| muraniac |
In preparation for winter, I went through several posts, as I do on an irregular basis. I have found interesting threads on windshield wipers, the everlasting argument about tires and should I get snow tires etc. For some reason I looked at the «Finally went to Canada» thread and I was stunned by the content and the intensity of opposing positions about Canada-US relationship. How can we be geographically and socially so close and culturally so distinct. Well I can say as a Quebec French Canadian that this kind of stuff occurs on a regular basis within Canada itself and I bet also between states in the US! Since I read and speak both French and English and my work involves international communications, I can tell that the same story is reported quite differently in Montreal and Toronto and again differently in Vancouver. Indeed, Frogs (also known as French Canadian pea soup) think and act distinctly from Ontario's square heads or BC Queen's Subjects. I was impressed by the abundance of antiamerican citations Hef could state. I would add that he knows more about Canadian politics, including Quebec, than the vast majority of Canadians do. Unfortunately, I believe his citations are biased by his own perception that Canadians hate Americans or consider them as evil. When I drove to Washington with a few of my students in a rental van in 2003, we were almost kicked off the highway by semi-trucks twice during the same trip, and intimidated by the officers at the border, and the mad cow ban, and the lightspeed instructions to cancel trips to every Canadian city during theToronto SARS crisis and the lumber issue etc. At every family reunions, it was forbidden to talk about politics or religion or money, these topics ending unevitably as strong arguments. The trick is to base communication on common grounds, in the present case, the Murano.
This will be my 4th winter with my 2003 SL AWD, polished Pewter Murano and frankly, what a car. I wish I had bought it from a better dealer. Anyway, it is a dream winter car with outstanding abilities in snow, melting snow, ice and cold. In fact, the known weakness of the CVT for hot weather, as a counterpart, makes it a marvel in winter. I have never had a car operating so smoothly at below 0°F temperatures. My wife loves the heated seats because the heater is quite slow to warm-up the car. A recent thread talks about the tie rod end and link kits. I had the same problem on my Murano and with my former Nissan Quest. These car handle well, but they are heavy, I guess that my driving style of fast cornering makes it hard on steering components, an effect eventually amplifield by cold weather. In fact, typically, cars wear out much quicker here than they do in the sought. Our poor road conditions certainly contribute to that as well.
I hope I will have time to drive to Florida this winter. I recommend several southern states ( I lived in LA for 2 years) as winter destinations to friends and family specifying that it is not necessary to speak fluently English because Americans are friendly and will never let you down in case of any problem... |
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| GripperDon |
Left to their own experiences and instincts will end up probably liking most other folks. When over riding brainwashing, propaganda and religious fanaticism get in the way then the process is disrupted.
Fear has a big impact. It will take a long time for us to get over 9-11 if ever. We are rightly concerned about our families well being and that emotion can get out of hand, finally all react to criticism pretty much the same way, defensive talk and counter accusations.
I spent most of my young life in Fla 35-58 and it a wonderfull beautifull state, as are so many in the lower 48. Have a nice trip.
PS here in Scottsdale the number of Canadian winter visitors is astounding, They even have their "OWN" radio station in the winter. Like all mixtures some are nice, some wonderful and some jeJerks. |
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| jaak |
You got it Don. The ones that are poorly travelled and don't really have any concept of the world are the first to throw around labels, be it between countries, or between regions. Not only does Canada do it, but it exists in the US as well.
Well educated, and well travelled Americans are a joy to talk to and quite of number of them are my very good friends.
Same goes for my educated friends in Quebec and yet there are complete jerks to be found there too. And here in Toronto.
People are people everywhere and I don't believe you can generalise a nation or a region without being grossly unfair.
But let's face it, it's much easier to label, than it is to understand.
Muraniac, while I understand you are making a point, I actually found it offensive calling my Quebec, Ontario and BC friends names as it's both a generalisation as well a slap in the face to the rest of us that find that kind of name calling very unacceptable. I'm proud to be part of a nation that in spite of struggling with a difficult cultural makeup, is quite good at being peaceful and fair about it. And I would never insult a friend with such names. So don't count me in with the idiots. I think it's much more important that we focus on our successes and the positive friendships, than dwell on a handful of simple minded idiots.
I'm also delighted that we live next to one of the most powerful and best nations in history. Because we certainly share much more than we differ. After all, Canada and the USA are two brothers. One told the parents to take a hike, while the other lived at home a little longer then finally moved out. The family resemblence is uncanny. |
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| Stoker |
quote:
Originally posted by jaak
You got it Don. The ones that are poorly travelled and don't really have any concept of the world are the first to throw around labels, be it between countries, or between regions. Not only does Canada do it, but it exists in the US as well.
Well educated, and well travelled Americans are a joy to talk to and quite of number of them are my very good friends.
Same goes for my educated friends in Quebec and yet there are complete jerks to be found there too. And here in Toronto.
People are people everywhere and I don't believe you can generalise a nation or a region without being grossly unfair.
But let's face it, it's much easier to label, than it is to understand.
Muraniac, while I understand you are making a point, I actually found it offensive calling my Quebec, Ontario and BC friends names as it's both a generalisation as well a slap in the face to the rest of us that find that kind of name calling very unacceptable. I'm proud to be part of a nation that in spite of struggling with a difficult cultural makeup, is quite good at being peaceful and fair about it. And I would never insult a friend with such names. So don't count me in with the idiots. I think it's much more important that we focus on our successes and the positive friendships, than dwell on a handful of simple minded idiots.
I'm also delighted that we live next to one of the most powerful and best nations in history. Because we certainly share much more than we differ. After all, Canada and the USA are two brothers. One told the parents to take a hike, while the other lived at home a little longer then finally moved out. The family resemblence is uncanny.
Well put Jaak, I could not put it any better.:2: :2: |
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| muraniac |
Well Jaak you know I did not mean to be offending and I certainly do not think that everyone in Canada uses pejorative nicknames to qualify the people of different regions. By the way, I am leaving for Halifax tomorrow for a Canada wide meeting. I will get to meet a few good «Newfie friends». Unfortunately I will fly on a DASH-8, not the Murano.
For the first time this morning there was ice in the swimming pool, kind of late for us here in Quebec city. Last week-end I went to my mom's place up the the Laurentians and drove in 5 inches of melting snow with the 40 000Km Eagle LS, after a few skids I confirmed how real snow tires do make a difference out here. |
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| nightcap |
Bon journée!
La Belle Province was our first road trip in our new '06 Murano. We spent some time in Québec City (where the Murano delighted me at how easily it handled the steep incline from Quartier Petit-Champlain), and then down to Montréal for a bit (where the Nav system guided us to Fairmount Bagels for a 5:00 a.m. Bozo).
Though my wife's French is execrable and mine is worse, we had a wonderful time. The only time we had the slightest difficulty was in a Tim Horton's near the Vermont border, where the young lady behind the counter did not understand English. "Je suis désolé..." was a helpful phrase to know, and pantomime and poor French did the rest.
Vive Québec! Vive Murano! |
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