"Canadians can easily 'pass for American' as long as we don't accidentally use metric measurements or apologize when hit by a car"

This quote by Doug Coupland is a funny observation about the similarities between Canadians and Americans. He recommends that Canadians can easily "pass for American" as long as they don't give away their Canadian identity by utilizing metric measurements or asking forgiveness when hit by a car. This is a referral to the truth that Canadians typically excuse things that are not their fault, while Americans are more likely to be assertive and not apologize. Coupland is suggesting that Canadians and Americans have lots of similarities, however there are some subtle distinctions that can hand out an individual's nationality. He is also suggesting that Canadians should be proud of their identity and not try to hide it. This quote is a lighthearted method of highlighting the distinctions in between Canadians and Americans, while also emphasizing the value of being proud of one's citizenship.