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.
6 July 2008 @ 6:43 pm
Found your observations very interesting. About customer service: we’ve noticed a decline in this area for several years, depending on the store, but I’d say it’s even worse in the last couple of years. Some of it may be a result of the labour shortage caused by the oil boom. And, sadly, by the many who would be working in this type of job if they hadn’t lost their lives in abortions. Strange how we never hear about the latter in the mainstream media.
It must have been quite a relief to again be able to understand the language being spoken around you. There are paranoid people who often think others are talking about them when they can’t hear them, even if they are speaking the same language. And, I think most of us feel just a little uneasy when those within our hearing are talking in a language we can’t understand. I can’t imagine the culture shock of being alone in a place where everyone is conversing in a (to you) foreign language.
13 July 2008 @ 3:59 pm
Jim, you are right. We are rich! Filthy rich!! Even the poorest Canadians have wealth beyond the understanding of some who live in Mexico and other impoverished countries. I believe those of us who stay home have a HUGE, yet most often neglected duty of sharing. A sharing of their wealth, their hospitality, and their faith. May God bless and reward your family, even this side of Heaven, as you serve Him wholeheartedly – body, mind, soul and wallet – every day in Mexico.
18 July 2008 @ 9:21 am
Good list. One thing that is different for us – I fully expect customer service to be worse, but yet more like I like it. 🙂 I can’t get used to the overbearing, follow-me-around-the-store service we get here.
As for healthy snacks: I look forward to buying potato chips that aren’t made with aspartame! 🙂
18 July 2008 @ 1:14 pm
I’m sorry – could you repeat that? Did you say potato chips with aspartame? You must be kidding. That shouldn’t be legal.