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  • Sep 23, 2008, 10:06 AM
    starbuck8
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    Starby, had to spread the rep but of course I agree. :)

    Even here in Alberta, were english is the main language, we still have to have french on all our products. Of cours english is prominent, but the french is there.

    Exactly!. and because of ONE province! But where are most of Canada's Politicians? ;)
  • Sep 23, 2008, 10:11 AM
    Alty

    It's sad, isn't it? But really, we're still very lucky. All in all, we live in a pretty wonderful country, it could be worse, a lot worse.

    Everyone can find something they don't like about where they live, but for us, french on our products isn't really that bad. Except when the bottle is turned the wrong way and you accidentally wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo, been there, done that. ;)
  • Sep 23, 2008, 10:13 AM
    starbuck8
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    It's sad, isn't it? But really, we're still very lucky. All in all, we live in a pretty wonderful country, it could be worse, alot worse.

    Everyone can find something they don't like about where they live, but for us, french on our products isn't really that bad. Except when the bottle is turned the wrong way and you accidentally wash your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo, been there, done that. ;)

    Did that yesterday... yep conditioner before shampoo... LOL!
  • Sep 23, 2008, 10:16 AM
    Alty

    That's not the worst thing I've done Starby. I once used mousse instead of shaving cream to shave my legs. I also used hair spray instead of deodorant once. Wiggy used Nair instead of shampoo (my fault, shouldn't have left it in the tub). ;)

    Yup, it's sad, I really have to learn to read before I use something. :)
  • Sep 23, 2008, 01:06 PM
    starbuck8

    I once knew someone who used Preparation H, instead of toothpaste! DUH! Gives a whole new meaning to "it feels like someone sh*t in my mouth" LOL!
  • Sep 23, 2008, 01:09 PM
    JudyKayTee
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by starbuck8 View Post
    I once knew someone who used Preperation H, instead of toothpaste! DUH! Gives a whole new meaning to "it feels like someone sh*t in my mouth" LOL!!



    Oh, too funny - my ex-husband (one of the many reasons he's my ex-husband) once used Brylcream, thinking it was toothpaste. (A) Who owns Brylcream? (B) Who confuses it with toothpaste?

    This same man - who shall remain anonymous because I have no wish to be sued - once got up during the night, I heard him rummaging around in the refrigerator, he came back to bed some time later. In the AM he said he LOVED the soup but didn't bother making noodles so he just heated and drank it.

    I hadn't made soup. It was pork gravy from the pork roast the night before.

    BLECH!~
  • Sep 23, 2008, 01:11 PM
    Alty

    Mmmmmm, gravy. :)

    Hee, hee, I've done all sorts of weird things, used all sorts of products that weren't for that specific use. I'm lucky to be alive! ;)
  • Sep 23, 2008, 01:15 PM
    JudyKayTee
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Altenweg View Post
    Mmmmmm, gravy. :)

    Hee, hee, I've done all sorts of wierd things, used all sorts of products that weren't for that specific use. I'm lucky to be alive! ;)


    Do you think that says something bad about my cooking if my own family can't tell my soup and gravy apart?
  • Sep 23, 2008, 01:16 PM
    Alty

    I think it means that you make really yummy gravy, maybe a bit watered down, but yummy! :)
  • Sep 23, 2008, 03:30 PM
    liz28

    You know what Sweetdee, this past weekend I went to my friend baby shower. She is from the upper class but is the most friendly, kind person you can ever meet. She never throws in nobody face about how much money she has, and she got plenty. Her other friends are different. When we got there we got all sorts of looks and I basically wanted to leave but I didn't. Fast forward me and my friend went half on a gift and brought her a stroller that cost $800 but got it for $550 on eBay because that's what she wanted, I was a little leary about spending that much money on a stroller but we felt she deserved it.When we presented our gift her friends gave us dirty looks because we split a gift. I continue with the night ignoring them and later my friend apolgize for her friend behavior.

