After the success of my Members Of The Tribe post, I started to think about other groups that are in dire need of some recognition. I found Canadians at the top of my list. Most people think that being a Canadian living abroad is a snap, but I can tell you from experience that our presence in the United States is more complicated than you think. Sure, we pass as Americans for the most part, with or without subtle accents, but as invaders from the north there are minute details that can easily bust our cover. For example, there's the eternal debate over 'cutlery vs. silverware' - why would you call it silverware if it isn't silver? And who could ignore the fact that the only countries not using the International System of Units (aka the metric system) are the United States, Burma and Liberia. We're so similar, yet so different! In Canada we learn about Canadian history, and almost entirely ignore American history, a fact that agitated my American father to no end. Being a Canadian in the United States is like being the best spy ever: we observe, we succeed, and we do it all with your consent... your adoration even!Canadian born celebrities have been part of the infamous Brain Drain for decades. Just watch old episodes of Saturday Night Live, and you'll see that a handful of their most successful comedians were from the North. A new generation of Canadians have infiltrated American media, and not only are they talented, but they're extremely attractive. Not bad, eh?
With Ellen Page's new flick Whip It! hitting theaters Friday, and the luscious Evangeline Lilly making LOST fans lose their minds, Canadian actresses are slowly seducing the nation. And who could forget the Ryans! Both Ryan Reynolds, and Ryan Gosling grew up before Canadian audiences' eyes, on their respective teen soaps Hillside, and Breaker High. It would be safe to say that they also have their feet firmly planted in Sex Symbol Status. So the next time you think about cracking a Canuck joke, just remember you may be in the company of some undercover agents.
