Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians

By Vaughn Roste, Peter W Wilson, Peter W. Wilson

Book Overview

The fabric of societyThe nation aspires towards a "cultural mosaic," something like a patchwork quilt, whereas Americans have aimed for the "melting pot." Canadians are essentially practical, and have figured out that the bat-brained idea of a melting pot would simply never work in a country where 50% of the land never completely thaws at all. A quilt is a much more pragmatic idea: it's cold outside. On a clear day you can see foreverHaving so much land has a great effect on the character, customs, and culture of the nation. Take, for example, the prairies. The plains of Canada stretch out endlessly. The flattest spot in the world can be found here, with nary a tree to obstruct the view, which leaves the prairie observer with a remarkably huge view of nothing. In Saskatchewan it is said that you can watch your dog running away for three days. Honesty is the best policyIn the settling of the Canadian prairies, the early pioneers had no-one to rely on but themselves and their near neighbors. Honesty and integrity were important, not to mention things like a good reputation and a virtuous character. It's an attitude that persists to this day. In areas with sparse population, one cannot underestimate the power of public opinion (and the potential damage of the rumor mill). Peer pressure promotes public propriety. Politicians are expected to live up to their promises (and are regularly voted out when they regularly don't). The bear truthCanadians are down-to-earth, even earthy, people, and there are fewer extremes of class in Canadian society than in many others. Arrogance is curtailed by a lack of things about which to brag, although in your presence a Canadian might have caught a larger fish or climbed a higher mountain than you have, and killed a more ferocious grizzly bear (with his bare hands, naturally).

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 190604225X
• ISBN13: 9781906042257
• Release Date: November 2009
• Publisher: Oval Books
• Length: 85 Pages
• Weight: 0.20 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 4.2" x 6.7"

Customer Reviews

A Winner on His First Try

First of all, his name is "Roste". not "Roster". Please change that on the website. Thanks. Having noted that, I'm pleased to say that I find this book delightful! It is informative, humourous as well as full of good humour, and has just enough ascerbic wit to keep it tangy. The style could be called typically Canadian - and that's certainly suitable! - in that it blends an obvious national pride with a certain self-effacingmanner. Vaughn has managed to peg some of the vulnerabilities ofvarious places, peoples, and perspectives in this great land anddo it in such a way as to bring smiles instead of frowns - to this reader anyway! By the way, this reader is from the States (aCanadian resident for 16 years)and all Vaughn's references to that land south of the Canadian border are taken as they were made, in good humour. Anytime he has come close to a bit of subtle criticism, I've agreed anyway!I recommend this book to all Canadians who will undoubtedly learneven more about their country, to people in the U.S. who mightpick up something valuable for the first time(!), and to anyone planning a trip to any part of the Great White North. What he haswritten has prompted me to check out several other books in theXenophobe Series AND to order a good many copies of this book to give to friends. Now....how do I go about ordering?! Get set forseveral printings!