Common mistakes

[SephirothsKiller]

You know you've all seen them. Those little things that happen when someone tries to write about your country and just makes that tiny error that stares out at you every time you read it!!

So I thought we could start a list of possible common mistakes or cultural oversights about Canada. (And maybe just some fun facts as well. :D )

I'll go first.

1. Nobody says "Soda" we say "pop." At least in the Maritimes.
2. Legal drinking age is 19 in most places, 18 in Quebec and Alberta(?). Quebec has alchohol everywhere. In their grocery stores, in their corner stores, everywhere. (LOL!)
3. Quebec french is extremely different than classical french and Acandien french is also a different thing.
4. We have alot of coins. We have no dollar or 2 dollar bills, we have a loonie and a toonie. (Slang names obviously.)
5. Its really not all that cold all the time.
6. Not all Newfoundlanders speak hardcore Newfieish, though there are some. So if the characters ever go to St. Johns, they shouldn't have any trouble understanding most people.
7. Canadians generally go to the other extreme from what is seen in America. We don't exactly hold politicians in high regard. Actually, politicians currently hold the position of "Least respected job in the country."

Fun facts:

1. Cape Breton might be getting its own space center.
2. Santa is Canadian.
3. For some reason Alexander Graham Bell is on our list as one of the greatest Canadians, despite the fact that he really only had his summer home here. Basically, if we think you're cool and you've ever visited Canada we will claim you!!

I know that there are others, but I can't come up with them.

[Canucklehead]

There's so many differences it's hard to think of them all. Some are common mistakes, others are just facts.

Verbally:
1. We say "chocolate bar" not "candy bar" (or "Kaindy bah" like George Costanza)
2. The younger croud doesn't say "eh".
3. The word "hoser" hasn't been used in this country since SCTV was popular.
4. Many younger people use "right" as an adverb. That's right cool.
5. We use British spelling for many words. (it would be nice for the Canadians to say "colour" in their talk balloons as that is the word the character is pulling out of their head.)

General:
1. We laugh things off and are generally more easy going. (See Just for Laughs Gags)
2. Not all of us are polite. We actually have some jerks who somehow have the best jobs and get the prettiest women.
3. Francophones (and italians) generally talk more with their hands. (I know I do!)
4. We just assume the term "March Madness" refers to the NHL trade deadline
5. In the US, Dart Tournaments > NHL while in Canada, Curling > Nascar
6. Free healthcare, though long waiting room times.
7. If someone is murdered in BC, it'll be on the news in PEI

Maritimes:
1. Aren't just fishing colonies. (I hate lobster)
2. We're generally the most forgotten part of Canada. (In BC, the term "Way out East" refers to Ontario)
3. We don't take politics so seriously out here. We just vote for whoever will screw us the least.
4. We do love our kitchen parties.

Politics:
1. We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary... frankly we'd rather not think about Harper having sex.
2. We decriminalized Marijuana. Not a big difference out east, but walking down downtown Vancouver, I saw many people smoking in plain site. Police told a guy infront of me "Hey! Smoke that in the alley!".
3. Gay marriages took awhile, but not as big a deal to legalize as in the States.
4. We tend to make law changes easier then the US, even having to go through Parliment.

That's all I can think of for now 8)

Now as for the common mistakes in French culture, I will give it up to the lovely syvalois! Your turn!

[Transmetropolitan]

I had to jump on this in the name of cultural exchange...


7. Canadians generally go to the other extreme from what is seen in America. We don't exactly hold politicians in high regard. Actually, politicians currently hold the position of "Least respected job in the country."

Most Yanks of MY acquaintence don't hold politicians in any particular regard. We probably have more outright hatred for ours than you guys, do actually. Never having lived in Canada, I can't be sure, but don't let CNN fool you. We regard our politcians with a mixture of loathing, apathy, and grudging support, for the most part.

