Well a simple google search for a place to vent my anger at Canada Post brought me here by chance and so I've decided to stay a while. I don't see much comment about Victoria, B.C., but let me say it is one of the best places - Conde Nast thought so anyway!

The beauty of Vancouver without the rain and the 1.5hr commutes.

This country was built by immigrants from the U.K. and personally, I'd like to see more of you over here.

Hmm. I thought it was Chinese slave labour.

Agree with you about the benefits of Victoria. That's where I'm headed, albeit I'm an African.

Well, since you seem to have a lot of time on your hands, (1000+ posts) why don't you pop down to the public library and pick up a few history books over the holidays and you'll learn that some thousands of labourers working on the CPR does not a nation build.

The Chinese were closer and probably cheaper than the Irish navvies who built the railways and canals in the UK, and that's why they were used. That, and it was easy for the railway contractors to deal with the Chinese labour brokers who maintained their own discipline in their own ways etc. Some of the brokers did become very rich in the process, and of course after the railway was finished, many of the workers themselves made the most of opportunities in "Gold Mountain".

You've reminded me again that a sarcastic, snearing, smart-aleck attitude seems to have become very common in the UK in the last few decades. Pity that. Best left 'at home'. We don't care for it here.

PS: Interesting how quickly assumptions are made these days. I'm married to a person of another race and I don't care what colour you are as long as you want to uphold Canadian values; I'd much rather have an "African" neighbor with those than a white one without. I hope you'll enjoy Victoria Judy. It's a great place.

Canadian Values, eh? What's that all aboot?

http://www.canadianvalues.ca/

seems to think it's all about being a fundamentalist christian.

in Royston Vasey.

Maybe it was maybe it wasn't, but from a personal point of view I don't like things like that being said. It gives the impression of "We built your country be thankful we're here" type attitude.

I don't have that attitude and I don't think i'd last too long here of I did have it.

Who said anything about race, gordonhead?

Okay, look, I was pulling your leg in my first post, and I started out by pulling your leg in this post too.

Joining a forum is a bit like being a substitute teacher. Some of the kids in the class take advantage of the fact that you're unfamiliar with the environment into which you have ventured.

As far as I'm concerned, the joke is over, and maybe we can have a coffee (or tea) in Victoria one of these days.

I know what Judy looks like now!!!!!!

Yes, I've done a little 'research' and can see the patterns now...

I'm not suggesting any TBI's (as they used to be called here: "The British Immigrant") adopt a superior tone. On the other hand historical facts are what they are: now largely forgotten. If you don't respect your own heritage, I can assure you no one else will.

I don't care much for pointless banter, but I'll stop by again some time; and Judy I'll probably see you around town one of these days!

Don't let anyone chase you away. For the people who are quick to jump and be sarcastic, there many others on this board who appreciate all viewpoints. I don't think there's anything wrong in appreciating British values - unfortunately, there's not many of those left in Britain or anywhere else!
There's also a small group on here who will jump on anything you say that they don't like and accuse you of being a racist and/or a bigot. They settle down after awhile.

I have to say that I disagree with you on this. There are very, very few facts in history, but many points of view. Often, the differing points of view are equally valid.

From an Asian perspective, the British rule in BC is somewhat less than glorious.

Thanks for that Startwin, I'm not easily chased away, fear not.

I would say there is something wrong in NOT appreciating British values - and by that I mean the good ones. As for how much is left in the UK, I don't forget that thanks to two world wars, Britain is probably short of 10-15 million of her best, whose forefathers would have made things very different had they lived and had descendants.

It's funny how those old values hang on in places where they were left long ago, places which perhaps have a better sense of the worth of things. Those who sneer at them are simply fools in my view, or feel driven to try to denigrate what they cannot be.

As for the history of race relations in BC, I'd suggest having a look at how such things are and were handled in other parts of the world, say Japan and China for example. It gives a healthy perspective.

History is nothing but facts, the difficulty lies in discovering the truth of them and sifting that from the deliberate lies and simple errors. Of course relativism moral and historical is much more popular these days. It's so much easier than having to actually study, think and make up one's mind, and think again when one learns more...

Who could possibly argue with this? Not me, for sure.

Well, quite.

The battle of Hastings was in 1066. This is a fact. Whether it was an act of unprovoked aggression, or justifiable action to enforce a previous oath, or something in between, is a matter of opinion. I now think that what I was taught in school may not be absolutely correct. It was not intended to deceive, but it put forward an English point of view because it was written by the English for the English.

I have studied more over the years and have learned that the Normans had an equally valid, if different, take on things. I don't know which is right for sure, but I do know I don't know everything. Therefore, the best I can say is that my current opinion, based on everything I have learned so far, is that Harry was not as honest as he was portrayed and that William might have had a point.

All history (other than the dates of battles etc) is relative to the cultural starting point of the observer, and the amount of study, thought, independence and flexibility they bring to their observations. If not, our view of events will have to be frozen in time. Who decides what that is, and once someone has decided it, what is the point of further study, thought etc?

It is certainly helpful to think of a person's situation in order to understand their actions. Maybe in the 10th century it was considered quite OK to go back on their word in the interests of holding onto power. Even if it was, do we say that it is OK for politicians to lie to hang onto power these days. I hope not. Of course it is all relative.

It is a shame you seem to think this is the lazy option. Quite the opposite IMO.

Despite your earlier comments, you now seem to be saying that we should apply moral relativism in our approach to race relations: it is OK for me to do something bad because someone else has done something worse?

Do you really believe this? I think if you asked a number of Britons to describe their nations best characteristics a sense of fair play would be pretty high on the list. A sense of fair play means playing by the rules, walking when you nick a catch to first slip even if the umpire didn't see it, doing the right things simply because they are the right things to do.

Your assertion that it is OK to tolerate bigotry just because others are bigoted saddens me, especially as you start by saying you appreciate the GOOD British values

I grew up in Vancouver. Live in Victoria.

Victoria is Vancouver circa 1970. LOVE this city- it has the perfect balance of nature and culture and the weather is the best in all of Canada.

The only downside is that housing costs are crazy expensive! (but still nothing like Vancouver ).

I can last about 6 hours in Vancouver. The traffic drives me insane. Over here we just have to put up with old people who shouldn't be on the road..but that's for another day.