It's convenient to know that our apparently unassuming and placid northern neighbors are so easily irritated. When cornered -- ask them if they keep polar bears as pets or why that stupid-sounding "eh" pops up, Tourette's-like, in conversation, for instance -- Canadians are unapologetically quick to set you straight on why they're different (and perhaps cooler) than their American friends. Admittedly, a country where the recent state funeral for former prime minister Pierre Trudeau drew honorary pallbearers like Leonard Cohen, Jimmy Carter and Fidel Castro does convey a certain élan, but it's still a stretch for most Americans to associate terms like "cerebral" or "sexy" with those poutine-eating hordes from the... More >>>