[Snowsquatch]

Some nit-picking:

"We decriminalized Marijuana." No, marijuana is still illegal in Canada.

"We use British spelling for many words." More precisely, we use American spelling for some words and British spelling for other words. Over time, Canadian spelling has become more American. Newspapers now prefer "color" over "colour."

"We don't take politics so seriously out here. We just vote for whoever will screw us the least." Really? I thought Maritimers just voted Liberal. ;)

"Gay marriages took awhile, but not as big a deal to legalize as in the States." Everything takes longer in US politics, not just gay marriage.

"Santa is Canadian." Really? I'm sure Santa was there before we were.

"Cape Breton might be getting its own space center." Pigs might fly.

"We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary." English Canada is very puritanical. In Ontario, a cabinet minister was fired for appearing as a "Sunshine Boy." (During the Rae government.)



Some other Canadian facts:

Administration vs government. In the US, it's "the Bush Administration." In Canada, it's "the Harper Government."

Lieutenant is pronounced "lef-tenant."

The Prime Minister of Canada is one of the most powerful elected offices in the the world. The PM is more powerful within Canada than the US president is within the US.

In the US, "the Founding Fathers." In Canada, "the Fathers of Confederation."

[RolandT]

1. Canadians invented kerosene (Gesner), radio and sonar and long-distance power transmission and (all Fessenden, though few know that!), and javascript, and.....

2. Saskatchewan isn't that flat but people don't drive through hills there much, like going from Moose Jaw to Coronach or North of North Battleford, people tend to drive in the plains.

3. We have toques and kraft dinner, not wool caps and whatver Americans call Kraft Dinner.

4. We like Crispie Crunch bars.

5. We know what a block heater is, and many Chicagoans wish they did!

6. We forgive easily, especially when people stereotype us.

7. We never elected... you know, the guy down south.

8. We find it funny when people want to take bears shopping (bears 'maul' people), think we light fires under our cars (block heaters), and think we're all bilingual from our cereal boxes.

[SephirothsKiller]

I had to jump on this in the name of cultural exchange...


7. Canadians generally go to the other extreme from what is seen in America. We don't exactly hold politicians in high regard. Actually, politicians currently hold the position of "Least respected job in the country."

Most Yanks of MY acquaintence don't hold politicians in any particular regard. We probably have more outright hatred for ours than you guys, do actually. Never having lived in Canada, I can't be sure, but don't let CNN fool you. We regard our politcians with a mixture of loathing, apathy, and grudging support, for the most part.

Hmmm... Sorry, I just looked at some survey's and went on the opinions of some American aquaintances. I know that clearly there are alot of people who go against what I'm saying. Probably the majority. I just remember all those people after 9/11 going "you disagree with the president? You hate America!" Or many other things like that. I need to do some travelling in the states for a while I guess!

[syvalois]

5. We use British spelling for many words. (it would be nice for the Canadians to say "colour" in their talk balloons as that is the word the character is pulling out of their head.)


I learned to write "color" at school, but I just figured out the writing was different from US to Canada to Great Britain, to Autralia, only some years ago and I'm still confused about it. Does it show?

In french, it's one way only, but we do use and accept words that are not accepted in France. Mostly, it got to do with the feminisation of some words and fonction. Like the word "ministre" should always be a masculin word (le ministre) if we follow the french official way. In Québec, some say we are a matriarcal society, we just use "la ministre" if it's a woman and "le ministre" if it's a man. You are doing the same in your place Canucklehead?




Politics:
1. We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary... frankly we'd rather not think about Harper having sex.

Lol, I totally agree.



Now as for the common mistakes in French culture, I will give it up to the lovely syvalois! Your turn!

I would have loved to heard from you. From your shiak/acadian perspective, it would be nice and if you don't agree with me correct me, please.

I said most of the stuff I have complaint with already.

-Most of the expressions used after Byrne and even during byrne where not good.

