It's pretty wild how many folks here automatically assume everyone is American. YEAH - NO. Most folks here aren't in US & never want to go (go back) there. I find it weird that everyone else I interact with, who isn't myopic American. Many of us think similar in that it seems most Americans never even considered us as part of an essential global blanket. Until quite recently. It's kinda - bittersweet.

@msquebanh Canadian here. This isn't a here thing. It's an everywhere thing.

@msquebanh I went to a small town rodeo on Sunday, knowing full well it would be a weird blend of healthy traditions and twisted American exceptionalism. I wasn't wrong. As a horseman carried the flag around the arena at a slow lope, the announcer said, "You know America is great because look at how many people are trying to get in -- and how many people are trying to get out? I don't know anyone who wants to leave America!"

I wonder if he actually believes that or it's just his shtick.

@msquebanh
American in BC here, and I'll endorse this.

I will add that Americans have a hard time recognizing their myopia, even when generally aware that it exists, partly because *so much* US exceptionalism is drilled into our heads from an early age, from every corner of US society. It's not easy to escape mental chains that are imposed on us by design. For many, living outside of the country for more than a few weeks is like learning to breathe new air.

@msquebanh
Of course, that absolutely doesn't relieve us Americans of our responsibility to get past ourselves. We're all adults.