Canada: an outsider's observations

[MoralLibertarian]

I went to Vancouver and thought that I would share some observations.

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.
- Canadian newspapers talk a lot about some softwood lumber deal. Whatever you do, don't let the words "soft-wood lumber" come up in casual conversation, especially if you're American.
- I'm almost positive that I saw more pan-handlers while walking through Vancouver than I've ever seen in New York City. One pan-handler allegedly told my grandfather that he was trying to nurture his sex- and crack-addictions, which I thought was pretty unbelievable.
- Canadian newspapers were concerned that President Bush called the Prime Minister "Steve" even though that is a common nickname for men named Stephen (what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)
- In one Canadian magazine, Prime Minister Harper was referred to as Harperstein, and on his negative agenda for the country, "cut taxes" was included next to "cut medicare." This leads me to believe that Canadians no longer enjoy getting tax cuts.
- Canada is expensive. Your american dollar is worth about 6 cents more, and the excise taxes on booze and cigarettes will likely kill you before the booze and cigarettes do.
- More Canadians knew that it was George W. Bush's birthday than Americans.
- Canadian Network journalism is a lot better than in the states, which is another way of saying that Canadian television is boring as hell. All the best shows are American made.
- Men from Quebec are like French people in the sense that they take money from street performers.
- Last time I went to Canada, everyone asked me if I liked George W. Bush. Now everyone knows that no one likes him so they've stopped asking.
- Generally, most Canadian people are pretty friendly unless they are assholes. However, two Canadians I met found out I was American and asked me about a soft-wood lumber deal, and I didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Then they called me an ignorant American and I told them that they were lucky that we buy their lumber at all.
- Need a Starbucks coffee while in Vancouver? You're in luck!
- Think gas is expensive in America? It was like, 1.159 in Canada, for a liter. It's more money, so next time you're pissed, remind yourself that you could be in Canada and you'll feel better.
- Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.
- Canada is a great place to be if you're not filthy rich.

THE END

[rainmaker]

That was magnificent.
Especially all that and whatnot with the "soft-wood lumber."

And it's nice to know they have Starbucks in Canada. XD

[RedSkunk]

Is it supposed to be funny?

[MoralLibertarian]

At 7/8/06 11:04 PM, red_skunk wrote: Is it supposed to be funny?

Why are you such a miserable human being?

[SolInvictus]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: I went to Vancouver and thought that I would share some observations.

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

...i don't understand, you have to be 18 to buy booze. you should have been able to.

- I'm almost positive that I saw more pan-handlers while walking through Vancouver than I've ever seen in New York City. One pan-handler allegedly told my grandfather that he was trying to nurture his sex- and crack-addictions, which I thought was pretty unbelievable.

apparently Vancouver is pan-handler central. not quite the same throughout the rest, but then again i might not be in the right position to compare.

- Canadian newspapers were concerned that President Bush called the Prime Minister "Steve" even though that is a common nickname for men named Stephen (what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)

i saw that in the newspaper, didn't bother reading it because i couldn't understand why that would be a big deal, nor did i care.

- Men from Quebec are like French people in the sense that they take money from street performers.

hehehe, french Canadians...i love living in Quebec.

[Makaio]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: I went to Vancouver and thought that I would share some observations.

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

you can at 19, in a lot of places in the us you have to be 21.

- Canadian newspapers talk a lot about some softwood lumber deal. Whatever you do, don't let the words "soft-wood lumber" come up in casual conversation, especially if you're American.

yes but you see only old people read them, when i say old i mean mid 50s and above and newgrounds is the only place I've heard the softwood lumber deal mentioned, i bet if i went outside and asked 10 random people at least half wouldn't know what i was talking about.

- I'm almost positive that I saw more pan-handlers while walking through Vancouver than I've ever seen in New York City. One pan-handler allegedly told my grandfather that he was trying to nurture his sex- and crack-addictions, which I thought was pretty unbelievable.

i couldn't tell you, the only big city I've been to is Halifax and I've never seen a panhandler there.

- Canadian newspapers were concerned that President Bush called the Prime Minister "Steve" even though that is a common nickname for men named Stephen (what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)

one I've never heard of this, and two i doubt there's many people to concerned about that.

- In one Canadian magazine, Prime Minister Harper was referred to as Harperstein, and on his negative agenda for the country, "cut taxes" was included next to "cut medicare." This leads me to believe that Canadians no longer enjoy getting tax cuts.

we don't pay for "medicare" so there for the tax cuts mean we would have to start paying for health benefits, dumbass.

