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Thread: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

  1. #16
    he/him *BaseClogger*'s Avatar
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by New York Red View Post
    I'd never had gravy on fries before, until I moved to New York. Just seems like an odd combo and it makes the fries soggy. Not my thing. I also don't get calling fried potatoes "home fries" or calling chili dogs "michigans". I could go on and on (these are lighthearted topics). On the flip side, they'd never had my version of dumplings before and now there are multiple families all over upstate New York making them. I left my mark on them and they left their's on me. I still have a friend from Mooers Forks who sends me his homemade maple syrup every few months. It's all good. I'd move back in a heartbeat and will have a vacation home there before I retire.
    Do you like chili on your fries? I prefer chili and cheese to gravy and cheese on my fries, but it's the same idea.

    I know exactly what somebody means when they say "home fries". Fried potatoes could mean a multitude of different foodstuffs.

    And *coneys* are called "Michigans" because that's where they originated...


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  3. #17
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by CoachBombay View Post
    2. people who are very kind and apologetic
    Sounds like he may be going to Quebec, so this will definitely NOT be the case.

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by Boston Red View Post
    Sounds like he may be going to Quebec, so this will definitely NOT be the case.
    Amen, brother. Quebecians are the Canadians I've dealt with and they didn't come across as being polite or friendly. At least not to us Americans.

  5. #19
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by *BaseClogger* View Post
    Do you like chili on your fries? I prefer chili and cheese to gravy and cheese on my fries, but it's the same idea.

    I know exactly what somebody means when they say "home fries". Fried potatoes could mean a multitude of different foodstuffs.

    And *coneys* are called "Michigans" because that's where they originated...
    Ha, I've heard the Michigan story before, and ketchup only (on the side) with my fries. Believe me, I could turn this thread multi-paged with my stories of New Yorkers having fun with my Kentucky lingo and me having fun with theirs. It was a clash of cultures and it was a blast.

  6. #20
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by WMR View Post
    Cumberland, you ever go to any Wizards games? If Wall's perimeter game continues to come around, he's gonna be amazing.
    No, Never go to pro games. I just don't care for the pro game. But from what I have read and little I have seen Wall is turning into the player the Wiz hoped he would be.
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeThierry View Post
    6. If you go to the right place, very hot women.
    My wife wouldn't like that. So I can't go there.
    Reds Fan Since 1971

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  9. #22
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by New York Red View Post
    This can't be stated enough. I've only entered/exited Canada through the Champlain, NY crossings, but I'm assuming they're all the same. Entering Canada is quick, but coming back to the US can be an hour or two wait during busy traveling times like holidays.

    As for the country itself, it's not much different than upstate NY, or upper Vermont and New Hampshire. Clean air, no humidity and lots of snow and maple syrup. I think the whole area, on both sides of the border, is beautiful. I'd still live there if not for job transfers. My personal dealings with Cannucks makes me think they're rude and terrible drivers, but the country is beautiful. I highly recommend Old Town Montreal.
    Thanks. I'll have to allow some time coming back. I did read elsewhere the Canadiens are know for their tailgating. They can just go on around me. I'm not going to go too fast. I won't be going as far as Montreal. Just up to no further than Magog or Sherbourne. That will take the day at that point.
    Poutine doesn't sound good to me. So I will pass on that. Gravy on fries? Blahhh.....
    Reds Fan Since 1971

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by cumberlandreds View Post
    Thanks. I'll have to allow some time coming back. I did read elsewhere the Canadiens are know for their tailgating. They can just go on around me. I'm not going to go too fast. I won't be going as far as Montreal. Just up to no further than Magog or Sherbourne. That will take the day at that point.
    Poutine doesn't sound good to me. So I will pass on that. Gravy on fries? Blahhh.....
    Magog is not that far from here but I have not made it up there since we moved back north. FWIW coworkers of mine have spoken highly of it for its shopping and restaurants too.

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by New York Red View Post
    This can't be stated enough. I've only entered/exited Canada through the Champlain, NY crossings, but I'm assuming they're all the same. Entering Canada is quick, but coming back to the US can be an hour or two wait during busy traveling times like holidays.
    I had the opposite experience. Several years ago I went into Canada and had to actually wait a while in the station while they checked me out and asked why I wanted to go to Canada. Had no problems coming back except waiting in traffic.
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by MikeThierry View Post
    6. If you go to the right place, very hot women.
    This could be said about every country in the world.

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by New York Red View Post
    I still don't get poutine. Ordered it one time in Plattsburgh and never wanted it again. Canadians and upstate New Yorkers sure love it though.
    wow, I read that and thought he just spelled pootang wrong...I guess your never to old to learn something everyday.

