I eat whale blubber and club baby seals...

[Flames9_RN 358]

I had a great holiday this spent summer!!

[Sprailenes 47]

There's another one, actually: College. When I first met my in-laws, my wife told me to say "university" instead of "college." I found that odd, since I've always said "college" and that generally means the same thing as "university" in the U.S., but apparently, it has a different connotation in Canada.

It's just sounds funny. No one (except pretentious a-holes) actually say "I'm attending university!" No matter where you go, from Harvard to some community college, everyone seeking education past high school says, "I'm going to college!"

That's one I struggle with. My husband told me that in the US, it sounds pretentious to say that you went to or are going to university. In Canada, though, you call college college and university university. Nothing pretentious about it -- it's like calling apples apples and bananas bananas.

I went to both college and university, and I think and mean 2 different things when I use each word. How can I call a banana an apple when there's a word for banana to show that you're talking about a banana and not an apple? I'll have to if I don't want to sound pretentious, but it's crazy to me that using the right word sounds pretentious and I have to use a word other than what something is to avoid coming across wrong.

Imagine if you had to call both pencils and pens pens because the word pencil sounded pretentious. That's how it feels to me. Saying bathroom instead of washroom is much easier -- it's just a different word for the same thing.

Funny because I found a lot of Canadian friends always sounded pretentious when they talked about University.

I seriously thought University people were sooo arrogant. I went to Georgian College and I remember them all going on about University and their University things. Here I was an advertising student and they were all philosophy majors...we all became soo different. And they'd say: "Nevada come to university" like I just had thousands and thousands of dollars worth of pocket change laying around.

Edited August 28, 2008 by Sprailenes

[Reba 2]

Holiday used to be used more often a couple decades ago in Canada. Since the advent of cable television however, the American vernacular vacation is used more and more. When I was a kid, we always went on holiday, but as I got older and out on my own, it somehow became vacation.

The British/Commonwealth use of the word holiday goes back a long way. It just means a break from work, not only just a holy day. (which if you're so against using the word holiday for anything but a holy day, then Independence Day, Memorial Day etc is just a break from work, not being religious holidays )

Main Entry: 1hol·i·day

Pronunciation: \ˈhä-lə-ˌdā, British usually ˈhä-lə-dē\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English hāligdæg, from hālig holy + dæg day

Date: before 12th century

1: holy day

2: a day on which one is exempt from work; specifically : a day marked by a general suspension of work in commemoration of an event

3chiefly British : vacation —often used in the phrase on holiday —often used in plural

4: a period of exemption or relief <corporations enjoying a tax holiday>

[vanee 13]

I know and understand that's how it feels to you, but to us -- to Americans -- it feels the same way when someone says "I'm attending university" instead of "I'm going to college." To us, it all means the same thing. The "right word" is subjective, after all.

I'm fine with the "right" word being a different word in a different country. There are plenty of examples of that: washroom = bathroom or restroom, parkade = parking garage, and so on. I just need to remember to use the other word.

My difficulty with college/university is that something that's ordinary to me is pretentious in the other culture, so I have to call it the word for something different to avoid sounding pretentious. Think how you'd feel if you had to call a bathroom a laundry room in a different culture because "bathroom" was seen as pretentious. Calling it a washroom probably wouldn't be difficult, but "laundry room" is the name for a different entity. Why use a word for something else when the thing already has its own name?

I'll be learning to make a clear distinction between "college" and "university" since I'm now living in Canada. That feels very wrong to me, but it's how things operate here, and I accept that.

Yeah, that's how I'm trying to see it too.

[Krikit 1,164]

I wouldn't care whether they thought it was pretentious or not. I'd still use it properly. People who would judge you based on using the word "university" aren't really the type of people who would matter in my life.

[DeadPoolX 9]

I wouldn't care whether they thought it was pretentious or not. I'd still use it properly. People who would judge you based on using the word "university" aren't really the type of people who would matter in my life.

You know what? You're right! While in Canada, I'll use the term properly as I know it and say "college." Whatever anyone else thinks is irrelevant.

[trailmix 77]

I wouldn't care whether they thought it was pretentious or not. I'd still use it properly. People who would judge you based on using the word "university" aren't really the type of people who would matter in my life.

