for every citizen to pursue "life, liberty and happiness". We also believe that what our country stands for is worth fighting for, which I guess is why the majority of people are so patriotic. Our history is an important part of who we are as a nation. This might not answer your question cher. I guess maybe you have to have patriotism in your blood to understand it. I sure can't explain it well.

i never really thought about this but maybe it has to do with our freedom of rights act. we want people to be able to have their own identity not an identity of the nation

THis is such a Good Question that it has me scratching my head. I'm Canadian, I live in Canada 7 months in the summer, and in South Texas 5 months in the winter. Patriotism is very much in evidence in the US. Its very noticable here in Tx. I kind of enjoy it! I like to stand up and sing " From Sea to Shining Sea!" When I'm in Canada I feel proud of our Country, I like our National Anthem. Our soldiers are dying for our country, same as the American soldiers die for theirs. Perhaps we are more diversified than the US.Our population is like the melting Pot of Nations.I think this is a good thing. Canada is a Great Place to live! I just wish it was warmer in the winter! (does this answer your question?)

I think its becasue our government has better things to do than to hide behind patriotism for defending every single one of its foreign policies. In recent years we've seen the Bush administration cry patriotism as a smoke screen to dull the public's opinions. This really only accounts for the rush of patriotism in recent years, so i guess american are just naturally more nationalistic.

One thing is being patriotic (loving your homeland) and another is feeling the urge to show it, display it, beating your chest afirming it. There are more of the first than the second in most civilized countries, but in some they make a lot of noise.

I don't know why you don't have much patriotism there. But I know you have heard that America is the original melting pot. We still stick to our own cultures, and individuality is (for the most part) celebrated. However, I guess we view it as, we have our own heritage, but we are Americans too, we are all still together in this.