The Life of One Canuck

(Listening to Tchiacovsky, that Russian had talent. Cannons + music = unequivocal epicness)

For a great deal of time in my life, longer then I can remember I have always struggled with that little piece of my identity that we delegate to our country of origin. Everyone defines himself or herself, to a degree, by where they were born. Some more then others. Some people are the zealous flag-wavers who will parade their nationalistic pride to the ends of the earth. I don’t look down on these people (we all need something to take pride in after all, who am I devalue what they believe in as along as it gives’em a sense of purpose, right?) but instead I always get a little perplexed by their actions.

I think my interest stems for my own personal struggle with my identity as a Canadian. When I visit a foreign country, I’m most often grouped in with the Americans and although I don’t object to their company or country I do object to being greeted with “Hey, Yank!” only to tell people I’m Canadian and get a cocked eyebrow as if the differences are indistinguishable, like we Canadians are just squatting on some territory that America never got around to colonizing.

I know from experience that people of different cultural backgrounds take a great amount of offence to being lumped together and the rule stands for Canadians, too. Sadly, I feel the idea of a unique Canadian identity is lost on the international stage and I can’t really blast people with accusations of ignorance when many people back home don’t even know how to go about describing what significance lies in the maple hearts of Canadians at home and abroad.

So like any responsible citizen I decided to do some research and the idea to reveal my findings in a blog were typified when a friend of mine (Hey Pat, look! You’re on the Internet!) Suggested the idea that I begin blogging about Poutine (see below). So here is a comprehensive review of my findings, in list form about some of the staples of Canadian life:

1) Poutine: The classic Canadian quick snack/light meal. Cheese curds, gravy and fries; It’s a relatively simple combination and you’ll come to notice that simplicity is an overarching theme in Canadian life. Were not the most sophisticated bunch, but were practical to a fault and our food reflects that. Poutine is possibly such a staple because of its widespread adoration as a warm snack on a cold day and because of its history. It was originally invented in Quebec when French colonists came to Canada and had very little foodstuffs to work with. I encourage any foreign visitor to give it a try. What it lacks in complexity and sophistication it makes up for in flavour and fulfillment.

2) Manners and Modesty: This is the part of Canadian life that I think is best in terms of our international image. Whenever you hear about an American stereotype concerning Canadians, it usually revolves around either A) our long-standing love affair with the word “Eh?” or our usual compulsion to conduct ourselves politely. I know it’s an easy and generic thing to use (I’m not sure how many people wouldn’t consider their native culture to be polite, but I imagine its few and far between) when describing your country but I really feel that in Canada there is a code of conduct and politeness that forces itself upon people.

3) Hockey: This one is a given, I doubt I even need to elaborate on it. Hockey and poutine is to Canada what baseball and apple pie are to Americans and that in itself is sufficient explanation I’d say.

I’ll think up more as I go along. I want this list to be something of a running article. Feel free to leave comments with other ideas/suggestions.