10 signs that I am still Canadian

My dear friend, the "Talented Foreigner" challenged me to come up with this list. Whereas her list was written as a Singaporean in Denmark, I guess my list is as a Canadian in America. It would probably have been juicier a year ago as a Canadian in Denmark but here goes:

1. Needless Apologies

Even though there is often nothing to be "sorry" for, I often find myself reflexively apologizing for random things -even the mis-steps of complete strangers.

2. Ici on parle français

I still look for the French language on everything from street signs to cereal boxes. The Spanish translations on products still startle me from time to time. I do like the Mexican influence here in America but I sometimes miss the "distinctively" French imprint.

3. Responsible Reporting

I am still shocked by the sensationalism of American news reporting. "College woman brutally attacked by masked mad man -stay tuned", or "Find out why your carpet may be killing you -more at 6:00". It's so repulsive and gross. I miss the calm and sober voices of Canadian newscasters like Peter Mansbridge and Lloyd Robertson.

4. Socialized Medicine

I simply do not understand the hysteria around Obama's health care reform. There are all these crazy people on the streets with placards likening Obama to Hitler (!?). It's offensive. Obama just wants to make sure all Americans have health care. The arguments of these people are really illogical and borderline insane.

5. Hockey

While not nearly the most avid of hockey fans (by Canadian standards), I still feel more comfortable in a milieu of hockey fanaticism (Go, Habs, Go!) than that of American football.

6. Really? Are you really "carding" me?

The drinking laws are surprisingly strict in the U.S. Coming from Montreal, where you can pretty much buy booze at 10 years old if you wanted to, being carded at the age of 33 is hard to wrap my head around. Seems really illogical to be able to go die for your country at 18 but not have a beer at a restaurant until you are 21.

7. Moderation

America is known and criticized for its "supersize" mentality about many things and I think as a Canadian, I do crave more moderation generally -especially with sugar content. I do not know why but everything always tastes way too sweet here-from smoothies to Thai curry pastes to Mexican Mole. I feel like the American palate favors sweet and unfortunately, some of my favorite dishes taste "off" because of it.

8. Homeland Security scares me

I have been told many times that Canada and the US share the world's largest unprotected border and yet somehow it feels very "protected" and "securitized" to me. I do not like being regarded with suspicion when I come into the US and I resent being denied a work permit especially when I know that if I were an American entering Canada in the same context and with the same qualifications I would have the right to work.

9. American (Canadian) celebrities

I, like many people around the world, enjoy the world of American entertainment. As a Canadian however, I find it my duty to point out which American stars are really Canadian: Alex Trebec (Jeopardy), William Shatner (Captain Kirk), Jim Carrey, Pamela Anderson, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Lorne Michaels (SNL), Matthew Perry (Friends), Michael J. Fox, Ellen Page (Juno), Michael Cera, Kim Catrall (Sex in the City), Ryan Gosling, Rachel McAdams, Joshua Jackson (Dawson's Creek), Jason Priestley (90210), Evangeline Lilly (Lost), Sandra Oh (Grey's Anatomy), Seth Rogan, Kiefer Sutherland (24), etc.

10. I find patriotism in beer commercials
I am Canadian