Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
#77
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Look, Canadians are the most introverted in the English-speaking. The UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa...all are extroverted by nature. Canada is the outlier. It isn't surprising this creates quite a bit of culture shock. In temperament, Canadians are more similar to the Swiss or the Swedes, and doubtless you probably find those countries boring as well.
The introversion also means it is more difficult to connect with people, so newcomers need to make a bit more of an effort. Not everyone is up to going that extra mile, which is fine. But it's not necessary to slag off a more reserved culture just because it is different from your own.
The introversion also means it is more difficult to connect with people, so newcomers need to make a bit more of an effort. Not everyone is up to going that extra mile, which is fine. But it's not necessary to slag off a more reserved culture just because it is different from your own.
#78
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
San Fran is probably my favourite US City.
Chicago is like Toronto but they care about what buildings they put up.
Boston and Washington are ok city breaks and have some history.
Been to NYC too many times. The place does nothing for me although I'm sure it is better to live there than be a tourist or in town on business.
Chicago is like Toronto but they care about what buildings they put up.
Boston and Washington are ok city breaks and have some history.
Been to NYC too many times. The place does nothing for me although I'm sure it is better to live there than be a tourist or in town on business.
#79
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Where exactly are these fabulous destinations? I've been stuck in Vancouver for a few years and I would dearly love to travel somewhere where the culture is significantly different. Correction, I would love to travel somewhere with some actual culture but there's rock all out here.
Nah, I'm here for the pool and the rum.
#80
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 14,227
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
You don't come to Vancouver for the culture. That's crazy.
You come for the scenery which is actually really quite nice.
You come for the scenery which is actually really quite nice.
#82
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
I am not tagging anything, I am just saying it's my personal impression. I have made a lot of effort to get involved in Canadian politics but Canadian politics are a bit boring and also I find that apart from Canada people have no intererest about what's going on outside of it.
As for friendships I am not talking about super close friends you know for decades. Just willingness and being open to making new friends. If you go to US Americans tend to go out of their way to srtike up a conversation and get you involved in their circle, ask you out for drinks etc. Here, not at all. People act suspicious if you ask them to hang out or say hello.
I also do not agree with Canadians traveling a lot. I have met all kind of people here, from hipsters to Bay street crowd to College St crowd and King West yuppies, a lot of them haven't been anywhere apart from Cuba and Mexico. I hear many times that they would like to go here or there but they are scared because it's dangerous which makes me laugh.
These are my personal observations and I don't think I am being unfair, I came here excited with an open heart and after 2 years this is the opinion I will be leaving with.
As for friendships I am not talking about super close friends you know for decades. Just willingness and being open to making new friends. If you go to US Americans tend to go out of their way to srtike up a conversation and get you involved in their circle, ask you out for drinks etc. Here, not at all. People act suspicious if you ask them to hang out or say hello.
I also do not agree with Canadians traveling a lot. I have met all kind of people here, from hipsters to Bay street crowd to College St crowd and King West yuppies, a lot of them haven't been anywhere apart from Cuba and Mexico. I hear many times that they would like to go here or there but they are scared because it's dangerous which makes me laugh.
These are my personal observations and I don't think I am being unfair, I came here excited with an open heart and after 2 years this is the opinion I will be leaving with.
#83
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
I am not tagging anything, I am just saying it's my personal impression. I have made a lot of effort to get involved in Canadian politics but Canadian politics are a bit boring and also I find that apart from Canada people have no intererest about what's going on outside of it.
As for friendships I am not talking about super close friends you know for decades. Just willingness and being open to making new friends. If you go to US Americans tend to go out of their way to srtike up a conversation and get you involved in their circle, ask you out for drinks etc. Here, not at all. People act suspicious if you ask them to hang out or say hello.
I also do not agree with Canadians traveling a lot. I have met all kind of people here, from hipsters to Bay street crowd to College St crowd and King West yuppies, a lot of them haven't been anywhere apart from Cuba and Mexico. I hear many times that they would like to go here or there but they are scared because it's dangerous which makes me laugh.
These are my personal observations and I don't think I am being unfair, I came here excited with an open heart and after 2 years this is the opinion I will be leaving with.
As for friendships I am not talking about super close friends you know for decades. Just willingness and being open to making new friends. If you go to US Americans tend to go out of their way to srtike up a conversation and get you involved in their circle, ask you out for drinks etc. Here, not at all. People act suspicious if you ask them to hang out or say hello.
I also do not agree with Canadians traveling a lot. I have met all kind of people here, from hipsters to Bay street crowd to College St crowd and King West yuppies, a lot of them haven't been anywhere apart from Cuba and Mexico. I hear many times that they would like to go here or there but they are scared because it's dangerous which makes me laugh.
