Canadian Culture Questions

[Silent Method]

A couple questions for Canadian members.

1. What are some American sayings or common speech inflections which seem strange or humorous to you?

For example, Americans asked the same about Canadians may reply that Canadians often use the expression "eh," which sounds strange to us. Also, Americans may perceive Canadians as using interrogative voice inflection in a declarative sentence, making statements sound like questions to the American ear.

2. Many (if not most) Americans have no clue that Canada is a confederacy - not a union such as the US. (Even I don't fully the implication of Canada as a confederacy as opposed to a union. From what little I know it's a way of streamlining/sharing combined economic, defense, and other issues while maintaining a higher degree of independence within each province.)

Anyway, my second question is, what stereotypes do Canadians from one province have regarding the other provinces?

For example, among the states, an American from Indiana may view citizens of Arkansas as uneducated hillbillies, while he may consider California to be a state full of air-head rich people.

 

[theoak01]

We have Newfies ,Frenchmen and people from out west (who think they are better then the rest of us)

 

[Silent Method]

We have Newfies ,Frenchmen and people from out west (who think they are better then the rest of us)

Shows what I know. I had thought the bulk of the Newfies and Frenchmen were in the east.

 

[Bullit]

we say 'eh' americans say 'huh'.
Us: that was cool , eh?
You: that was cool, huh?

I've never heard the interrogative voice inflection thing mentioned before.

I think we look at the sterotypes like:
BC = Cali. Hippies and laid back, Vancouver = LA
Alberta = Tx. Oil, ranches and rednecks.
Sask, Manitoba = I dunno, rural farming provinces. Boring as shit.
Ontario = NY state, Toronto = New York
Quebec = Stupid frogs
East = depressed fishermen.

Im in Alberta so it would be intersting to contrast this to an eastern Canadian opinion.

 

[manny78]

Canada is NOT a confederacy. This come from a misinterpretation born with the name of our Consitution. It's a union based on the federal system unlike Switzerland which is a true Confederacy. For example there's only one criminal code and laws. I would go as far as saying the US is probably closer to the Confederacy system than us.

 

[PoyeBoy]

who will help me kill all people from canada?

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

I think we look at the sterotypes like:
BC = Cali. Hippies and laid back, Vancouver = LA
Alberta = Tx. Oil, ranches and rednecks.
Sask, Manitoba = I dunno, rural farming provinces. Boring as shit.
Ontario = NY state, Toronto = New York
Quebec = Stupid frogs
East = depressed fishermen.

Im in Alberta so it would be intersting to contrast this to an eastern Canadian opinion.

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. I'd like to add a few points though(in addition to what bullit said).
BC= Some call Vancouver "Hong-couver". There's a shit-load of asians out there.
AB= What bullit said
SK,MN= Impoverished... their roads look like those found in a 3rd world country.
ON= What bullit said. I didn't realize how much of a red-neck I really am(I'm from Alberta) till I spent 2 weeks in Toronto in 2000.
PC= Lots of motorcycle gangs in Quebec. Pretty scary... MC members with french tempers. That I guess, would explain all the bombings in the mid 90's.
NFLD= They have a stereotype of being a bunch of lazy, unemloyed, alcoholics. I can attest that this is not true however.
There has been a steady migration of Newfoundlanders out to Alberta in the past ten years(because of the oil boom here). People from NFLD are generally hard working and very smart... they do enjoy drinking though LOL.

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

We have people from out west who think they are better then the rest of us

Aren't we?

 

[Silent Method]

I've never heard the interrogative voice inflection thing mentioned before.

I don't supose you would even know what I percive to be the interrogative voice inflection - to you it wouln't sound interrogative !

To me it sounds like "I went to the store?" "I was driving my car?" It's a conditional thing as I perceive it, that is I don't notice it with any and all conversation.

SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY, with your language background, do you have any idea what I'm talking about?

How do you guy's perceive accents in different regions?


manny78, I see what you mean as far as not being a traditional political confederacy. However, I do see it referenced as a confederacy quite often. Regardless of the word, it's apparent that the Canadian system of government is unique.