[antda 13]

Hi Everyone (especially fellow Canucks),

For me, when I say that I'm "Canadian", they don't usually believe me. Maybe it's because I don't look like a "typical" Canadian and I am a Canadian Citizen through naturalization. But yes, I do run into funny situations about being Canadian or lack of being a Canadian.

For example, I remember the following situations:

Situation 1:

American: "Where are you from?"

Me: "Canada"

American: Give a look on their face...like this... .

American: "Where are your parents from?"

Me: "Canada"

American: Again, another look... and walks away....

Situation 2:

American: "Where are you from? Where were you born?"

Me: "Canada. That's my country of citizenship. Then I mention another birth country."

American: "So what do I type in here then?" (they were filling out some information on the computer)

Me: "Canada, I guess. Or you can type in both. Whatever you want."

American: (Types on the computer ) and says "It looks like you've travelled around quite a bit"

American: And a look of... ...

Situation 3:

Canadian (Border guard, crossing the border): "Country of Citizenship?"

Me: "Canada"

Canadian: Looks at my Green Card and my Canadian Passport, looks at me. And has a face...

Canadian: "Where did you first meet your husband?"

Me: "Canada"

Canadian: "How long have you been out of the country? (thinking that I overstayed in the USA)"

Me: "I live in the USA as a permanent resident. But I'm visiting Canada"

Situation 4:

American: "Aren't you a US Citizen now, since you got married here?"

Me: "Not yet. There's something called 'immigration' that I have to go through"

American: "I thought people who became married here were automatically US Citizens. My relative became a US Citizen when they got married."

Me: "Maybe 40-50 years ago or so. Times have changed...."

Situation 5:

American: "Tell me a bit about your culture, as I'd like to learn more about it"

Me: I tell them a bit of information about Canada and where I grew in there

American: Has a look on their face...

American: "I meant your other culture"

Me: That is my former culture. That where I grew up in, lived in, and have citizenship of.

American: "Oh. And another . And then asks me questions about my birth country culture."

Me: I have a look of on my face, not knowing any more information. And then say, "Umm...I think you should talk to my grandparents about this. I have no idea what you're talking about"

Situation 6:

Me (filling out forms): "Country of Birth"

Me: Writes: "Former Citizenship: Canada, Country of Birth: (Lists Birth Country Here)"

American: "Can I have a copy of your American birth certificate"

Me: Gives them the following information: "My Canadian Passport, Canadian Citizenship Card, Birth Certificate, US Green Card"

American: Has a look on their face. "I might as well photocopy all of this, as I don't know what else to do"

American: Photocopies all the information I gave them for their records...

Lol....I'm sure I can think of many other situations here....

But yeah, it's hard to be Canadian (or preceived lack of) at times and not be stereotyped because of it...

Ant (Canadian, caught in a American world...)

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Hi Everyone (especially fellow Canucks),

For me, when I say that I'm "Canadian", they don't usually believe me. Maybe it's because I don't look like a "typical" Canadian and I am a Canadian Citizen through naturalization. But yes, I do run into funny situations about being Canadian or lack of being a Canadian.

For example, I remember the following situations:

Situation 1:

American: "Where are you from?"

Me: "Canada"

American: Give a look on their face...like this... .

American: "Where are your parents from?"

Me: "Canada"

American: Again, another look... and walks away....

Situation 2:

American: "Where are you from? Where were you born?"

Me: "Canada. That's my country of citizenship. Then I mention another birth country."

American: "So what do I type in here then?" (they were filling out some information on the computer)

Me: "Canada, I guess. Or you can type in both. Whatever you want."

American: (Types on the computer ) and says "It looks like you've travelled around quite a bit"

American: And a look of... ...

Situation 3:

Canadian (Border guard, crossing the border): "Country of Citizenship?"

Me: "Canada"

Canadian: Looks at my Green Card and my Canadian Passport, looks at me. And has a face...

Canadian: "Where did you first meet your husband?"

Me: "Canada"

Canadian: "How long have you been out of the country? (thinking that I overstayed in the USA)"

Me: "I live in the USA as a permanent resident. But I'm visiting Canada"

Situation 4:

American: "Aren't you a US Citizen now, since you got married here?"

Me: "Not yet. There's something called 'immigration' that I have to go through"

American: "I thought people who became married here were automatically US Citizens. My relative became a US Citizen when they got married."

Me: "Maybe 40-50 years ago or so. Times have changed...."

