Go Back  British Expats > Living & Moving Abroad > Canada > The Maple Leaf
Reload this Page >

When I first moved to Canada ...

When I first moved to Canada ...

Thread Tools
 
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:34 am
  #1  
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Thread Starter
 
ann m's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Location: Cochrane, Alberta
Posts: 7,861
ann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond reputeann m has a reputation beyond repute
Default When I first moved to Canada ...

... I thought it was dead lazy, and frankly, a bit weird to sell grated cheddar cheese in a bag. Now I think "How bloody useful is that"?

... I used to despair at the outside-lane-hogging, undertaking, and lack of foresight when there was a lorry or a junction up ahead. Now I think undertaking is a fantastic use of my time and skills to get where I want to go. Oh, and they're called trucks, not lorries.

... I laughed at drive-thru cash machines. Bloody marvellous invention though, for lazy buggers who cannot possibly walk 15 paces into the bank when it's a tad chilly outside.

... I could not believe just how many minutes of an hour of television are dedicated to commercials. Repeat commercials at that. No change there then.

... I hated all the dark brown furniture. Oh god, give me some nice modern light oak.
Dear God, I'm contemplating a dark wood dining table. Please forgive me.

... I couldn't understand why we couldn't find a nice little 1.2 litre runaround car. I still don't. Understand I mean.
Mind you, there was nothing wrong with our 3.8 litre sofa-on-wheels Caravan. Most comfortable, lolloping thing ever, fab for kids and holidays. Environment and costs? Pah! I've now downsized to a 2.7 litre. Europeans, eh?

... I was very wary of forced-air heating. It's fast. It's OK. And I haven't expired of a breathing disease after all.

... I did nearly expire, however, at the price of a loaf. I'm still in shock.

... I loved the sky and the vast spaces. I love it even more now.

... I said I'm not gonna wear that.
Now - the warmer, the better - fashion be-damned.
Balacalvas? Not just for robbing banks apparently.

Your turn. And yes, it's a nearly-Friday thread
ann m is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:43 am
  #2  
BE Forum Addict
 
rwin's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Calgary
Posts: 1,898
rwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond reputerwin has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

...the doctor slapped me and I cried.
rwin is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 1:58 pm
  #3  
Forum Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2011
Location: Uk
Posts: 259
RKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant futureRKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant futureRKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant futureRKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant futureRKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant futureRKS_in_Calgary has a brilliant future
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I nearly died when our friends told us their 1 year old son loved his suspenders! - now I find myself talking toques, suspenders, elevators, vacations etc with the best of them!
RKS_in_Calgary is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:11 pm
  #4  
Moderαtor Emeritus
 
iaink's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
iaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

How the natives sniggered when I referred to the "jumper" I was wearing.


And the blank looks when asking for a "Biro"


I remember when -15 was unimaginably cold, now its just a nice day to go skiing.
iaink is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:11 pm
  #5  
Oscar nominated
 
BristolUK's Avatar
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Location: Moncton, NB, CANADA
Posts: 50,862
BristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond reputeBristolUK has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I argued for a better way of doing things. Now I just tend to accept it's not going to change and live with the inefficiencies and incompetence.
BristolUK is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:15 pm
  #6  
BE Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 487
mardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond reputemardyarse has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I thought the snow went away after a couple of days, and would come back again, didn't realise once it lands in December (roughly) it stays till end of March (roughly)!

Thought you could hire skates at the local ice rinks, didn't realise everyone owned a pair! Oh and you don't sharpen them once a year!

Didn't realise when you leave a bottle of red wine in the car overnight and its parked outside in the winter, it will freeze and explode! Soon found out though.

I also didn't realise that when the snowploughs aren't out in the winter due to conditions you're not supposed to be either. However in my defence there was a sale going on!

Great Friday thread, cheers
mardyarse is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:41 pm
  #7  
BE Forum Addict
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,710
gryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond reputegryphea has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I remember my first Haloween. looking up into the sky in the morning and innocently not realising it would soon pour with candy
gryphea is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:41 pm
  #8  
Happy
 
Howefamily's Avatar
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Nova Scotia
Posts: 2,942
Howefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond reputeHowefamily has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I was shocked at the cost of food - I still am
Howefamily is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 2:44 pm
  #9  
Slightly Canadian
 
Atlantic Xpat's Avatar
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Location: St. John's, Newfoundland
Posts: 10,129
Atlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond reputeAtlantic Xpat has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

....I had never worn a woolly hat as a matter of course during the winter. Now I do, and I refer to it as a toque. (eh).

....I thought that $700 a month for a repayment on a Jeep Liberty was a good deal. That notion soon disappeared.

....I had conversations every week with my parents where they asked when I was moving back home. Now they seem to have finally accepted this is where I live.

....I thought I'd never eat crappy North American choclate, then I realised that any chocolate is better than no chocolate.

....I hadn't discovered British Expats. Then I did. And my productivity at work declined exponentially.
Atlantic Xpat is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:11 pm
  #10  
Lowering the tone
 
Jingsamichty's Avatar
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Here and there
Posts: 7,351
Jingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond reputeJingsamichty has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

I remember being upset at the realisation that yes, that is what they call beer.
Jingsamichty is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:14 pm
  #11  
Nuther day in paradise.ca
 
magnumpi's Avatar
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Location: Ajax, Ontario
Posts: 7,263
magnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond reputemagnumpi has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

Gas was 95c ltr
magnumpi is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:14 pm
  #12  
Banned
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Location: Durham Region Extension
Posts: 3,342
ultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond reputeultrarunner has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

Originally Posted by iaink
How the natives sniggered when I referred to the "jumper" I was wearing.


And the blank looks when asking for a "Biro"


I remember when -15 was unimaginably cold, now its just a nice day to go skiing.

-25 is still considered a good day for a run in my circle.

What will be the reaction asking for an ERASER?

Trousers still makes people snicker. Calling it PANTS is just bang out of order or pants. LOL

Last edited by ultrarunner; Oct 7th 2011 at 3:17 pm.
ultrarunner is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:26 pm
  #13  
Moderαtor Emeritus
 
iaink's Avatar
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Location: Upstate South Carolina
Posts: 30,768
iaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond reputeiaink has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

Originally Posted by magnumpi
Gas was 95c ltr
In '98 Gas was 35c/l. I thought something was wrong with my Rental Corolla as I could only get $12 into the tank....
iaink is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:27 pm
  #14  
 
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 12,830
Aviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond reputeAviator has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

Originally Posted by iaink
In '98 Gas was 35c/l. I thought something was wrong with my Rental Corolla as I could only get $12 into the tank....
29c out west in '96
Aviator is offline  
Old Oct 7th 2011, 3:28 pm
  #15  
Dive Bar Drunk
 
JamesM's Avatar
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Location: Toronto
Posts: 8,649
JamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond reputeJamesM has a reputation beyond repute
Default Re: When I first moved to Canada ...

Originally Posted by ultrarunner
-25 is still considered a good day for a run in my circle.

What will be the reaction asking for an ERASER?

Trousers still makes people snicker. Calling it PANTS is just bang out of order or pants. LOL
What does one wear when they run in -25?

Only reason I ask was when I tried I had to turn around after 10 minutes because I was loosing feeling around the pelvis area and was genuinely worried about frost bight.

On raising this question with cradles they simply responded I was mad to consider running outside in such conditions.

I have always preferred running in colder weather.
JamesM is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.