The previous situation has happened more than once to me. When it comes up with some new acquaintances that I am Canadian, they feel the need to quiz me on Canada for whatever purpose. This is humourous most times.
Now I am not high and mighty, there is more I don't know about Canada than I care to mention. And don't get me started on my lack of knowledge of America. I am learning stuff here all the time that I had no knowledge of being in Canada thinking about Canadian problems.
Here are a couple I have gotten that I found amusing:
- What's the national sport of Canada?
- Lacrosse.
- I have gotten this one multiple times. Usually by men who have played lacrosse. They are usually shocked I know this.
- Why are you still killing seals?
- This one was a long time ago but still it stuck with me.
- I tried to explain the explosion in seal stocks and the impact on the fishery this was having to no avail.
- I countered with, how are your Buffalo herds doing?
- Do you swim in Canada?
- That is, does it ever get warm enough in the summer to swim in lakes and such? The answer, yes.
- So you play hockey?
- No, I don't. I've played road hockey a bit. I have never played organized ice hockey, never owned hockey gear beyond a stick and skates, and never played on a team. I played some pond hockey (maybe 5 times in my life). I can't stop, I can barely cross cut, and I don't think I can do a slap shot.
- So, no, I don't think I am qualified to say I play hockey.
- John from Toronto? Jean from Montreal? Nope I don't know them.
- Can't say I met their extended family but who knows.
- What kind of beer do you drink there?
- Not sure why anyone cares but we have beer in Canada. It is good. I don't drink Labatt's Blue or other mainstream beers. I drink the same stuff I drink everywhere, microbrews and European beers. Ya, I am a beer hipster.
The joys of being a foreigner in a strange land.
2 comments:
You can one-up the lacrosse guys by pointing out that lacrosse is technically the national summer sport of Canada and hockey is the national winter sport.
Thanks Grant! That's a great one to know.
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