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY, with your language background, do you have any idea what I'm talking about?

How do you guy's perceive accents in different regions?

Yeah, I know exactly what you're refering to. However, I can't comment on how this differs from one region(of Canada)to another. I can say that French Canadians(when speaking English)speak in the interogative voice significantly more than do Anglophone Canadians. Its probably because they need confirmation from the hearer that they understand what the speaker is saying(with the nodding of a head, etc).

You doin Linguistics homework SM?

 

[Silent Method]

You doin Linguistics homework SM?

Always! Nothing formal or for school, but you know me...

 

[cure]

Toronto is the NY of Canada? LOL ya right...I go to Toronto at least twice a year for about 1 month each time and about 2 days into my trip i cannot wait to leave. What a shit hole of a city. I'd rather live in Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa, Labrador before living in TO.

Why does everyone think canadians have accents? Then people from Washington State, Vermont, NH, Maine, Upstate NY, Michigan must all have accents also since we speak EXACTLY THE SAME as they do.

 

[jeremys]

Sask, Manitoba = I dunno, rural farming provinces. Boring as shit

insert: like wisconsin

 

[Bullit]

Toronto is the NY of Canada? LOL ya right...I go to Toronto at least twice a year for about 1 month each time and about 2 days into my trip i cannot wait to leave. What a shit hole of a city. I'd rather live in Montreal, Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Ottawa, Labrador before living in TO.

Oh ... you don tlike TO so I guess Im wrong. Its not the NY of Canada since you dont like it.
I guess its not the commercial center of Canada nor the entertainment Center.

I suppose Labrador is?

 

[cure]

Oh ... you don tlike TO so I guess Im wrong. Its not the NY of Canada since you dont like it.
I guess its not the commercial center of Canada nor the entertainment Center.

I suppose Labrador is?

I never said TO wasn't the commercial center of Canada, what i'm saying is that it is not the NY of Canada. NY has to be one of the most fun places to visit and party in. The city is full of culture and the people are genuine characters. TO is boring, the people are boring and the city has no culture what so ever. That's why i believe you can't compare the two.

I also live in Montreal so i'm brought up to hate Torontonians!

 

[casavant]

For example, among the states, an American from Indiana may view citizens of Arkansas as uneducated hillbillies, while he may consider California to be a state full of air-head rich people.

So I like to fuck the occasional barnyard animal in the ass. What's the big deal?

 

[Silent Method]

Why does everyone think canadians have accents? Then people from Washington State, Vermont, NH, Maine, Upstate NY, Michigan must all have accents also since we speak EXACTLY THE SAME as they do.

Because many of us don't live in Washington State, Vermont, NH, Maine, Upstate NY, or Michigan. We do have 50 states you know.

Accents vary between those states as well. Do you think people from New Jersy have accents? How about people from Texas? Well, to them, YOU have the accent.

What I was asking with accents is, do you find Canadians from other parts of Canada have accents? I'd addume many of the Frenchmen do. How about within the predominatly english speaking regions?

 

[MassiveGunz]

Canada is right above us and they look just like us. They talk American so we can all understand them.
Pamela Anderson is canadien and I understand her if you hear me!
But its always freezing up there and shit.

Why do you need language shit?

I dont think its an Island thogh so your wrong about that part .

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

Canada is right above us and they look just like us.

Yeah, were on top all right... and we're bigger than you. If this were a prison, the US would be our BITCH!

 

[Silent Method]

Originally posted by casavant
So I like to fuck the occasional barnyard animal in the ass. What's the big deal?

Too right you are!

Originally posted by SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY
Yeah, were on top all right... and we're bigger than you. If this were a prison, the US would be our BITCH!

Yeah! Well, well, your gun laws SUCK!

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

Too right you are!

Yeah! Well, well, your gun laws SUCK!

WTF is a gun?

 

[Silent Method]

WTF is a gun?

Something private citezens are not allowed to use for defense in Canada.

