The best posts EVER...
Jun 16th 2008, 8:24 pm
#16
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Re: The best posts EVER...
The british dont have a cultural monopoly, no one said they did did they? I think the french and italians, russians, chinese, japanese, even the americans would be able to lay a claim to a vast cultural impact over the years, whereas I really dont see Canada in that league, it simply does not have either the history or the impact to lay claim to that.
Last edited by iaink; Jun 16th 2008 at 8:27 pm.
Jun 16th 2008, 8:29 pm
#17
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: The best posts EVER...
The british dont have a cultural monopoly, I think the french and italians, russians, chinese, japanese, even the americans would be able to lay a claim to a vast cultural impact over the years, whereas I really dont see Canada in that league, it simply does not have either the history or the impact to lay claim to that.
Jun 16th 2008, 8:39 pm
#18
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Jun 16th 2008, 8:42 pm
#19
Joined: Jul 2005
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Re: The best posts EVER...
List of International Ice Hockey Federation member nations.
Last edited by Steve_P; Jun 16th 2008 at 8:50 pm.
Jun 16th 2008, 9:02 pm
#20
Born again atheist
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Jun 16th 2008, 9:04 pm
#21
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Re: The best posts EVER...
These snippets are from a thread named 'why Canada', or something, a couple of years ago, which I copied off because I liked the content. I could be wrong about both the title and/or the time, but anyway that's immaterial.
The point is, I've read this again for the first time since the original post, and finding I agree with the content far more than I did then. I was surprised at this, I guess my cynicism is running deeper than I imagined...
Anyway without further ado...and without any edits, deletions or changes of any kind, I bring to your palate...
DBD3....<clapping and waving of hands, whistling, shouting and generally making a lot of noise>
...And his amazing wordage.
Do you and the author of this thread really think that most people who migrate to Canada are shallow and materialistic? Why did you emigrate?
I will be happy to leave behind the "chav" culture that is springing up all over the UK. Do you really think Canadian society is shallow. Why are you still there?
I don't think Canada has a diverse culture. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver include a diversity of cultures, the extent to which they could said to be Canadian is arguable, but most of the country is stunningly homogenous; it's easy to find people who have never seen anyone who is a different colour.
I realise, of course, that my points conflict to a degree, people in the cities likely haven't heard of, for example, Shakespeare, because he didn't write in their language and people in rural areas haven't heard of him because they don't get cable. A country with both immigrants and rednecks does have some diversity; however they're hundreds of miles apart and that's not diversity in the sense that India, for example, has diversity of languages and religions.
I suppose the problem I have is that, as far as I can see, the understandable lack of promotion of British culture in Canadian schools isn't balanced by a promotion of a Canadian, or any other, culture. Canadian culture is defined in the negative, it's simply "not American", and so there's a void. I suggest that "Canadian Idol" stands as the exemplar of things Canadian. American Idol is a massively successful American show based on a British one and it's widely watched in Canada. Canadian Idol is a lame local variation produced to comply with local legislation. It's like the American show but not so slick. Canadians don't know who's on Canadian Idol and who wins doesn't much matter.
The point is, I've read this again for the first time since the original post, and finding I agree with the content far more than I did then. I was surprised at this, I guess my cynicism is running deeper than I imagined...
Anyway without further ado...and without any edits, deletions or changes of any kind, I bring to your palate...
DBD3....<clapping and waving of hands, whistling, shouting and generally making a lot of noise>
...And his amazing wordage.
It's different in that Canada doesn't have fashion so there's no stampede to buy clothes or CDs. However, in the case of people moving from the UK, I think money is critical to the motivation. Canadian houses are cheap so people who move can buy more; not necessarily more of the same things but more land and lots of gas powered things; trucks, speed boats, skidoos, snowmobiles, ATVs and so on (what they unironically call an "outdoor lifestyle"). What's sacrificed for that is culture, history, family and appreciation of language so I think there's a case that emigration to Canada is the choice of the shallow and materialistic person.
I do mean that Brits give up their history and culture. That's not something people know they have until they come here and lose it, not that it's specifically a British problem. I know some Koreans, for example, feel the same way. In the context of children raised here I think it unfortunate, for example, that they have no appreciation of why old paintings and books have significance to people who haven't even seen the paintings or read the books. It's a subtle thing but raising children in the shallowness of Canadian society is, I think, an unfortunate trade for having more gadgets.
