Culture shock for Canadians in the US

[Emancipation 2]

I can't help you there.. Was told once as a youth pastor in South Carolina that I wasn't allowed to invite kids of "other colors" to our YG. They said "they have their churches and we have ours.. leave it at that".. I was stunned.. Could not believe it. WHAAAAT?

Racism is wrong in any circle, but it's things like that that give Christians a bad name.

Read Col 3:11. I did last night.

Sorry for going OT there.

For sure.. you are preaching to the choir for real! It's one of those things I just shook my head at and promptly left the position and moved on... sometimes that's all you can do!

[Reba 2]

I agree- I can't get over the whole race thing....in NC this is a huge issue and it irritates me -we as canadians are too polite and politically correct I guess, that's why I just don't get it. I've had neighbours tell me the same thing, not to let my childeren play with "those" people, bugs the ###### out of me, I say you know where I come from we are so multi cultural i have a problem with that comment, they look at me and actually say" you'll learn" YIKES! No I won't learn and I will not teach my kids any diffrent, I am the same inside as everyone else and hope that my kids know it does not matter what colour you are EVERY one has feelings....I need to find a good come back when someone says this stuff any advice to help me along?

I've had similar comments in my neck of the woods of NC as well. Usually here though people complain about all the "damned immigrants", then I'll say "hey, I'm an immigrant" and "oh, you don't count, you're from Canada!"

There's a large latino (of varying backgrounds) here in town, plus about half a dozen Pakistanis, a few Chinese and a bunch of Hmong. The city is very "proud of its diversity". ugh....just don't let your kids play with their kids, and everything will be just peachy.

[Melyssa 0]

What in tarnation is a Frito Pie? When I come back generally the only Canadianesque type thing I bring across is a few bags of the Ketchup chips and some Winegums. Those are usually pretty small. One time the immigration officer asked me if I was bringing anything back, I told him a few bags of chips. He looked at me and just said, "let me guess ketchup?". I thought that was funny. It's like Canada's biggest exported good I think...

LOL! I would have found that funny too!

[Lupigirl 67]

Wow, this is an old thread but I found myself nodding and smiling as I read through...

Until I moved down here (Arizona) I had never seen a gun up close, outside of the checkpoints in Mexico.  Here, I see them everyday.  Often on someone's hip as they walk into Walmart.  

Totally agree with the religion/politics thing.  Those are basically taboo subjects in Canada, unless you're using them as humorous topics.  Here, people loudly express their views on everything!  

The postal system is awesome and I love being able to buy wine with my groceries.

Cake mixes and boxed mixes for every other baked good seem to be everywhere!  I know we had them in Canada, but they're almost a staple here and no one I know bakes "from scratch"

No one waves when you let them into your lane while driving.  That might have just been an Alberta thing though.  

People don't apologize when they run into you by accident.  In general, they're not polite.  I've seen more public fights and arguments in my year here than I did my whole life in Canada!  

I had to see a doctor before I got insurance and it was $150, just to get a prescription for antibiotics.  

Sales tax is almost 9% here, as opposed to 5% in Alberta, but most things are cheaper here anyway.

Many people I've met here have never traveled outside of the States.  There is a general lack of knowledge about other countries/cultures and an unquestioning certainty that their country is best.  

I think I took a lot for granted in Canada.