If you’ve spent any time overseas, you are either familiar with the widespread Anti-Americanism being perpetuated on the backpacker circuit or guilty of contributing to it. It’s such a big problem that it’s truly inescapable.
Although the prevailing Anti-American sentiment has taken the form of distrust-under-the-guise-of-acceptance since the election of President Obama, it is not genuine. “Giving Americans a chance” is simply trendy right now. As much as they’d like to deny it, backpackers love trendy.
During the George W. Bush era, it was far too easy to hate on Americans. Since backpackers also love stereotypes*, any American they met while traveling was categorized as a redneck agent of capitalism, war and ignorance - three things backpackers openly codemn. Any possibility that said American could be an open-minded, educated Gore voter (which most young backpackers were) was promptly disregarded.
Keeping on the theme of stereotypes, Europeans are without a doubt the most condescending people on the planet, so it should come as no surprise that they are the most active Yankee bashers as well. The French, for example, have a long history of hating the United States (see Why do the French hate us?). They are quick to overlook, however, their known affinity to several pillars of Americana: Hollywood movies, cigarette smoking, blue jeans and black music.
Contemporary Anti-Americanism has led many Canadian backpackers to mistakenly believe their shit does not stink. This notion is the product of an overwhelming national inferiority complex, similar to that of Kiwis to Aussies. A vast majorty of Kiwi and Canadian backpackers are convinced that because everybody seems to hate their more powerful and cooler neighbors, it makes themselves superior. Consider renowned Kiwi movie director Peter Jackson for a moment. Dude is talented. But he is by no means cool.
It’s about the accents. Canadians and Kiwis will tell you their accents are markedly different from those of Americans and Aussies, respectively. The foreign ear, however, can detect no such differences. Thus, a common scenario takes place across the globe:
- Canadian/Kiwi speaks.
- Foreigner assumes speaker is American/Aussie, expresses dislike.
- Canadian/Kiwi freaks out.
- Foreigner apologizes, retracts and feigns approval for Canadians/Kiwis.
- Canadian/Kiwi feels awesome, purports to being cooler than Americans/Aussies.
About 10 years ago, a nasty rumor surfaced that American backpackers, so fed up of being vilified at every turn, were sewing Canadian flag patches onto their backpacks. These allegations were no doubt a smear-campaign-under-the-guise-of-a-beenou-campaign created by a smug prick Canadian. Or maybe it was a Kiwi…
*Note: This blog is riddled with stereotypes.
Tags: Americans, Anti-Americanism, Aussies, Canadian flag patches, Canadians, Europeans, French, Kiwis, religion/politics, stereotyping, trendiness
Great post man. I couldn’t agree more with most everything said. Only thing I would contribute is that in an effort to show just how free-thinking they are, these same american-haters (be it Canucks or otherwise) will be quick to adopt the overwhelming backpacker sentiment that Canadians are somehow superior to our southern neighbors, and perpetuate this imaginary rift between what are actually two almost identical cultures. And it’s fucking stupid. The US is a pretty money country. Sure, there are some idiots who live there, but the same could be said for any country. Ever been to Fort Mac??
As you said, most of the world is influenced by some facet of American culture, and to deny that is just straight ignant. I don’t care if you hate Americans, as long as you have a reason beyond “George Bush is a bad man” and “all Americans are stupid.” Otherwise you’re the idiot.
Finally, I definitely met a few Americans who pawned themselves off as Canadians. For them, it was just easier to deal with others’ appreciation of or general indifference towards Canadians, than to face the resentment - whether blatant or covert - that goes along with telling most backpackers that you’re a Yank.
My first trip to Taiwan I was coming off a university year with a lot of political science classes, surrounded by anti-american sentiment, and shared in it a hundred percent. Then, in Taipei, a city with more Canadians than Americans, I encountered that odd situation on the street where you walk by another whitey, but you’re not sure if you should say hi or not. Sometimes you do and they don’t respond and you feel stupid. Sometimes you don’t, and they do, and you feel stupid. Sometimes neither does and you feel a bit uncomfortable…
There were about five random really nice people I met on the street, in parks, or on subways and had great conversations with; and they were all american. The odds were they should’ve been Canadian, just based on the numbers. Then, if Canadians are so much nicer, all the more. But my only experience with other Canadians was a bit stand-offish, everyone trying to act like they didn’t care. That totally changed the way I felt about Americans.
I do not care for the “canadian girls kick ass” t-shirts. Worst idea. Ever. Yes the women who wear those shirts could probably kick my ass, but when was the last time you saw an american with the same type of shirt about USA women kicking ass? Definitely canadians are bigger beenouers
LOL, you pretty much nailed it. I keep hearing that story about Americans claiming to be Canadians to avoid flack, if I ever meet one of them I will give them a good slap. To be fair, and maybe it has to do with the accent, french Canadians never get this odd ‘we’re not American’ attitude. Best way to piss of a Belgian, when they say they are from there say with a kind of questioning voice ‘Isn’t that the NW part of France’….watch the sparks fly.
Absolute spot on here.
I’m a Kiwi and get called an Aussie every now and then. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest. The reality is that Australia and New Zealand aren’t all that different despite what a lot of Kiwis will tell you.
Funny comment about the Canadian thing too. I’ve lived and worked in Korea and Japan which have a disproportionate number of Canadians working as English teachers. The number of Maple Leaf adorned goods I’ve seen is off the scale.
I’m a New Zealander and as much as I hate to concede it you’ve hit the nail on the head. Anti-Americanism is just a manifestation of a pathetic inferiority complex and sadly the society in my country it seems to condition people to act like this. The irony is that NZ is probably the most Americanised nation on earth; and that’s mainly due to our laziness, narrow-mindedness and ignorance.
Gotta say, that living outside of NZ has really opened my eyes to this and what a bunch of w*nkers my countrymen (and many Aussies and Cannucks) behave like.
Great post.
wow, 3 of us kiwis replying in 1 post, that’s 40% of us..
have to agree, the whole post is awesome.
It was a pleasure finding this, thanks for meeting my needs here.
wow, you cannucks, kiwis and aussies sound like a pack of sniveling faggots. why dont you man up and support your homeland?? pussies!
@ant - thanks for stopping by, awesome work. Also I think the people posting here are American & New Zealanders so I don’t know why you’re having a go at Canadians & Australians too.