Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 5th 2014, 12:21 am
#151
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Rude, aggressive. not me, I was raised to have respect but also to speak up for myself. With regards to capital letters it seems nobody uses them any more with all the texting that goes on. No more punctuation, paragraphs or proper beginning and ending of sentences. A Forum is a means of communication for debate. I do not hide behind anonymity. If your that desperate to know who I am all you have to do is ask. I hope this is you last attack on me.
Jul 5th 2014, 12:29 am
#152
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,846
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Yes it''s the French who are the troublemakers. One person was driving over the Ambassador Bridge into Canada and demanded and officer who could speak French!! As if the Immigration aren't busy enough to worry about his pettiness.
Needless to say he was not accommodated and had to proceed in English.
Good on them.
Needless to say he was not accommodated and had to proceed in English.
Good on them.
Usually when we have people demanding service in French and there is no bi-lingual officer available but one will be available in 1 hour its amazing how they then revert to English
Jul 5th 2014, 12:33 am
#153
.
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 20,185
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
I find the animosity between the English and French speakers in Canada quite funny and entertaining. The unabashed racism towards the native peoples is not, its shameful and very sad.
Jul 5th 2014, 12:38 am
#154
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Look at the protests when our Royals visit Canada from the "French" contingency it's atrocious.
I would never give up my British Citizenship for the world. I go Home at least twice a year and to sit on that airline for 7hrs listening to everything repeated in French drives me crazy.
For goodness sake 99% of the people speak English anyway so what's with that? If you like French so much Why not move to France and have done with it?
23% of the population of Canada speak French as their first language, are you seriously suggesting that 23% of the population emigrate?
Jul 5th 2014, 12:44 am
#155
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
P.S. I am mad.
Jul 5th 2014, 12:49 am
#156
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Canada was uni-lingual for so long so why change? It was the Quebec people (Trudeau) who introduced this nonsense and for what?
Quebec are always threatening to separate so, what's stopping them.
I like Canada as a Country it is beautiful but with one lone exception and you know what that is.
Jul 5th 2014, 1:00 am
#157
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
The good thing about working for the Federal Govt is that we have a great recycling programme for recycling all the French only publications that sit on our shelves collecting dust
Usually when we have people demanding service in French and there is no bi-lingual officer available but one will be available in 1 hour its amazing how they then revert to English
Usually when we have people demanding service in French and there is no bi-lingual officer available but one will be available in 1 hour its amazing how they then revert to English
The problem is that they say they're bilingual to get the job, but in reality they're only really competent at one language and pretty poor at the other.
I'm not surprised people in Québec get annoyed because they probably deal with this problem every day of dealing with people who supposedly speak French and can't and it's definitely not true that they're all fluent in English, they definitely aren't.
I remember making a joke to someone at the CRA about the demand for the Alberta T1 in French which went down like a lead balloon because the agent told me they get something like 50,000 T1s submitted from Alberta in French.
Jul 5th 2014, 1:23 am
#158
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Nov 2011
Location: Somewhere between Vancouver & St Johns
Posts: 19,846
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
I certainly have dealt with people in the civil service whose English has been quite poor, a lot of Federal offices are in Québec and New Brunswick. I can think of two occasions where they just couldn't understand what I was on about and I had to use French.
The problem is that they say they're bilingual to get the job, but in reality they're only really competent at one language and pretty poor at the other.
I'm not surprised people in Québec get annoyed because they probably deal with this problem every day of dealing with people who supposedly speak French and can't and it's definitely not true that they're all fluent in English, they definitely aren't.
I remember making a joke to someone at the CRA about the demand for the Alberta T1 in French which went down like a lead balloon because the agent told me they get something like 50,000 T1s submitted from Alberta in French.
The problem is that they say they're bilingual to get the job, but in reality they're only really competent at one language and pretty poor at the other.
I'm not surprised people in Québec get annoyed because they probably deal with this problem every day of dealing with people who supposedly speak French and can't and it's definitely not true that they're all fluent in English, they definitely aren't.
I remember making a joke to someone at the CRA about the demand for the Alberta T1 in French which went down like a lead balloon because the agent told me they get something like 50,000 T1s submitted from Alberta in French.
Un moment si'il vous plait and I will get a French speaking officer for you. We have the Federal language police visit and clear Customs or phoning us up to see if we offer this service and submit reports. I have several times phoned Govt offices in Quebec where I have not been offered service in English. So if I am mandated to do it under law then why can't they as they are under the same mandate and law.
