Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 2nd 2014, 1:44 am
#76
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
The difference that is most obvious is that British people talk funny. I've just had Eastenders on and it's hard to understand parts. Some Newfoundlanders are just as bad, of course and I've heard Americans say that Canadians say 'oot' instead of out. I've never noticed that (we don't do it in Sask), so could that be an Ontario thing? Anyone? Over the last 20 years or so various corporations moved their call centres to Regina because we have a neutral accent that's easy for most English speakers to understand. At least half of those packed up due to the economy though.
Jul 2nd 2014, 2:39 am
#77
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
When old Scotty from Clydeside was still living we'd talk in the bar and after he'd had a few he might as well of been speaking Greek! He was patient enough to repeat what he was saying over and over, and until he died was terrified he"d lose his pension for selling army fuel to Irish civilians during his national service.
Jul 2nd 2014, 6:47 pm
#78
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Joined: Jul 2010
Location: Calgary, Alberta
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Plus you were wrong, as pointed out in the price comparison thread. Only a handful of things are cheaper and only a tiny number of things are significantly cheaper. Mainly bread.
Jul 2nd 2014, 10:37 pm
#79
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
I have found a lot of things cheaper in the UK than Canada. Particularly where we were on the prairies. It might just be my affinity with Lidl and Aldi
Jul 3rd 2014, 12:50 am
#80
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 3rd 2014, 5:49 am
#81
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
British people include English, Scottish (for now), Irish, and Welsh, all of whom tend to have different national characteristics such as assuming that everybody can/should speak English, waving claymores and hoarding bawbees, drinking Guinness, and singing in choirs while digging up coal in green valleys. By the same token, it's impossible to say that Canadians are a homogeneous amalgam of all of the above plus just about every other nationality in the world. However, there are some kinds of behaviour that seem to be fairly prevalent in Canada such as failing to complain when this action is clearly justified, e.g. when service is sloppy, food is poor, or even when there's an automatic 30% tip added to the bill. Yes,while returning inedible food to the service counter, I have observed Canadians stoically chewing away at burnt chips, lukewarm fish, and buns better used as hockey pucks. Canadians also fail to back up a Brit when she/he does complain about things such as people talking on cell phones in theatres, vandalizing public property or stealing from stores. The general attitude seems to be "that's life, just put up with it". Underplaying everything is also commonplace - the pervasive "little bit" applies to anything, e.g. your car repair is a "little bit more" than you expected (like $800 instead of the $250 estimated but as a true Canadian you meekly pay up) or you tell your doctor you feel a "little better" when in fact not only are your arthritic knees completely seized up but the medication he prescribed has caused hair to sprout all over your back and your eyeballs to turn khaki.
On a positive note, however, when anyone does stand up for his/her rights, the shock is such the recipients of the compliant scramble madly to appease (except the BC government vs teachers). One does not, of course, do this in order to get free meals, gift certificates, and profuse apologies but simply because it is the right, albeit non-Canadian, thing to do.
On a positive note, however, when anyone does stand up for his/her rights, the shock is such the recipients of the compliant scramble madly to appease (except the BC government vs teachers). One does not, of course, do this in order to get free meals, gift certificates, and profuse apologies but simply because it is the right, albeit non-Canadian, thing to do.
Jul 3rd 2014, 6:09 am
#82
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 3rd 2014, 8:54 am
#84
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Joined: Nov 2012
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
British people include English, Scottish (for now), Irish, and Welsh, all of whom tend to have different national characteristics such as assuming that everybody can/should speak English, waving claymores and hoarding bawbees, drinking Guinness, and singing in choirs while digging up coal in green valleys. By the same token, it's impossible to say that Canadians are a homogeneous amalgam of all of the above plus just about every other nationality in the world. However, there are some kinds of behaviour that seem to be fairly prevalent in Canada such as failing to complain when this action is clearly justified, e.g. when service is sloppy, food is poor, or even when there's an automatic 30% tip added to the bill. Yes,while returning inedible food to the service counter, I have observed Canadians stoically chewing away at burnt chips, lukewarm fish, and buns better used as hockey pucks. Canadians also fail to back up a Brit when she/he does complain about things such as people talking on cell phones in theatres, vandalizing public property or stealing from stores. The general attitude seems to be "that's life, just put up with it". Underplaying everything is also commonplace - the pervasive "little bit" applies to anything, e.g. your car repair is a "little bit more" than you expected (like $800 instead of the $250 estimated but as a true Canadian you meekly pay up) or you tell your doctor you feel a "little better" when in fact not only are your arthritic knees completely seized up but the medication he prescribed has caused hair to sprout all over your back and your eyeballs to turn khaki.
