Canadian culture?


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Well as for some serious culture talk, you're right. Canadian citizens have to deal with a lot of things differently than in other countries, even the USA. (Southern parts) I know here in Ottawa in the summer time it can reach 40 degrees C (105F) and even higher humidity values close to 50 celcius. In the winter time it can dip down to -40 C/F with windchills down to -60. So that's quite the temperature range we have to deal with. With that means we need a lot more clothing than other people in other countries with more of a narrow temperature range and climate. That's just a start on Canadian culture.

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Pp,

I'm sure publically, politicians and the cover of the symbolic book on the "make up of a canuck" would like to say we're muliticultural. But as we herald our multicultural stripes, are we loosing what is uniquely canadian? And your question was, just what is it to be distincly Canadian?

We are somewhat of a passive society, in that we tend to refrain from waving the red maple leaf all that much, except for those few occassions like this winter's olympics. I saw true signs of Canadian pride during those two weeks. There are times when I envy our neighbors to the south (and northwest in Alaska, wouldn't wan'na tick off Wobbly!) in regards to their patriotism for their flag and country. I think canadians have that sense of being proud to truly be canadian, but they tend to subdue those feelings, where our american friends take every opportunity to wave the flag and yell to the world, I'M AN AMERICAN!

Our view of the world tends to be more objective than many other countries and I think our schooling and teachings are more transcontinental than just the things that have happened within own geographic borders. Hence one of the reasons why the canadian flag may very well get you a pass or a warm smile from a citizen when you visit another country.

I don't think too many people would be able to launch a strong rebuttal to the argument that we as canadians, are living under the security unbrella of the US. But since 9/11 we have also been subjected to the security escallations of "Big Brother" to a certain degree.

I went to the Carribean this winter for holidays, but felt my liberty to freely move safely within those countries was pretty much limited to the resort I was on. That may not have been the case, but that was my impression. While in Canada, I would not have any reservation to travel anywhere in the country, north, south, east or west, or to recommend that to any foreigner.

On the Molson's commercial that is the "My Name is Joe, and I AM CANADIAN!", it makes most canadians smile, but I think there is a lot of what we are, or what we quietly want to be in that short flick!

I sometimes ponder on whether the embracing of the total multicultural approach is putting what we have traditionally held as truly canadian icons on the sidelines for fear of offending someone or some group.

Still in light of all of our flaws and weaknesses, I still hold that the day you were born or confirmed as a Canadian citizen, is the day you won the lottery of life!

TBow.....and I AM CANADIAN

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