-I don't always say "mon cher" or "ma chère" or "mon chéri" or "ma chérie"

-fun fact I learned talking to a Montrealer that the building seen in the Nemesis/Deadly Ernest issue, where symbols of the british/anglophone empire. One was the Queen Elizabeth hotel, do I need to explain? and the other is the Sunlife building. The Sun Life head office gone from Montreal because the province asked their employee to learn french (and I'm not explaining more, too complicated)see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec9/, I did not read everything but it should be good.


-Québec do not equal Montreal. There are other cities in the province. There is a big rivalry between Montreal, the comopolitan, the multiethnic, the north american city versus Québec city, the capital, the historic, the more europeen. Just think Canadiens vs Nordiques, that was the glory days and till that day some Nordiques fan do hate with all their heart the Canadiens hockey club.

-I found that too, that may help http://www.zompist.com/quebec.html

-In wikipedia, they explain a lot better Quebec French (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French) and I would recommend also a visit the lexicon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_lexicon) and the profanity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_French_profanity). There are also link to the acadian and shiak part but I think Canucklehead is the expert there.

-I hope the FLQ or "a separatist terrorist group" never comes up again, in AF or OF, but just if it's done remember that the FLQ happened during a period called "the quiet revolution".

- If you want to immigrate :wink: http://www.immigration-quebec.gouv.qc.ca/en/choose-quebec/expressions.html

-A little fun quiz about quebec expressions http://www.funtrivia.com/quizdetails.cfm?quiz=38315

[SephirothsKiller]

I still feel like being a board hog, so that's what I'll do.


Some nit-picking:

"We don't take politics so seriously out here. We just vote for whoever will screw us the least." Really? I thought Maritimers just voted Liberal. ;)

Haha, Maritime politics are actually pretty funny. In Nova Scotia the same parties generally win in the same areas every election, with only small changes. Last election was 6 Liberals, 3 conservatives, 2 NDP. Provinicially though it goes like this: 9 Liberals (!), 20 NDP (Read: Every riding in Halifax and Dartmouth,) and 23 Conservatives (the rural voters like their Tories.)




"Santa is Canadian." Really? I'm sure Santa was there before we were.


So were the Inuit, and yet they still are Canadian.



"Cape Breton might be getting its own space center." Pigs might fly.

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060816/cape_breton_space_060816/20060816?hub=Canada



"We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary." English Canada is very puritanical. In Ontario, a cabinet minister was fired for appearing as a "Sunshine Boy." (During the Rae government.)

I think it depends... Generally we are very demanding about this sort of thing. But only to our non-Prime Ministers. I mean Jean Chretien throttled someone and Sir John A was an alcoholic, (and Ralph Klein too,) and we really didn't care that much. Not to mention the endless exploits of Pierre Trudeau... But for others... Rodney MacDonald has gotten hell for splitting up with his wife!! Its not so much that Canadians are Puritanical as it is Canadians are just crazy.




Newspapers now prefer "color" over "colour."

While we do use both spellings for alot of things, and sometimes only American spellings, and sometimes only British spellings, a search of google news revealed no instances of the word "Color" on a Canadian news site, where a search of "Colour" revealed one on the first page. Furthermore, every individual newspaper I looked up included multiple usages of both spellings. So in my mind the character's word balloons should say "Colour" sometimes and "color" at others. :D


As to the whole Marijuana thing... You aren't gonna see that stuff get legalized for a while, but you could also walk up to a cop and blow smoke in his face and he wouldn't arrest you. The cops only care about the dealers, and don't give a damn about petty posession.