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Jon Snow...and hockey...and Canadian chicks.

    How do we know he's not Mel Torme?

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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    I married into a French-Canadian family, so take this for what it's worth:

    1. Border crossings can be easy or hard, going either direction. Lines will be long if you're on the interstates. You can often find much shorter lines on the secondary roads that cross over, but I'd guess that comes with the possible tradeoff of greater scrutiny. But for a "tourist day" that's probably not a huge concern. Border-crossing wait times are often available online or on local radio traffic reports.

    2. I didn't know you needed a passport to get into Canada now -- but you'll need it for certain to get back into the USA.

    3. The language barrier in Quebec is real. Other than pockets here and there e.g. parts of Montreal, they speak French and it's your problem if you don't. (It'll be much like being a non-English speaker in most places here.) I don't speak French, but I breeze along because my lovely wife does. On those rare occasions where I'm on the spot, it's really uncomfortable, but that's (usually) a me problem more so than a them problem. More veteran travelers are usually better at finessing these situations than me!

    That said, a little humility and a few apologetic phrases can go a long way. Odds are, someone in the vicinity speaks English, especially the closer to Montreal and the borders to the USA/Ontario you get.

    4. Maybe I'm biased because my in-laws are a very friendly bunch, but to me, Quebec folks -- aside from the language issues -- are nice and not nice in pretty much the same proportions as anywhere else. And like anywhere else, it varies from big city to small city to countryside.

    5. As others have noted, it's beautiful up there. Great driving.

    6. Sounds like you're not going that far, but I love, love, love visiting Quebec City.

    7. Make sure to gas up on the American side -- it's way more expensive in Canada.
    Reading comprehension is not just an ability, it's a choice

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  20. #29
    Joey Votto Fangirl HeatherC1212's Avatar
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by cumberlandreds View Post
    My wife and are going to New Hamshire for our anniversary and the Christmas holiday. We are staying for just over a week and thought we would drive up to Canada for a day. Neither us have been there and thought it would be something nice to put on our travel resume. Since we have never been there I just wanted see what to expect when we arrive at the border crossing? We have our passports and I will have our car registration ready and drivers liscense. Also not planning on taking much with us since its just for the day. Basically just ourselves and a camera. Any tips or help from anyone who has driven into Canada from the US would be appreciated.
    I go into Canada at least once a year, sometimes twice which I did this year, and I have never had a problem with crossing into Canada but give yourself enough time to cross back into the USA because it does take a lot longer. Make sure you take your sunglasses off when you go through the lines (they'll ask you to take them off if you don't so you might as well just plan to remove them while you go through customs) and there will be a toll that you'll have to pay going through the border crossing (it's usually around $3). There will be signage to tell you what can or can't be brought back into the USA (when I was there in October, there was a notice about vegetables not going across the border) and I have only had a customs person look through my car one time in over 11 years of traveling to and from Canada. They don't really check your car if you just buy souvenirs so that shouldn't be a problem. If you buy something from the Duty Free store, they may make you pick up your stuff through a drive through type of thing, and ALWAYS have your license plate number to buy something from the Duty Free. They ask for it for any purchases you make there. You can buy unlimited amounts of alcohol and as long as it's not over a certain amount, you shouldn't have any issues going through customs (they may ask more questions if you have a lot). WATCH YOUR SPEED when you're driving because everything is in kilometers per hour up there and even though the locals will be speeding like crazy, being from the USA you are more likely to get pulled over if you're caught speeding on the roads. If you have a data plan on your phone make sure you turn it off while you're up there or you might end up with roaming charges and those are crazy expensive if international rates are not in your plan. Everything in Canada is in both French and English but in the area you'll be you'll probably find more French speaking folks so be patient if their English isn't that good (some folks have English better than most Americans though so hopefully you'll be fine).

    Echoing what was said earlier but definitely get gas in the USA. I did the math the last time I was up in Canada and gas was $4.70/gallon at the time.

    Have a fantastic time!! I personally love the Montreal area and would recommend going there if you're over that way. Old Montreal is beautiful!
    Last edited by HeatherC1212; 12-20-2013 at 11:43 AM.
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  22. #30
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    Re: Going to Canada,What to Expect?

    Quote Originally Posted by IslandRed View Post
    4. Maybe I'm biased because my in-laws are a very friendly bunch, but to me, Quebec folks -- aside from the language issues -- are nice and not nice in pretty much the same proportions as anywhere else. And like anywhere else, it varies from big city to small city to countryside.
    Never been to Quebec but I have been to France. I heard all the stories of French rudeness. And didn't encounter it once. The English are polite, but a bit cold. The French were polite and warm.


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