What really pisses the language police off is when you bastardize the pronunciation and say Bonjuwer or un moment silver plate. Hey I don't speak French so don't criticize my pronunciation at least Im trying
Jul 5th 2014, 1:35 am
#160
Stand-up Philosopher
Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Regina Saskatchewan
Posts: 16,344
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Bonsoir.
Last edited by caretaker; Jul 5th 2014 at 1:39 am.
Jul 5th 2014, 2:03 am
#161
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
[QUOTE=Steve_;11325578]Yes, the British and French were only allies in two world wars, after all... heard of the Entente Cordiale?
No never heard of that. translate please
There are a fair number of anti-monarchists throughout Canada.
If you still think as the UK as home then it doesn't sound as though you've made much attempt to assimilate.
I probably will never adapt.
Because of the 1% who don't? Which in fact is more than 1%? Heard of the Official Languages Act and the Charter of Rights?
23% of the population of Canada speak French as their first language, are you seriously suggesting that 23% of the population emigrate?[/QU
No never heard of that. translate please
There are a fair number of anti-monarchists throughout Canada.
If you still think as the UK as home then it doesn't sound as though you've made much attempt to assimilate.
I probably will never adapt.
Because of the 1% who don't? Which in fact is more than 1%? Heard of the Official Languages Act and the Charter of Rights?
23% of the population of Canada speak French as their first language, are you seriously suggesting that 23% of the population emigrate?[/QU
Jul 5th 2014, 2:23 am
#162
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
The reality is: wouldn't it be great if everyone spoke the same language, but they don't and they never will. I often feel the urgent need to throttle people who say: "anyways" so the best strategy is to just not get wound up about things you can't do anything about.
And frankly the world would be boring if everyone did speak the same language.
I think this attitude is some latent thing British people have, which is why they had an Empire, going around the world telling people how to live and think. Unfortunately it's also out-of-date and condescending. The reality is that Britain is a small island in the North Sea and the rest of the world no longer gives a crap what the British think. As was implied far more eloquently by many members of the First Nations recently when the Williams decision came down.
The only other people who have the same attitude I think are the Russians, look at Putin with his "let's rebuild the USSR" nonsense. You lost the Cold War, accept the reality of it. Britain is no longer an Empire, accept the reality of it.
Canadians on the other hand are fully aware that no-one gives a shit what they think, which is why they're so laid back, generally speaking, imo.
And frankly the world would be boring if everyone did speak the same language.
I think this attitude is some latent thing British people have, which is why they had an Empire, going around the world telling people how to live and think. Unfortunately it's also out-of-date and condescending. The reality is that Britain is a small island in the North Sea and the rest of the world no longer gives a crap what the British think. As was implied far more eloquently by many members of the First Nations recently when the Williams decision came down.
The only other people who have the same attitude I think are the Russians, look at Putin with his "let's rebuild the USSR" nonsense. You lost the Cold War, accept the reality of it. Britain is no longer an Empire, accept the reality of it.
Canadians on the other hand are fully aware that no-one gives a shit what they think, which is why they're so laid back, generally speaking, imo.
Jul 5th 2014, 2:44 am
#163
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
The reality is: wouldn't it be great if everyone spoke the same language, but they don't and they never will. I often feel the urgent need to throttle people who say: "anyways" so the best strategy is to just not get wound up about things you can't do anything about.
And frankly the world would be boring if everyone did speak the same language.
I think this attitude is some latent thing British people have, which is why they had an Empire, going around the world telling people how to live and think. Unfortunately it's also out-of-date and condescending. The reality is that Britain is a small island in the North Sea and the rest of the world no longer gives a crap what the British think. As was implied far more eloquently by many members of the First Nations recently when the Williams decision came down.
The only other people who have the same attitude I think are the Russians, look at Putin with his "let's rebuild the USSR" nonsense. You lost the Cold War, accept the reality of it. Britain is no longer an Empire, accept the reality of it.
Canadians on the other hand are fully aware that no-one gives a shit what they think, which is why they're so laid back, generally speaking, imo.
And frankly the world would be boring if everyone did speak the same language.
I think this attitude is some latent thing British people have, which is why they had an Empire, going around the world telling people how to live and think. Unfortunately it's also out-of-date and condescending. The reality is that Britain is a small island in the North Sea and the rest of the world no longer gives a crap what the British think. As was implied far more eloquently by many members of the First Nations recently when the Williams decision came down.