    I know you can't win them all but when I was there I felt out of place and I never felt that way. I am glad my friend isn't like that.
  • Sep 23, 2008, 03:35 PM
    JudyKayTee
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by liz28 View Post
    You know what Sweetdee, this past weekend I went to my friend baby shower. She is from the upper class but is the most friendly, kind person you can ever meet. She never throws in nobody face about how much money she has, and she got plenty. Her other friends are different. When we got there we got all sorts of looks and I basically wanted to leave but I didn't. Fast forward me and my friend went half on a gift and brought her a stroller that cost $800 but got it for $550 on ebay because that's what she wanted, I was a little leary about spending that much money on a stroller but we felt she deserved it.When we presented our gift her friends gave us dirty looks because we split a gift. I continue with the night ignoring them and later my friend apolgize for her friend behavior.

    I know you can't win them all but when I was there I felt out of place and I never felt that way. I am glad my friend isn't like that.


    After your rant about avoiding me, I find it, well, odd, that you show up here.
  • Sep 23, 2008, 03:35 PM
    Alty

    Liz, too many people focus on monetary things, outward appearances, clothes, pedigree, it's sad.

    You are lucky to have such a good friend, too bad her other friends aren't as good as her.
  • Sep 23, 2008, 03:36 PM
    Alty
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    After your rant about avoiding me, I find it, well, odd, that you show up here.

    I was unaware of that.

    Perhaps you're being stalked Judy. :eek:
  • Sep 23, 2008, 03:46 PM
    liz28

    Here we go again with Judy. If you read through the pages you would see I been answer this post. It has nothing to do with you. Can you stop bothering me and move on to someone else. I posted some before and now. Stop holding gruging from other threads and move on, enough is enough.
  • Sep 23, 2008, 10:10 PM
    kp2171
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by JudyKayTee View Post
    After your rant about avoiding me, I find it, well, odd, that you show up here.

    What does this have to do with the original post?
  • Sep 24, 2008, 03:40 AM
    SweetDee

    Hey you guys,

    English is NOT offered as a second language. They have "language police" here to confirm that no english be applied ESPECIALLY in the workplace.

    When you go for a job application, they never ask you if you speak English. English is a language they prefer to abolish. If you speak a little English it's fine, but not necessary... IN AN ENGLISH COUNTRYYYY!! IN CANADA... (can you imagine?? ).

    Starbuck, you really get it sweety. It's so nice to hear that SOMEONE out in English Canada knows some of the politics, I do not expect any Americans to have an info really.

    I suppose it would take an American and their American experiences w/ Mexicans to THINK there is some kind of possible commonality. Do you have language police saying that you must ONLY speak in Spanish? Do you have a whole government that was created WITHIN YOUR AMERICAN STATE, (a Mexican one, no less.. ), making sure the English have no schools or funding and catering only to the all mighty Mexicans? Can you imagine not being able to make a living because you cannot speak Spanish? How would you pay your bills if you are not bilingual?

    The Quebecers want to Separate from Canada... like starby says, we're under the British rule... The French want to be a country within a country. Who does that? How do they expect the rest of English Canada to continue to like and respect them... because they do not! (Consequences!! ).

    I speak French all day... you'd think I was a French person. I LOVE love love speaking it... I love languages in general. It would be great tho' if it were not demanded of me as A LAW.

    You cannot imagine how it feels for people who live in an English country, (and moved here KNOWING it was English.. ) to be forced to have to speak French. Of all languages... I mean, the French are KNOWN for being rude even in Europe!

    Then there is the other side of things... The grateful appreciation of the working class, (not all, but sometimes this happens.. ) when they see an Anglo trying to conform... and showing effort. They appreciate it, but by then it falls on deaf ears as the government is too hard and fast at work keeping the French and English from bonding in any way.

