| T.R | Title | User | Personal
Name | Date | Lines |
|---|
| 98.1 | Canadian Working In Rotting Apple. | NY1MM::RIZZO | Carol Rizzo | Mon Dec 01 1986 18:24 | 87 |
|
Hi, I am a Canadian who has relocated to the US. I work in New
York,(the rotting apple), but live in New Jersey,(the Garden of
Eden; comparaively). I moved here from Montreal a little over 2
years ago.
It has taken awhile but I'm only now starting to become accustomed
to the difference in quality of life. I don"t think I was prepared
for the vast reorientation that I have had to go through. In many
respects, most Canadians do not realize how good they have things.
Life is better paced, people are genuinely interested in the state
of the world and are less inward looking.
Since moving to the US, I have had to learn how to cook; something
which I rarely did because food in restaurants was good and affordable.
Here in the Us most food is buried in spices, condiments or sauces
so as to provide a 'flavour' to an otherwise bland meal.
I certainly miss my friends, most of whom have come to visit and
now see Canada in a very different, positive light. Friends are
difficult to make when one lives so far from where one works. Back
in Montreal, we'd play softball and soccer after work, go for a
brew or out to eat. Here, it is a major undertaking to co-ordinate
schedules to decide to meet for a drink!
I don't really can't comment on the men except from the standpoint
of being a confrere or colleague as it were. In most respects,
I like the men I've met here. In general, Canadian men are sexist.
I worked over 12 years in Canadian Banking and know of only 6 women who
are Vice-Presidents. The Banks are reluctant to promote women to
senior levels. Here in New York, almost every woman I meet
is a Vice-President. Most New York men treat me as an equal and do
not feel inadequate in seeking a woman's opinion.
Amongst the things that have taken getting used to is the lack of
open forums for the expression of opposing/contrary/disagreeable
views. The American media is extremely ethno/egocentric. There
are many more public affairs programs on TV and radio and a greater
degree of healthy criticism of government policy in Canada by
news journalists. Canadians are far more informed about conditions
in other countries.
Another thing that has me stymied is the deficiency of any consumer
protection legislation with teeth. In the US, the Buyer had better
Beware. I have never seen so many scams in all my life. Even from
so called reputable dealers. In Canada, the government does its best
to ensure the consumer knows what his rights are and any consumer can
simply lodge a complaint to the Ministry when he feels wronged.
Canadian law prohibits bait and switch tactics, absolution from
typographical errors which appear more than twice in an ad and charging
the higher price when items are reticketed.
My last peeve is the outrageous cost of healthcare. Having a baby
in New York cost over $5000.00 (US). Thankfully, I was covered by
a very generous insurance plan and only shelled out a little over
$1000. My sister who had her baby in Toronto in June only paid $400.
Her doctor was every bit as good and every bit as caring. Quality
healthcare is the right of everyone and yet if one doesn't have the
insurance or the bucks, one does not get the appropriate level of
treatment.
On the positive side of the scorecard is the relatively stable
political environment. Living in Quebec, an english speaking person
in a french province in a sea of english Canada, is a tremendous
pressure. Never quite at home; made to feel guilty for the
transgressions of previous racist,unilingual generations and the
opinions of narrowminded western Canadians. Quebecois tried to
'protect' their language and culture with a series of oppressive
laws, including the elimination of english on all traffic and road
signs and the establishment of a language police to ensure compliance
with the law by non-francophone companies.
I do love the entertainment options that are available here in New
York. Museums, galleries, theatre;etc.
I love fourth of July fireworks, Thanksgiving Day parades, the METS and
Christmas. Lots of colour and excitement.
Last but not least, I love the weather. Not as cold in Montreal.
Ihope we can continue this conversation. Perhaps if you setup a
conference or correspond by Vaxmail on NY1MM::RIZZO.
Regards
Carol
|
| 98.2 | Greetings from Scotland | AYOV10::DPAGET | | Wed Dec 17 1986 13:00 | 28 |
| I've been in Scotland now for two years, having relocated from the
Massachusetts area. The biggest areas of adjustment were in dealing
with the initial comments of being an "overpaid American", especially
a woman whose husband is also an "overpaid American" (non-Dec
employee). We still get lots of comments, but I usually offer to
trade mortgage payments (housing here is half of what it would cost
in the States.)
We're enjoying ourselves and have been taking advantage of the travel
opportunities. Because my husband and I both travel in our work,
we're usually able to extend one of our business trips, so that
the other can join in, and we travel together. This has led to
lots of weekends away, especially in London.
Scotland is very different from the Boston area, especially here
in Ayr (35 miles outside of Glasgow). It has given us an excellent
opportunity to develop more of a home-life, spending more time
together. People here have much stronger family bonds and that
is a wonderful influence on us.
