Uniquely Canadian

[heavensworthit]

What is one thing that is uniquely Canadian to you?

 

[simplicity]

I still find this a hard question. Lots of countries share certain aspects of our unique culture. Not too long ago I would have given a list of things in terms of personality that seemed uniquely Canadian.

A few months ago I was hit by a lady in a minivan. Based on my experience I'm not prepared to say "Canadians are generally compassionate and honest" - blah, blah, blah. I remember a little girl clinging to a lamppost on a bridge after she tried to commit suicide. It just sort of stuck out in my mind how nobody bothered to call the police. So I'm not even going say "Canadians are generally loving and warm people". And given the conflicts on the issue of same sex marriage, I'm not going to say "Canadians believe in equality and diversity". And given all the pollution in Toronto and how impossible it was for me to work in the environmental field after graduating, I'm not going to say "Canadians love their environment".

But Canadians do love their beer. Unfortunately, lots of nationalities love their beer, too. Well, we have really nice legal tender. I love loonies and toonies. When Trudeau was around we had a lot of national vision and conviction on the world stage. And of course we have our share of good people although again this is not strictly Canadian.

I do notice I love small town Canadians whether they come from Cape Breton or up north. I've always found it interesting how certain people so far apart can share so much in common and be immediately drawn to each other. Perhaps this is uniquely Canadian.

 

[McDLT]

What I love about Canada is the diversity.

No matter where you go you will meet a wide range of people. People of different colours, races, nationalities. You can meet and talk with people of many cultures and backgrounds wherever you go. From English, Irish, Scotish, First Nations, Inuit, to Indian, Jamacian, European, African. And for the most part (there are good and bad everywhere), they are friendly, welcoming, and generous.

It's not just the differences in people either, but of the scenery. You can go in all directions and find different scenery. You've trees, oceans, lakes, glaciers, islands, mountains, everything.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.

 

[McDLT]

I still find this a hard question. Lots of countries share certain aspects of our unique culture. Not too long ago I would have given a list of things in terms of personality that seemed uniquely Canadian.

A few months ago I was hit by a lady in a minivan. Based on my experience I'm not prepared to say "Canadians are generally compassionate and honest" - blah, blah, blah. I remember a little girl clinging to a lamppost on a bridge after she tried to commit suicide. It just sort of stuck out in my mind how nobody bothered to call the police. So I'm not even going say "Canadians are generally loving and warm people". And given the conflicts on the issue of same sex marriage, I'm not going to say "Canadians believe in equality and diversity". And given all the pollution in Toronto and how impossible it was for me to work in the environmental field after graduating, I'm not going to say "Canadians love their environment".

But Canadians do love their beer. Unfortunately, lots of nationalities love their beer, too. Well, we have really nice legal tender. I love loonies and toonies. When Trudeau was around we had a lot of national vision and conviction on the world stage. And of course we have our share of good people although again this is not strictly Canadian.

I do notice I love small town Canadians whether they come from Cape Breton or up north. I've always found it interesting how certain people so far apart can share so much in common and be immediately drawn to each other. Perhaps this is uniquely Canadian.

Were you compassionate and honest with the lady in the mini-van? Or did your defenses go up when she started?

Did you call police with the girl on the bridge?

Did you know that the majority of the pollution in Toronto comes from the US?

Just a few thoughts, not meaning to offend, just thinking out loud.

 

[elizabethevangeline]

Nanaimo Bars! Yum!

 

[simplicity]

God has given me many opportunities to do the right thing including contacting the police for the young lady. That's what a good person does. That's why I'm disappointed with those members of the community who did not.

In terms of me being polite to a lady who struck me while I was walking across an intersection, she was actually upset with me for delaying her trip. And on a few occasions she actually seemed kind of angry. I want you to understand that nobody has an excuse to run over another person. There is no justification. I think she felt because I was a visible minority I probably couldn't talk English or would be unable to explain the situation to somebody else. I actually let her walk all over me. I was just hoping and praying she would do the right thing.

She was just the tip of the iceberg in terms of the people I met - other Canadians - who were all out to exploit the situation for their benefit. I'm very thankful God has given me this perspective on others in the community I would not have otherwise had. Because really I have been living an illusion. I thought people were motivated by the opportunity to do good things. I was incorrect.

You'd be surprised how little people care about changing things. I try very hard to make a difference. This is what a good person does. And if you got to know what I do on my free time you would be mystified by how hard I work to try to help others. But people don't care. We had a premier recently who cut funding to the Ministry of the Environment by half. Then there was the toxic water problem at Walkerton that killed people. I honestly wish people did care.

In terms of pollution, you have to visit the US more often to see that it's actually less polluted there than in Canada in many cities. This also happens to be true per capita. Canada has a larger environmental footprint than the US. I know in Atlanta they have buses powered by Natural Gas. It was a total shock to my system when I came back to Toronto even after a short trip. Don't believe the propaganda the government feeds you. They would do anything to look better - even make things up.

 

[Jonathan David]

Paul Gross made a movie about curling.... I feel relatively comfortable saying that curling movies are unique to Canada... though I could be wrong

 

[traingosorry]

Paul Gross made a movie about curling.... I feel relatively comfortable saying that curling movies are unique to Canada... though I could be wrong

Yea, because we know that curling is a Scottish sport, however I doubt they've made a movie about!! What was that one called again?

And then we have the movie 'Canadian Bacon' which was not actually about Canadian Bacon at all, but it featured the uniquely Canadian John Candy.

 

[simplicity]

Curling is a terrific sport. I think it's one I can actually do without hurting myself. I particularly like all the grunting and sweeping.

 

[Illuminatus]

Mike, from Canmore.

 

[BOJAX]

4 words...

ROYAL
CANADIAN
AIR
FARCE
!!!

 

[BOJAX]

p.s. I think toronto's environment is pretty good. We have our share of nice parks and greenery.

Hamilton on the other hand...
There's a smog I can do without

 

[heavensworthit]

Mike, from Canmore.

LOL He's great!

 

[traingosorry]

Mike, from Canmore.

yeah I second that! That guy's unique alright...like 'out-to-lunch' unique.

 

[thirsty]

Mike, from Canmore.

 

[heavensworthit]

the RCMP *gives three silent cheers*

 

[oceanpink]

Ouch this hurts !

I am canadian living in Germany. I've been living in germany for 11 years and I miss my home country so much. Canada is such a unique country and beautiful. There are many canadians from different background. And that makes it so unique. I love it !!!! I love everything there than in germany. I hope I get back home soon. I am planing to get back to canada.

I am a proud canadian !!

lots of love
oceanpink

 

[dews]

Touques.

 

[heavensworthit]

lacrosse

 

[StromRider]

Red Rose tea. We have lived in the US for 10 years now and we still can't find a decent tea down here. The "Red Rose" tea sold in the US is not the same as the stuff sold in Canada.

We get care packages of that (and some Tetley as well), along with President's Choice Plum Sauce and specific types of bars and candy to help us survive down here.