 

[manny78]

Canada is right above us and they look just like us. They talk American so we can all understand them.
Pamela Anderson is canadien and I understand her if you hear me!
But its always freezing up there and shit.

Why do you need language shit?

I dont think its an Island thogh so your wrong about that part .

Pamela has hepatitis so she isn't on my "hit" list anymore.....lol

Politically Canada is a big California but with a crappy weather.

Our gun laws sucks.

Our health care system sucks too.

That's enough for a civil war.....

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

That's enough for a civil war.....

Well of course... after all, you're Quebecquois.

 

[manny78]

Well of course... after all, you're Quebecquois.

Quebecers are mostly socialist, pro-gun, against a private health care system. Don't count on them to join my revolution......

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

Manny- Aren't you an employee of the Federal Government, governed by the RCMP Act? Such statements might be regarded as treasonous.

If you don't like the standard of living in Quebec(health care, etc), ask for a posting in Alberta. The health care system here is second to none. If you came out here, you could be a redneck cop... there's nothing better.

 

[Taps]

Canada rules...except for Saskatchewan. It really does suck here for the most part. We do have hot women though, so that makes it bareable. Plus the pot is cheap.

 

[Silent Method]

Manny- Aren't you an employee of the Federal Government, governed by the RCMP Act? Such statements might be regarded as treasonous.

Please tell me your not serious. What's the RCMP Act?

 

[SCOTTY-TWO-HOTTY]

Yeah, the guy's a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. I believe he went through Depot(RCMP training)sometime in 2001. The RCMP Act is a piece of Federal legislation that governs their members conduct, on and off duty. I was being sarcastic when I mentioned treason to Manny a few posts back... just busting his chops about being a horse-cop and all.

 

[3Vandoo]

Canada's was a confederation at its beginning changed to federation after.


OAK!!!!!!, that was fucking hilarious mate!!!

Oh sheez!!!!!

CANADA is killing itself with its liberal government!!!!!!!!!!!!


In MOntreal we are forced to take our xmas decorations and light because some NON CHRISTIAN who makes up 1% of the population are alienated by XMAS!!!!

Or fuckers that dont want to speak our language protest at Sears they want to be served!!!!!!

I am tired of that country!!!!!

We are too nice, we give wellfare to terrorists and so on!!!!!

Im frustrated and I am Canadian!

 

[manny78]

Manny- Aren't you an employee of the Federal Government, governed by the RCMP Act? Such statements might be regarded as treasonous.

If you don't like the standard of living in Quebec(health care, etc), ask for a posting in Alberta. The health care system here is second to none. If you came out here, you could be a redneck cop... there's nothing better.

I'd need to switch the nightlife of Montreal for the health care system of ALberta.... humm... anyway I fixed that problem with a private insurance. The few months I spent in Saskatchewan were enough.

 

[Y_lifter]

It can't be all that bad...
One word

RUSH

 

[Bullit]

Canada rules...except for Saskatchewan. It really does suck here for the most part. We do have hot women though, so that makes it bareable. Plus the pot is cheap.

Hot chicks in Sask? You gotta be kiddin.
I've only had the misfortune of being there a couple times and I was thoroughly unimpressed. That was Regina.
Where are all these hotties hangin out?

 

[guards]

Why does everyone think canadians have accents? Then people from Washington State, Vermont, NH, Maine, Upstate NY, Michigan must all have accents also since we speak EXACTLY THE SAME as they do.

I beg to differ. I live in NB, which shares a border with Maine. The accent in New Brunswick, which is fairly unique, sounds NOTHING like the Maine accent only 100 km away.

The maritimes are very particular about their speach. It si very easy to tell someone from Nova Scotia, New Brunwick and PEI apart. Very VERY distinct.

A Maine accent or a NH accent is EXTREMELY different from maritime canadians.

 

[guards]

The accents change drastically within Canada as you move from West to EAst. I grew up in the Ottawa valley, so I have a pretty thick upper-canadian accent, the very stereotype that everyone makes fun of. I now live in New Brunswick where the accent is maritimer and can get very difficult to understand. Kind like listnening to a bunch of drunk guys from Boston. I have a lot of Newfoundland friends.....Newfies....who can be EXTREMELY difficutl to understand.


