I've recently had the disappointing experience of several female Canadians on another forum disparage several things about USA citizens. I was shocked by what they said because I thought Canadians saw American citizens much like they. Good, bad, both the same. I once thought that Canada would be a place I'd enjoy visiting, but not now. So, are Canadians and Americans friends, or what?
Of course we are friends. I’ve visit many of the states in the country. There are some big differences but it’s at a political level, not an acquaintance level.
I’m sorry you had a bad experience with ‘some’ Canadians but making a final judgment on us due to a small group of people isn’t fair to the rest of Canadians.
Most Canadians would open up the heart & home for anyone in the world who needed it which is what we did during the 911 incident.
Most of us aren’t accustomed to the gun laws or the attitudes towards guns whereas you are all used to it. It’s what you grew up with.
There are probably things about us that you aren’t accustomed to either.
As far as the abbreviations go?

Could the fact that you lived in the country make a difference? Perhaps you didn’t call it U.S. of A. because you all know it’s in ‘A’merica whereas the rest of the world wouldn’t just assume it. ( if you know what I mean ) In school we were taught to call your country ‘The United States of America ‘ so naturally to shorten it would be the U.S.of A.
When I was younger, everyone I knew used that abbreviation. It was considered disrespectful to use anything less than.
What you might not know is that when we learn about school shootings, tornados, hurricanes, landslides, forest fires, plane crashes or any other devastating news, we share your tears. Your sorrow is our sorrow.
In the things that matter most, we aren’t all that different.
note: if others feel differently, that’s out of my hands. I try my best.