Pretty Flowers

I was on my way to a doctors appointment yesterday when I saw a shop selling British food. I thought about going in, but couldn't really think of anything I missed food wise from back home, and then I saw a shelf full of colman's sachet sauces in the window....

Do people really buy these things over here????

I didn't go in, I'm happy with my Ruffles and Reese Cups...

ACL

Our three kids changed within weeks of starting school their pronunciations and words and now laugh at me when I say rubber and trousers and yogurt rather than yO gurt.

You also know you are becoming Canadian when you try and learn to play the fiddle and no longer laugh when you hear the name 'Randy Furby' on the radio (I'm obviously not Canadian yet as I still think this is hilarious).

Siren & Brian

I miss Canada.....

Reading this thread has made me see all the things I've LOST since I've left but apparently this is the BIGGEST indicator that you are truely Canadian.

ABOOT.

Come on.. you know you do it...

The other day I started chatting with a fellow at the train station who immediately picked up on me NOT being Australian. When I informed him I was from Canada he immediaty said "You know the word I want to hear.. say it!" I was lost... then he says "When is the train coming?" To which I replied "In about 15 minutes"

He looked at me dissappointedly and said "That wasn't nearly as cool as I thought it would be."

Upon getting home I explained the situation to my hubby who said "Oh you stopped saying ABOOT a while ago"

I NEVER SAID ABOOT!!! (but of course... I did )

And soon YOU will too... mwahahahahha

Siren

hot wasabi peas

Ah so true though I personally can't hear it at all. My 'aboots' greatly amuse a few British people in my life, without any effort on my part. Life is great sometimes.

babyblue

when you have a BBQ outside that you actually use all year round!


when you attempt to play scrabble with a fellow canadian and you can't quite remember the canadian spelling!
when you find yourself riding a bike that you have not done since you were 16. (and you still wobble)
color>colour dooh!
FOR SURE!
This drives me crazy when my son answers everything with For sure!

ACL

You think driving at 50 mph is really fast.
You overtake fellow drivers really slowly so as not to cause offence.
You don't attempt to pack your own carrier bag in the supermarket.
You accept that even grannies and children use the word 'crap'.

Iginla

What about "all righty"?

ACL

or 'holey schmoley'.

You know you're Canadian when your children no longer pick up headlice from school-

(they don't get a chance as they are checked in elementary about 6 times a year and sent home never to return unless treated and every egg (dead or alive) has been removed!!!!!!!)

joelsa

[QUOTE=Judy in Calgary]Automatically take off your shoes when you enter someone's home.

Don't like the sound of that, what about smelly feet?

Is it rude to enter someones house while wearing shoes then, I wouldn't dream of expecting someone to take their shoes off in my house (in UK) mmm I've got soooo much to learn!
Jo xx

babyblue

It is really strange how you adapt to sittuations. I was visiting toronto every year to spend time with my mother. My Home in the Uk suddenly had shoe racks right next to the door for visitors.
Yes it is true and you know what! It really does make sense, you have much cleaner carpets and more hygeine! well accept for the smelly feet!
It really gets to me now when people walk through the house with thier shoes on.
Another thing to remember is that In the UK there is not the same winter at all. You really would not want snow boots through the house!




[QUOTE=joelsa]

hot wasabi peas

[QUOTE=joelsa] Not all Canadians take their shoes off when entering their own homes but when entering someone else's home, yeah, it's considered pretty rude to just walk in without at least asking if you should remove your shoes.

I've never encountered problems with people having smelly feet (in Canada). I guess people are aware that they might have to remove their shoes at some point so just make sure they don't have stinky feet.

SANDRAPAUL

It seems to be rude to ask someone to remove their shoes when entering our home in the UK. Most people who we do not know who enter our home look shocked when we ask them politely to de-shoe due to carpets etc. We think it must be part of the social fabric generally and yet friends always de-shoe!

hot wasabi peas

I've noticed! But, like you, my friends have learned to de-shoe (good word ).

Scouse

Yes, but religious ( i.e., 'holy!'), socks are kind of embarrassing!!!

SANDRAPAUL

Its a simple matter of respect. If the house you enter has carpets which cost any amount of money which has been hard to come by, by the owner, it is not very nice to leave marks on them with dirt from the outside. If the floors are hard or perhaps tiled the emphasis would be lessoned. If you approach a home and the owner hesitates at the door, glances at your feet, looks awkward etc it is often a sign of wanting to ask but not wanting to upset...

Simply pick up on the vibes being given out - its respect.