These are my personal observations and I don't think I am being unfair, I came here excited with an open heart and after 2 years this is the opinion I will be leaving with.
I personally know of more than half a dozen people, in their 20's to early 30's, who have travelled extensively outside of Canada. Two went to live in Australia for a year; one continued on and travelled around the Far East on the way back, the other one went onto New Zealand for a few weeks. Another has just come back from backpacking around Europe - for the 3rd time. My Canadian step-daughter toured the UK and Europe staying at hostels and catching trains; 3 years ago she went to Costa Rica and worked volunteering at a rain forest reserve. My step-son also went to Australia, Hong Kong, then on a separate trip took in Europe including the Greek Isles. None of them consider going on weekend trips to the US as 'travelling' - more a weekend jaunt.
I have to wonder what's behind you wanting to join a forum about Canada just to complain at how much you dislike the people, the country and to denigrate just about every aspect.
Last edited by Siouxie; Jan 27th 2016 at 10:56 pm.
#84
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,856
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
I just did a quick bit of Googling and this might surprise some.
I think we can all agree that Winnipeg is the geographical centre of Canada.
If we just use England most would say Birmingham is the centre.
I decided to use a flight time of 4 hours non stop from each airport.
So how many countries do you think you could fly to from each airport on the assumption that those airports flew there?
Have a guess first then use the links to see how close you were
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Winnipeg, Canada
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Birmingham (UK), UK
Don't even ask what flights cost from each respective country
I think we can all agree that Winnipeg is the geographical centre of Canada.
If we just use England most would say Birmingham is the centre.
I decided to use a flight time of 4 hours non stop from each airport.
So how many countries do you think you could fly to from each airport on the assumption that those airports flew there?
Have a guess first then use the links to see how close you were
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Winnipeg, Canada
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Birmingham (UK), UK
Don't even ask what flights cost from each respective country
#85
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
I just did a quick bit of Googling and this might surprise some.
I think we can all agree that Winnipeg is the geographical centre of Canada.
If we just use England most would say Birmingham is the centre.
I decided to use a flight time of 4 hours non stop from each airport.
So how many countries do you think you could fly to from each airport on the assumption that those airports flew there?
Have a guess first then use the links to see how close you were
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Winnipeg, Canada
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Birmingham (UK), UK
Don't even ask what flights cost from each respective country
I think we can all agree that Winnipeg is the geographical centre of Canada.
If we just use England most would say Birmingham is the centre.
I decided to use a flight time of 4 hours non stop from each airport.
So how many countries do you think you could fly to from each airport on the assumption that those airports flew there?
Have a guess first then use the links to see how close you were
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Winnipeg, Canada
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Birmingham (UK), UK
Don't even ask what flights cost from each respective country
#86
Banned
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: SW Ontario
Posts: 19,879
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Christopher Storie, president of the Canadian Cartographic Association, uses Atlas of Canada coordinates to find the extreme tips of the country, enters them in an algorithm that creates an elipse, then finds the cross point of its axes
"... He determines the centre of the country is actually about 275 km southwest of Baker Lake, on the barren shores of a water body called Yathkyed Lake... "
Distance and Flight Duration Time from Baker Lake, Canada
Last edited by Siouxie; Jan 27th 2016 at 11:30 pm.
#87
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
If you liked the US so much, why did you come to Canada? Could you not get a work permit for the US instead?
I personally know of more than half a dozen people, in their 20's to early 30's, who have travelled extensively outside of Canada. Two went to live in Australia for a year; one continued on and travelled around the Far East on the way back, the other one went onto New Zealand for a few weeks. Another has just come back from backpacking around Europe - for the 3rd time. My Canadian step-daughter toured the UK and Europe staying at hostels and catching trains; 3 years ago she went to Costa Rica and worked volunteering at a rain forest reserve. My step-son also went to Australia, Hong Kong, then on a separate trip took in Europe including the Greek Isles. None of them consider going on weekend trips to the US as 'travelling' - more a weekend jaunt.
I have to wonder what's behind you wanting to join a forum about Canada just to complain at how much you dislike the people, the country and to denigrate just about every aspect.
I personally know of more than half a dozen people, in their 20's to early 30's, who have travelled extensively outside of Canada. Two went to live in Australia for a year; one continued on and travelled around the Far East on the way back, the other one went onto New Zealand for a few weeks. Another has just come back from backpacking around Europe - for the 3rd time. My Canadian step-daughter toured the UK and Europe staying at hostels and catching trains; 3 years ago she went to Costa Rica and worked volunteering at a rain forest reserve. My step-son also went to Australia, Hong Kong, then on a separate trip took in Europe including the Greek Isles. None of them consider going on weekend trips to the US as 'travelling' - more a weekend jaunt.
I have to wonder what's behind you wanting to join a forum about Canada just to complain at how much you dislike the people, the country and to denigrate just about every aspect.
