Thanks for your uplifting posts Rahkoon and Katzinha.

Thanks for your thoughts. I actually love the US culture so I am happy that the west is that way to be honest. I have not experienced Canada enough to know but I do feel at home in an American way of life. I am also happy for American TV. We have lots of it in the UK as we have always done. It is one of the things that the the Brits and Americans share. What would life be without LOST :surprised: As for food, there is a problem all over. The US did have a head start but we are catching up at a greater speed. Scotland foodwise is actually meant to be the most unhealthy country in the world although I have recently read that New Zealand has more cancer and heart desease than anyone else. That is not talked about much though as the focus is always the US. Nor is the amount of liver disease in France (known as 'The French Paradox') and diabetes in Italy.


I can't agree with you about the bread and cheese in France. lol I don't like the bread there too much. The English make great bread!! As for cheese.. well I am vegan so I don't think cheese is good for you anyway. :surprised: although from my experience, cheese in France tends to be French cheese only which maybe good but shows little tolerence for other cultures. As for languages, there are plenty of French that don't know any other languages unless they are bordering on other countries. The English get accused of the same but if we have not had the need to speak other languages then I don't see it being a big deal. The US is the biggest force in society and they speak English where as countries like France and Italy have had plenty more reason to learn English because of this reason. My husband who is Italian and his fmaily all live there (bordering on France) all his cousins have been learning English because it is the most important language to learn. That is just the way it is.

I am afraid I have little want for american TV, all the drama, the backstabbing, the advertisments and worst of all the gameshows. The Americans have there culture and I hope they are happy with it, I would just rather it didn't eat up the rest of the worlds culture. In france we have at least 4 bakeries within 5 minutes walk of my home and 3 of them are not corporately owned, I would hate to see "bread-mart" everywhere I turn. Which is definitly part of my point, The bread at the bakeries is often made there with flour, yeast, salt and water, I don't see this as much in Walmarts. And anyways when I refered to the quality of food I did not mean what killed you the fastest, I meant how it tastes, which is good (in France).

As for the languages, I suppose you were confused, I was not implying every single european spoke 8 languages (I've been to Britain). I was implying that multilingual people are found much more easily in europe.

I am afriad I must disagree with you on the bread, french bread is the greatest bread I have ever had, plus as I mentioned earlier, its simple 4 things to make it. As for the cheese, I love it. I am sorry if that ruffles some feathers, but its good, it stinks, its strong its great. By the way the pastries are great too. Let me link you to some websites:

http://www.buycheese.com/
This one is in Vancouver even!

http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=349
Some bread and Pastries!

woo hoo, bon ap!

Is it really 3 years?! Only to get a visa? That is quite strange since one of my friend moved to Canada (Quebec) from France and it took only about 9 months. I wonder what it's taking so long for you.


I know! It is crazy. :( The UK has a long waiting time, It is listed on the immigration website and I also have found out from another forum where others from the UK have gone to Canada that it took that long for them. Why here.. I don't know :(

This is so horribly not true. We have a lot of French cheeses (over 300 varieties) so there's a lot of French cheese around. But of course there's a lot of foreign cheeses ! And I do mean "cheese", not this gummy-tasteless thing called cheddar from the UK ;)

In fact, every Frenchman will know their basics of English, at least. My dear TheFirstBus always tries to speak French to people but when they find out he's an English-speaker, they always insist on speaking English to him (while he absolutely wants to speak French, so you can imagine the Frenglish conversations we have haha). This attitude you described as for English speakers is not justified in my opinion though, as I think someone should learn a language for themselves first, not for the rest of the world. It can only bring someone something good, can't it?

There is nothing wrong with chedder as a cheese but there is a lot wrong with cheese in general.

I don't agree re languages. We as humans do things that interest us. If we have no plan to visit a country that uses a different language, why learn it? We only have a limited time in our day. If though you love going to Spain or Italy etc, then it would be of interest of course.

Thanks for your uplifting posts Rahkoon and Katzinha.