The different cultures within Canada are also quite extreme. The way things are run out west are VERY different than things in the east......kinda like the difference between Texas and Michigan....black and white.

 

[HappyScrappy]

Hot chicks in the Toronto international airport.

and they have cute play money up there.

 

[bigAragorn]

The stereotyping varies from province to province.....we in Ontario sometimes say jokes that start off like this " A canadian, an american, and a newfie......." we dont even consider them part of the country

for example here's a joke from the average ontarionian's reptoire...... SO the nova scotians and newfies were battling in a huge war. The newfies were throwing grenades at the nova scotians.......the nova scotians were pulling the clips and throwing them back

 

[guards]

The stereotyping varies from province to province.....we in Ontario sometimes say jokes that start off like this " A canadian, an american, and a newfie......." we dont even consider them part of the country

for example here's a joke from the average ontarionian's reptoire...... SO the nova scotians and newfies were battling in a huge war. The newfies were throwing grenades at the nova scotians.......the nova scotians were pulling the clips and throwing them back

How do you get a one-armed newfie out of a tree???


Wave


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAH

 

[bigAragorn]

How do you get a one-armed newfie out of a tree???


Wave


HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAHAAHAHAHAH

hahahahahhahaha oh thats good.....how "boot" another:

how do you confuse a newfie?

put him in a circular room and tell him to piss in the corner

 

[HappyScrappy]

in the states, these jokes are known as West Virginian jokes.

 

[Silent Method]

The accents change drastically within Canada as you move from West to EAst. I grew up in the Ottawa valley, so I have a pretty thick upper-canadian accent, the very stereotype that everyone makes fun of.

Can you describe how your accent may sound to others?

 

[HappyScrappy]

Can you describe how your accent may sound to others?

yeah - and you can't just say "really really gay"

 

[guards]

Can you describe how your accent may sound to others?

I don't notice it but i know that i say "eh" a HELL of a lot...LOL....it's kinda like a mixture of irish/scottish/old english.....basically a bastadization of the english language.


An upper-canadian accent is extremely distinct......I'm talking rural here guys, not a toronto accent lol......as for a maritime accent, just watch "This hour has 22 minutes" and you'll get the drift.

 

[theoak01]

The newfies are out east and are teh fisherman

the people in the west are a bunch of farmers who the rest of us support


I Am Canadian! -I am a minority in Vancouver, Banff, and every casino in this county
I was born in 1972, yet I am responsible for some Native's great great grandfather who screwed himself out of his land in the 1800's.
I pay import tax on cars made in Ontario.
I am allowed to skydive and smoke, but not allowed to drive without a seat belt.
All the money I make up until mid July must go to paying taxes.
I live and work among people who believe Americans are ignorant. These same people cannot name this country's new Territory.
Although I am sometimes forced to live on Kraft Dinner, and don't have a pot to piss in, I sleep well, knowing that I've helped purchase a nice six figure home in Vancouver for some unskilled Chinese refugee.
Although they are unpatriotic and constantly try to separate, Quebec still provides my nation's Prime Ministers.
95percent of my nation's international conflicts are over fish.
I'm supposed to call black people African Canadians. Although I'm sure none of them have ever been to Africa, or east of Halifax for that matter.
I believe that paying a 200 percent tax on alcohol is fair.
Even if I have no idea what happened to that old rifle my grandfather gave me when I was 14, I will be considered a criminal if I don't register it.
I DO know Jeff from Toronto.
I often badmouth the United States, and then vacation there three times a year.
I'm led to believe that some lazy ass unionized broom pusher who makes 30 dollars an hour is underpaid and therefore must go on >strike, but paying 10 dollars an hour to someone who works 12 hour shifts at 40 below on an oil rig is fair.
I believe that paying 30 million for 3 stripes (The Voice of Fire) by the National Art Gallery was a good purchase, even though 99 percent of this country didn't want it. Or will ever see it.
When I look at my pay stub and realize that I take home a third of what I actually make. I say "Oh well, at least we have better health care than the Americans".
> I must bail out farmers when their crops are too wet or too dry, because I control the rain.
My National Anthem has versions in both official languages. And I don't know either of them.
Canada is the highest taxed nation in North America, the biggest military buffer for the United States, and the number one destination for fleeing boat people.
I am not an angry white male.
I am an angry broke taxpayer.
My name is Rob , and I AM CANADIAN

 

[cure]

Guards, i know what you are saying.

