I tend to disagree with a state of hostility in Montreal, a city which is predominantly English speaking and pro-Canada, as sleazy as it is. I visited Quebec City early last year, and couldn't sense any hostility, but I only really visited the tourist parts of the city, which would be kept pleasant and non-offensive due to the tourism industry. It's not their beliefs I am defending, or their ignorance, but the degree of insult which was thrown upon them (most of it unknowingly). I just wouldn't be too happy if those blatant comments were made towards any part of my country (as they were, ultimately). If Conan had visited France and made those comments there would have been an international fiasco (partially due to the present conflict between the two courntries), and he would have been cited as a racist. I'll admit a couple of times I cracked a smile watching the skit, but it didn't seem right to me.
and yet European and other people who disagree with American policies make blatantly stupid and offensive comments about our country or Bush. I think it should be a live and let live philosphy. The comments made on the Conan show could be called over the top and insulting, but racist? thats just sour grapes and playing the race card, in my opinion.
It isn't all that fitting to create a comparison between the two scenarios, afterall there is going to be huge oppression towards the US regardless of what they do, especially when:
- the policies on a countries agenda include war and most of the world is against it,
- the countries decisions directly impact the world on a social-economic state.
Because of the US position there will always be an abundance of international media restraint, vocal lash-back, and conflict. All that bothers me about Conan's skit was that he accused Quebec (a quarter of Canada's populaton) of being a dull, stupid and boring province of separtists, while painting the rest of Canada as a population with a serious dislike for their presence. The 1600 cheering fans in the Elgin Street Theatre wouldn't have with-held laughter and applause even if they were offended, as Toronto isn't particularly a fair representative of Canada and it's culture, and they are completely adept of appropriate talk show behaviour. The majority of the Quebecois aren't separtists, and making fun of their language, and taking advantage of the difference, is racism. Conan went too far with that skit. That's really all I'm trying to express. The rest of the material from Toronto was fairly standard talk-show material (i.e: joke about hockey, gay marriage, pot), but walking into a province and deriving humour from a difference in beliefs and language is wrong.
bottom line: IT WAS A PUPPET. GET OVER IT
Obviously it was intended to be outrageous, so when Kweebeckers give it this much attention, it just makes them cannon fodder for comedians. Jay Leno once remarked it was too hard to make fun of Canadians because we laugh along with it instead of being offended; now everybody knows where in Canada to go to get a reaction >:-(
Canadians are so nice they say thank you to a bank machine
LoftyPines Wrote:Canadians are so nice they say thank you to a bank machine
:lol: :lol: :lol:
O wait, thanks for the nice thoughts
LoftyPines Wrote:Canadians are so nice they say thank you to a bank machine
Well that's not always the case! Believe me. Also if we are including Quebec in the mix, it's really not true. Oh that is unless you speak French.
dyersbay Wrote:LoftyPines Wrote:Canadians are so nice they say thank you to a bank machine
Well that's not always the case! Believe me. Also if we are including Quebec in the mix, it's really not true. Oh that is unless you speak French.
do the Tyme machines in quebec offer you a baquette and some fine whine to go with the cold hard cash? :lol:
VioletlightHeron Wrote:dyersbay Wrote:LoftyPines Wrote:Canadians are so nice they say thank you to a bank machine
Well that's not always the case! Believe me. Also if we are including Quebec in the mix, it's really not true. Oh that is unless you speak French.
do the Tyme machines in quebec offer you a baquette and some fine whine to go with the cold hard cash? :lol:
cratch:
Uh no, they sure don't. They are actually still rude even when your buying something from their shops. I won't even get into how I got stuck in a bathroom for 10mins because the lock on the door was broken and the instructions on how to get out where only posted in French.
funny piece of timing, im reading the article about Conan's "apology" and Sarah Mclachlan's version of O Canada comes up on my mp3 player..coincidence?
My personal opinion is that Alexa Mcdonough is pandering to the Quebecers. The lady strikes me as having no sense of humour whatsoever.
The New-Democrat Party isn't likely to receive very many votes in Quebec, based on past elections, and their bias towards the Bloc and the Liberals. And I can't understand everyone's dislike with the Canadian French. I live about 3.5 kilometres from Quebec, and visit it regularly for cheaper beer and a much preferable social atmosphere (Montreal) than what I'd find in Toronto. I've never been treated in a disrespectful manner. It's a dead matter, now, I suppose, just my opinion.
das_hips Wrote:The New-Democrat Party isn't likely to receive very many votes in Quebec, based on past elections, and their bias towards the Bloc and the Liberals. And I can't understand everyone's dislike with the Canadian French. I live about 3.5 kilometres from Quebec, and visit it regularly for cheaper beer and a much preferable social atmosphere (Montreal) than what I'd find in Toronto. I've never been treated in a disrespectful manner. It's a dead matter, now, I suppose, just my opinion.
I agree with you too... I've never really had a problem.
Plus, I think that the people in Quebec City and surrounding areas just appreciate people who try to speak french to them. When I was 17 I went to Que. City, I (pathetically) attempted to communicate with them in their language and they seemed content... and I never got carded :mrgreen: :thumb: :lol:
oh well...
AmbitionlessHipster Wrote:I agree with you too... I've never really had a problem.
Plus, I think that the people in Quebec City and surrounding areas just appreciate people who try to speak french to them. When I was 17 I went to Que. City, I (pathetically) attempted to communicate with them in their language and they seemed content... and I never got carded :mrgreen: :thumb: :lol:
oh well...
Oh dang, why didnt anyone tell me this when i was 17?
I could have had a great time and not get carded based on the three phrases i know in French!