I am not, nor have I ever impersonated, Laura Bush.

I was in San Francisco when Di died. Oh, my dears, the agony, the anguish, the tears. Streets piled high with flowers. It was like Evita all over again.

You're not her by any chance, are you?

Tears dripping onto the prada shoes, all tantrums and tiaras ? At least they would be well dressed mourners.

Rich.

I have pulled many creatures but not pork.

Although your colleague sounds a bit of a dork, I wouldn't have considered his questioning intrusive. It's how Canadians (and North Americans) can be - just to the point, direct. When I lived in England I often had people tell me that they either liked or disliked North Americans (or me personally! ) for their (my) directness.

It sounded to me like you were getting a gentle ribbing (piss take) -- maybe he's got a crush?

'Merkans yes, but I disagree re Canadians. Regrading the workplace, I find the more confident they are of themselves,and/or being more travelled and more mature in personality, yes they can be quite direct but moreso in an open manner. i.e. they're not afraid of asking/talking/opening up.

Some, I would suggest the insular, less confident, negative, suspicious, inferiority-complex riddled species, come over all sly and will happily scuttle around like crabs running sideways. They'll never go head to head on a deal and will evade a confrontation or disagreement or even a discussion at all costs, in favour of sideways conversations, rumour, tittle tattle, gossip and disinformation. Avoid these types, at all costs, for there be vile beasties and depths of misery and disenchantment.

Rich.

Why the insult to the asker? He is an idiot because he thought you left some place that he feels is better than his country in terms of culture, etc.? Can't see where that makes him or her an idiot but perhaps the person that feels they are one is.

It's the old idiom of someone thinking that in an island populated by 60million peeps one would personally know the royals. It does make the questioner sound like an uber:dick.

Rich.

They don't think that, they think we all love our Queen and follow her every movement; the way they do with those ice hockey chappies or Anna Nicole Smith.

ANYONE who judges what a country is like to live in based on what they saw on TV is an idiot.

Ah that's why I confuse peeps over here. They think I would worship the very ground she walks upon. My disinterest confused them, after all the link with the Brit-royalty is like how they is different from 'Merka, innit. zzzzz.

Rich.

But it's not different from America, there is considerable interest in the royal family in America; hence Helen Mirren's oscar nomination. It's only Brits who lack interest, something that confuses Americas and Canadians alike.

'Scuse me!!!!!!

I'll have you know that I'm related to the bloke what married the daughter of King Edward VII.

Canadians think that having the Brit/Royale Family link gives them cultural bonus points over the 'Merkans. The 'Merkans, thought they loathe to admit it publicly, are jealous of Canada's Brit/Royale Family heritage, but would never admit it. I don't understand it, don't take any interest in it, but it is there.

Rich.

George the Fornicator ?
Randolph the Well Endowed of Kings Lynn ?
Herbert the Blashpemer Son of Alfred the Goatherder of Kendal ?

Whassallthisroyalnonsenseanyhoo.

Rich.