1. We have a Candy here called "Smarties" (not at all like american ones.) Think of M&M's, but sweeter. Its against the law to eat the red smarties before all other smartie colours have been consumed. Actually, upon closer inspection, it seems that American's are lacking a whole load of our candy, hence the website http://www.canadiansweets.com/

2. We have Donairs. Basically these are the craziest drugs you can ever imagine but they're only found here. :lol:

3. In Canada you see milk with the word HOMO in big letters on the carton. (Homogenized.)

4. I still say eh, and I'm a young Canadian. I only say it occasionally though, and usually at the end of the question. I will also ask "How's she going?" Islanders tend to turn that into "How's she going bye? (boy)"

5. WTF is Macaroni and Cheese? Its Kraft Dinner, and it keeps us alive.

6. Poutine: Possibly the world's, nay, DEFINATELY the world's greatest food.

7. We use Celsius here. (Some old people use the Imperial system but whatever.) Though in all honestly we use both systems. I know my weight in pounds and kilo's, (technically that's mass...) 30 cm's approximately = 12 inches, and so on. But the Metric system is definately used more.

8. In some places a "Mickey" is a 13 ounce curved bottle of liquor. In Nova Scotia we call them pints (regardless of the fact that a pint would be 16 ounces I think.) They're built to fit into the pocket.

9. The day after Christmas is Boxing day.

10. Housecoat = bathrobe.

11. Couch, or chesterfield (I really don't think anyone uses this anymore though...) is usually used in place of Sofa.

12. I hear the words Arse and Bum aren't used in the states. Let me know if thats true.

13. Do you guys call them corner stores? (Convienence stores)

14. We sales tax people up the wazoo. Its 14 percent in Nova Scotia right now. For everything. It vary's from province to province though.

15. No one here waits "on line." We wait "in line." and in "lineups."

16. More Quebecers love pepsi than coke. This is true.

17. Canadians generally say "The States" or "the U.S." and not "America." I believe this comes from the fact that the continent is called "North America." I dunno though.

18. Tarbish. A card game only Cape Bretoners know. If you want Caper's to love you Mr. Oeming, you should mention it.

19. If someone says the word "Yank" or "Yankee" we don't associate that with a certain part of the states, just the whole of America.

20. "No-see-um" They're awful!

21. We don't say sack, we say bag. (Usually)




Note: I actually looked up a few of these cultural differences, so they may not all be correct. But some of them are, because I'm Canadian, and I know how things are said. Feel free to educate me back if I'm incorrect!! [/list]

[Transmetropolitan]

So were the Inuit, and yet they still are Canadian.

We've got some in Alaska, too. ;)


1. We have a Candy here called "Smarties" (not at all like american ones.) Think of M&M's, but sweeter. Its against the law to eat the red smarties before all other smartie colours have been consumed. Actually, upon closer inspection, it seems that American's are lacking a whole load of our candy, hence the website http://www.canadiansweets.com/

Thanks a heap. Now I crave Aero Bars (picked up the taste on my drive south)


11. Couch, or chesterfield (I really don't think anyone uses this anymore though...) is usually used in place of Sofa.

Everybody I know calls 'em couches.


12. I hear the words Arse and Bum aren't used in the states. Let me know if thats true.

We know what they mean, but we don't use 'em as often. Well, I use 'em, but that's because I like the sound of 'em. "Arse" is occasionally used when we're obviously joking.


13. Do you guys call them corner stores? (Convienence stores)

Only if they're on a corner.


15. No one here waits "on line." We wait "in line." and in "lineups."

It's "in line' the ervybody I know. As in, "I was in the goddamn DMV line for six hours yeaterday."


17. Canadians generally say "The States" or "the U.S." and not "America." I believe this comes from the fact that the continent is called "North America." I dunno though.

More power to you.



One I noticed-

Stateside, the PC name for the people who were here first is "Native American." In Canada, the label "First Nation" is apparently the PC choice.

[Mokole]

Also, we have Metis, I don't think there's an American equivalent.

The U.S. Smarties are different? How?

Crispy Crunch is the best selling chocolate bar here, my favorite too though I don't eat chocolate bars anymore (OK, maybe two a year).

CFL is awesome.

Most American pop has caffeine added, way more than I ever knew. We don't allow U.S. produced pop in my town anymore due to healthy eating policies.