The work environment is not much different, probably because of
the initial influence of Americans setting up the operations. The
people have the same work ethic you'll find at home.
All in all, we would recommend anyone who has the opportunity ..
to try it!!
|
| 98.3 | An American in Paris | NRLABS::TATISTCHEFF | | Sat Jan 24 1987 20:08 | 27 |
| I relocated for some time to Paris, but am now (happily) back in
the Boston area. While I had studied French for a long time before
going, nothing had prepared me for how long it would take me to
function in French.
While I certainly learned how to eat better, and there were aspects
of Paris that I loved, the attitudes they had towards women,
particularly young, *single* women were UNBEARABLE. I found Parisians
to be cold, bigoted (ever heard of Le Pen? Fascist...), and sexist.
Dirty words, nasty people, bleich, ptooey. The *Russians* in Paris
were fantastic (Lots of family left there, all Russians, and warm
whether or not you are family, whether or not they know you are
of Russian origin), but I encountered difficulties with all others
I met.
After a while, it dawned on me that a lot of my unhappiness there
could be attributed to the unexpected enormity of the culture
differences between a yankee and a parisian. I encounter similar
problems traveling in the US; I expect people to be the same as
they are here, and they aren't. You end up making people mad at
you without even realizing it. After some time, you learn what
you did wrong, and file it for later use.
France isn't a third world country, and so I didn't expect the culture
problems to be so enormous. Now I know, and would be hesitant to
ever take a job that would require me to be a foreigner forever.
All of a sudden, I have a lot of sympathy for people who feel exiled.
|
| 98.4 | notes from another american in france | MEWVAX::AUGUSTINE | | Mon Jan 26 1987 09:32 | 23 |
| I too had problems when I lived in France (in Grenoble). I couldn't
sit on a park bench and enjoy reading in the sunshine without getting
hassled. I also couldn't walk down the street without getting hooted
at. I was followed and chased a few times at night -- very scary.
I took to wearing dark reflective glasses by day, and thinking mean
thoughts when I went outside. That cut down a bit on the comments,
but it helped me feel even worse about myself. In fairness, I was
there at a time of unrest and dissatisfaction in the country (many
strikes, high unemployment, high population of foreigners (brought
in several years earlier to solve low unemployment problems)). My
experiences may have been due to the tension that the residents
were feeling then.
In addition to the problems of being a single woman, I experienced
other differences with the culture -- for one thing, I found many
French people to be inflexible and highly rule-oriented. That was
frustrating for me. I realized that I'M somewhat inflexible --
my personal definition of comfort probably precludes my emigrating
from the U.S. permanently (unless there are good reasons for my
leaving).
Liz
|
| 98.5 | Customs and traditions! | USFHSL::ROYER | courtesy is not dead, contageous! | Tue Jun 02 1987 18:06 | 49 |
| Hi,
Having spent 12 years traveling in the Navy I, saw a lot of
the world and most people are just the same as we are, just
plain people. DIFFERENT CULTURES BUT THE PEOPLE ARE BASICALLY
all the same.
Tip number one to all travelers, A D J U S T! You are a guest
the natives are the hosts. Too many of my mates played the part
of the ugly American.. get used to the open-face sandwiches, eaten
with a knife and fork. Expect your salad when the meal arrives
and drink whatever you like, Some do go with the red wine/beef
but the majority of the Non USA natives that I have met could
care less. Do try to eat European style with the fork inverted
in the left hand...it is a bit odd to begin with but the pro's
outweigh the con's. I.E. you do not have to swap the knife and
fork while eating. It is sooooo much easier.
Follow the local customs, and if in doubt do not do it.
American service wives are easy to spot in Europe, they have the
hair curlers in and the shorts and halters. Custom is that
Eurpean women do not ever even with a pretty scarf over them
wear curlers in public...
There does not appear to be restrictions..(taboo)..regarding
smoking in public, just to be sure observe the locals around you.
When we arrived in Frankfurt, Germany in December 1979, my wife
asked me if it was a local holiday. I said no why? she replied
but there are no horns blowing or other noise. Germany has laws
against excessive noise and you do not, do not blow to let your
friend know that you are passing. Horns are to avoid accidents
only. Another unusual law regards laundry on the cloths line
on Sunday in Germany..you can be ticketed and fined for violations.
Do not be frightened by the foreign laws and customs just look
arround and if in doubt ask some trusted local friend.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy the cultural differences and the age
of the buildings and art. The world is big and the people are
friendly for the most part. You may get some of the "overpaid
american" remarks, just be gentle and explain the situation,
you are a stranger in a strange land, your loved ones are far
away and if anything goes wrong your expenses are enormous.
that your situation is just a gamble and if things go well
you are a winner and if not then you have the experience and
hopefully breakeven.
Good luck,
Dave
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