Canadian Guilt?

[SapphireDreams 71]

I personally don't feel like US should allow Canadians to move/work easier. The US is far too over populated in my opinion and Canada needs Canadians.

I know this might not be the popular opinion here, but there is a reason Canadians cannot just move to the US. If we could, I think 80% of the people I know would probably want to move to the US. It would be out of control. Canada already suffers enough from Brain Drain as well, so I don't think it would be in the best interest of either country!!

[trailmix 77]

That is an interesting perspective Sapphire!

Most of the people I know wouldn't move, in fact my Son wouldn't even consider me sponsoring him

[ValerieA 350]

Yeah, the general response to me announcing I am moving to the US was: you must really love him! I don't know many people in Canada that would ever entertain the thought of moving to the US. Other countries, in some cases, but not the US.

[Malrothien 6]

When I told people we were moving to Florida I got a lot of questionable glances and "you're crazy"s. To each their own.

[Bern. 3]

I don't feel guilty, period mainly for the fact that we have to go through the same immigration process as everybody else, and I don't feel guilty because I'm on the HURRY UP TIME, I WANT IT TO BE MARCH phrase.

[lgg 2]

Yeah,I get that a lot too! Truth is? I don't love Toronto at all -- I love my little town in MD more. Besides, you go somewhere, you make a life and hope it's all good -- could be anywhere. I think a lot of Canadians also have a very small view of what the US is. This will NOT be a popular opinion here and I apologize but I am often amazed at the ignorance of even my friends. The small minded, short sighted views of what the U.S. really is. And yes, it is some of those things but those things and those ignorant views don't preclude the fact that there is a lot of awesomeness down there too.

There is everywhere -- you just have to keep you mind open to find it.

Yeah, the general response to me announcing I am moving to the US was: you must really love him! I don't know many people in Canada that would ever entertain the thought of moving to the US. Other countries, in some cases, but not the US.

[Dan and Ali 3]

Whenever I tell someone I'm moving to the US I get the "Why would you do such a thing?" look followed by a "I hope it works out for you! p.s. Canada rocks" type comment. Maybe it's just the people I know, but none of them have any desire whatsoever to move out of Canada.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Yeah,I get that a lot too! Truth is? I don't love Toronto at all -- I love my little town in MD more. Besides, you go somewhere, you make a life and hope it's all good -- could be anywhere. I think a lot of Canadians also have a very small view of what the US is. This will NOT be a popular opinion here and I apologize but I am often amazed at the ignorance of even my friends. The small minded, short sighted views of what the U.S. really is. And yes, it is some of those things but those things and those ignorant views don't preclude the fact that there is a lot of awesomeness down there too.

Oh, I agree completely.

I spent a few months in California back in 2001 (before 9-11, mind you), and it was quite a shock to me to see how many misconceptions were dispelled. I daresay that people were even nicer and more polite to strangers than most Canadians I know. And it was then that I realized how snooty of a city Vancouver is... Don't get me wrong -- I love Vancouver -- but there are MANY derisive myths about America up here. The popular assumption is that America (in general) is full of arrogant, xenophobic and brash people. And there ARE those people down there, for sure...but it's far from dominant.

When I tell people I'm moving to Washington D.C., half of them say something like, "Oh, so not too far then" or "Oh, so will you be in Seattle?" When I repeat "D.C." I get a blank look. So lately I just tell people Virginia, though I might as well be saying Arkansas or Iowa. People just don't know or care about America up here...content with their own multi-cultural Canadianism...and the view of multi-culturalism doesn't ever seem to include the American culture...

We often hear lampoons about Americans thinking that all we have in Canada is snow etc., but what Lgg says above resonates with me too. I think the ignorance about each country goes both ways.

[trailmix 77]

Got to love sweeping generalizations

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Got to love sweeping generalizations

I like sweeping them under the rug.

[sdw 10]

I like sweeping them under the rug.

your red shag rug?????LOL

[SapphireDreams 71]

That is an interesting perspective Sapphire!

Most of the people I know wouldn't move, in fact my Son wouldn't even consider me sponsoring him

I think part of the reason a lot of people I know would move is because of the industry I work in. There are more opportunities to make a lot more money and work with a lot more glamourous budgets and companies.

I definitely know a lot of people that would stay, but I also know a lot of people who would kill to work in the US. I get asked a lot by friends of friends how I moved here, what visa, advice on how they can get a work visa etc.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

your red shag rug?????LOL

Yes, that one -- the one I sacrifice goats on!

[BriCar 0]

Guilty? No.

Just fortunate to be born in and have relatively free access to 2 of the best countries on earth.

It gets better...

After gaining dual citizenship it's almost like ther is no border at all!

Fortunate and thankful yes I am!

[Sprailenes 47]

Yeah,I get that a lot too! Truth is? I don't love Toronto at all -- I love my little town in MD more. Besides, you go somewhere, you make a life and hope it's all good -- could be anywhere. I think a lot of Canadians also have a very small view of what the US is. This will NOT be a popular opinion here and I apologize but I am often amazed at the ignorance of even my friends. The small minded, short sighted views of what the U.S. really is. And yes, it is some of those things but those things and those ignorant views don't preclude the fact that there is a lot of awesomeness down there too.

There is everywhere -- you just have to keep you mind open to find it.

I agree.

Sometimes my Canadian friends/family talk about how "ignorant" Americans are, and they're the ones being ignorant.

I like it here and I don't plan on going back home... ever. I used to hold on to that, I did. The thought of going home, but this is my home now and if people can't accept that.. pluck em.