They say Americans dont know their geography

[Corey Bit Spank]

We had my aunt and uncle over for thanksgiving. At customs they asked where they were born. My uncle is from Quebec...

"Oh, and Quebec is in what country?"


Apparently my aunt lost it and told the young fellow to go back to school.

[percynjpn]

Originally Posted by Corey Bit Spank

We had my aunt and uncle over for thanksgiving. At customs they asked where they were born. My uncle is from Quebec...

"Oh, and Quebec is in what country?"


Apparently my aunt lost it and told the young fellow to go back to school.

Maybe the Customs fellow was just being sarcastic in reaction to the incredibly rude and snotty treatment he'd been given by Canadian customs to Americans, like so many others, especially in that snooty "French" province . It's just a guess, though

[DFTowel]

I really doubt a US Customs agent doesn't know where Quebec is! These people are sharp, they can spot someone smuggling by the twinkle in their eyes. I'm sure he was joking.

[Spilchy]

Originally Posted by percynjpn

Maybe the Customs fellow was just being sarcastic in reaction to the incredibly rude and snotty treatment he'd been given by Canadian customs to Americans, like so many others, especially in that snooty "French" province . It's just a guess, though

No doubt. They're the same people that wanted to break away from Canada as their own country.

I highly doubt the customs agent was serious. My parents drove to Quebec from New Jersey and upon entry back into the U.S.; despite being in their early 60's, traveling in a BMW and TOTALLY clean cut, they were GRILLED about their time in Quebec and the contents in their vehicle.

On a side note, my father had his car "washed" by some employee at the hotel in Quebec. My father asked him where he could have it washed and the young guy said he had his own side detailing business. Well, he proceeded to absolutely ruin the wheels by using something that stained them horribly white. I completely flipped when I saw it and had to use an abrasive polish with the PC and 4" spot pads to remove it. I wanted to post here in the Canada forum the hotel name and see if anyone from Quebec on this board knows of it and the guy who did that!!

[HRP]

Several years ago, I asked my son, who was a high school senior if he sailed south from Italy, what body of water he would cross and at what continent he would first arrive? He said, "the Atlantic Ocean and Canada", and he was serious!! I'll admit I have some trouble with all the "new" countries. It took me a while to finally figure out that Sri Lanka used to be Ceylon. But today, people do not know their geography. Nor do they know history, U.S. and World. When I was in school, back in the ancient days (I'm 65), we learned a lot of history and Geography by learning about Heros, "Villains", wars, and battles from Charlemange to Admiral "Bull" Halsey,Atilla to Quisling, George Patton to Erwin Rommel; and the Marathon to the Battle of the Bulge (Nuts!!). Even our jokes made reference to historical figures. (Who was Paul Revere? He was the yankee who ran for help. You can tell I'm an unreconstructed Southerner.) Today's history courses and books are "dumbed" down, made politically correct, and dull. Unfortunately for recent generations, those who ignore the past are doomed to repeat it.

[percynjpn]

Originally Posted by HRP

Who was Paul Revere? He was the yankee who ran for help. You can tell I'm an unreconstructed Southerner

That's very interesting So for a proud Southerner like yourself, the courage and selflessness of an American hero like Paul Revere is nixed by the GEOGRAPHICAL location of his famous ride, not its importance to the Revolution and eventual independence of the colonies, even for places like Virginia or Georgia?

[HRP]

Actually the original joke was about Davy Crockett and the Alamo and was told prior to the "late unpleasantness". and implied that Paul Revere was not man enough to take on the British army by himself (as did the men at the Alamo) and had to run for help. Similar to the story about a Texan seeing Mount Vesuvius and being told that there was nothing like that in Texas. His reply,"Yeah, but we got a fire department in Texas that could sure put it out." Geographical and regional jokes are usually quite good and indicate a pride in one's region or country. During the War of nawthern Aggression, the North Carolina troops were nick-named (so legend has it) as "Tarheels" by none other than General Robert E. Lee because when it was reported that "they held the line like they had some of that NC Tar on their heels" while the other Southern troops fell back. General Lee (Marse Robert) then said, "God Bless The Tarheel Boys". The story backfired because later the South Carolina troops said, "yeah, when it gets hot, tar runs." So, humourous "disparagement" of the efforts of others is very often a "backhanded" compliment.

