Partially discharged

I'll probably be here on Sunday (have a footie match nearby) to stock up (but not on the swill that seems to be on offer)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Gatine...267.78,,1,8.35

NewLifeAbroad

More of a Sainsburys man to be honest.

It's funny how it's assumed that if I buy alcohol from the supermarket or corner shop, I'm going to be causing carnage on the streets of Toronto. I'm just thinking of the convenience and cost rather than anything else, not necessarily chucking 10 pints down my neck (that was 10 years ago).

But my argument goes beyond having more access to alcohol here. I don't even drink that much these days. Perhaps my argument is centered around Toronto rather than Canada as a whole, but the people I've met from other parts of Canada haven't exactly inspired me to go elsewhere, especially since 90% have told me they prefer Toronto. I've just found the majority of Canadians to be very one dimensional and don't have a great deal to offer in terms of personality, which makes it hard when you're trying to make friends with people here and not be just another traveller who sticks to the travelling crowd. When I ask a Canadian "How are you? How's it going?" and the programmed response which I get all the time is "I'm good, how are you?" with no further room for conversation, it gets frustrating.

Even worse when I ask "How's tricks?" - don't even bother with this one.

Zoe Bell

Yeah I found out fairly quickly that accusing my female friends of being prostitutes limited conversation options

helcat12

You are adding on something that isn't there.
I think my husband is the best husband in the world and have said so but that isn't insulting every other husband in the world, is it?
Being positive about your own situation isn't criticising everyone else's. They don't go round with,
"Everywhere else in the world is c*** except BC" on their cars, or I could accept you feeling insulted.
Criticism can be helpful if done in the right way, but there is a big difference between constructive criticism and being unnecessarily blunt, cruel and tactless. Just criticising on its own doesn't lead to any good change at all, that is a fallacy - it only leads to division, mistrust and bad feeling between people.
Why do you find people in Canada doing the things you describe "irritatingly complacent"? Their behaviour doesn't make any impact on you, it is their own choice and if they are happy, why should that irritate you?
You seem to have a problem with people loving where they live, enjoying what they have and being content.That is sad.
It is clear that you don't love it, but then perhaps, as you say, you just need to find somewhere that you do love and then you would be able to share this positivity in your own community. I hope you can find that place, wherever it is and be able to feel and say that you live in the best place on earth and be happy.

Auld Yin

You need to check the times/availability of flights to the UK. Obviously Canada is not the country for you.

ultrarunner

Let's be honest though, back in the UK there are folks that make fun of ethnic minorities accent too, on TV and for comic relief

NewLifeAbroad

You said it. I'm leaving in a month. Hurrah!

Jingsamichty

You'll need to excuse Auld Yin, he's the resident grump. Anyone who criticises Canada is told to not let the door hit them on the way out.

magnumpi

Is there anyone here who has never done a scouse, geordie, scot, brummie or london accent just for fun. I have and im sure most here have. Its just a bit o fun mind, not a disrespectfull act.

I like the fact that you cannot buy booze at the 7/11 ect. It stops the kids, tramps and general twats of the world buying single cans of booze each time they get a few dollars pan handling. I have yet to see any drunken underage yobs in Toronto hanging about outside 7/11 or beer stores. I did however see this behavour in the UK on a regular basis.

Souvy

It doesn't really matter where you go. There will be virtually no difference in price. The thing to avoid is 12-packs. Retailers seem to get away with charging almost the same price as for a 24.

Boy d

But this has gone way beyond pointing out dislikes for a place and rather is focusing on Canadians themselves, suggesting they are bigoted and racist, which is laughable coming from Brits.

I personally don't get it. Maybe I've been here too long, but I don't see Brits and Canadians as that disimilar, beyond differences with sense of humor for instance. And as a whole, they are as flawed as the rest of us.

ergyngfeld

a lot of people here seem to struggle to understand my (West Country-ish) accent. plus people find it difficult to place - i've been asked if i'm Irish or South African far more than asked if i'm English. not that those are bad things, it's all pretty funny... and no one's ever slagged it off - i've only ever heard positive things about it!

BristolUK

Have you tried "How's it hanging?"

magnumpi

When we first arrived my OH asked if she could "bum a fag" in a bar. After a long silence, we explained the English meaning.

helcat12

Oooops! That's what I call a steep learning curve!