Well when i watch ABC News i speak like they do!! No accent, no "eh" no "aboot"....which is very similar to how most anglophones from Montreal speak...unless you're from St.Leonard where they kinda speak like Italians from the Bronx.

 

[3Vandoo]

Oak what you have against the west eh!

From what I noticed there

The BC accent,
the west Canadiaaaan accent eeeeeeeh
Ontario (all depend, Ottawa Valley received a whole lot of Irish/Scottish during last century, so you can even hear some of that accent)

The Maritime well, it also all depend where ya from.

The Newfies have a distinct Irish one,
which is laughed in Ireland

As for Quebec...... hell

You have

Montreal Accent,
Gaspesie
Quebec City accent
Ottawa-Hull one
Lac Saint Jean
and so on, very distinct even in Mtl, or the area, we have accent the whiners of the South Shore those bitch always say that us ppl from the North Shore have an accent, hell they are annoying bunch of jealous poor fucks


PS: I hate the south shore

 

[manson]

It's hard to find a Newf that doesn't appreciate a good Newfie joke.
I think one on the most laid back accents come from the Praries...Seen the movie Fargo. The accents made the movie.
Lived in Vancouver for 5 years...by the end of it I could'nt wait to leave. It became too much too fast for my taste.
Can't beat life on the rock. St John's has the most bars per capita in North America. Thats why we like to drink.
My second pic of a hometown would be Halifax...Fun city!

hahahahahhahaha oh thats good.....how "boot" another:

how do you confuse a newfie?

put him in a circular room and tell him to piss in the corner

 

[CanadianCripple]

Newfie jokes were created by Newfoundlanders, so of course they don't mind. Newfoundland, as 1 province has more accents than the rest of the country combined. The difference between the accent of St. John's and Cornerbrook is night and day. I'd pretty much be able to distinguish the accents of Quebec, Newfoundland and Tignish, PEI. Everything else west of Quebec sounds the same to me. And I don't know anybody who says "eh?" very often. But even "eh?" is better than "huh?", "right?" or "ya know wa I'm sayin?"

Oh yeah. In Atlantic Canada, all of our shitty winter weather comes UP from the Eastern seaboard of the US.

 

[theoak01]

I have yet to meet anyone from the west who was not arrogant

then again ive only met 20 or so

 

[Bullit]

I say 'eh' and I think lots of people do but they just arent aware of it. I say it without thinking, its like a way to request a response.

 

[2Thick]

I Am Canadian! -I am a minority in Vancouver, Banff, and every casino in this county
I was born in 1972, yet I am responsible for some Native's great great grandfather who screwed himself out of his land in the 1800's.
I pay import tax on cars made in Ontario.
I am allowed to skydive and smoke, but not allowed to drive without a seat belt.
All the money I make up until mid July must go to paying taxes.
I live and work among people who believe Americans are ignorant. These same people cannot name this country's new Territory.
Although I am sometimes forced to live on Kraft Dinner, and don't have a pot to piss in, I sleep well, knowing that I've helped purchase a nice six figure home in Vancouver for some unskilled Chinese refugee.
Although they are unpatriotic and constantly try to separate, Quebec still provides my nation's Prime Ministers.
95percent of my nation's international conflicts are over fish.
I'm supposed to call black people African Canadians. Although I'm sure none of them have ever been to Africa, or east of Halifax for that matter.
I believe that paying a 200 percent tax on alcohol is fair.
Even if I have no idea what happened to that old rifle my grandfather gave me when I was 14, I will be considered a criminal if I don't register it.
I DO know Jeff from Toronto.
I often badmouth the United States, and then vacation there three times a year.
I'm led to believe that some lazy ass unionized broom pusher who makes 30 dollars an hour is underpaid and therefore must go on >strike, but paying 10 dollars an hour to someone who works 12 hour shifts at 40 below on an oil rig is fair.
I believe that paying 30 million for 3 stripes (The Voice of Fire) by the National Art Gallery was a good purchase, even though 99 percent of this country didn't want it. Or will ever see it.
When I look at my pay stub and realize that I take home a third of what I actually make. I say "Oh well, at least we have better health care than the Americans".
> I must bail out farmers when their crops are too wet or too dry, because I control the rain.
My National Anthem has versions in both official languages. And I don't know either of them.
Canada is the highest taxed nation in North America, the biggest military buffer for the United States, and the number one destination for fleeing boat people.
I am not an angry white male.
I am an angry broke taxpayer.
My name is Rob , and I AM CANADIAN

