Canada’s just not interesting enough for some people

I read an article not long ago, written by a columnist in Washington, D.C. by the name of Eric Weiner. It was called: “Note to Canada: We’re Just Not That Into You.”

I enjoyed it and thought you might, too. He writes:

“You’ve always been there for us, Canada; first, after 9-11 and, now, in Afghanistan. We appreciate it but, still, we’re just not that into you. It’s not personal, it’s geo-political. You’re just too nice. And nice doesn’t get our attention.

“Threatening gets our attention but you, Canada, are anything but threatening. Except on the hockey rink, of course, but we don’t take hockey all that seriously.

“Also, many of us Americans; especially those in their 20s and 30s, tell surveyors they find Canada boring!

“I know. I know. How can a country with Cirque du Soleil and Don Cherry be described as boring?

“What can I say, Canada? Our amusement threshold is very high. Most of us couldn’t name your Prime Minister or your capital city. Is this ignorance any basis for a relationship?

“Remember that joke you used to tell us: ‘How do you get 50 Canadians out of the pool? You say, ‘Will the Canadians please leave the pool?’ See? You find that funny. But we don’t get it.

“So, chin up, Canada. We can still be friends. Heck, we’re practically neighbours. And, you will continue to send us your best comedians, won’t you?

“Hey, let’s do coffee sometime, eh?”

Fred Trainor is a retired broadcaster living in Okanagan Falls. Email: fredtrainor@shaw.ca