On a positive note, however, when anyone does stand up for his/her rights, the shock is such the recipients of the compliant scramble madly to appease (except the BC government vs teachers). One does not, of course, do this in order to get free meals, gift certificates, and profuse apologies but simply because it is the right, albeit non-Canadian, thing to do.
On a positive note, however, when anyone does stand up for his/her rights, the shock is such the recipients of the compliant scramble madly to appease (except the BC government vs teachers). One does not, of course, do this in order to get free meals, gift certificates, and profuse apologies but simply because it is the right, albeit non-Canadian, thing to do.
Jul 3rd 2014, 1:27 pm
#85
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
An odd perception. I have found Canadians far more ready to complain and assert their opinions on food or service than people in Britain. Tips, yes, different cultural norms as we all know. "Little bit/better"...not sure. Maybe the entire paragraph is some attempt at humour, if it is, you might get a laugh out of some Canadians.
It took me years to lose my Brit reticence and learn to complain like a North American when I get bad service/food.
Jul 3rd 2014, 5:50 pm
#86
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Joined: Dec 2008
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
The difference that is most obvious is that British people talk funny. I've just had Eastenders on and it's hard to understand parts. Some Newfoundlanders are just as bad, of course and I've heard Americans say that Canadians say 'oot' instead of out. I've never noticed that (we don't do it in Sask), so could that be an Ontario thing? Anyone? Over the last 20 years or so various corporations moved their call centres to Regina because we have a neutral accent that's easy for most English speakers to understand. At least half of those packed up due to the economy though.
Maybe your ear has become attuned to it so much you don't really notice?
I know after 7 + years in Australia I didn't notice their accent at all anymore (although funnily enough the New Zealand Accent is to the Aussies the equivalent of the American vs Canadian with the distended vowels so I totally noticed that). After a year over here I hear an Aussie now and can't believe how strong and grating it is.
As for the British talking funny - well that depends on what area you are talking about, us scots spik proper ken?
Jul 3rd 2014, 6:04 pm
#87
Yo
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: UK
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
I have most definitely noticed the difference in the vowels over here - one of the easiest ways to discriminate between an American accent and a Canadian one IMO. And I have heard people form SK doing it too.
Maybe your ear has become attuned to it so much you don't really notice?
I know after 7 + years in Australia I didn't notice their accent at all anymore (although funnily enough the New Zealand Accent is to the Aussies the equivalent of the American vs Canadian with the distended vowels so I totally noticed that). After a year over here I hear an Aussie now and can't believe how strong and grating it is.
As for the British talking funny - well that depends on what area you are talking about, us scots spik proper ken?
Maybe your ear has become attuned to it so much you don't really notice?
I know after 7 + years in Australia I didn't notice their accent at all anymore (although funnily enough the New Zealand Accent is to the Aussies the equivalent of the American vs Canadian with the distended vowels so I totally noticed that). After a year over here I hear an Aussie now and can't believe how strong and grating it is.
As for the British talking funny - well that depends on what area you are talking about, us scots spik proper ken?
Jul 3rd 2014, 6:32 pm
#89
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Jul 3rd 2014, 6:39 pm
#90
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Re: Differences between Canadian and British people
Wonder if it is possibly a bit of the Scottish ancestry hanging around. Certainly the phrase Oot and aboot is the same in northern Scotland as I have heard it here.