    The government always rears it's "Seperatist" head and rallies the people into confirming their hatred. The English for feeling raped... the French for feeling hated in their own province. Their logo is, "If you don't like it...LEAVE!"

    I wish I could. My husband works for an international company. He speaks in English all day only, thank goodness the man is not able to learn French, no matter how's he's tried. This company is owned by the Germans... Anyhow, until he retires he and I are here to stay... I wish the company would move to Ottawa at least! It's not THAT far from Montreal, only 2 hours or so... (Ottawa is the capital of Canada). I know they boast bilingualism, but they don't FORCE you to speak French there, it's just an asset...

    Why are the French so mean?:confused::mad::eek::(
  • Sep 24, 2008, 05:46 AM
    Synnen

    No, it's not that they FORCE Spanish on anyone here.

    I have, however, lived in a southern state (Texas). Try to find a low skills/no degree job down there without being bilingual. It's next to impossible.

    We're an English speaking country that is, for the most part, trying to STOP what happened in Quebec from happening here. There are schools in CA where you MUST speak Spanish all day. There are a lot of companies all across the southwest that will hire you if you only speak Spanish, but will NOT hire you if you only speak English.

    So maybe you're right, and it's NOT the same thing. But I kind of see it as the same thing, only we still have a chance to STOP it here.
  • Sep 24, 2008, 06:00 AM
    JudyKayTee
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Synnen View Post
    No, it's not that they FORCE Spanish on anyone here.

    I have, however, lived in a southern state (Texas). Try to find a low skills/no degree job down there without being bilingual. It's next to impossible.

    We're an English speaking country that is, for the most part, trying to STOP what happened in Quebec from happening here. There are schools in CA where you MUST speak Spanish all day. There are a lot of companies all across the southwest that will hire you if you only speak Spanish, but will NOT hire you if you only speak English.

    So maybe you're right, and it's NOT the same thing. But I kind of see it as the same thing, only we still have a chance to STOP it here.



    I had to smile - my husband was a Doctor of Pharmacy, owned his own stores, previously was District Manager of "big box" Pharmacy. He decided - when he first got sick - that Texas would be a good climate and we were considering moving. Flew down, aced the interview, all was going very well. Second interview they asked him if he spoke Spanish, and he did not.

    He was told he needed to be bilingual and so that was the end of that. The interviewer said they didn't put that in the head hunters info because it would sound like discrimination.

    (And the person they hired WAS bilingual so it wasn't an excuse.)
  • Sep 24, 2008, 09:36 AM
    starbuck8

    Well in Quebec Judy, not only can you not get a job if you don't speak French, if you are an English speaking/reading citizen, you can't even do simple things like drive, if you can't read the road signs, or call 911 in an emergency, to get assistance.

    Not to mention, that since Quebec and Ontario are neighbouring provinces, and the capital building is in Ontario, the political powers that be are most often from Quebec or Ontario. That is who hires the "language police", and who makes these discriminatory laws.
  • Sep 24, 2008, 09:48 AM
    Alty

    Starby, call me, miss you. Hi everyone! :)
  • Sep 24, 2008, 09:51 AM
    SweetDee

    If, God forbid, you get pulled over by a cop for speeding... he'll deal w/ you in French because they're all French. He won't switch to English... they hate the Anglo's. He'll keep talking his talk in French, be cold as hell and give you the biggest ticket he legally can.

    Luckily I can switch to French, but I have friends that cannot. For a speeding ticket a good girl friend of mine got upwards of $420.00 whereas my husband and I got pulled over once and we got $140.00, big difference no? (Of course I did all the talking... lol).

    The 911 operator is not always bilingual. All your documents for a house sale, bills ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING is in French... you sometimes do not know what you are signing.

    Imagine??

    It's almost surreal...

    I don't have any friends who are French because I really don't respect their cultures politics so it's hard to have anything in common.

    All's I know is that I speak it for THEIR convenience... out of respect.