- Canada is expensive. Your american dollar is worth about 6 cents more, and the excise taxes on booze and cigarettes will likely kill you before the booze and cigarettes do.

the taxes were just reduced.

- More Canadians knew that it was George W. Bush's birthday than Americans.

i don't know anyone who does and i certainly don't.

- Canadian Network journalism is a lot better than in the states, which is another way of saying that Canadian television is boring as hell. All the best shows are American made.

this i will give you with the exception of the space station, that's a pretty damn good station with a lot of Canadian shows.

- Men from Quebec are like French people in the sense that they take money from street performers.

they are french people? no one likes the frenchies anyway.

- Last time I went to Canada, everyone asked me if I liked George W. Bush. Now everyone knows that no one likes him so they've stopped asking.

i don't understand is this a complaint or a statement?

- Generally, most Canadian people are pretty friendly unless they are assholes. However, two Canadians I met found out I was American and asked me about a soft-wood lumber deal, and I didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Then they called me an ignorant American and I told them that they were lucky that we buy their lumber at all.

to be honest i have no idea, you probably went to one of the places in Canada that actually affects.

- Need a Starbucks coffee while in Vancouver? You're in luck!

I've never seen a Starbucks but I've also never been to Vancouver.

- Think gas is expensive in America? It was like, 1.159 in Canada, for a liter. It's more money, so next time you're pissed, remind yourself that you could be in Canada and you'll feel better.

we've been telling you whiney tools that for a long time, and its closer to 1.50.

- Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.

you guys being the best XD

- Canada is a great place to be if you're not filthy rich.

???

THE END

what do you spend all your time going to foreign countries and reading their news papers and magazines only to take the occasional break for some Starbucks and to visit the homeless?

[MoralLibertarian]

At 7/8/06 11:22 PM, shi_huangdi wrote:

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: I went to Vancouver and thought that I would share some observations.

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

...i don't understand, you have to be 18 to buy booze. you should have been able to.

Yeah, I mispoke. It varies from province to province; I noticed that on my immigration pass. In Vancouver, you can't. My sister got us kicked out of a bar in Vancouver because she was 18 years old, which I thought was pretty insane.

[SolInvictus]

wow, i love Quebec, fuck the rest of Canada

[RedSkunk]

At 7/8/06 11:06 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote:

At 7/8/06 11:04 PM, red_skunk wrote: Is it supposed to be funny?

Why are you such a miserable human being?

I think it was a valid question. Look at the replies so far. Everyone's confused.

[SolInvictus]

At 7/8/06 11:57 PM, CadillacClock wrote:

At 7/8/06 11:28 PM, shi_huangdi wrote: wow, i love Quebec, fuck the rest of Canada

What you gonna do? Seperate?

nope, Vancouver isn't that bad, but Toronto, wow, nvm them, and when people think of Canada Toronto is usually the city they think of (which is unfortunate).

[poxpower]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote:

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

Unless you live in Quebec.
19 for the rest of the country. Beats you fucks :p

(what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)

huu... Stephen?
You don't see anyone calling George Bush "G" do ya?

All the best shows are American made.

English-canadian has pretty bland tv. Its just underfunded copies of american shows and movies.
Quebec has a completely different culture when it comes to movies and television. We rock at comedy.

- Men from Quebec are like French people in the sense that they take money from street performers.

Take money from street performers?
Waaaaah?

- Need a Starbucks coffee while in Vancouver? You're in luck!

Vancouver, or Ottawa. Or Beijing. Or Mexico. Or Antartica.

[MoralLibertarian]

At 7/9/06 03:17 AM, -poxpower- wrote: huu... Stephen?
You don't see anyone calling George Bush "G" do ya?

That's entirely different.

[ever-vigilant]

i've been told that canadian girls put out if your from england. is there any merit behind this or is it a web of lies?
e-v

[MoralLibertarian]

At 7/9/06 10:38 AM, ever-vigilant wrote: i've been told that canadian girls put out if your from england. is there any merit behind this or is it a web of lies?
e-v

I was spending a lot of time with my folks and extended family, so I didn't have a lot of time to meet Canadian girls. I did meet an English girl who I fucked though, so let it be known that English girls will put out if you're American.

[Elfer]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: - 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

Wow, booze OR alcohol, huh?

Actually it depends what province you're in. At least it's lower than 21 in any case.

- Canadian newspapers talk a lot about some softwood lumber deal. Whatever you do, don't let the words "soft-wood lumber" come up in casual conversation, especially if you're American.

I will eat your fucking face off, American pig-dog scum.

