MovieChat Forums > One Week (2009) Discussion > Toronto, Canada. Anybody else hate when ...

Toronto, Canada. Anybody else hate when they do that?

posted 13 years ago by ArkhamsMostWanted
31 replies | jump to latest

Is it too much to ask for Americans to learn what our provinces are called? When Canada is referenced in any movie its always ____, Canada, not _____ (province name). For such a Canadian movie I'm amazed that they didn't get ballsy enough to say Toronto, Ontario.

American movies never go, "Oh Hi, I'm from Los Angeles, United States of America." We are expected to know 52 states yet 10 provinces and 3 territories is WAY too much! Let's just throw Canada on the end of everything so Americans will know what country is being talked about!

"All the whores and politicians will look up and shout "Save us!"... and I'll whisper "no."

[–] angloo 13 years ago

Exactly what I have been saying for years. I refuse to believe most Americans are THAT ignorant. Not when so many actors, writers and other entertainers come from the Great White North.

[–] cmgilliford 13 years ago

Same happens here though. You never hear Sydney, New South Wales or Melbourne, Victoria. It's always Sydney, Australia. I don't think Americans even know we have States here. Yet on any US film it's always the state. Interesting, had never considered that.

[–] jejozi 10 years ago

It's not so much that we don't know, but more that we don't care all that much. Do you know all the states of The United Mexican States? Thought not.

This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.

[–] MarianasTrench 13 years ago

Never really noticed that before but you are right... I have just said Ontario to a few people and that usually follows up with "Canada?". Lol.

[–] Screen_Queen 13 years ago

I never noticed that either but wow, that kind of ignorance is irritating. Further proof that Americans love to consider themselves the centre of the world.

I only do it with superheroes.

[–] jejozi 11 years ago

Oh lord it's hard to be humble, when you're perfect in every way.

This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.

[–] jejozi 10 years ago

Center. Name the states of the United Mexican States.

This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.

[–] emerset 10 years ago

I couldn't even name you all the states of the US. But I'd like a Mexican themed film to go beyond what I would know and bring up details that make the film seem more realistic. It's like if there were a Chinese in a film talking in Mandarin, I wouldn't be able to tell if he had an accent or not, but I certainly hope they wouldn't pick someone who did.

And centre is the original British way of spelling it. The fact that you don't know that is sort of exemplary of the Americentrisim.

[–] 10 years ago

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[–] TheDarkKnightMatter 8 years ago

If you dislike us, then refrain from using any sites owned and operated by Americans. IMDb is owned by Amazon, an American company. Stop being so obsess with us. All you do is talk about how bad we are, but you probably never been to America or met an American. Stop watching anything American also, stick to your own kind.

State champ in martial arts, trained with firearms, I eFF'n dare you!

[–] Mrobsein23 12 years ago

There are 50 states, bro.

[–] Leaping_Beaver 11 years ago

I guess he was thinking of weeks in the year...

Whenever I'm in Vegas (which is often) I tell people I'm from Toronto, Canada. To differentiate from the Torontos in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Ohio and South Dakota. Not to mention the Torontos in England and New South Wales, Australia (named after a visit by the famous Toronto sculler, Ned Hanlon).

Is that enough Toronto for you?

[–] Mrobsein23 11 years ago

In all honesty, I hear Toronto and think Canada, not any other area of the world. Call me ignorant, whatever, that's just my assumption. If people don't care about Canada in the united states, why have them learn every nuance of the area? It's your own experience if you'd like to learn about America, no one is forcing you, and let me tell you Americans aren't impressed or grateful that you know our history or care about our politics. So get over yourself trying to impress us with the state knowledge when you really have no idea what you're talking about putting out incorrect statements. To the op btw, this rant is.

[–] sydneyoh 11 years ago

^ this is a very typical american response.

i currently live abroad with americans and they have confessed that they literally know nothing about their largest trading partner and neighbour. they asked me what the name of my "state" was.

while it really is not their fault if they did not learn about it in school, or from their media, i do take issue with their lack of "want" to know. i have found that while living outside of north america, the majority of americans i have met (with the exception of a few lovely americans whom i cannot include in this) have had zero interest in learning about any other cultural or country if it does not relate in some way to america. it's sad and disconcerting to say the least...

and as canadians, we ARE forced to learn about america, not out of choice. we are literally barraged by your culture and politics morning, noon, and night. but this isn't a problem, at least for me, because i think it is incredibly important to learn about what is happening outside one's own country.

[–] Mrobsein23 11 years ago

I totally agree that a sense of cultural knowledge is vital and crucial, but I believe things like that are more useful when independently studied and just because your public school system beats in American history does not mean that's right for the u.s. Let's face it, every country has some percentage of kids so tuned into their own world they don't care about other nations, not just the u.s.,, point blank. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with having an appetite for foreign news and knowledge, I'm just saying its not all that impressive or asked of you from an American standpoint, so some of these people are being unnecessarily mad. I'm saying, no American is demanding this from Canadian citizens, so the op shouldn't make it sound like that, especially since some people on here are trying to parlay the notion that they have a handle on American life, when they can't differentiate the number of states we have. I think more Americans would be apt to learn about Canada if they decided to travel there, like at the start of a journey. Maybe tourism companies could use our "ignorance" as a funny way to welcome visitors, kind of like saying, what do you really know about your northern neighbor? Come check it out. The state of California has done a phenomenal job with such campaigns, highlighting their stereotypes and base level travel knowledge in a way that hilights the beauty of the area and pokes fun that people don't really know much about it as they should.