Our leagues play for championships to win trophies, not to be 'super' or claim the local league makes us world best (Grey Cup, Stanley Cup, I've picked up both!! Yes, the Stanley Cup would be tough to handle on skates) :wink:

We have lots of slang for underwear (gotch, gitch, etc.). Not sure how region specific that is, though :o

I have a chesterfield, but it's a couch.

I wore mukluks as a kid, gave a pair to my brother at Christmas.

People in Canadian territories can vote in Federal elections! How about that!

When a guy wears a Maple Leaf uniform we don't call him Captain Canada (Britain, America) but Guardian 8)

A guy with one leg who ran for charity is one of our greatest heroes.

We put a fishing boat on our dimes. Bluenose!

A lot of us are bisystematic (metric and imperial).

3 downs, not 4, it's 3 downs (but a good joke: in the CFL you get four downs too, but we punt on third down just to be safe)

Too late to think of more. 'Night evryone.

[Transmetropolitan]

Also, we have Metis, I don't think there's an American equivalent.


Not a PC one.

[syvalois]

"Santa is Canadian." Really? I'm sure Santa was there before we were.


So were the Inuit, and yet they still are Canadian.

But those Santa or the Inuit feel canadians? We should ask Santa :roll: :roll:



6. Poutine: Possibly the world's, nay, DEFINATELY the world's greatest food.


[-X greatest and poutine do not go together unless there is the word "disgusting" use with it. like we say in french : "une bonne poutine dégueulasse !" It looks awful, it got zero nutriment, absolutly superbe for a high cholesterol, nothing good except it taste great most of all at 3:00 Am after a night dancing. Maybe that will kept you up a little bit longer since it's vey hard to digest, but you know, it's a tradition, you got to keep that up. :P to see a real poutine (http://www.chez-ashton.com/prod.php?prod=1&subprod=5). I like it better with sausages. My boyfriend likes better the italian poutine.



13. Do you guys call them corner stores? (Convienence stores)

Dépanneur for me




16. More Quebecers love pepsi than coke. This is true.

yes, it is



The U.S. Smarties are different? How?

Yes, what is different?


Crispy Crunch is the best selling chocolate bar here, my favorite too though I don't eat chocolate bars anymore (OK, maybe two a year).

Since my friend worked in a chocolaterie, I'm a fan of regional chocolate production. The small local chocolate shop, I'm addict to it. You can't never go back to aero or coffee crips at best Lindt, but the local shop is the best.



11. Couch, or chesterfield (I really don't think anyone uses this anymore though...) is usually used in place of Sofa.

if you say chesterfield I would not know what you are talking about. I thought it was a gun at some point. couch or sofa, I will understand. I call them divan.


[quote]Stateside, the PC name for the people who were here first is "Native American." In Canada, the label "First Nation" is apparently the PC choice.[quote]

autochtones or amérindiens are the good terms in french.

[Le Messor]

Be glad you're not Australian. :roll:

You'd be amazed some of the bad mistakes I've seen. Like that issue of Young Justice, where they put a huge, Alpine mountain in the middle of Sydney. I figured Sydney must have installed it in the time since I'd last been there--which was about a week before I read the issue.

Ooh, and Sydney isn't our national capital, either! (Least DC get it right, even if they don't know what the capital -looks like-.)

- Le Messor
"Anticipatory plagiarism occurs when someone steals your idea and publishes it a hundred years before you were born."
- Robert Merton

[SephirothsKiller]

Ooh, and Sydney isn't our national capital, either! (Least DC get it right, even if they don't know what the capital -looks like-.)



Someone called Sydney the capital of Australia?

Its obviously Melbourne!! :lol:

I've always though of Australia as the Canada's Southern Equivilant
.

[Guardian]

12. I hear the words Arse and Bum aren't used in the states. Let me know if thats true.
Nope nobody uses those. Except in joking.