I don't think Canada has a diverse culture. Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver include a diversity of cultures, the extent to which they could said to be Canadian is arguable, but most of the country is stunningly homogenous; it's easy to find people who have never seen anyone who is a different colour.
I realise, of course, that my points conflict to a degree, people in the cities likely haven't heard of, for example, Shakespeare, because he didn't write in their language and people in rural areas haven't heard of him because they don't get cable. A country with both immigrants and rednecks does have some diversity; however they're hundreds of miles apart and that's not diversity in the sense that India, for example, has diversity of languages and religions.
I suppose the problem I have is that, as far as I can see, the understandable lack of promotion of British culture in Canadian schools isn't balanced by a promotion of a Canadian, or any other, culture. Canadian culture is defined in the negative, it's simply "not American", and so there's a void. I suggest that "Canadian Idol" stands as the exemplar of things Canadian. American Idol is a massively successful American show based on a British one and it's widely watched in Canada. Canadian Idol is a lame local variation produced to comply with local legislation. It's like the American show but not so slick. Canadians don't know who's on Canadian Idol and who wins doesn't much matter.
A move from being British to being Canadian seems to me to be a move from being at the heart of English based culture to being on the far fringe. On the other hand, to promote appreciation for the "old country" in one's children risks alienating them from their environment. That leads to them wanting to take their masters in Europe and send you the bill.
Or do I have a rose-tinted view of Canada because I found the people to be friendly and helpful to a fault and the scenery breathtaking?
TracyS
Jun 16th 2008, 9:10 pm
#22
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Re: The best posts EVER...
So it doesn't count then that hockey has been taken up as you put it, in most of Europe and the former soviet bloc, north America, China and Japan.
List of International Ice Hockey Federation member nations.
List of International Ice Hockey Federation member nations.
Jun 16th 2008, 9:11 pm
#23
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,020
Re: The best posts EVER...
***TEMP BANNED*** - don't like the post either don't respond or do so without being nasty Ray1968
Last edited by ray1968; Jun 16th 2008 at 10:23 pm.
Jun 16th 2008, 9:16 pm
#24
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: The best posts EVER...
Its a start, but its hardly soccer now is it. I cant imagine participation at an "african nations of hockey" tournament would be very strong. Italy France and Spain arent really rocking the hockey world either come to think of it, and in reality internationaly hockey has been dominated by the same few premier nations for ever, and the vast majority of elite players come from the same 5 or 6 countries.
You would have to admit that.
Besides there has to be more to culture than sport, this is only one aspect of culture and I would hope a small at that.
Jun 16th 2008, 9:22 pm
#25
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Re: The best posts EVER...
There is just very little that is distinctively Canadian, as opposed to north american, or able to be traced back to the first nations, who lets not forget made little distinction between what is now Canada and the USA.
Whats left, Tim Hortons and Mounties eh!
Jun 16th 2008, 9:24 pm
#26
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Jun 16th 2008, 9:31 pm
#27
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Jun 16th 2008, 9:31 pm
#28
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 15,883
Re: The best posts EVER...
Once again what defines culture?
We are more talking more about Canadian identity not necessarily culture. As much as some would like to argue otherwise hockey is very much part of Canadian culture.
For DBD33's benefit, there is more to hockey than the NHL. But I'm sure he knows that and just likes to stir the shit.
Last edited by Steve_P; Jun 16th 2008 at 9:34 pm.
Jun 16th 2008, 9:32 pm
#29
Now on Vancouver Island
Joined: Feb 2005
Location: Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 6,935
Re: The best posts EVER...
In some cases, I've seen the transformation unfolding before my very eyes on this forum.
I recall forum members who loved the relaxed, laid back nature of Canadians when they visited Canada on holiday. But, once they were living here and were waiting for someone to get back to them on something they'd asked, they were tearing their hair out. The list of things that annoys some expats is very long.
But then there also are some expats who love Canada.
When you emigrate, there are several possible outcomes, and it's not easy to predict them.
If you want to do some due diligence, I recommend a reading of the articles in the Canada Challenges section of the Wiki.
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