|
Post by The Supreme Canuck on Feb 2, 2008 22:52:20 GMT -4
Something tells me that you've seen that happen... once.
|
|
|
Post by Ginnie on Feb 2, 2008 22:54:12 GMT -4
Oh yeah... one of our Squadron COs is a Canadian. Tremendous fella. Call him a yank, though, and your life is not worth living. That made me laugh. I can just imagine... What would be worse - calling a Scotsman an Irishman or calling an Aussie a Kiwi? I've never heard a the term Yank used by anyone I've known or met. We say 'Americans'. Canadians probably poke more fun at the Americans than the other way around. I don't think Americans are concerned that much with the 'outside world' in day to day living. In Canada, where we feel bombarded by American culture, are more aware of their presence. Add our insecurity and we strike back in the only way we know of - humour. But we have a good relationship with the States, they are truly our friends and we both benefit from that relationship. We are aware of their arrogance for sure, but its like having an older brother who can be a bully at times - you love him, but don't like some of the things he does. Of course, if the States is our brother, then Great Britain is our mother. We still recognize the Queen as Head of State for goodness sakes. I've watched her age on our coins. I actually did see her and Philip in 1970 when they passed through our city. I'm not a monarchist by any means but there is definitely something about her presence that is charismatic.
|
|
|
Post by The Supreme Canuck on Feb 2, 2008 23:23:23 GMT -4
Well, "Yank" only gets used around me because I'm a jerk - and because there were a couple Americans living on my res floor last year. It is a very casual word; you won't hear it on the CBC. Still, I think it's a perfectly legitimate word, as well. Not really intended as an insult, just as a mild, friendly jab. We tease, but we love. As for the Queen, yes, there is something appealing there. And I am a monarchist.
|
|
|
Post by etac on Feb 3, 2008 1:14:15 GMT -4
So the saying goes, outside the US, a Yankee is any American. In the US, a Yankee is anyone who lives north of the Mason Dixon line. North of the Mason Dixon line, a Yankee is anyone from New England. In New England, a Yankee is anyone from Vermont. In Vermont, a Yankee is anyone who eats apple pie for breakfast. I think Ambrose Bierce put it best in "The Devil's Dictionary" Yankee, n. In Europe, an American. In the Northern States of our Union, a New Englander. In the Southern States the word is unknown. (See DAMYANK.) Obviousman, if you really want to piss off that squadron CO tell him this one (with apologies to the Canadian board members). ;D Canada is a messed up country. They were in the position to be one of the most blessed countries on the Earth. They could have had all of the advantages of British government, French culture, and American know-how. Instead, they ended up with French government, British know-how, and American culture.
|
|
|
Post by Obviousman on Feb 3, 2008 1:26:24 GMT -4
etac, it could start a war therefore I will refrain!
As for the Queen: it is a similar situation here. QEII is on the back of all our coins. My Commission is impressed with the Seal of the Queen of Australia. Australia is part of the Commonwealth.
The Queen, however, has little effect on our way of life or the running of our country. Perhaps the only example of it was in 1975 when the Governor-General (then Sir John Kerr) sacked Whitlam and appointed Fraser in government.
|
|
|
Post by Ginnie on Feb 3, 2008 2:08:16 GMT -4
You don't know how true that really is...
|
|
|
Post by Kiwi on Feb 3, 2008 5:55:09 GMT -4
Speaking of different cultures...
Heaven and Hell
Heaven is where the English are the police, the French are the cooks, the Italians are the lovers, the Swiss are the administrators, and the Germans are the mechanics.
Hell is where the English are the cooks, the French are the administrators, the Italians are the mechanics, the Swiss are the lovers, and the Germans are the police.
;D
How could we fit the Dutch into this?
|
|
Al Johnston
"Cheer up!" they said, "It could be worse!" So I did, and it was.
Posts: 1,453
|
Post by Al Johnston on Feb 3, 2008 14:27:05 GMT -4
Darned right. "Oh, you're from Glasgow? So you're English then?" Mistake. Oh yes, that one could be fatal, but "The Queen Sucks" is one of the politer epithets in the "rougher" areas of her kingdom ;D
|
|
|
Post by The Supreme Canuck on Feb 3, 2008 14:36:31 GMT -4
Oh, I believe it.
|
|
|
Post by Ginnie on Feb 3, 2008 15:00:04 GMT -4
Speaking of different cultures... Heaven and HellHeaven is where the English are the police, the French are the cooks, the Italians are the lovers, the Swiss are the administrators, and the Germans are the mechanics. Hell is where the English are the cooks, the French are the administrators, the Italians are the mechanics, the Swiss are the lovers, and the Germans are the police. ;D How could we fit the Dutch into this? In Heaven: The Dutch are the merchants. In Hell: The Dutch are the comedians.
|
|
|
Post by PhantomWolf on Feb 4, 2008 3:07:44 GMT -4
Oh yeah... one of our Squadron COs is a Canadian. Tremendous fella. Call him a yank, though, and your life is not worth living. That made me laugh. I can just imagine... What would be worse - calling a Scotsman an Irishman or calling an Aussie a Kiwi? The Scotsman and the Irishman would likely be too drunk to notice (well as long as you are paying for the round) The Aussie would think it's a compliment, after all, they keep stealing everything else we have over here. Of course calling a Kiwi an Aussie, well thems fighting words bud.
|
|
|
Post by sts60 on Feb 4, 2008 10:17:28 GMT -4
It was interesting to read the comments on the link that Obviousman provided. At first the comment "What if they'd written racist comments on their cars and driven into Harlem" seems a thoughtful response. But the difference is that racist comments are illegal, and nothing written on the cars was illegal. I did not see the show in question, but racist comments are not illegal here (the U.S.). They may get you fired from your job if you make them at work, but the First Amendment to the Constitution guarantees the public's right to say such things in a public setting. Canada is a messed up country. They were in the position to be one of the most blessed countries on the Earth. They could have had all of the advantages of British government, French culture, and American know-how. Instead, they ended up with French government, British know-how, and American culture. I live outside Washington, D.C. It is said of our fair capital city that it is "a town with Northern charm and Southern efficiency".
|
|
|
Post by Halcyon Dayz, FCD on Feb 5, 2008 8:50:51 GMT -4
In Heaven: The Dutch are the merchants. In Hell: The Dutch are the comedians. That only hurts 'cause it's true.
|
|
|
Post by Retrograde on Feb 5, 2008 12:09:59 GMT -4
In Heaven: The Dutch are the merchants. In Hell: The Dutch are the comedians. That only hurts 'cause it's true.
|
|
|
Post by BertL on Feb 5, 2008 13:04:56 GMT -4
In Heaven: The Dutch are the merchants. In Hell: The Dutch are the comedians. That only hurts 'cause it's true. I contacted my grandfather through Char™. He confirmed it.
|
|