| | |
The Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians by Vaughn Roste A guide to understanding the Canadians which shows the quirks of personality
that set them apart from their neighbours to the south in the United States of
America.
| The fabric of society | | The nation aspires towards a 'cultural mosaic', something like
a patchwork quilt, whereas Americans have aimed for the 'melting pot'. Canadians
are essentially practical, and have figured out that the bat-brained idea of a
melting pot would simply never work in a country where 50% of the land never completely
thaws at all. A quilt is a much more pragmatic idea: it's cold outside. |
| On a clear day you can see forever |
| Having so much land has a great effect on the character, customs and
culture of the nation. Take, for example, the prairies. The plains of Canada stretch
out endlessly. The flattest spot in the world can be found here, with nary a tree
to obstruct the view, which leaves the prairie observer with a remarkably huge
view of nothing. In Saskatchewan it is said that you can watch your dog running
away for three days. |
| Honesty is the best policy |
| In the settling of the Canadian prairies, the early pioneers had no-one
to rely on but themselves and their near neighbours. Honesty and integrity were
important, not to mention things like a good reputation and a virtuous character.
It's an attitude that persists to this day. In areas with sparse population, one
cannot underestimate the power of public opinion (and the potential damage of
the rumour mill). Peer pressure promotes public propriety. Politicians are expected
to live up to their promises (and are regularly voted out when they regularly
don't). |
| The bear truth | | Canadians are down-to-earth, even earthy, people, and there are fewer
extremes of class in Canadian society than in many others. Arrogance is curtailed
by a lack of things about which to brag, although in your presence a Canadian
might have caught a larger fish or climbed a higher mountain than you have, and
killed a more ferocious grizzly bear (with his bare hands, naturally). |
| Please send
us your review or thoughts on this title. |
| info@ovalbooks.com |
| Xenophobe's
Guides aim to help us understand our differences. |
| Daily Express |
|
Short, aphoristic, seriously funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely apt
guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on ferry or plane. |
| The Observer |
Nationalism
and Identity
Character
Attitudes and Values
Happy Families
Manners
and Behaviour
Leisure and Pleasure
Drinking and Eating
Custom and
Tradition
Sense of Humour
Culture
Systems
Culture
Systems
Business and Commerce
Government
Language | |
| 
| Author:
Vaughn
Roste | | Format:
64
pages, pb | | Published:
31/10/02 | | Updated:
July
2004
| | Price:
£3.99 | | ISBN-10
& ISBN-13: 1-902825-21-7 |
|
