After Canada, which country do you see as most similar to America?

42 comments

  2. Yours. We’ve changed over the years, but when it comes down to the underlying foundations… “We learned it from you, Dad!”

  3. In terms of diversity, Brazil. I think America has a lot more in common with the “New World” than Asia, Africa or Europe.

  10. None, America is so big and diverse there’s no other country like it. Yes the Northeastern part of America may be like the UK but the southwest is probably more like Mexico and south Florida is probably more like the Caribbean countries

  11. Culturally? Other English-speaking nations first, followed by Scandinavia, followed by Western Europe, followed by Eastern Europe. Germany could slot in specifically either before or after Scandinavia.

  12. Iceland is weirdly American, which makes sense considering the military occupation and the fact that the British and then American military presence is pretty much what brought Iceland into the 20th century. The American influence in Icelandic culture and commerce is noticeably greater than elsewhere in the Nordic world, everything from the presence of American cars on the roads to the push towards privatizing certain services that are traditionally socialized elsewhere in Scandinavia and the world.

  13. I would said UK. Maybe Australia. I would think English speaking country would be similar

  15. Tempting to go with the UK. (Though that seems pretty non-specific — England? Does Scotland or Wales want to be lumped in with the rest of the UK for this answer? Probably not.)

    Language, after all. Provided the basis for a lot of our political institutions, although they are quite different. Progenitor of the common law tradition. Shared history, to a point. Allies for the last century. Interesting recent and arguably similar political history. Similar masochistic approach to work, though I think the UK is a bit better.

    Similar traditions, though no red solo cups or yellow school buses. Driving on the wrong side of the road is a mark against.

    Shared history of colonialism, though of markedly different flavors. Still coming to grips with all of that today, in both cases.

    Now, I know that if you asked this on r/AskUk or r/AskaBrit, a lot of the answers would bristle at the suggestion. “We’re not at all like you!” In fact, I’ve seen it done. But, nobody wants to admit they’re like the Yanks, not even the Canadians, who objectively are. So, I don’t put much stock in that.

  19. Since people have answered the obvious, one I’d like to throw out is the Netherlands.

    The Dutch represent a very similar path through liberty, federalization, working together out of necessity, and the protestant work ethic cultural basis.

    Further the influences of the UK, France, and Germany are apparent in both countries, with a rural-urban divide to boot.

    There are differences, but New Amsterdam really isn’t as far from Old Amsterdam as most people probably conceptualize. And now post-Brexit, the Netherlands is very much the most “American” country in the EU, I’d say.

  20. If Australia has looser gun laws they would be insanely close to US, more close than they already are, just with Australian accents. There is also a part of America that is very similar to Mexico

  24. The Aussies! Our lower 48 is about the same size as their mainland, and we’re both known for our boisterous populations, wacky dishes, and natural wonders. They’re weird but we love them.

  26. Id say Mexico, Many Americans hate it, but this country culturally and socially is closer to Mexico than to any of the European countries it thinks its allied with.

  28. Hmm kinda depends. If I was in San Antonio, maybe Mexico. Vermont? Maybe the UK. Middle America? Probably Australia

  29. Australia, and New Zealand for the tie culturally, our cousins after all. As for similarities in government, honestly, Mexico. Their system of government is damn near identical to ours.

  31. If you strip away American optimism and charisma, Germany & Germans feels a lot like the Ohio River Valley. Theres no mystery to me at all of why so many germans settled where they did. Ive read anecdotes that American GIs felt more at home in Germany over christmas than anywhere else. Americans take for granted how Saxon our anglo saxon roots are.

    ​

    Interesting fun fact, The Appalachian mountains are the same ancient mountains as the Scottish highlands. A conspicuous amount of Scotts settled in and around the Appalachians.

  32. Ireland was A LOT like the Southeastern part of the USA.

    Friendly, funny, casual, love a good folk/country song.

    The first settlers down here were mostly Irish. Makes sense.

  33. Australia is basically the child of the USA and the UK. Can confirm as I am an Australian who has travelled to both the UK and the US and we are basically a 50/50 between both countries.

  34. Australia. Lived there for three years. It’s got it’s Britishness to it too mind you.

  39. New Zealand, I haven’t seen anyone say this yet but it’s culturally very American

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