Friendly neighbors??

[rickyboy]

Hi to everyone,
As some of you may know from some of my posts, I own some recreational property south of the Canadian/ U.S. of A. border, in the Mt. Baker area of Maple Falls WA.. I make the short trip almost every weekend throughout the year.
This weekend past was no different. We left for our retreat on Friday afternoon, stopping at the local U.S. grocery store just across
"the line" . I waited for my wife in the truck while she did the shopping. I have to mention that the parking lot was all but empty, and that I parked my vehicle using two parking stalls,... one ahead of the other. I did this because the lot was empty, and thought I could make a "straight out exit" while keeping my truck visible for my wife when she was finished shopping. I didn't think it was hurting anything. Anyway, a WA state licensed car with three people pulled up into a stall, one or two away. Their eyes were cast my way, and upon getting out, what appeared to be a young "son" of the two older looking "parents" got out and opened his Moms door and took something from the dash and said "because they think they're royal Mom,... royalty" The "mother got out and gave me the ugliest look. The "father" got out and said, all the time looking at me, "Ya! royalty,... a royal pain in our ass".
Because I didn't hear what was said in their car as they arrived, I kept my mouth shut. { something I'm not in a habit of doing when I feel wronged } ..I can only think it was the issue I mentioned about my parking. Their comments were obviously directed with hatred to wards me, but in general, Canadians as a whole. I was left wondering just why was there so much hatred and disrespect for "me"? I know it wasn't about ME. There are a lot of Canadians that cross to shop, to visit, get gas, but in any event spend money. Have we Canadians done something wrong, or not done what has been asked of us in troubling times? Wouldn't you think in these "hard times" the American people would be happy to see the Canadians spend their money in the U.S.? Personally I don't understand why people shop in the U.S. when it doesn't make economic sense. I realize that these three people don't offer a good cross section of the American people and it wouldn't be fair to paint all American people with the same brush. But how many people feel this way toward their, {what should be}, their closest friends and neighbors? Is it because they might associate us with Britain and that we are still a colony of that country? Haven't they been their for America also??
I have never thought while conversing with people on this forum, that this mentality might be out there among Americans.

I'm 54 yrs.old and have known our countries relationships to be strained at times, and that we've welcomed non conformists of the U.S. Gov't. into the country at times. I'm not naive of some of our differences. But doesn't the gate swing both ways? I don't know any Canadians though, that feel the same way as these people appeared to feel towards me on the weekend. I will never change the good feelings I have for my American "Bros". and "Sisters".

OR ! maybe I have this all wrong.

[trip]

Count that as an isolated incident, Ricky. As a general rule, we Americans love you Canadians.

I would think the people that chastized you have a burr up their saddle. That is their problem, not yours.

[misunderstood]

Isolated case from a not so isolated segment of stupidity. And you gets a Karma to make up for the idiot. ;)

[unwind2]

Isolated case. We we went to Americade a few years ago we stayed at a camp site. Our neighbors were a bunch of fellows from Canada. One of them had hit a dear on the way down from Canada, had not gone to an ER and when I saw the terrible bandaging job of his road rash hand, as an ER nurse I had to get out my kit and clean it and dress it propertly........along with adbvice about what to watch for - signs and symptoms of infection.

they could not figure out their new tent and my hubbie and the other couple's husband that was with us helped them put up their tent. Nice guys.

At night we sat around and chatted and visted and campared the different events whe had been to at Americade.

[oldbikers]

Rickyboy I will apologize for on of our country men treating you in this manner and can only tell you that there are ass holes every where most Americans love you guys.

[BandC]

Unfortunately you can find jerks anywhere, pay no mind to them, they don't represent everyone. You can't fix stupid! Bruce

[flavor]

I've never met a Canadian I didn't like.

[cactusjack]

Here's my take on it...

You all know where I live, and the Phoenix area is home to a large population of winter residents, aka "snowbirds" due to the pleasant winter climate. A large number of these visitors hail from Canada. Some of the big resorts fly Canadian flags right next to the American flag. Go to any restaurant in certain areas and the parking lot is full of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba plates. No big deal. Their money is as green as ours, and they are nice, friendly folks. They also are very good neighbors, maintain their homes, and have drivers licenses and car insurance. This is a big contrast to many of those who come from south of our border.

I can't explain why the crappy attitude towards Canadians in Washington State, Rick. Just know that not all Americans feel that way toward Canadians.

[taranis]

I lived in WA for a good 15 years, never had a problem with Canadians.

Sounds like a carload of people in desperate need of a group diaper change. Probably why they were there.

Don't worry about it.

[waterman]

rickyboy,

Pay no attention to the arses. Some people just have their head stuck where the sun don't shine. Not representative of the majority of people. There are jacka$$'s on both sides of the border but they are in the minority.

I know a great many Northerner's and enjoy their company.

[novijoe]

We love you Canadians. Especially the good looking red heads

All kidding aside, my last trip to Canada on the scoot was great, lots of friendly people except one guy. Walked over and asked us where we were going and told us we were off course, kind of smart a**. I had to tell him we were looking for a place to eat and had to drive that far to get there!

I feel lucky though with all the hatred of our last president that they didn't throw stuff at me :-[

[flavor]

I recently posted I never met a Canadian that I didn't like. I have to say in retrospect, when I went to Quebec in the mid 70's we went to a restaurant and were treated like second class citizens. My friend who spoke french, since he was born in Belgium and actually lived in Winnapeg a number of yrs, picked up some insulting remarks by the waitress and other workers while we were wating to get service. We wound up ordering some steaks after being jerked around and then left the restaurant.

Hope they started the steaks and had to eat them themselves.

In all other dealings in Montreal, Toronto, and in between, all we had were good feelings.

[schoeney]

Hey Ricky,

I have had lots of interaction with Canadians + Americans as I used to travel up there for business. I only had one bad experience ....a Canadian that did not like working for an American Company and pretty blunt + bitter about it.

I just file people like that with the family you experienced....too small minded to see the big picture....we are all North Americans and neighbors!

[pirate]

Here in ND, we're pretty darn close to the border. My house is about 45 miles south of Canada. We see a lot of Canadians here doing shopping and other errands. I have no problem with any of them. They are helping our economy, so come on down!

[lw]

Sounds like you had an encounter with a family with a polluted gene pool who should have been charged with "being an A$$hole in a no-a$$hole zone"

Don't let the fargin' bastages get you down. We still love ya.