Xenophobe's Guide to the Canadians - by Vaughn Roste & Peter W Wilson (Paperback)

Number of Pages: 85
Genre: Travel
Sub-Genre: Canada
Series Title: Xenophobe's Guide
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Oval Books
Age Range: Adult
Book theme: General
Author: Vaughn Roste & Peter W Wilson
Language: English

About the Book

Highlights the unique character and behavior of the nation. Frank, irreverent, funny--almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

Book Synopsis

The fabric of society

The 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 forever

Having 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 policy

In 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 truth

Canadians 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).

From the Back Cover

"Much time and government funding has been spent in the public contemplation of the question of nationalism. All that anyone can seem to agree on is that Canadians are NOT American. Any other statement made about Canadians pales in the face of this one.
Being NOT something else is the guiding principle around which the whole of Canadian society is based. French Canadians have less of a difficulty with being NOT American, but are equally obsessed with protecting their identity and being NOT English Canadian, so the principle is the same."
Xenophobia is an irrational fear of foreigners, probably justified, always understandable.
Xenophobe's Guides - an irreverent look at the beliefs and foibles of nations, almost guaranteed to cure Xenophobia.

Review Quotes

"Xenophobe's Guides aim to help us understand our differences. "
--"Daily Express"
"Short, aphoristic, seriously funny, not that xenophobic and almost entirely apt guide, perfect homework for the fortunate on ferry or plane."
--"The Observer"