13. Do you guys call them corner stores? (Convienence stores)

Depending on where you live in the U.S. they would be called convienence stores. Or simply gas stations. In some parts of the country (mainly the South) some people may refer to them as general stores.





17. Canadians generally say "The States" or "the U.S." and not "America." I believe this comes from the fact that the continent is called "North America." I dunno though.

Makes sense, but many people living in the States and abroad I've heard, refer to the United States as America. Factually, not really correct, but its been that way for along time.




19. If someone says the word "Yank" or "Yankee" we don't associate that with a certain part of the states, just the whole of America.

That what I've heard from many different places from around the world. I know usually noones means anything by it, but it has always irked me a bit. I live in Iowa now, but I'm from Virginia. So I never have liked anyone calling me a Yank or Yankee. Call me an American, Virginian, or maybe even an Iowan (Yanks aren't usually bad people :) ), or a Reb or a Rebel, but don't ever call me a Yank. :cry: But like I said non U.S. people, usually don't use the term Yankee in a bad way, so no biggie.[/quote]

[Le Messor]

Someone called Sydney the capital of Australia?

It's happened.


Its obviously Melbourne!!

Obviously. :wink:


I've always though of Australia as the Canada's Southern Equivilant.

There are a lot of parallels, aren't there? The 39th, I believe, is yours...
Um...

We're both Commonwealth countries, for starters. $1 and $2 coins. (Though no loonies or toonies down here. :() etc...
But, at least nobody confuses 'Canada' with 'Austria'. :?

- Le Messor
"Any idiot can face a crisis - it's this day-to-day living that wears you out."
- Chekhov

[Le Messor]

Depending on where you live in the U.S. they would be called convienence stores. Or simply gas stations.

In Australia, we call the last 'Petrol Stations', and fill our cars with 'petrol', not gas. It took me a long time to find that out.


17. Canadians generally say "The States" or "the U.S." and not "America."

We use any of the above. I tend to go with The States or the US, but will use America. Not, of course, in the same way that George Bush has been using America for the last few years...


If someone says the word "Yank" or "Yankee" we don't associate that with a certain part of the states, just the whole of America. [color=blue]That what I've heard from many different places from around the world. I know usually noones means anything by it. But like I said non U.S. people, usually don't use the term Yankee in a bad way, so no biggie.

*cough* Um... Actually...

Here in Australia, if we call somebody a 'Yank', we're not doing it to be nice. (I've also heard 'merkin' used, which is worse, because I know what it actually means.) I don't use it myself.

I speak only for my own experiences in my own country.

- Le Messor
"It's so hard to tell if you're Yank, Oz, or Pom."
- Roger Taylor, 'Dear Mr Murdoch'

[Guardian]

Just trying to be diplomatic Le Messor. I know some foriegners use the term Yank, as an insult. Hey I'm from the U.S.A., so I know many other people hate me, just because I was born here in the States. It's just the way it is. :evil: And that's ok. 'Cause I don't really care. If people like me or the U.S., great! If not, I could care less.

[Le Messor]

Just trying to be diplomatic Le Messor.

Diplomacy? On the internet?
No wonder I couldn't recognise it!

:twisted:

- LM
"Any man who is not something of a socialist before he is forty has no heart. Any man who is still a socialist after he is forty has no head."
- Wendell L. Willkie (quoted by Richard Norton Smith)

[JohnnyCanuck]

A guy with one leg who ran for charity is one of our greatest heroes.



That's Terry Fox.

The other guy with one leg who ran for charity is long forgotten, and he actually made all the way. But he turned it into personal gain instead of for the cause and history has let him disappear. His name is ***** *****.

Hmm..? Well what do you know about that. Appears he has been eliminated.

JC

[cmdrkoenig67]

Usually when Southerners call us Northerners (here in the U.S.) "Yankees" or "Yanks", they don't use it in a complimentary way...But I guess it can be used descriptively(as in where somebody if from) sometimes too.