    Maybe one day I'll get what I give...
  • Sep 24, 2008, 09:59 AM
    starbuck8

    Good luck! I hope an English speaking person comes to your rescue, after you've turned purple from holding your breath that long... LOL!

    I can't believe the second largest country in the whole world, has ONE province that tries to take over and rule the rest. I can only speak about the "French Canadians" that I know, but they are very arrogant people, and think they own this entire country.

    Ou si je le parler dans le français! LOL!
  • Sep 24, 2008, 10:15 AM
    Emland

    So, I'm guessing the people in Quebec hate Americans because most of us can't manage English correctly, much less two languages!

    We get a lot of Canadian tourists here in Virginia Beach (all the ones I have met are English speaking) and they are so much fun. They love our warm Indian Summers.
  • Sep 24, 2008, 10:26 AM
    starbuck8

    Well my parents live in Florida, and my sis in N. Carolina. They do say that a lot of the American's judge all Canadians, because of the ones from Quebec and Ontario, because they are rude.

    I always make it a point when down in the States, to tell people I am from WESTERN Canada. If I mention that I'm close to Calgary, Banff, and Vancouver, they are fine with me.
  • Sep 24, 2008, 11:31 AM
    Synnen

    I don't have a problem with Canadians. As a general rule, I judge people by WHO they are, not WHAT they are.

    But... if the rest of Canada has such an issue with the whole Quebec thing, then why didn't you let them become their own country when they wanted to a few years back? Maybe I'm just not remembering the situation right, though.
  • Sep 24, 2008, 12:03 PM
    starbuck8

    It was, and is, a political thing. They didn't want to give up the other benefits they get for being "Canadian" I guess the only way to explain it simply, is they wanted to have their cake and eat it too! They didn't want to be part of our Country, but they still didn't want to give up the perks.

    I can't speak for all of us, but most people I've talked to would be just fine with them being their own little country inside a country. But then they would have to make it on their own as a province, and wouldn't get the same funding and such, as other provinces, so they didn't want that of course, but they still want the power to shove their rules and beliefs down our throats.

    I don't judge as a whole either. I like to get to know the person for who they are, and make up my own mind on the individual themselves.
  • Sep 25, 2008, 05:19 AM
    SweetDee

    Starbuck I guess holding my breath is kind of stupid and I guess I never have really thought that I'd ever get the same in return... it's just that it would be nice.. Whatever. (Oh and NO please don't speak French! I love your English <3 ).

    Emland, for some reason the French do hate the American's they call them "stupid" and "des classay", (I don't know how to get my keyboard to add the accents and make it French, so I spelled it phonetically), but they are such hypocrites! I mean, if they hate the Americans so much why do I see them standing in line for the next box office hit or renting all the American movies? Not to mention adopting all the styles... like the hip hop, gansta, scene, emo, etc... styles and these DID come from the U.S. and not from Milan or Paris...

    They are "wanna-be's" just like the rest of us. (Meaning that we all seem to have adopted a similar style) It just odd that they are behaving like "haters" at the same time.. That's just plain CONFUSED. I don't wear a specific "fashion" or "style" and then talk trash about the people who created it. How weird is that? (Do you guys understand what I mean? I'm not sure I'm expressing myself properly.. ).

    There are soooooooooo many French people in Florida... and so many of them not only cannot speak English, but they REFUSE. They segregate themselves into large communities, much like the Hong Kong-onians in Vancouver or the Chinese in Toronto. If you walk into certain convenience stores in Toronto in neighborhoods entrenched w/ Asians sometimes you come across owners who only speak in Chinese. (But at least they are not a people who are trying to Separate FROM THE REST OF THE COUNTRY and shove their politics down our throats!! ) Imagine the French vacationing in Fla. And having the audasity to refuse to speak English EVEN in the U.S.of A!! This is the type of people we are talking about... I'm embarrassed for them!

