Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9394320)

I think criticizing Canadians for drunk, or stoned, driving, smacks of cultural imperialism. Yes, they routinely behave in a way that would be considered criminal in the UK and is technically illegal here, but it's their way of life. It's a way of life inevitable in a sparsely populated country where drink and drugs are the main forms of entertainment. This really is an instance where people who are not comfortable with the way things are done in Canada might want to look at moving elsewhere. France, for example.

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9394320)

I think criticizing Canadians for drunk, or stoned, driving, smacks of cultural imperialism. Yes, they routinely behave in a way that would be considered criminal in the UK and is technically illegal here, but it's their way of life. It's a way of life inevitable in a sparsely populated country where drink and drugs are the main forms of entertainment. This really is an instance where people who are not comfortable with the way things are done in Canada might want to look at moving elsewhere. France, for example.

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9394320)

I think criticizing Canadians for drunk, or stoned, driving, smacks of cultural imperialism. Yes, they routinely behave in a way that would be considered criminal in the UK and is technically illegal here, but it's their way of life. It's a way of life inevitable in a sparsely populated country where drink and drugs are the main forms of entertainment. This really is an instance where people who are not comfortable with the way things are done in Canada might want to look at moving elsewhere. France, for example.

Originally Posted by Jingsamichty (Post 9394345)

Don't try to justify it with wishy-washy feeble excuses about 'way of life'.

Originally Posted by Alan2005 (Post 9394370)

Cultural imperialism? The concept only exists because it allows certain types of people to feel no guilt about not objecting to barbaric practices in other countries that they would object to at home. Not that driving pissed is that anyway - it's not the same as stoning, or female circumcision. We aren't talking about a pint or two here; getting pissed up and killing somebody on your way home isn't a Canadian cultural prerogative - it's murder.

Originally Posted by Jingsamichty (Post 9394345)

The criticism in this thread - well, MY criticism anyway - comes not from judging the act itself, but rather the rose-tinted views of some emigrants that Canada is a crime-free utopia.

However, since you attempted to defend it, I think impaired driving is wrong, but if you want to do it, be proud of it and tell the truth and say it's because you don't give a f*** about anyone apart from yourself. Don't try to justify it with wishy-washy feeble excuses about 'way of life'.

Originally Posted by ann m (Post 9394393)

In the UK, drink-driving was a "way of life" in the 50's/60's/70's and even in the early 80"s I suspect. Then we grew up - mostly.

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9394445)

So, like the pace of life and the attitudes toward women, it's part of what people emigrate for; the feeling of going back thirty years.

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9394445)

it's part of what people emigrate for; the feeling of going back thirty years.

Originally Posted by Oink (Post 9392250)

I got mugged the other day as popped into a local hotel bar for pint and they charged me $10. Thieving bastards. :frown:

Originally Posted by dbd33 (Post 9396056)

This afternoon someone crashed into our car and drove off, despite there being a person and a dog in the car. Property damage was minimal, the car's a four year old VW and so has very little value, but this casual disregard for responsibility is, I feel, a harbinger of the dogs to which society is going.

I should qualify this by pointing out that the criminal in question was driving an aged minivan with more rust holes than I thought possible. I should have assessed the incoming minivan and known that the chances of said driver considering a glance into a mirror to be slim, and to have bailed out the dog while there was still chance.

The level of noise pollution on the streets of this town is becoming unacceptable, tricked up cars blast the rowdy music suddenly popular here. "My Sharona" and something I'm ashamed to know to be Garth Brooks performing "The Dance". For those of us raised on "Police and Thieves" and "Buffalo Stance" the lack of musicality, the banality of the lyrics and the inexplicable volume of these pieces makes the sound intolerable. I want to grab the cradles by their goatees and smash their tattooed faces into their radios. Peasants.

Originally Posted by ireland2canada (Post 9396149)

Just wait till the front yard deep fried turkey starts up next door, then you'll be in seventh heaven and you know it.

Bring on the hill billy-ness ;)