- I'm almost positive that I saw more pan-handlers while walking through Vancouver than I've ever seen in New York City. One pan-handler allegedly told my grandfather that he was trying to nurture his sex- and crack-addictions, which I thought was pretty unbelievable.

I forget if it's Vancouver or somewhere else, but as I recall there's a place that actually requires people to have a panhandling license, which is irrelevant here but still kind of funny. In any case, this isn't really representative of all of Canada, because Vancouver is where they keep all the crackheads and shit these days.

- Canadian newspapers were concerned that President Bush called the Prime Minister "Steve" even though that is a common nickname for men named Stephen (what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)

I don't remember hearing any concern over this :/

Maybe you were reading editorials or something and there was a retarded person who was more concerned than they should have been?

In any case, I haven't heard anything, and it doesn't even make sense that people would get upset. It's roughly equivalent to calling George Bush "G"

- In one Canadian magazine, Prime Minister Harper was referred to as Harperstein, and on his negative agenda for the country, "cut taxes" was included next to "cut medicare." This leads me to believe that Canadians no longer enjoy getting tax cuts.

That's because Stephen harper is making retarded tax cuts, like cutting the GST by one percent. This move not only is a benefit only to the rich, but it's also going to cost the government 5.3 billion dollars in tax revenue next year. And considering it's going to mean you only pay $114 for luxury items that you would have paid $115 for before, it's not going to make a big difference to anyone individually.

- Canada is expensive. Your american dollar is worth about 6 cents more, and the excise taxes on booze and cigarettes will likely kill you before the booze and cigarettes do.

The American dollar has been taking a severe beating over the last five or six years though. And really, the taxes aren't that bad. If an extra 75 cents in tax on a 26er of vodka is a big deal to you, you're probably drinking WAY TOO MUCH.

- More Canadians knew that it was George W. Bush's birthday than Americans.

Ok?

- Canadian Network journalism is a lot better than in the states, which is another way of saying that Canadian television is boring as hell. All the best shows are American made.

That's mainly because here we try to keep news and entertainment separate. We get good news coverage that isn't heavily heavily biased towards a specific side (In case you're wondering, it's biased towards the political RIGHT in America, not the left as you all seem to think), and we still get to import all the best entertainment shows from America and Britain anyway, and then we also get some good Canadian shows as well. It's a pretty good deal.

- Men from Quebec are like French people in the sense that they take money from street performers.

Err, just so you know, although it's in the same border on the map, most people in Canada don't really like to talk about Quebec that much. See, "Canada" as you know it is actually divided up into three parts: Toronto, Quebec, and Canada.

- Last time I went to Canada, everyone asked me if I liked George W. Bush. Now everyone knows that no one likes him so they've stopped asking.

Well, at first we were quite confused as to why you people kept electing him, as he's quite clearly a complete jackass, and America is really the only place in the entire world where he's got enough support to be elected.

- Generally, most Canadian people are pretty friendly unless they are assholes. However, two Canadians I met found out I was American and asked me about a soft-wood lumber deal, and I didn't know what the hell they were talking about. Then they called me an ignorant American and I told them that they were lucky that we buy their lumber at all.

Ok, first of all yeah, those people are assholes, but after they called you an ignorant American, it might have been better to say "fuck you" than try to say that we're "lucky" that you buy our lumber, which kind of further exposes your ignorance. Your country needs Canadian lumber in order to function properly. If you stopped buying lumber from Canada, your industry would be proper fucked. Considering what's been going on with this issue, you're lucky that we SELL you our lumber.

- Need a Starbucks coffee while in Vancouver? You're in luck!

Starbucks is an infectious parasite that's been slowly spreading itself across the globe. It's the same everywhere you go. Especially Vancouver.

- Think gas is expensive in America? It was like, 1.159 in Canada, for a liter. It's more money, so next time you're pissed, remind yourself that you could be in Canada and you'll feel better.

Gas is expensive EVERYWHERE except America, which is why everyone tells Americans to shut up when they were bitching about how their gas might break two bucks a gallon soon. If this bothers you, stay the hell out of Europe.

- Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.

To be fair, we're only second best at the moment because Shatner currently resides in America, and his radiance is spreading light over those grounds rather than his homeland's. However, we still maintain the original birth site of Shatner, which radiates over 65 gallons of pure euphoria per 24 hours.

- Canada is a great place to be if you're not filthy rich.

Hells yeah. Especially if you get your face broken open by something.

THE END

[TwO-FaCeD-PaRaNoID]

im half canadian.... does that count?