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] tdl797 11 years ago

You are forced to learn about the US?
In what ways?
The US film and art industry is wide stretching and unfortunately people take what they see as a generalization of the entire nation.
It does surprise me at how little news and art makes it's way from Canada to the US. That's not our fault though and we can't help it if other countries buy our stuff. Someone had to buy into it and then someone had to consume it. US culture doesn't just materialize in other countries out of thin air.

[–] yeekoslovia 11 years ago

Personally I was forced to learn about the US of A in school for just a single example. So there's that.

[–] dewaard-marietta3 11 years ago

As a European, could not agree more with you sydneyoh! Americans on the whole - with, indeed, a few lovely exceptions - do consider themselves and their country the centre of the world, and know almost nothing about Europe; except Paris or Venice - that's about it. Ever heard that joke: 'any foreigner living in the US can witness a miracle: read the paper and watch your own country disappear!' I have lived in the US, and it really is like that. Time for Americans to wake up and look around and become aware that there's a whole big world out there that is very different from the United States....

[–] jejozi 10 years ago

Venice? lol

This will be the high point of my day; it's all downhill from here.

[–] siobanphotogirl 8 years ago

Amen.

Americans should be embarrassed by their ignorance but instead they are amused by it and embrace it.

I met an American in Spain on the Camino de Santiago and he openly admitted "I'm American. We're dumb."

[–] TheDarkKnightMatter 8 years ago

I see that you failed English also. If you're going to insult anyone about learning, you should try to do so by writing a proper sentence kid.

You emulate us, you want to be us. You take our movies, fashion, music, and incorporate it into yours. We don't care what goes on in Canada because nothing actual goes on in Canada. It's a boring country to be in. 80% of your damn land isn't even habitable, and you gave us Bieber and Drake, why should we like you guys after that?

State champ in martial arts, trained with firearms, I eFF'n dare you!

[–] whaddadeuce 8 years ago

It is mainly the white Americans who lack world knowledge. Minorities such as Asian Americans are not as insular and tend to be more globally literate, even moreso than the averae white Canadian, or the average white person in most other countries.

[–] wildfire27 11 years ago

I don't really mind since no one says Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, they say Florianópolis, Brazil, or Barcelona, Spain, rather than Barcelona, Catalonia. It's really only the US that says the city, then the state. Which just goes to show how much the world knows about the US.

Yes, it's a Canadian movie and it would be nice if they used the provinces but it's normal to say it that way.

[–] Kent_Kainer 10 years ago

Yeah I was wondering that now too, whether Canadians actually give something for naming their state. Is that common there like in the US?
Germans give a damn. It's always the foreigners (Asians and [US] Americans) that want to know my state and I lol when I get post from abroad with my state on the address. No-one would mention it here anywhere.

I guess something like this only matters for big countries that may have several cities with the same name? Or for historical reasons like in the UK.

Brits make a difference too (England, Scotland, Wales and the undeserved North Ireland). And in movies they actually consider this.

[–] RussellDunn 10 years ago

Ark, you're prayers are answered.
Here's one American who get's annoyed by fact that Canadian cities are listed as Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Only I feel that way because I know that and feel that the writer is trying to insult my intelligence. I was born in a border town(Detroit), grew up listening to the CBC(My dad ALWAYS had it on the radio, especially "As It Happens" which I now listen to myself) and used to cross the border to unwind on a weekly basis(Seacliff Beach in Leamington, Ontario, TAKE A GOOD GUESS). I love Bruce Cockburn, Gordon Lightfoot, The Guess Who, North Of 60(I'm AMAZED a lot of Canadians never heard of that tv show let alone liked it). I read the memoirs of Pierre Trudeau, followed with interest the Quebec Referendum of 1995(I rooted for the "Non" side), read some Farley Mowat. I adamantly REFUSE to watch the movie "Argo" because it didn't emphasize the role and risks taken by Ambassador Ken Taylor and John Sheardown)
My only drawback is that I'm not a big hockey fan. When I was a kid in the 70's, The Red Wings SUCKED. As far as curling...no thanks.
I'm an American and proud of it. But I'll always have a special place in my heart for the 2nd greatest country on the planet(I'm biased).

[–] emerset 10 years ago

This was a great read. I wish more Canadians were as Canadian as you.

[–] deboerr 10 years ago

I hear ya! Bad enough when the Yanks do it, but pure poopiness when a Canadian does it.

[–] kinderhead 8 years ago

They are your big brother, verrry big brother, okay? Just accept it and stay calm.