Motorcycleboy Motorcycleboy:
I think many Canadians enjoy making a big production over this type of thing as a way to assert their identity. It's kind of immature.
The fact is, very few Americans would care one way or the other if a European or Brit confused them with Canadians. But Canadians seem to relish in taking offence when it's the other way around. A perfect example of little brother syndrome if you ask me.
We speak the same language, have very similar accents and grow up watching the same media, movies, etc. It's hardly a sign of ignorance when someone in another country has difficulty making a distinction that very few Canadians or Americans could make themselves.
Call someone from New Zealand an Aussie (or vice versa), and you'll never hear the end of it. Both sides think the other are sheep shaggers! Or as Xerxes said, ask a Brit if he's Irish.
Why is it wrong for a Canadian to correct someone if they mistakenly assume that you are an American? Would it be wrong for a Korean to correct someone who thinks they're Japanese? Of course not...
I wear a maple leaf pin sometimes when I travel, sometimes I don't, but I look at it as simple patriotism. If Americans can chant U-S-A U-S-A at sporting events and drive around with giant American flag stickers, why can't Canadians be just as proud of our country as them?