I am afraid I have little want for american TV, all the drama, the backstabbing, the advertisments and worst of all the gameshows. The Americans have there culture and I hope they are happy with it, I would just rather it didn't eat up the rest of the worlds culture. In france we have at least 4 bakeries within 5 minutes walk of my home and 3 of them are not corporately owned, I would hate to see "bread-mart" everywhere I turn. Which is definitly part of my point, The bread at the bakeries is often made there with flour, yeast, salt and water, I don't see this as much in Walmarts. And anyways when I refered to the quality of food I did not mean what killed you the fastest, I meant how it tastes, which is good (in France).

As for the languages, I suppose you were confused, I was not implying every single european spoke 8 languages (I've been to Britain). I was implying that multilingual people are found much more easily in europe.

I am afriad I must disagree with you on the bread, french bread is the greatest bread I have ever had, plus as I mentioned earlier, its simple 4 things to make it. As for the cheese, I love it. I am sorry if that ruffles some feathers, but its good, it stinks, its strong its great. By the way the pastries are great too. Let me link you to some websites:

http://www.buycheese.com/
This one is in Vancouver even!

http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=349
Some bread and Pastries!

woo hoo, bon ap!

Nobody makes other countries take up American TV shows. Also, if people didn't watch them, they wouldn't keeping buying them.

As for bread, I am the same. I only eat pure food which you can get anywhere. You can also get rubbish in France too. The French eat a lot of fat (cheese etc) They also cook in a lot of butter which as I am sure you know is every bad for you.

As for languages, I am not sure of your point. I was saying that people that border other countries in Europe have to learn another language. In the village that my husbands family are from they not only speak Italian and the local dialect but also a little French as they are so close.

Thanks for the links.

The French eat a lot of fat (cheese etc) They also cook in a lot of butter which as I am sure you know is every bad for you.

And yet we're the thinnest country in Europe.
And as TheFirstBus mentioned, we're talking about taste here.
Yes, you can get crappy bread here as well, but when I was in Canada I couldn't find ANY bread with no additives at the supermarket. None, not a single loaf.


Languages : of course, nobody forces you to learn foreign languages, just like nobody forces you to learn anything in fact. I took Arabic last year out of genuine interest, even though I never planned on going to Lebanon anytime soon. It's a matter of curiosity, not necessity, and it's not just about languages.

Well first of all, the world is a far bigger place than "Europe" so using it as a reference is hardly relevent. Secondly I thought Sweden was the thinnest country in Europe with less than 10% obesity? I know the French are generally very proud of their culture, as every country should be, but you'll often find every country likes to pat itself on the back with some massaged figures and perhaps that is one of them?

Remember also that being 'thin' doesn't equate to being healthy.

As far as taste goes, that is merely subjective. But considering North America is made up of largely European communities, suggesting that when a French (or Italian etc.) person moves to North America they suddenly become unable to produce the same food is silly. And it isn't as though people move to America or Canada and cut off all links from their homeland.

I'm also confused about your search for non-additive bread in B.C.. Confused mostly because you went to the 'supermarket'? Yet earlier on you admitted that local bakeries are obviously better. Yet you looked in Supermarkets?? Local bakeries exist in most places in the world. If you can't find them that was unfortunate but it's a little naive to think just because you can't find it that it can't possibly exist. As you are well aware, North America is a melting pot of cultures so finding genuine indigenous food is hardly an issue. However, that doesn't mean all these foods are in Wal-mart! That's like suggesting L'Arche in France serves original French cuisine. It isn't going to happen.

As for languages, my point was people speak what they have to or what they choose to out of interest. So, the majority of the population in the centre of France are going to be less aware of languages as say the French that border neighbouring countries. This isn't exclusive to France, of course, it's the same the world over. In north-western Italy as I previously said their local dialect contains a lot of French, especially if you visit places like Ventimiglia etc. Yet on the (north) east their dialect is very Slavic. That is just the way it is.

