Jim on Canada

It’s been a little while since my trip (and as I actually write this I still have no internet access), but I promised I would write a bit about my trip to Canada.  And a promise is a promise.  I’m going to follow the tradition of Shari when she came back from Canada and write about some of the differences I noticed between Canada and Mexico.  So here goes.

• Here’s one odd thing that confused me no end.  When you go into a store, what in the world do you say to the cashier?  Or when you go to pay, how do you greet the person at the counter?  In Mexico, it’s quite simple – usually a "Good morning" or "Good afternoon".  I tried that in English but it didn’t sound right.  I have a feeling you usually say nothing until you actually go to pay, but then what?  Hello?  Hey?  Anyway, that was some unexpected confusion.
• Singing worship songs in English on Sunday morning was trippy.  Can I use the word "trippy" for something like that?  Anyway, it was good – naturally I can understand more of the subtleties in English.
• People are rich in Canada.  Wow.
• Driving was quite different.  People really stick to the rules, but I think they’re more likely to get mad at you if you do something wrong, even if it’s minor.  I found I had to really concentrate hard to make sure I was following all the rules of the road.
• I hate to say something so negative, but I know many people in Canada will agree with me.  Customer service was horrendous.  Seriously, people are so polite here in Mexico.  They smile, and they try to help.  They go out of their way to help.  But in Calgary … well, I was going to give an example, but I’ll be kind.  Needless to say, things happened in Calgary that I can’t imagine happening in Mexico.
• You can eat very healthy in Mexico.  But it helps if you can cook, and know what to buy, and where, and how.  One thing I noticed in Canada was that it’s a lot easier to find healthy snacks – quick food – than it is in Mexico.  You know, like things that say they’re "whole grain" and don’t list refined flour as the first ingredient.  Quick, yet healthy, snacks.  Yum.
• It’s quite a sense of power to be able to actually understand what people around you are saying (even if you aren’t a part of the conversation).
• On a related note, however, the multi-culturalism of Calgary was quite a change.  Mexico City is somewhat multi-cultural, but generally people are from native Mexican, Spanish, or mixed blood.  People generally speak Spanish, and there are only a few cultures you’re likely to see.  In Calgary, in my few days there I’m sure I heard many languages, and saw people from many different cultures.  Even more so than in the States (at the airport in Houston – not a lot of exposure there, but still, it is an airport!).  Calgary, and Canada at large, is really a rich mix of cultures.