Seph's descriptions of Maritime Province sterotyping, remind me of things people many times think or say about Maine here in the states.

We're not all fishermen or reside in little fishing hamlets (nor do we all live on Lobster...I'm allergic)...We don't all say "Ayuh" (Downeast speak for yes), although many in my family do. We don't all live in the woods either (being the most heavily forested state in the U.S. leads many to think this)...Although, Portland is known as the "Forest City". A lot of people (...and I mean citizens of the U.S.) seem to believe Maine is located in Canada...for some strange reason.

Many Mainers say Housecoat, instead of bathrobe too...LOL.

There are many, many French Canadian-descended Mainers(mostly in northern Maine).

Not that this adds much to the conversation..I just thought it was interesting.

Dana

[Le Messor]

Seph's descriptions of Maritime Province sterotyping, remind me of things people many times think or say about Maine here in the states.

I get most of what I know about Maine from one of your better-known residents. A writer in Bagnor... Stephen something...

[cmdrkoenig67]

LOL!

Dana :lol:

[Snowsquatch]

Technically, neither the Inuit or Metis are "First Nations." Only Indians are First Nations.

See http://www.ainc-inac.gc.ca/pr/info/tln_e.html


Aboriginal peoples: The descendants of the original inhabitants of North America. The Canadian Constitution recognizes three groups of Aboriginal people — Indians, Métis and Inuit. These are three separate peoples with unique heritages, languages, cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.

[Snowsquatch]

We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary... frankly we'd rather not think about Harper having sex.
The Domi-Stronach "scandal" just became news yesterday.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_3782.aspx

[SephirothsKiller]

A lot of people (...and I mean citizens of the U.S.) seem to believe Maine is located in Canada...for some strange reason.


Not that this adds much to the conversation..I just thought it was interesting.

Dana

It is interesting.

I have no idea why people would think that Maine is Canadian, but an interesting tidbit is this:

During the War of 1812 the British/Canadian army captured Maine. After the war was over when both sides gave all the captured land back, the British took the entire Maine gold reserve back with them. It was used to build Dalhousie university in Halifax.

THE MORE YOU KNOW!

[Mokole]

Oh, here's another 1812 tidbit:

All property was supposed to be returned to the original owner. Americans were mad when the British wouldn't give one kind of 'property' back..... slaves. Seems the British didn't think black people were property.

The More You Know....

[Canucklehead]

Forgot one, Canada does not condone the death penalty and will not extradite a criminal if their country is set on executing them. That could be a story right there. If Nitro(he's not caught yet is he?) ran to Canada and we refused to send him back to the States because they would give him the death penalty. That would make for interesting reading.

[kozzi24]

Dana, you neglected the way Maine bills itself, at least from the signs on the highway...
"The way life should be"
When quoting that, I usually add a "hyuk" at the end

[SephirothsKiller]

At least its less extreme :D than New Hampshire's "Live Free or Die," slogan. I nearly fell over the first time I saw that on a liscence plate. :P

[JohnnyCanuck]

We wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary... frankly we'd rather not think about Harper having sex.
The Domi-Stronach "scandal" just became news yesterday.

http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_3782.aspx

First 90% of this board doesn't know what a Domi-Stronach is.
And is it really a scandal??

JC

[Legerd]

First 90% of this board doesn't know what a Domi-Stronach is.

Lucky them.



And is it really a scandal??


It may not be scandalous, but it is funny!

[Canucklehead]

... frankly we'd rather not think about Domi having sex.


There, fixed it. 8)

[syvalois]

First 90% of this board doesn't know what a Domi-Stronach is.

Lucky them.

I did not knew who Domi was before reading the article.




And is it really a scandal??


It may not be scandalous, but it is funny!

But would it do damage to Stronach political views more than if she had been a man? I don't know.

[Snowsquatch]

First 90% of this board doesn't know what a Domi-Stronach is.
So?