My point is every country is the same at the end of the day. Europeans (and other nationalities) moving to America and Canada have not changed their genetic makeup (despite what the media have us believe!), they are still people, and people are people. My experience is that people there are more culturally aware than people here (again opposite to the cliche stereotype) merely because they are made up of all different cultures. We in England (or France) are only aware of what is around us, just like people there in North America. But what is around them is much more diverse than probably any other country. For example. I mean, in France you have French culture, Italy Italian culture etc. I know people like to scoff that Americans don't know anything about the rest of the world... but what do we know? We only have more knowledge of what is geographically around us. Just because we have a lot of 'countries' surrounding us we think that makes us more cultured but as I said at the beginning, the world doesn't begin and end in Europe. Ask the average English person, French person, Italian or whatever how the culture in Peru differs from that of Chile and they wouldn't have a clue. That doesn't make 'us' ignorant, that's just the way it is. My husband's friend of 8 years lives in Oshawa (Canada) and he is Canadian through and through, and his daily diet is Russian bread. Do you know how different that is to what we may be used to? I didn't. And that is my point. He goes to his local Russian community and buys from their local stores. He's also very aware of real Italian culture, again, due what is around him in Canada.

As for American tv, they don't "eat" up our cultures. It's like people who complain about the Americanisms used in English... then blame Americans for it??? No American comes over here and makes us use their terms or make us watch their tv. People watch it and if they didn't, it wouldn't be on. Simple supply and demand at the end of the day. Bit silly to dismiss ALL American tv as bad though as it makes you sound ignorant which you are not. I do take your point, but the blame lies at us viewers, not them.

Anyway, this conversation has digressed from the purpose of this thread so if you're happy where you are then great. Enjoy. From now on in here I'll be discussing B.C. thanks for the tangent.

And yet we're the thinnest country in Europe.
And as TheFirstBus mentioned, we're talking about taste here.
Yes, you can get crappy bread here as well, but when I was in Canada I couldn't find ANY bread with no additives at the supermarket. None, not a single loaf.


I have to disagree to this. I'm from Canada and we always had "real" bread at home. Maybe you didn't look at the right places... Also, my friend who immigrated in Canada last year from France told me that he much prefers Canadian bread than the bread he could find in France. I guess it's all about personal taste. I have to admit that when I spent those 3 years in France, I missed Canadian bread like crazy.

I know! It is crazy. :( The UK has a long waiting time, It is listed on the immigration website and I also have found out from another forum where others from the UK have gone to Canada that it took that long for them. Why here.. I don't know :(

That's rubbish! It's not fair... I don't understand why it takes longer for someone from the UK than it takes for someone from France. It should be the opposite since UK and Canada are both in the Commonwealth and all. Ah! Politics... lol

That's rubbish! It's not fair... I don't understand why it takes longer for someone from the UK than it takes for someone from France. It should be the opposite since UK and Canada are both in the Commonwealth and all. Ah! Politics... lol


I know!! It is crazy. I didn't expect it to be really fast but I hoped it wouldn't be much over a year. I think they should just let people form the UK in!! :nana:

I know!! It is crazy. I didn't expect it to be really fast but I hoped it wouldn't be much over a year. I think they should just let people form the UK in!! :nana:

LOL. I agree... UK should then let Canadians in as well! :idea:

LOL. I agree... UK should then let Canadians in as well! :idea:


I agree on that!! :bobo: And the US should let Canadians and UK in and vice versa too!! :bobo::bobo::bobo:

I agree on that!! :bobo: And the US should let Canadians and UK in and vice versa too!! :bobo::bobo::bobo:

That's getting more and more interesting... lol :book:
Though, I think it's already a lot easier for us both to try to immigrate in those countries (Canada, USA, UK) than it is for many other people. Still too complicated though. To be able to stay here, I'd have to get married within 1 year and a half. lol Fortunately, I have no intention of staying here. :up:

Well yet still I couldn't find any "normal" bread in BC. I could keep arguing with what you posted Zolo but I'll cut it short, as you said it's not the topic.

*and lower obesity rates doesn't mean the country is thinner. there might be a lot of overweight, yet not obese, people*

The thing you're describing is weird, I mean Canada is part of the Commonwealth and still depends on the Queen and stuff, so I would have thought it'd be easier for you guys to move to Canada !

The thing you're describing is weird, I mean Canada is part of the Commonwealth and still depends on the Queen and stuff, so I would have thought it'd be easier for you guys to move to Canada !