    Synnen, I don't judge people by what they are either... If you are disrespectful, arrogant, rude, hateful, ill-mannered, judgemental, etc... then I simply become aware of it AND FAST, then I steer CLEAR!!

    The problem with the Quebecoise is that they come from a long line of under educated. They breed kids and raise them to be haters. These kids have kids and then it multiplies... Instead of teaching their people to become a PART of Canada they teach them to become "Seperatists", (people who want to separate and become a nation in and of their own... ). As Starbuck says, they want their cake and eat it too, but the truth is that their province cannot support their theory of hate and separation. They cannot afford to break free and become a country of their own. Believe ME the rest of Canada has just as much told them, "Do it then", but clearly they haven't, have they? BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY CANNOT... so they walk around like angry losers of a war THEY CREATED!!

    They continue to try and dominate the country. Their political leadership, (the NDP) keeps them angry and forever fighting... keeping them the people Canada loves to hate.

    It's politics babyyyyyy... lol.
  • Sep 25, 2008, 10:42 AM
    starbuck8

    SweetDee, I had to spread the rep. but very well put! By the way, I cheated and used my online translator to write that in French. Otherwise, I wouldn't have had a clue how to say what I said, and believe me, I have no intention of learning to speak French! ;) Proper English gives me trouble sometimes! LOL!
  • Sep 25, 2008, 01:01 PM
    Emland

    Well, misery loves company. I'm glad the US isn't the only nation that has "issues."
  • Sep 26, 2008, 03:08 AM
    SweetDee

    Emland, misery sure DOES enjoy it's company... lol. The rest of Canada doesn't really live the reality of disrespect that the Anglo's out here live... LUCKY FOR THEM! And quite frankly I'm glad it's only us. I would hate for the Seperatists to be able to spread their hate any further than it's already been spread. Let it "rest" here... eventually we'll move as retirement come closer and closer.

    If Canada could just grow a b*ll or two they could resolve the issue in the future by obliterating the NDP... and putting them in their place for once and for all! Lol...

    (Starbuck I just learned what you mean about spreading some rep around, yesterday. I tried to give some to you as well but was told that I could not till I spead some around... let's see if I can now... xoxo). Even tho' I am bilingual I'm still not able to have very good "written" grammar in French, so I too have to get help from an online translator. It's BY FAR easier to speak French than it is to write it...
  • Sep 26, 2008, 03:10 AM
    SweetDee

    Nope, I am not able to spread any rep to either Starbuck or Emland right now... :( I wonder WHEN I can..
  • Sep 26, 2008, 06:32 AM
    Emland

    My sister is a middle school teacher and although she is qualified to teach French, her class is a "cultural appreciation class" that focuses on the influences the French and Hispanic cultures have had around the world. Her first week this year she served crêpes and usually ends the school year with a Fiesta. It's a weird combination of language, art appreciation and history with her culinary skills tossed in to keep their attention.

    She has signed up for a week long immersion class in French and I think it is going to be held in Quebec. I'll double check and give her a heads up on what she might find.
  • Sep 26, 2008, 11:57 AM
    starbuck8
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by SweetDee View Post
    Nope, I am not able to spread any rep to either Starbuck or Emland right now...:( I wonder WHEN I can...?

    You have to give a few more greenies to someone else before you can give them to us again. Go off and find someone, somewhere, that you agree with, and then high tail it back here! LOL! ;)

    Yes Emland, give your sis a heads up! People that don't know, unfortunately tend to judge all Canadians on the rudeness and arrogance of 'some' people in Quebec and Ontario. We're not all like that, and I hate it that someone who comes to Canada for a vacation, and happen to go to Quebec or Ontario, and have a bad experience, thinks that is what all Canadians are like. Most of us are the most easy going, fun loving people that you would ever meet! :)
  • Sep 26, 2008, 12:31 PM
    Synnen

    Actually, the way this thread has kind of meanandered away from its original subject, it should probably be moved to member discussions where you can't GIVE reputation.
  • Sep 27, 2008, 05:53 AM
    SweetDee

    Well, it's "meanandering" back, because I have a response to the last person who's kept on subject.. (Emland), lol...

