Hilarious.

Bats, where did you read that I owned a Mustang? In fact the car I was talking about was a Triumph. A Mustang is not a sports car.

I don't think I missed the point about Brits not wanting to talk about money at all. It's that you DO care and it irritates you to hear people go on about houses, cars and pensions. If you truly didn't care, why would you have any reason to comment? Not logical.

Tirytory, I described your baseline as being different from mine. YOU read in to it that meant, "as if I might look up to you and I'm jealous, and that makes me prickly." What YOU read in to something is down to YOU, not down to what I wrote.

As for displays of wealth, how does owning an average looking 3 bedroom house in a nice Toronto neighbourhood add up to a 'display of wealth'? Are you trying to suggest that someone who can afford to buy such a house shouldn't buy it because it costs more than a basement condo apartment and therefore buying the house is a 'display of wealth'?

Here's a fairly typical 3 bedroom house in the Beach area.
http://beta.realtor.ca/propertyDetai...rtyId=14139090
Everyone who lives in the area is not a Millionaire. Just average upper middle class income level. By your reckoning every one of them is 'displaying their wealth'. I'd guess most would be surprised to hear that. Most probably just think they live in a decent family home.

It doesn't make them a better person if they live there but it doesn't make YOU a better person if you don't live their either. Not logical. That is my answer to that one.

"Honestly I don't get my husbands interest in cars, as long as it gets you from A to B who cares...."

Your husband has my sympathy.

I wasn't talking about ownership as a display of wealth, it's talking about it. Needing to make it clear what you do have is the bit that's distasteful.. It was the phrase "and I did" which irritated me because there was no need, but you had to put it out there.

Again, you're wrong I don't care. I don't feel the need to impress you or anybody for that matter.

I don't think my husband needs your sympathy just because I don't care about what car I drive. That's just a bit childish really.

Interesting Rich but probably explainable. I think I know why. It has more to do with the 'circle' of people you are talking about.

There is no doubt there is a sub-group of people who will act in that way in N. America (Canada and the USA are the same in this regard).

A case of the exception proving the rule. The 'average' person in Canada would not ask how much you earn or how much you sold a business for.

Ah, I just noticed you show you are in Sun Peaks, BC. If that is the case my intuition is even stronger as to why.

oh and "what I wrote"..... are you Ernie Wise?

What's your explanation?

What's your definition of an 'average' Canadian person?

I'd be mildly impressed if it was a Triumph Italia.

I think it was a Triumph Herald

Or a Triumphant *anker.

I'm not sure when you plan to arrive but your 180K GBP will likely be worth a little more than $300k and will be on un upward move for the next few months.

I believe the Go Train from Pickering to Union to be fairly quick and $300 to $350k to give you some options there.

Renting isn't a bad option here. No deposit required and you can get your barings and explore. You may also be able to get a better mortgage etc once you have a credit rating. You have to remember that will take some time to build.

I always think of the folks who vote for Rob Ford.

Excellent, but futile, struggle against inevitable thread drift. How's the liver?

Funny you should ask.

I had to drive up to Markham today in the blizzard to get test results. Quite terrifying!

Apparently I am clear on all things stomach related. Everything is normal and it was a severe bout of gastritis.

I did take December, January and most of Feb of the drinks. A good 11 weeks.

Time for the Spring Yard Piss Up!!!! Oakvillian and I are due a lengthy debate on the value of winter Olympic medals.......

I'll send you a PM Rich. Otherwise, I'm done with this thread.

Excellent plan, but should we wait for Spring?

I was thinking in the illogical human calendar (when the clocks move forward) sense rather than waiting on mother nature.