That's exactly what I wrote before... It still surprise me how useless being in the Commonwealth is if it doesn't even make it a bit easier to move between those countries. Even if I'm Canadian, it's extremely hard to get to stay in the UK. That's ridiculous.

Which brings me to another question, I've always been wondering what it changed for you guys, concretely, to have that "special" relation to the Queen?

You are both right, it is ridiculous. I had a look again last night at the weighting times as it is still the same.

What is the weather doing in Scotland Katez? It has been pretty overcast here the last couple of days.

Which brings me to another question, I've always been wondering what it changed for you guys, concretely, to have that "special" relation to the Queen?

To be honest, nothing much... In fact, I think no one I know really knows. It costs us money but I really can't say what we get in return. How sad is that? lol

What is the weather doing in Scotland Katez? It has been pretty overcast here the last couple of days.

Well, it's been a mix of sun and rain. The weather in Stirling was lovely yesterday (Saturday) but today in Glasgow it's been a mix. I had to keep the curtains closed though because I'm stuck with a massive headache, dizziness, nausea and ears pain. Got a virus it seems. :no: I hope I'll eventually get over it... I've been sick since yesterday. Stay away from me! haha

It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow... Though I'm not holding my breath. lol

Well, it's been a mix of sun and rain. The weather in Stirling was lovely yesterday (Saturday) but today in Glasgow it's been a mix. I had to keep the curtains closed though because I'm stuck with a massive headache, dizziness, nausea and ears pain. Got a virus it seems. :no: I hope I'll eventually get over it... I've been sick since yesterday. Stay away from me! haha

It's supposed to be sunny tomorrow... Though I'm not holding my breath. lol


Oh no! I am so sorry that you are unwell :( I hope that you feel better soon.
Maybe with the weather there, it is best to keep the curtains closed anyway! lol

Oh no! I am so sorry that you are unwell :( I hope that you feel better soon.
Maybe with the weather there, it is best to keep the curtains closed anyway! lol

Exactly! lol The thing is that with this weather (it's been mostly raining since end of April) I feel quite vulnerable to virus. I'm used to get lots of sun and warm weather so it looks like my body is reacting in a bad way. :think: Oh, how bad I miss Canada. lol Even if the winter are colder (not that much though since in Montreal is dry cold whereas in the UK it's humid cold), we still get a LOT more sun.

Exactly! lol The thing is that with this weather (it's been mostly raining since end of April) I feel quite vulnerable to virus. I'm used to get lots of sun and warm weather so it looks like my body is reacting in a bad way. :think: Oh, how bad I miss Canada. lol Even if the winter are colder (not that much though since in Montreal is dry cold whereas in the UK it's humid cold), we still get a LOT more sun.

You know, I know exactly what you mean. I have asthma and the damp weather in the UK is awful for me. When I was in CO, there was so much sun even when it was very cold. It didn't feel as cold as here at times just because that dampness was not there. Maybe in Cananda I need to avoid places like vancouver that has lots of rain.

How are you feeling today?? How long have you been in Scotland for? I am sorry that you want to go home :(

Yes, I think Vancouver is the place where it rains the most in Canada. I don't really know about Victoria though but I know that Calgary and Vancouver are quite dry places, with dry cold, which I much much prefer. Here in Scotland, even if I'm Canadian, I'm cold in the winter. People are always surprised and I have to explain it over and over again. lol

Yes, I think Vancouver is the place where it rains the most in Canada. I don't really know about Victoria though but I know that Calgary and Vancouver are quite dry places, with dry cold, which I much much prefer. Here in Scotland, even if I'm Canadian, I'm cold in the winter. People are always surprised and I have to explain it over and over again. lol


Well I totally understand LOL When we were in CO in the winter time, we would go out wiith not any heavy clothing on even though it was very cold but we honestly didn't feel it. Dry and cold is the way to go!! LOL

Hey guys, I'm from Vancouver and I just joined this forum today. Hmm, looks like this thread is all dead right now, though...

I'm here! I live on Vancouver Island :)