And BTW, contrary to H.W. Longfellow, the truth is that Paul Revere never completed his famous ride. He was captured by the British around 1AM after leaving Lexington (where he did warn Adams and Hancock). Sam Prescott and Billy Dawes completed the ride to Concord where they alerted the Minutemen while Revere was taken back to Lexington, questioned by the British, and released without his horse. If it had been up to Revere alone, his mission would have failed, and the British would have captured the munitions and supplies stored in Concord and no battle would have ensued (at that time) to begin our fight for independence (and HWL couldn't have written his poem).. It's just that since neither Prescott nor Dawes rhyme with "hear", Paul got the poetic credit.
Ain't histrory interesting?

[Lowejackson]

My 10 year old niece asked me if Shakespeare was a 'our side' during the 2nd World War or was he German

[Picus]

Ya, I bet the American customs agent was being witty in response to the rude treatment he receives from Canadian customs. That's it. :P

Just this week while in Missourah for American Thanksgiving a relative of my wifes asked me if Canada "really is a communist country". No, she wasn't kidding.

[Corey Bit Spank]

Uhm, he's lived in Ontario for more than 40 years now. My aunt is actually American.

I travel between the two country's about twice a month. The American customs agents are always rude, the Canadians are always nice. Well not always. But more so than the Americans. Maybe it gives them warm fuzzies.

[percynjpn]

Originally Posted by Picus

Ya, I bet the American customs agent was being witty in response to the rude treatment he receives from Canadian customs. That's it. :P

Just this week while in Missourah for American Thanksgiving a relative of my wifes asked me if Canada "really is a communist country". No, she wasn't kidding.

I bet she wasn't! I'd like to know the same thing!

[percynjpn]

[quote=HRP]Actually the original joke was about Davy Crockett and the Alamo and was told prior to the "late unpleasantness". and implied that Paul Revere was not man enough to take on the British army by himself (as did the men at the Alamo) and had to run for help. Similar to the story about a Texan seeing Mount Vesuvius and being told that there was nothing like that in Texas. His reply,"Yeah, but we got a fire department in Texas that could sure put it out." Geographical and regional jokes are usually quite good and indicate a pride in one's region or country. During the War of nawthern Aggression, the North Carolina troops were nick-named (so legend has it) as "Tarheels" by none other than General Robert E. Lee because when it was reported that "they held the line like they had some of that NC Tar on their heels" while the other Southern troops fell back. General Lee (Marse Robert) then said, "God Bless The Tarheel Boys". The story backfired because later the South Carolina troops said, "yeah, when it gets hot, tar runs." So, humourous "disparagement" of the efforts of others is very often a "backhanded" compliment.

And BTW, contrary to H.W. Longfellow, the truth is that Paul Revere never completed his famous ride. He was captured by the British around 1AM after leaving Lexington (where he did warn Adams and Hancock). Sam Prescott and Billy Dawes completed the ride to Concord where they alerted the Minutemen while Revere was taken back to Lexington, questioned by the British, and released without his horse. If it had been up to Revere alone, his mission would have failed, and the British would have captured the munitions and supplies stored in Concord and no battle would have ensued (at that time) to begin our fight for independence (and HWL couldn't have written his poem).. It's just that since neither Prescott nor Dawes rhyme with "hear", Paul got the poetic credit.
Ain't histrory interesting?

Yes it is, and as a history buff, I'm familiar with the details of the real "Midnight Ride". I wasn't aware, however, that the brave fellows at the Alamo took on the British Army!