How Russians view Canada...

[benCA]

The only thing i knew about Canada is good hockey players. But back in Russia or Ukraine you mostly hear about good old USA, not canada. When i was in ukraine, i never hear anything about canada.

[Sammy]

You are right benCA. Canada is known for ice-hockey in Russia unlike U.S., which is known for everything from music to politics.....

[Dashenka]

Should anyone forget...us United States Citizens, and them Canadians up north yonder...we're both Americans! He he he..

Acctually I want to reply to the comment about the US being a melting pot where you are forced to blend in as opposed to Canada. There is always pressure to conform to mainstream culture where ever you live. If you want to live in the US and be Russian..be Russian, or Polish, or Swedish, or Chinese, or whatever cultural background you come from. I know lots of Russians who live here in Denver Colorado who are very Russian and don't feel like they have to give up any aspect of their culture. Here's an example: A Czech family lives two houses down from me. They have taught their two sons Czech. They read them Czech bedtime stories, and make their traditional recipes during Christmas, etc. They have posters from Czech movies and plays on their walls...they have Czech artwork and handicrafts over their fireplace. They really seem to take pride in there culture, in their home country, and they are both sucessful professionals. No one asks them not to be Czech.

Here's another example about the pressures to conform in any culture. I was talking to a professor of mine the other day and he was telling me about what it was like to live in England while he was attending Oxford. He said he felt rather odd being the only one celebrating Thanksgiving and the 4th of July, and he got some weird looks from people. Certinly there was pressure not to celebrate those wacky un-British holidays. But, people will accept (generally). Those kind of looks and curiosity are a good opportunity to help broaden peoples' horizons and teach them something about your culture.

Did this make sense? I feel sort of loopy. I've had waaay too much caffine today! ...bzzzzzz

Dasha

[sunnybev6]

Hello,
Im from the USA and I love Canada..so do most of my friends..I have been there numerous times on vacation and I always want to go back for more..the people are nice and the country is beautiful..actually, I feel right at home there..if I couldnt live in the USA..Canada would be my second choice for "home"

[glock_girl]

Sunnybev:
Nice words...thanks! I do love my country also - with the exception of our current government.

In addition, as a 'nuck I have to add that our neighbours down south (at least at the end I'm living in) are great too. I did a lot of shopping down there (when our dollar was actually worth something) and had nothing but good encounters with both the sales people, as well as those just doing there own thing.

As an afterthought...

I think it's sad, really if (any) two countries are taught to hate eachother because of political and/or religious differences. Every country has problems - not one is perfect. We're all in this together.

[Mariboulg]

Originally posted by benCA
The only thing i knew about Canada is good hockey players. But back in Russia or Ukraine you mostly hear about good old USA, not canada. When i was in ukraine, i never hear anything about canada.

I live in Québec, Canada among the French Canadians. And let me say that I practicly see no difference betwen Russians ang Quebecois. They eat the same pee soup, and look like. Of course, culturaly there is major differences.

[glock_girl]

PEA soup...

You know, I have been to Quebec several times. I like it there and was surprised that Quebec City didn't pull in at #1 as the most beauitful city. It's definitely more beautiful than Vancouver...

But the differences between where I live and Quebec is VAST (even though we live in the same country). Generally speaking, the Quebecers are much more family oriented and customary than people here. When I was in Quebec, I had the pleasure to spend Christmas and St. Jean Baptiste Day with a Quebec family (whose son I've known for years). I can't tell you how warm and welcoming everyone was (considering I didn't even speak French!!). I felt like a member of their family.
Here, I find people cold and rather sterile. After all, I have heard that Vancouver (according to most eastern Canadians) is referred to as "the city of the dead". Could be the lack of sun, but it seems people are very self centred here on the average (not speaking for everyone of course).