    Em, just for you to know... the French don't always treat people whom are guests to this province w/ little or no respect, however I'm not saying that it's not often the case. It's a strange situation to explain really. It's like the French are appalled w/ the Anglo's and their audacity to not be French spoken on their turf... so it's like if they dislike and disrespect anyone on the planet it would be the Anglo's that live in their province first and foremost. They are very THREATENED by us... We remind them EVERY DAY that they live in Canada, which happens to be a bilingual country that only really honors their mother tongue, which is English. It's frustrating for them obviously, but when they learn that they're a minority and that you have to give TO GET it might make the chip, that they carry on their shoulders, a little smaller.

    (Sorry if I have any spelling errors, but my spell check is still not working... how about yours?)
  • Sep 29, 2008, 09:55 AM
    SweetDee

    Oh and no... Synnen, I don't believe it should be moved... it's not about giving reps.. it's about the subject matter... k? Thanks...
  • Sep 29, 2008, 10:53 AM
    Synnen

    If it's not about reps, then moving it to "Member's Discussion" wouldn't hurt a bit--it's a place where there ARE no reps!

    And this thread has moved completely off topic in so many ways--it's no longer about the way people look if you're discussing Canadian politics.

    I can't move it--I don't moderate here. I'm just suggesting it SHOULD be moved if the topics are going to range into general discussion rather than staying on topic.
  • Sep 29, 2008, 01:59 PM
    Alty

    I don't think that Sweet Dee understands what you are saying Synn.

    Sweet Dee, the member discussion forum is a better place for this thread to go. We are going way off topic, and that's okay in member discussion, but here, it's not.

    It would give us the freedom to discuss whatever we want and not have to stick so diligently to the topic.

    I think that moving it is a good idea, otherwise we run the risk of it being closed because we got off topic.
  • Sep 30, 2008, 07:42 AM
    SweetDee

    I understand now. Thanks for explaining it to me Altenweg. Xo

    I do have something to add to this thread and it's keeping it on topic, of all accidental things... lol.

    Last night I went out to dinner w/ my sister in law and her sister in law. This woman, Gerta, never usually gives me the time of day. I mean, I could be talking to her about something (to make small talk and be polite) and she'll switch gears and begin talking to someone else MID Conversation... Well last night she did it again!

    The history between us is simple. She doesn't like me, but she has some good skills when it comes to hiding it and manipulating... She's the type of person who is actually quite enteraining... she likes to be the one who gets all the attention... which is perfectly fine w/ me. She's has certain opinions about me... which I don't know what they are, but I know that they are not good. She spends as much time as she can trying to find ways to put me down. Like last night... She's transparent... and unfortunately I have to see her again tonight... (but I really want to see all the kids because they're from out of town... and MOSTLY have my daughter see all her cousins... I'll suck it up gladly for my child).

    She is a typical example of the type of person who will decide negative things about me w/out knowing me... She gives the illusion of trying to get to know me but between US we know it's not real. She's too busy pointing out certain things to try and make me look bad all in the name of trying to get to know me!

    I'm going to have to put up w/ more of that bull tonight...

    I may not be her "cup of tea", but HEY she's not mine either. I would never try and make her feel uncomfortable... What's the point of that?
  • Sep 30, 2008, 10:08 AM
    Alty

    There are certain people that you will just never get along with, no matter what.

    It could be she's jealous of something, or just a naturally vindictive person. People who are unhappy in their own lives often try to make others as miserable as them.

    My way to deal with people like that, smile, big smile, like you mean it, and be a bundle of sunshine. Pour it on thick, never stop smiling. If she interrupts you just say "Oops, sorry I didn't realize that you had something to say, go ahead, I'm all ears". :)

    If negativity comes out just brush it off or laugh.

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