[Sir-S-Of-TURBO]

If canada is the 2nd best country in the world, then who's no. 1?
My guess is ofc denmark or sweden :)

[Memorize]

Canada's Healthcare. It's a lot like care insurance, it's helpful if you're accident prone, but if not, it's just a huge waste of money.

[ImmoralLibertarian]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: - Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.

Well i knew that, but where's number one?

[Elfer]

At 7/9/06 12:06 PM, AccessCode wrote: Canada's Healthcare. It's a lot like care insurance, it's helpful if you're accident prone, but if not, it's just a huge waste of money.

Right, because it's impossible to be struck by a sudden injury or disease at an inopportune time through no fault of your own.

[MoralLibertarian]

lol.

At 7/9/06 11:10 AM, Elfer wrote: Actually it depends what province you're in. At least it's lower than 21 in any case.

True. I was feeling quite at home going to bars and smoking cigars.

I forget if it's Vancouver or somewhere else, but as I recall there's a place that actually requires people to have a panhandling license.

It's not working.

In any case, this isn't really representative of all of Canada, because Vancouver is where they keep all the crackheads and shit these days.

That may be true. It was still a beautiful city though.

I don't remember hearing any concern over this :/

I was reading the Globe and Mail.

That's because Stephen harper is making retarded tax cuts, like cutting the GST by one percent. This move not only is a benefit only to the rich, but it's also going to cost the government 5.3 billion dollars in tax revenue next year. And considering it's going to mean you only pay $114 for luxury items that you would have paid $115 for before, it's not going to make a big difference to anyone individually.

That is retarded, but it's not as retarded as having both a national sales tax AND an income tax.

The American dollar has been taking a severe beating over the last five or six years though. And really, the taxes aren't that bad. If an extra 75 cents in tax on a 26er of vodka is a big deal to you, you're probably drinking WAY TOO MUCH.

I don't care that our dollar has been taking a beating, since it's good for business and I rarely leave the country. And the excise is so bad, that if I lived in Canada, 21, and close to the Canadian border, I would go over to the states to buy booze and cigarettes.

The cigarettes were unbelievable. I had to pay 9 canadian dollars for cigarettes in Vancouver for my sister, which made me glad that I don't smoke. Also, big tobacco doesn't own your government, because there's a picture of a blackened heart and an advertisement on the cigarette box telling me that 1 out of every 2 smokers dies from smoking.

(In case you're wondering, it's biased towards the political RIGHT in America, not the left as you all seem to think)

Then why are network journalists always advocating raising taxes?

Err, just so you know, although it's in the same border on the map, most people in Canada don't really like to talk about Quebec that much. See, "Canada" as you know it is actually divided up into three parts: Toronto, Quebec, and Canada.

That's not the first time I got that vibe.

Well, at first we were quite confused as to why you people kept electing him, as he's quite clearly a complete jackass, and America is really the only place in the entire world where he's got enough support to be elected.

Still, I find it ridiculous that the "obnoxious American" stereotype prevails when it is generally the Canadian who asks us if we like George W. Bush, and then says, "What? You do? I can't believe it! How could anyone like him?!" if you say anything other than, "I hate him."

Ok, first of all yeah, those people are assholes, but after they called you an ignorant American, it might have been better to say "fuck you" than try to say that we're "lucky" that you buy our lumber, which kind of further exposes your ignorance. Your country needs Canadian lumber in order to function properly. If you stopped buying lumber from Canada, your industry would be proper fucked. Considering what's been going on with this issue, you're lucky that we SELL you our lumber.

Our American lumber industries, who are mostly responsible for a lot of the duties put on foreign lumber including Canadian lumber, would probably disagree with you when you say that we "need" Canadian lumber. In truth, they would probably be perfectly happy to supply all of America's lumber needs at inflated prices due to lack of competition from Canada and overseas. In addition, the Canadian dollar is at a high while the US dollar is fairly low, so we're not getting any special deals by buying your lumber. I honestly don't know everything there is to know about the issue, but it seems like you guys are getting fucked. But you're still selling us lumber because you need our business: the US has the biggest real-estate market in the world and you would not be doing yourself any favors by not selling your lumber to us even if our duties are most likely bogus.

Starbucks is an infectious parasite that's been slowly spreading itself across the globe. It's the same everywhere you go. Especially Vancouver.

True. I was really worried though.

Gas is expensive EVERYWHERE except America

Correction: gas is expensive EVERYWHERE. It's just more expensive in some places.

