Okay I’ve never sorted it all out so why not.
- I’m American. I grew up with all the usual “ha ha France sucks” jokes, not directed at me though, NBD.
- My grandfather was originally from New Brunswick, Canada; I have a very obviously French last name.
- Canada has long been a punchline in America, but a good-natured “big brother-little brother” kind, not like “haha you ran like a bitch” kind of way.
- But France has historically been a badass, and one defeat (even a huge one) out of many fights does not a wimp make.
- French Canadians have a reputation for being kinda jerks, but mostly in Quebec - my grandad wasn’t from Quebec.
- Also he moved to America, but in the decades since then America has changed a lot.
- Modern America sucks. I kinda want to move to Canada, but have family obligations here.
- A recent legal change in Canada says that grandchildren of Canadian citizens qualify and Canadian citizens (once you prove it and the paperwork is processed).
- The family in question is very old, and America is getting worse, but I have an unfair advantage by being white and 3rd generation minimum by way my grandfather (more with other grandparents).
So yeah, it’s a complicated bouquet of feelings.