And is it really a scandal??
Yes.

[Canucklehead]

Does anyone here really care?

[Snowsquatch]

Does anyone here really care?
Uh, you started this, with your dubious claim that Canadians "wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary..."

Obviously, Canadians would publicize such things.

Point, counter-point.

[Canucklehead]

Does anyone here really care?
Uh, you started this, with your dubious claim that Canadians "wouldn't publicize and empeach a Prime Minister for have sexual relations with a secretary..."

Obviously, Canadians would publicize such things.

Point, counter-point.

I started it as a joke. It was a Harper burn. I really, really don't wanna know who he has sex with(or care). I don't know how many people actually would.

[Legerd]

But would it do damage to Stronach political views more than if she had been a man? I don't know.

Apparently not. People either don't care about the affair, or they don't care about her. Either way it seems to be a non-event.

[Guardian]

Usually when Southerners call us Northerners (here in the U.S.) "Yankees" or "Yanks", they don't use it in a complimentary way...But I guess it can be used descriptively(as in where somebody if from) sometimes too.

Yeah it can definetly be used in a number of either positive or negative ways. I just use it to describe where someone or a group of people are from. Like me I'm a "Rebel" or "Reb" cause I'm from Virginia. Like my mom is from Missouri. But my dad is from Iowa so he's a "Yank". I'd personaly never use either term(s) negatively. Like a local country artist (Jason Brown)here in Iowa sings;.."my momma was a Rebel, my daddy was a Yankee. They got together and made a little hay baby. My blood runs North to South, like the mighty Mississippi (River). Yankee-doodle-dandy and and I sang Dixie."

Man I love that song. 8)

[Canucklehead]

Yeah, as far as I've seen in Canada if someone says "Yank", it usually just means someone from the States, no matter which State. It's like Canuck to Canadian, Yank to American. I don't use the term though as I could see someone taking it as offensive.

[Guardian]

Yeah it's all how an individual interprets it. Could be bad or good. I guess I couldn't care either way. There are much more important things in life to worry about.
In terms of the American "War for Southern Independence" (I've never liked the term "Civil War"),my family fought for both sides. So I'm proud of both.

[Transmetropolitan]

In terms of the American "War for Southern Independence" (I've never liked the term "Civil War"),my family fought for both sides. So I'm proud of both.

Must... restrain... self...

[cmdrkoenig67]

Dana, you neglected the way Maine bills itself, at least from the signs on the highway...
"The way life should be"
When quoting that, I usually add a "hyuk" at the end

Hyuk....What do you mean by that? Actually...It's more like..."Ayuh...The way life should be" (I can hear certain members of my family saying it. :oops: ).

Dana

[SephirothsKiller]

Dana, you neglected the way Maine bills itself, at least from the signs on the highway...
"The way life should be"
When quoting that, I usually add a "hyuk" at the end

Hyuk....What do you mean by that? Actually...It's more like..."Ayuh...The way life should be" (I can hear certain members of my family saying it. :oops: ).

Dana

At least you guys have a slogan that has a message to it!! My province? Canada's Ocean Playground. My City? The City of Lakes!

Yay! My slogans inform people that I have access to both fresh and salt water!!

[Canucklehead]

At least you guys have a slogan that has a message to it!! My province? Canada's Ocean Playground. My City? The City of Lakes!

Yay! My slogans inform people that I have access to both fresh and salt water!!

Hell, I'd kill for the "City of Lakes". At least it's not vague like Moncton's "It All Happens Here Naturally"... ok... what does? I'd prefer the Samuel Adams one. "Moncton, Always a Good Decision". 8)

[Transmetropolitan]

Hey, crummy place-names are universal-

Alaska, the "Last Frontier" (how pretentious can we get?
Fairbanks, the "Golden Heart of Alaska" (not all that glitters is gold).

And "Indiana, Crossroads of America" is pretty bad, too.