[BigBlueBalls]

At 7/9/06 03:17 AM, -poxpower- wrote: English-canadian has pretty bland tv. Its just underfunded copies of american shows and movies.

Bullshit. Trailer Park Boys rocks! Also, most "English-Canadian" shows that become popular here, end up being bought out by the U.S., while Quebec shows stay in Quebec because nobody hears of them or cares enough to buy them out since noone in the U.S. speaks French.

[BigBlueBalls]

At 7/9/06 02:02 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: In addition, the Canadian dollar is at a high while the US dollar is fairly low, so we're not getting any special deals by buying your lumber. I honestly don't know everything there is to know about the issue, but it seems like you guys are getting fucked. But you're still selling us lumber because you need our business: the US has the biggest real-estate market in the world and you would not be doing yourself any favors by not selling your lumber to us even if our duties are most likely bogus.

American homeowners are getting equally fucked, but who cares at least they're buying inflated American lumber right?

Starbucks is an infectious parasite that's been slowly spreading itself across the globe. It's the same everywhere you go. Especially Vancouver.

True. I was really worried though.

I don't see many out here and I had no idea that it was so popular in Vancouver. Mostly Tim Horton's you'll see throughout the rest of Canada, which has far superior coffee, if you're looking for real coffee-flavoured coffee.

[cylon]

At 7/9/06 03:17 AM, -poxpower- wrote: 19 for the rest of the country. Beats you fucks :p

It's 18 in Manitoba and Alberta as well.

You don't see anyone calling George Bush "G" do ya?

You must have missed the hilarious rap-battle between Bush & Harper.

[MoralLibertarian]

At 7/9/06 02:33 PM, BigBlueBalls wrote: American homeowners are getting equally fucked, but who cares at least they're buying inflated American lumber right?

That's kind of how I feel, but I doubt I'd feel the same way if I was an investor in an American timber company.

[TwO-FaCeD-PaRaNoID]

At 7/9/06 12:09 PM, o_r_i_g_i_n_a_l wrote:

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: - Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.

Well i knew that, but where's number one?

well... which country has legal dope...

A) Holland
B) The Netherlands
C) Switzerland!

[peedee]

Wow. I can't believe someone just took close to twenty thing about Canada, and lumped them together from visiting one city to base an opinion.

*Claps*

You sure proved your point!

[ImmoralLibertarian]

I think Portugal has it legal too. It’s really sunny in the south pretty much all year round as well…

[Jargonmaster]

At 7/9/06 11:10 AM, Elfer wrote:
See, "Canada" as you know it is actually divided up into three parts: Toronto, Quebec, and Canada.

What about Alberta? Last time I checked they had lots and lots and lots of oil...

[morefngdbs]

At 7/8/06 10:58 PM, MoralLibertarian wrote: I went to Vancouver and thought that I would share some observations.

- 18 is not a good age to be in Canada. You can't buy booze or alcohol.

; Come to the East Coast of Canada 18 is the drinking age in Prince Edward Island aka P.E.I.

- Canadian newspapers were concerned that President Bush called the Prime Minister "Steve" even though that is a common nickname for men named Stephen (what is he supposed to call him? Your majesty?)

; I think he likes to be called Stevie, but I didn't vote for him & I'm not sure.

- In one Canadian magazine, Prime Minister Harper was referred to as Harperstein, and on his negative agenda for the country, "cut taxes" was included next to "cut medicare." This leads me to believe that Canadians no longer enjoy getting tax cuts

Every time they cut taxes in one place they double them some where else

- Canada is expensive. Your american dollar is worth about 6 cents more, and the excise taxes on booze and cigarettes will likely kill you before the booze and cigarettes do.

Very expensive for beer $31.00 + a 24 in most places
Tobacco is $10.00 + a pack

- Need a Starbucks coffee while in Vancouver? You're in luck!

Please try a Tim Hortons, I don't drink it myself but I do have some stock in the company and the coffee shops are everywhere

- Think gas is expensive in America? It was like, 1.159 in Canada, for a liter. It's more money, so next time you're pissed, remind yourself that you could be in Canada and you'll feel better.

$1.14 a litre here so that's $4.56 for a tiny bit more than our gallon.
NOTE-"Canadian Imperial" gallon is larger than an "American" gallon.
I have no idea why that is.

- Canada is definitely the second best country in the world, even though it's fun to pick on them for no reason.
- Canada is a great place to be if you're not filthy rich.

;Kudo's I feel the same about the U.S. & is a reason why I come down there at least once a year. Plus There are so many more of you, and so many are really great people.

THE END