Situation 5:

American: "Tell me a bit about your culture, as I'd like to learn more about it"

Me: I tell them a bit of information about Canada and where I grew in there

American: Has a look on their face...

American: "I meant your other culture"

Me: That is my former culture. That where I grew up in, lived in, and have citizenship of.

American: "Oh. And another . And then asks me questions about my birth country culture."

Me: I have a look of on my face, not knowing any more information. And then say, "Umm...I think you should talk to my grandparents about this. I have no idea what you're talking about"

Situation 6:

Me (filling out forms): "Country of Birth"

Me: Writes: "Former Citizenship: Canada, Country of Birth: (Lists Birth Country Here)"

American: "Can I have a copy of your American birth certificate"

Me: Gives them the following information: "My Canadian Passport, Canadian Citizenship Card, Birth Certificate, US Green Card"

American: Has a look on their face. "I might as well photocopy all of this, as I don't know what else to do"

American: Photocopies all the information I gave them for their records...

Lol....I'm sure I can think of many other situations here....

But yeah, it's hard to be Canadian (or preceived lack of) at times and not be stereotyped because of it...

Ant (Canadian, caught in a American world...)

Hmm...going to bite my tongue with this one.....

Edited September 2, 2008 by ~Laura and Nick~

[Mephys 2]

Hi Everyone (especially to fellow Canucks),

Well, it looks like VJ isn't just for immigration advice after all! It's odd how I found this message thread while I was on the Canada forum. Regardless, thanks for starting and participating in this personal off-topic thread. It's been interesting to read other things around here, besides immigration-related issues...

WTH

First off did you really just found out that VJ isn't just about immigration ? And why is it ODD to find this kind of messages in Canada forum...What is wrong with you ? Don't you EVER read in Canada forum

Hi Everyone (especially fellow Canucks),

For me, when I say that I'm "Canadian", they don't usually believe me. Maybe it's because I don't look like a "typical" Canadian and I am a Canadian Citizen through naturalization.

And you will have to clarify me.....what does a TYPICAL CANADIAN looks like ???? Is there a preset look to look Canadian ? That comment is about as clever as saying that you don't look like a Typical American.......

Edited September 2, 2008 by Mephys

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

And you will have to clarify me.....what does a TYPICAL CANADIAN looks like ???? Is there a preset look to look Canadian ? That comment is about as clever as saying that you don't look like a Typical American.......

Oh cause you know Mephys...because Canadian is so so horrible.

I get looks ALL THE TIME like this when I tell people here I'm Canadian....it's warrented though you know cause after all, I am Canadian.... It's like we are aliens or something.....

You can always tell a Canadian...we really do have that look to us...right?

[Sprailenes 47]

We all look like lumberjacks.....duh!

Edited September 2, 2008 by Sprailenes

[Mephys 2]

And you will have to clarify me.....what does a TYPICAL CANADIAN looks like ???? Is there a preset look to look Canadian ? That comment is about as clever as saying that you don't look like a Typical American.......

Oh cause you know Mephys...because Canadian is so so horrible.

I get looks ALL THE TIME like this when I tell people here I'm Canadian....it's warrented though you know cause after all, I am Canadian.... It's like we are aliens or something.....

You can always tell a Canadian...we really do have that look to us...right?

Yeah the look with the Daniel Boon Racoon hat, and the Ice pike to built our igloos....followed by our brave sleigh dogs....

[vanee 13]

First off did you really just found out that VJ isn't just about immigration ? And why is it ODD to find this kind of messages in Canada forum...What is wrong with you ? Don't you EVER read in Canada forum

Nothing is wrong with the member. Most of us don't read every forum or every thread in the forums we do frequent. No point in making an issue out of a non-issue.

And you will have to clarify me.....what does a TYPICAL CANADIAN looks like ???? Is there a preset look to look Canadian ? That comment is about as clever as saying that you don't look like a Typical American.......

My impression from that was that the member doesn't fit some people's idea of what a typical Canadian looks like. Those of us from Canada know that there is no typical Canadian, but we could make a similar mistake with people from other countries.

[~Laura and Nick~ 5]

Yeah the look with the Daniel Boon Racoon hat, and the Ice pike to built our igloos....followed by our brave sleigh dogs....

I have one of those boon raccoon hats permanently glued on my head you know...oh and I don't go anywhere without my hug jug of maple syrup which I pour over everything I eat.....

Being Canadian is such a disgrace.....