just a stone's throw away

Okay, Americans, have a sense of humour. I know you don't all think this way ...

I remember a stop over in Atlanta
a long time ago,
a nice gentleman I met,
from Idaho ...

He asked me if he could
come up and play in the snow.
I say, "I am in New Westminster, B.C."
"Great",  he says, "I will meet you
next week for coffee,
perhaps we can ski,
I will be in Toronto."

Sure I say, "look me up,
I am just down the street,
maybe we can play hockey too,
and though I am not sure why,
the ice is a little thin
on the Pacific ocean
in July!"

Reviews

[Kenneth The Poet]

Being from a border state, I can tell you that Canadians don't fit the stereotypes.

[Lyn Anderson]

Yes, I too come from the border, and while I found Fargo entertaining, most Minnesotans don't fit the stereotypes either. thanks for your visit.

[Kenneth The Poet]

Not a problem.

[1VJ]

Snarky stuff, I thought Canadians were known for their generously polite nature and maple syrup, not so sweet. ;)

[Lyn Anderson]

All in fun. A lot of my American friends admit to knowing people just like this. Look at Leonardo DiCaprio thinking a Chinook wind was a symbol of climate change. NOPE. Just a natural Alberta weather phenomenon he was too lazy to research. :)

[1VJ]

Now you've really gone and done it picking on Leo! Americans don't admit to anything, who are you talking to? :)

[Ted Kniffen]

The thing is my dad was American, so I have a lot of Yankee cousins and even they have little idea about us. Not to worry though, it's too far to travel to a foreign country anyway. Good job, KL

[Lyn Anderson]

So was my dad. I grew up on the border. We all need to have a sense of humour about ourselves, Canadians included. I love South Park, and the Simpson's funny references to Canada. Even if the rest of the world sees us as the same, we are quite different.

[Lorry]

Canada, it's like America, except vac'd and dusted, said someone I can't quite remember the name of.
I guess we all have our crosses to bear when people hear an accent. I mean, over here we don't all wear man skirts and chase haggis around all day....But we do have a tendency to only eat food that's been battered and deep fried and have the ability to both compliment and insult at the same time, so I guess some stereotypes are true, eh? :)

[Lyn Anderson]

Hilarious. Having met many an English speaking "colony" I would have to say our "personality" is more similar to Aussies and Kiwis -- we are more laid back, heavier drinkers, generally interested and well informed about the world -- and we have an awful lot of sex per capita, lol. Not much to do in harsh environments, eh?

[Lorry]

Ha, same here, except we wear so many layers, a night of lovin' is more like pass the parcel, unwrapping all the layers :)

[Einstein Noodle]

i hitch-hiked through all the southern Provinces of Canada back in '75 .. as winter was beginning to end .. i was finished with college a semester early .. so it was in Feb. ..i met the greatest people .. one older gentleman how gave me a ride of about 400 miles ...he was a Christian so when the conversation dulled we sang hymns all the way .. i will never forget that .. as my trip was east to west i ended in Vancouver BC .. was picked up on the street by a hippie whose "old man" was in prison ... but her and her "boyfriend" invited me to stay at their home .. and i did and had a wonderful time being shown the redwoods, the Aquarium and a Rod Stewart Concert ... ahhhh those were the days ... most of the trip i found a rural spot and threw down the sleeping bag ... it is true about Americans ..other countries know far more about us and our peculiar ways than we do of them .. its no wonder we have the image of arrogance :( did you ever reconnect with the guy?
E.

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks. I have lots of American friends who are worldly, but always understand exactly as you have said it here. I met that person before emails and such, so no, he never did look me up.

[Einstein Noodle]

you know ... i just want to thank you :))))))))))))

[aLittlePain]

Lol this cracks me up! When I lived up in Canada and the States I'd often have equally baffling discussions with well meaning Americans, don't get me started on their unique geographical take of NZ somehow being a part of Australia (don't ever say that to a kiwi).

Nice fix, thanks KL. R x

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks hon. I know all about it. I had a crush on a beautiful Kiwi boy for years. A poem to him is somewhere in my writes. I think I might have called it "The Kiwi" -- anyhoo, he taught me quite a bit about his geography, lol.:)

[aLittlePain]

Lol! You're lovely! I knew you were all that and impeccable taste too it seems..lol. I'll be on the hunt for that morsel xo

[Pryde Foltz]

LOL ... cool rhyme. There is always floor hockey:)

[Lyn Anderson]

Thanks, it was a little perplexing, but basically a true story ...

[emmajoy]

' .. though I am not sure why, .. the ice is a little thin .. on the Pacific ocean .. in July'.." Really! ,

Okay so I'm a Brit and was obliged to scan some of your other reviews - something i rarely do - coz I felt there was a strong sense of,, ' Hey, you playin' silly wotsits with me?!' And you were. Seems there's 'always one' like that waiting to be heard but, hopefully, not seen!

Just out of interest, do the schools in your part of the world teach Geography?! And that was my initial thought, NOT caught from another reviewer. I do look at atlases now and again!

[Lyn Anderson]

I am sure geography is taught in the U.S., and I know many Americans who are, in fact, very knowledgeable about other parts of the world. However, considering we are their neighbours, there are still a number of people who make incredibly naive assumptions about Canada when they are coming from the States, with regard to climate, and just the sheer SIZE of Canada. For example, it takes longer to travel from the furthest southern point of Ontario to the most northern, than it does to go from Florida to Ontario.

[emmajoy]

Hi friend, was joking Brit way about the lessons... have friends over the pond who actually know where the UK is! Thank you so much for all that information, i aim to learn something every day and truly welcome what you've added above. Do wish cafe members would write blogs about their countries.. cos i've a strong feeling that where one lives controls our perception on life.. mayhaps? :)

[Paul Bell]

Love Americans, i always have to tell them, of course i know that person, we drink in the same bar a thousand miles apart.

[Lyn Anderson]

I guess you can't fault them for being egocentric? I guess for me what stood out was this guy was a successful businessman. I was young, and thought, "wow, I thought you had to be well educated to be that successful."

[Paul Bell]

You met Donald.

[Papaya]

Lol. I have heard of people like this but so far so good.
I haven't met any dumb Americans. But I remember watching Rick Mercer's talking to Americans and laughing at some of the remarks.

[Lyn Anderson]

He was the nicest guy. It was really hard not to laugh in his face, but he was treating me to a nice dinner in the executive class lounge.:)

[Papaya]

I hope you at least corrected the silly man. :)