neilcumming

Aye,you are right they are in some kind of auto pilot probably learned in training and if you say anything outwith "Timmies Talk" it completely throws them.Starbucks I havnt had many problems probably because it is more laidback than Tims ,less busy ,people with latops and latte.

scrubbedexpat133

I think that you are right with the auto pilot but I would also throw in familiarity with certain phrases and words.

When I deliver to certain Petrol stations we are supposed to let the staff know that we are here ( as if I can sneak in!) and they are supposed to come out and watch the tank dip. Unless they are the only person there in which case they cant leave the shop.

I had to change the way in which I asked them.

Yon Yown?

Are ya on yerown?

ARE YOU ON YOUR OWN?

FFS ARRREEEE YYOOUUUUU BYY YOUUURR SEEEELLLFFF? Yuh why?

Tumbling_Dice

That's funny... Do you now lead with the last one, complete with hystrionics?

MillieF

I needed a French speaking Physics tutor, and did eventually track one down. The neighbours of course wanted to know, who he was, his entire life history...etc. this is NB and not much happens....so I told them he was an engineer from Bathurst. Quite a while later they asked me if everyone from Ireland (they had several tries at the word) speaks French? They thought I'd been talking about Belfast! I can't say 'Bath', evidently. I'd even been waiving my hands and saying 'Northern Coast' and they still had no clue...it chips away at the self confidence though!

I won't go to Subway or Pitta Pit, it's just too bloody stressful, I went in there with a NZ friend and we about brought the place to a standstill. Somedays I can see an amusing side, but others it's just, tiring and stupid...they need newcomers in Atlantic Canada, but if every one of us is going to have to explain our life story in order to get a wholewheat roll they will ultimately give up.

I have lived successfully in a number of societies where I have been happy and accepted...I tend to feel that my sense of isolation here is a 'their' problem, not a 'my' problem now, and perhaps they should address their small minded insularity at some point.

When I get bored I go and talk to myself in the Mirrow.

BristolUK

There's a mischievous part of me that wants to express surprise they know where Belfast is.

Partially discharged

My father in law is from NB. He is 85 and I think he left NB when he was about 23/24 to head to QC and then Ontario. It is still 'home' to him and he has tried to convince all 3 children and his 6 grandchildren to go to UNB like he did. His youngest daughter went for 1 year from Ontario in the late 80's and lasted a year before she quit and went to university in Ontario. She found NB to be too parochial and isolated for her. I've visited a number of times with my wife and her family and it is pleasant in small doses but I don't think I'd want to live there.

MillieF

Never have so few words summed up my situation to a 'T'. There are some really super people here who feel empassioned about this place growing and I feel that one needs to be optimistic, but that's as a middle aged, middle class Brit, how in hell these blinkered and backward attitudes would make a Korean or anybody of colour feel, I shudder to think...and yes there are places that are completely colour blind and welcoming to every difference in Canada - but not here in NB.

BristolUK

Fredericton welcomed the most Syrian newcomers per capita of any Canadian city, and New Brunswick welcomed the most Syrians of any other province

https://www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca/P...lFestival.aspx

MillieF

http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4516303

I hope this link works. I'm always a little unsure.

We have welcomed more newcomers than many other Provinces. The problem is how we ultimately treat them once we've got them here. We can't keep them because we make them feel less than welcome.

MillieF

http://www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4516303

I hope this link works. I'm always a little unsure.

We have welcomed more newcomers than many other Provinces. The problem is how we ultimately treat them once we've got them here. We can't keep them because we make them feel less than welcome.

BristolUK

Well that's disappointing to read. Without trying to understate matters or resort to whataboutery, it's a regular topic on BE. Outside of places like Toronto and Montreal is it any worse than in other parts? Calgary...Oakville...Peterborough...Hamilton...

Edited to add

A quick google on racism schools ontario suggests the same thing in schools and Universities there.

Perhaps this is one of those complaints that blights everywhere?

MillieF

Regrettably yes I fear...so back on topic...I will resort to my 'mirrow' for a response! Why would the word mirror be such a challenge? The Mall remains a constant irritant..for me...I just can't make the right sound... I live opposite Edinburugh Street...now that gives them lots of challenges...as does Connaught Street, where our nearest primary school is...knickers in a twist over how to say it is a daily debate...

BristolUK

We have one of those. It seems to be Kunnaht.

I wonder how that's Taht in schools

MillieF

That's what I go for...but it grates!

Tumbling_Dice

God's own city!!!!