Shard

My point was that Canada (and certainly America) probably harbour the same views as the Australians, that Britain for all its old world glory is a has been, and that the new world is better, but that Canadians are not so overt in displaying this view. Politeness? Yes, maybe.

As for the US protecting Canada...from whom? The Soviet Union in 1960s? Possibly, but there hasn't been much need for military protection for the last three decades.

Bevm

Not sure about the Canadian view of Britain, but my comments about the American attitude were tongue in cheek. Americans -- generalizing -- do think they suffer the burden of keeping the whole world safe.

Bev

kampaicharger

Funny ya should mention that!!

So's me mum.

And she loves it when I call er a Pom, course I try and call her a Pom when I'm hiding behind something (she might be 80 but she's still got a mean left hook).

And she married a bloke from Lancashire, so I guess that makes her a social climber.

Paws3

Man oh man, I just have to jump in re Canadians. I have been here (ie Canada) for 15 years and will be returning home in 3 weeks (woohoo). I work with the public and I am constantly surprised how rude a lot of them are, not just to me (a Brit) but also to my staff who are Canadian. Just as an example I have been trying my best to help a 60 something year old lady who comes to see me but will not accept any of my advise and clearly thinks I talk rubbish and that she knows best (so much for my >12 yeras training...) I saw her yesterday and after trying yet again to try something that I am sure will help her I finally said I was leaving.. her only comment 'Well thank GOD for that' before she stomped off. Unfortunately there were too many like her and I am leaving.

curleytops

My last job in Canada involved working with the public and I have to say I don't miss it one little bit! I'm guessing you'll be heading home just in time for Christmas? Enjoy your homecoming and all the best

chris955

Isnt it interesting though how often you hear someone say how rude and unfriendly Brits can be but we have found the exact opposite.

Paws3

Yes, we will be home mid December. I am counting down the days....
I should say not all Canadians are bad; I married one of them! (but he was in the UK at the time).

jemima55

Paws3, there's some funny people around!
Good luck with your return to Blighty. I came back in the summer after 5 years in the States, and enjoy every minute of being back! I still can't get over the novelty! Oh, and buy loose waistbands, the food is good here!

MissBetty

My sister is over from the UK visiting atm, we both grew up here and she has always liked Australia. The other day she remarked that, even though she is having a good time with me, she is sick to the back teeth of people's rudeness here.

I have since started to step back a bit and observe how she is being treated in shops etc and its been enlightening. She's polite, smiles, says please and thanks but people are generally being quite hostile/rude towards her. I've always had a slight Aussie accent (which has grown stronger since I've been back here) and it takes a while for people to notice I'm actually a Pom, she sounds very English. At one place I ordered some food at the counter then stepped to the side to pick up a magazine to browse through. She ordered her food, went to our table, the guy rolled his eyes at her as she walked away, looked at me and said to me "bloody Poms eh?" I gave him what for and told him to shove it (didn't feel like being polite!!!) and we went somewhere else!

Now I am not saying all Aussies are rude and all Brits are polite but its really opened my eyes these past few weeks. Yesterday we sat on the beach late afternoon drinking a coffee and chatting. She said to me, "You know it really is stunning here and the weather is great but I so understand now why you want to come home. For what its worth I think you are doing the right thing, its nice to come here for a holiday but I wouldn't want to live here. Its better to be where you feel like you belong". Couldn't agree more!

Glad things are working out for you and your family back home Chris, I really enjoy your updates and your positive attitude to life!

chris955

The 'problem' with Australia is a massive feeling of insecurity that exists in the country, a big chip on both shoulders if you like. It is quite hard for me to think that way because for many years I couldnt imagine living anywhere other than Australia, it was my home. When i lived here years ago with my family I looked at qualifications that would enable me to get 'home'.
Having grown up I see both countries in a very different light, the insecurity of Australia as a country grates with me, I actually love the way Brits generally dont care what others think of their country. Thats not to say an outsider can say anything they like but they arent precious about it.
Thanks Betty, not everyone appreciates my positivity I can tell you but most seem to which is good enough for me.

MissBetty

I do SO understand where you are coming from!!! When my parents moved back to the UK I was beside myself and just wanted to get back to Australia asap but I see things very differently now. I just still find it incredible as a paramedic with 16 years experience (who worked on HEMS!) that I get regularly told by snot nosed 22 year old Aussie uni grad paramedics "Oh all Pommy medics are shit, I'm going to apply to work as a paramedic in the UK, it will be easy!" Never fails to make me smirk when they apply for registration with the UK HPC, are turned down and are told "Sorry, you are NOT qualified to the standard of a British paramedic"

Well my sister and I packed up the majority of my stuff today and cleaned the house, she leaves on Sat - - Removal guys come Monday and I move into work accommodation next week. Only 6 months to go and I'll be home, my one way ticket is booked and I'm feeling more positive than I have done in a very long time

curleytops

Don't worry Betty, the time will go over before you know it. Just concentrate on racking up the overtime like you planned....you can never have too much $$$ set aside for a move like this.

Bevm

Certainly not all. Our sons are Canadians.

I don't remember Canadians as being rude, but then I never worked in serving people there. I have found Air Canada staff as grumpy as everyone says they are. But the long-gone alternatives like Ward Air and Canadian were much better, and staffed by Canadians.

Perhaps it's the climate!

Bev

dunroving

I would imagine working in customer service would expose you to the rudest people wherever you live - no?

Shard

Good anecdote.