I hope this is a joke you found somewhere because it is about as ignorant as what an American would say about the US.

 

[theoak01]

I hope this is a joke you found somewhere because it is about as ignorant as what an American would say about the US.

yes A friend of mine sent it to me in a email

but some parts are right

fucking refugees

 

[2Thick]

fucking refugees

Without refugess, Canada would not function and actually disappear within 50 years.

You should be kissing their asses.

BTW, at least some of your ancestors were refugees.

 

[theoak01]

Without refugess, Canada would not function and actually disappear within 50 years.

You should be kissing their asses.

BTW, at least some of your ancestors were refugees.

maybe I should but I refuse to kiss anyones ass who the government hands all kinds of shit

 

[2Thick]

maybe I should but I refuse to kiss anyones ass who the government hands all kinds of shit

And what kind of stuff is that? Refugees get nothing when they get here. Maybe welfare for a while but that is about $300 per person per month or about $1000 for a family of 4-5 people per month. Wow!! They are rich!!

Inuits do not pay tax. Whoopdie doo.... They have the worst standard of living and make up the majority of alcoholics and ethnic group in prison. Yes, paying no taxes means nothing when you make nothing after being forced off to reservations with crippling poverty. Yes, they might have a certain culture that doesn't mesh with their colonizer's culture, but they seemed to be doing well 200 years ago when 95% of them were raped and killed off. I think no taxes for 2% of the population is the least the government could do.

 

[manny78]

And what kind of stuff is that? Refugees get nothing when they get here. Maybe welfare for a while but that is about $300 per person per month or about $1000 for a family of 4-5 people per month. Wow!! They are rich!!

Inuits do not pay tax. Whoopdie doo.... They have the worst standard of living and make up the majority of alcoholics and ethnic group in prison. Yes, paying no taxes means nothing when you make nothing after being forced off to reservations with crippling poverty. Yes, they might have a certain culture that doesn't mesh with their colonizer's culture, but they seemed to be doing well 200 years ago when 95% of them were raped and killed off. I think no taxes for 2% of the population is the least the government could do.

Jean Chretien back in the 70's (as a minister) tried to abolish the Reserves....... the poor ignorant Natives refused. Their fault.

 

[theoak01]

they get alot more here then you would think

Canada will let anybody in I tell ya

 

[2Thick]

they get alot more here then you would think

Canada will let anybody in I tell ya

I know for a fact what they get. Nothing besides the great gift of living in the only truly free country in North America.

Canada refuses more refugees than the US per capita.

 

[theoak01]

I know for a fact what they get. Nothing besides the great gift of living in the only truly free country in North America.

Canada refuses more refugees than the US per capita.

but still 375 thousand a year is crazy high

 

[2Thick]

but still 375 thousand a year is crazy high

Almost as many leave Canada, plus the birth rate is very low. Without those people, the population would shrink every year.

 

[theoak01]

you make a very good point

and besides my bitching wouldnt solve anything

 

[2Thick]

you make a very good point

and besides my bitching wouldnt solve anything

It makes people feel better, though. I yell at the TV all the time. I know it changes nothing but I somehow feel a little better.