I'm not surprised that many don't know the capital of Canada. Just the other night a supposedly very bright person on Jeopardy called Toronto a province!

But I'm mainly trying to figure out why people from the US would try to pass themselves off as Canadians. What am I missing here?

I read about people doing it on Fodor's and on Frommer's. It sounded like a good idea in theory. So many American newspapers and t.v shows were talking down Europe and their non-support of Bush's war in Iraq. Being our first time in Europe we didn't know what to expect. I only tried it one time and it didn't work.
In retrospect, it's funny to us now. But back then it wasn't.

If I am in Europe and someone is being rude or unfriendly, I tell them I am Canadian. They lighten up.

If they are being overly friendly or just won't shut up, I tell them I am American. They move on.

We Canadians are secretly very clever. And every Canadian knows the capital of the US is Washington, or New York.

Skimming through this thread again I was reminded of the story of two professors from a famous graduate business school, you know -- the place where they give out MBAs.

The two were walking up Michigan Avenue when one suddenly stopped. His partner said "Robert, what's the matter?" "Look there Charles. Is that a $20 bill on the sidewalk?" "It looks like one, but it can't be." "Why not?" asked Robert. Charles replied "If it was a $20 bill someone would have picked it by now." They walked on.

I saw some of josser's other posts and I CAN find a way to say politely what I think of HIM.

Most of his posts are combative,negative or noneducational to a traveler seeking advice or suggestions. The true (Hit and Run) TROLL in every sense of the word.

I was born and raised in Ottawa, Canada. I'm there now, in fact.

It's not the capital of anything. It's a banal, provincial bush-camp masquerading as a "world-class capital". (Ottawans LOVE those cliches)

Seriously, it's a dump.

No-one should be forced to learn its name. I'm trying to forget it.

Only been back 2 weeks from our month in Savannah GA ...and in 2 weeks we're heading to Paris, Rome and Tuscany for March.

YIPPEE!

Ted I assume you jest - Ottawa is a very nice city and one I enjoyed greatly. Are you by any chance thinking of Newark?

:)

Hey, I've been driving through "downtown Newark" for hours, looking for the exit. It's not that bad at all, at least it's better than Flin Flon!

Thanks Reisender – I live in Ottawa. It’s a very nice city. Some people come to think that Rome, Paris etc are better fits for their cosmopolitan talents. ((*))

I'm wondering too about Ottawa being a "dump". We spent three or four days there a few years ago and enjoyed it very much. London or New York it isn't, but there's good as well as bad to that.

&gt; <i>Seriously, it's a dump.</i>

Tedgale, you might want to add an &quot;IMO&quot; in that statement somewhere. I was just there last weekend, and it's not a dump.

IMO, that is.

Bloom

Just about everything written on Fodor's is somebody's opinion, including the positive comments from the posters above. They are welcome to their views and I am glad, even proud, that they enjoyed my city.

But it's still a place that has lost no opportunity to embrace mediocrity; that has destroyed, in my lifetime, half its architectural heritage; that has supported urban sprawl and big-box madness; that equates liveability with great stretches of unused wilderness &quot;green-space&quot; yet neglects the texture of downtown spaces and neighbourhoods; whose street and other basic infrastructure are crumbling; and that has been both over-taxed and under-governed.

And yes, that's all hearsay.

If you're wondering why I live here:

Until last October, I lived here for my job. With retirement, I have no such need. We stay here, too, because it is 1h13 from our country property, which is a paradise. But increasingly this will just be a poste restante address for us, I hope.

Tedgale- my husband was interviewed for a job in Ottawa last week. Can you share any positives about the city? I really don't like the idea of moving to 'a dump'. :S

Bloom

Bloom – I will give an example of something good about Ottawa. In last year’s Stanley Cup final (hockey), Ottawa was playing Anaheim. Before the first game held in Ottawa, at least half to three-quarters of the 19,000 fans sang the entire US anthem word for word, to the point you could hear the crowd more clearly than you could hear the singer over the public address system.

I have been in arenas all over the world and never heard a crowd sing the other country’s anthem like that. We are friendly, respectful people here.

Good to hear, Colduphere.

I know very little about Ottawa, but the two things I like most about it are the National Gallery, and the Sens.

Though I'm mainly a Leafs fan, I've always liked and respected the Sens (except for that stunt Alfredson pulled last season), and was proud of how close they came to winning the cup last year.

Bloom

Well, I like Ottawa - I visit for a few days every year and always find lots of interesting things to see and to do.

1. It has a lovely setting. The stretches along the Ottawa River are extremely attractive in the months, regrettably few, when I want to be outdoors.

2. It is -- or at least used to be -- very easy to get out of. Gatineau Hills in 25 minutes, for example.

But lately the Queensway (E-W expressway) has become nightmarish -- fully stopped traffic at 3:30 pm, for example.

3. Some very smart people live and work there.

That pretty well exhausts my list, I'm afraid.

Hmm. Okay, thanks Tedgale.

My screen name is derived from the expression &quot;Bloom where you're planted.&quot; If we end up relocating to Ottawa, I'm determined to do that.

Bloom

I grew up in Canada and we had to learn everything about the U.S. geographically, so I feel pretty confident that I could challenge an American to a dual -- and I now live in the States, and hate being asked &quot;what providence are you from?&quot; gawd.

Anyway, Europeans, at this point, do have less trouble with Americans - - as a matter of fact, last year in Dubrovnik, several shops had signs in the windows - &quot;no Americans&quot; I went in and asked about it, and they said that it's been too recently they've had bombs rain down on them, and they don't appreciate us doing the same to innocents in Iraq. Wear a Canadian flag, and memorize &quot;Ottawa&quot;

:-)

oh, and vote the neocons out in November. That will up our stock value around the world in a hurry.

Bloom - we would love to have you. Maybe we could work a trade - we get you and central Ontario gets Ted.

Actually, I know Ted and he is a good person.

Nancy - a duel between Americans and Canadians re knowledge of each other. That would end quickly. How many Oklahomans know what a Nunavut is?