The only other people who have the same attitude I think are the Russians, look at Putin with his "let's rebuild the USSR" nonsense. You lost the Cold War, accept the reality of it. Britain is no longer an Empire, accept the reality of it.
Canadians on the other hand are fully aware that no-one gives a shit what they think, which is why they're so laid back, generally speaking, imo.
I suppose you are right then why are the French speakers trying to rule Canada when they lost the damn war? I mean, they don't even consider themselves to be Canadian albeit having been born here. I was born in Britain of an English Mother and a Father with Italian heritage so what does that make me (apart from a mongrel) I consider myself to be British and proud.
Jul 5th 2014, 2:56 am
#164
Grumpy Know-it-all
Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
Posts: 8,928
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Last I checked the PQ lost the last election in Québec and the BQ lost massively to the NDP in the last Federal election in Québec.
As with Mr Salmond in Scotland, beware of snake oil salesmen. When Mr Salmond finally retires, I expect the SNP to meet a similar fate.
In fairness, French speakers were discriminated against in Québec so it's hardly surprising they agitated for separation, among other things. But opportunists like the BQ took advantage.
I'm not particularly a fan of Québécois exclusivity (less politely known as a recipe for corruption), I think some of their provincial laws and their refusal to accept parts of the Charter is totally stupid, but they're here to stay, like it or not. There are a lot of francophones all over Canada, not just in Québec and that is Canada. Canada wouldn't be Canada if it didn't have French-speaking Catholics in it. They did help massively in defeating the Americans during the War of 1812, after all.
The one thing that does get me is that immigrants to Québec have to go into french language schools, even if they're from English-speaking countries. Now that is idiotic.
As with Mr Salmond in Scotland, beware of snake oil salesmen. When Mr Salmond finally retires, I expect the SNP to meet a similar fate.
In fairness, French speakers were discriminated against in Québec so it's hardly surprising they agitated for separation, among other things. But opportunists like the BQ took advantage.
I'm not particularly a fan of Québécois exclusivity (less politely known as a recipe for corruption), I think some of their provincial laws and their refusal to accept parts of the Charter is totally stupid, but they're here to stay, like it or not. There are a lot of francophones all over Canada, not just in Québec and that is Canada. Canada wouldn't be Canada if it didn't have French-speaking Catholics in it. They did help massively in defeating the Americans during the War of 1812, after all.
The one thing that does get me is that immigrants to Québec have to go into french language schools, even if they're from English-speaking countries. Now that is idiotic.
Jul 5th 2014, 3:25 am
#165
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 50
Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Last I checked the PQ lost the last election in Québec and the BQ lost massively to the NDP in the last Federal election in Québec.
As with Mr Salmond in Scotland, beware of snake oil salesmen. When Mr Salmond finally retires, I expect the SNP to meet a similar fate.
In fairness, French speakers were discriminated against in Québec so it's hardly surprising they agitated for separation, among other things. But opportunists like the BQ took advantage.
I'm not particularly a fan of Québécois exclusivity (less politely known as a recipe for corruption), I think some of their provincial laws and their refusal to accept parts of the Charter is totally stupid, but they're here to stay, like it or not. There are a lot of francophones all over Canada, not just in Québec and that is Canada. Canada wouldn't be Canada if it didn't have French-speaking Catholics in it. They did help massively in defeating the Americans during the War of 1812, after all.
The one thing that does get me is that immigrants to Québec have to go into french language schools, even if they're from English-speaking countries. Now that is idiotic.
As with Mr Salmond in Scotland, beware of snake oil salesmen. When Mr Salmond finally retires, I expect the SNP to meet a similar fate.
In fairness, French speakers were discriminated against in Québec so it's hardly surprising they agitated for separation, among other things. But opportunists like the BQ took advantage.
I'm not particularly a fan of Québécois exclusivity (less politely known as a recipe for corruption), I think some of their provincial laws and their refusal to accept parts of the Charter is totally stupid, but they're here to stay, like it or not. There are a lot of francophones all over Canada, not just in Québec and that is Canada. Canada wouldn't be Canada if it didn't have French-speaking Catholics in it. They did help massively in defeating the Americans during the War of 1812, after all.
The one thing that does get me is that immigrants to Québec have to go into french language schools, even if they're from English-speaking countries. Now that is idiotic.