But she also spent 1 year in Brazil on an educational exchange in 11th grade, has been to the UK 4 or 5 times, most recent was in 2010.
She also lived and went to school in NY for a year.
I think that is most of her travels, will ask her when she gets home.
Her brother extensively traveled as well, but instead of Brazil and UK he did most travels in Asia.
But then I also Canadian's who have never gone any further then whatever state happens to border their province, and one girl my wife works with is 26 and hasn't even ever crossed into the US let alone any other country, and finds Vancouver too scary, so doubt she will even leave this small town for much in her life.
Some Canadians travel, and some don't, just like any other country will have some people who do and some who don't.
Biggest thing is people from UK and Europe who say North American's don't travel outside of the continent enough need to realize is North America is not close to the rest of the world, we can't hop on a cheap flight for 2 hours and end up in a country with far different culture and sights, 2 hours from Vancouver and you can get about as far as San Francisco if even that far.
If you wan't to stay in Canada, 2 hours gets you to where, Regina?
And it's not nearly as cheap to fly within North America as it is in Europe, and especially so in Canada where airfares tend to be insanely high.
Now think of the general lack of time off Canadian's tend to have, and the only way a European trip is possible really is to take your entire 10 days off (assuming the employer is only giving what they are required to give.) at once, but people have other commitments in the year they need time off for, so may not be able to take the entire 10 days off, add in the travel days, and reality those 10 days are really only a 5-6 day visit.
#88
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,856
#89
Banned
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 9
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
My wife traveled quite often in her younger days. Spent most of her summers in her first 14 years in Europe visiting the grandparents, when they died, the summer visits stopped.
But she also spent 1 year in Brazil on an educational exchange in 11th grade, has been to the UK 4 or 5 times, most recent was in 2010.
She also lived and went to school in NY for a year.
I think that is most of her travels, will ask her when she gets home.
Her brother extensively traveled as well, but instead of Brazil and UK he did most travels in Asia.
But then I also Canadian's who have never gone any further then whatever state happens to border their province, and one girl my wife works with is 26 and hasn't even ever crossed into the US let alone any other country, and finds Vancouver too scary, so doubt she will even leave this small town for much in her life.
Some Canadians travel, and some don't, just like any other country will have some people who do and some who don't.
Biggest thing is people from UK and Europe who say North American's don't travel outside of the continent enough need to realize is North America is not close to the rest of the world, we can't hop on a cheap flight for 2 hours and end up in a country with far different culture and sights, 2 hours from Vancouver and you can get about as far as San Francisco if even that far.
If you wan't to stay in Canada, 2 hours gets you to where, Regina?
And it's not nearly as cheap to fly within North America as it is in Europe, and especially so in Canada where airfares tend to be insanely high.
Now think of the general lack of time off Canadian's tend to have, and the only way a European trip is possible really is to take your entire 10 days off (assuming the employer is only giving what they are required to give.) at once, but people have other commitments in the year they need time off for, so may not be able to take the entire 10 days off, add in the travel days, and reality those 10 days are really only a 5-6 day visit.
But she also spent 1 year in Brazil on an educational exchange in 11th grade, has been to the UK 4 or 5 times, most recent was in 2010.
She also lived and went to school in NY for a year.
I think that is most of her travels, will ask her when she gets home.
Her brother extensively traveled as well, but instead of Brazil and UK he did most travels in Asia.
But then I also Canadian's who have never gone any further then whatever state happens to border their province, and one girl my wife works with is 26 and hasn't even ever crossed into the US let alone any other country, and finds Vancouver too scary, so doubt she will even leave this small town for much in her life.
Some Canadians travel, and some don't, just like any other country will have some people who do and some who don't.
Biggest thing is people from UK and Europe who say North American's don't travel outside of the continent enough need to realize is North America is not close to the rest of the world, we can't hop on a cheap flight for 2 hours and end up in a country with far different culture and sights, 2 hours from Vancouver and you can get about as far as San Francisco if even that far.
If you wan't to stay in Canada, 2 hours gets you to where, Regina?
And it's not nearly as cheap to fly within North America as it is in Europe, and especially so in Canada where airfares tend to be insanely high.
Now think of the general lack of time off Canadian's tend to have, and the only way a European trip is possible really is to take your entire 10 days off (assuming the employer is only giving what they are required to give.) at once, but people have other commitments in the year they need time off for, so may not be able to take the entire 10 days off, add in the travel days, and reality those 10 days are really only a 5-6 day visit.
Last edited by jock_mcbile; Jan 27th 2016 at 11:48 pm. Reason: Typo
#90
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 33
Re: Is anyone else massively disappointed in Canada?
Yes they are all cities but that's like saying it's not worth going to Paris when you live in London cos "it's all the same"