Cross Border Raid

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by Matthew P

This will be my first visit to Canada...

1) Speed limits are metric so '80' isn't 80 mph but 80 kph, or 50 mph.

2) Highway 407 is a tollway. You will be billed for using it, but it's a better ride.

3) A paper dollar with a tam-wearing Scot on it is Canadian Tire money, not real money. Don't take any as change.

4) You'll pay extra for American beer, but it's brewed locally anyway, so try our domestic brands.

5) Our Walmart's aren't as good as yours.

6) Don't try saying 'eh' after every sentence to blend in, you'll just stand out.

7) A serviette is a paper napkin dispensed by fast-food restaurants. (I once asked for a serviette in a Buffalo sandwich shop, and the girl laughed at me.)

8) Our gas is sold by the litre. Remember that 0.22 cents (Cdn) a litre is the same as $1.00 (Cdn) an Imperial Gallon. So $1.32 (Cdn) a litre is the same as $6.00 (Cdn) an Imp Gal. Fill up in Buffalo.

9) If you can possibly avoid it, don't drive in downtown Toronto on a weekday. Take the subway or a cab. (Stay off the highways at rush hour if you can, too.)

10) Don't be afraid to go out at night. It's quite safe.

Cheers,
Dan.

[rob love]

I ended up (in error) on the 407 about 4 months back when I visited ON, and have yet to receive a bill. I'm guessing the beat up license plates we Manitobans use saved me the fees.

Another unique Cdn thing (I believe, but I stand to be corrected) is that we put vinegar on our French fries, despite the fact that the ketchup we put on after the vinegar is mostly vinegar anyway.

[Paul Singleton]

Highway 407 is a nice bypass to miss Toronto traffic but compared to turnpike tolls in the U.S. it is very expensive.

[Dan Martel]

Originally Posted by rob love

Another unique Cdn thing (I believe, but I stand to be corrected) is that we put vinegar on our French fries, despite the fact that the ketchup we put on after the vinegar is mostly vinegar anyway.

Malt vinegar. White vinegar would be considered beyond the Pale.

Cheers,
Dan.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by rob love

I ended up (in error) on the 407 about 4 months back when I visited ON, and have yet to receive a bill. I'm guessing the beat up license plates we Manitobans use saved me the fees.

Another unique Cdn thing (I believe, but I stand to be corrected) is that we put vinegar on our French fries, despite the fact that the ketchup we put on after the vinegar is mostly vinegar anyway.

The Canadian ketchup's tang you love so much comes not from vinegar but from fresh Leamington tomatoes (Leamington being not only the tomato capital of the world but is a mere half hour west of me)...and...from the sweat dripping off the brows of imported Mexican workers who harvest the bounty.

[Matthew P]

Thanks all! Once again the combination of humor and helpfulness that defines your nation shines through! To answer a few questions:

Vehicle wise my interest lay in the myriad welfare vehicles used by philanthropic organizations to support the forces. I like malt vinegar on fries. Not sure where it originated from, but it's something I've done for a long time and some of our eateries have vinegar out for fries. I travel internationally a lot, but don't drive overseas so although I still stumble I'm ahead of many Americans when it comes to using metric. Actually haven't made it to a Tim Horton's yet. I'm all the way down by Washington DC and there aren't any this far south. Some in New England but none close to any routes I've been on.

Matt

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Matthew P

Thanks all! Once again the combination of humor and helpfulness that defines your nation shines through! To answer a few questions:

Vehicle wise my interest lay in the myriad welfare vehicles used by philanthropic organizations to support the forces. I like malt vinegar on fries. Not sure where it originated from, but it's something I've done for a long time and some of our eateries have vinegar out for fries. I travel internationally a lot, but don't drive overseas so although I still stumble I'm ahead of many Americans when it comes to using metric. Actually haven't made it to a Tim Horton's yet. I'm all the way down by Washington DC and there aren't any this far south. Some in New England but none close to any routes I've been on.

Matt

Well, at least you come to Canada forewarned and forearmed. Once you've spent the better part of a half hour in a Timmies lineup for a double-double you'll get the hang of the place. Just FYI, 'snow' is that white stuff that makes you skid off into the ditch.

[Robert Bergeron]

If you head out East you will fall off the face of Canada and land in Québec. That is where «* poutine «* was invented . Never mind the vinegar and ketchup and have the pleasure of trying real fries with curd cheese and gravy . Now that’ s havin a taste of Canada ! Say POUTINE in Québec and nobody will think you are referring to a foreign head of government. Welcome to Canada man.

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Robert Bergeron

If you head out East you will fall off the face of Canada and land in Québec. That is where «* poutine «* was invented . Never mind the vinegar and ketchup and have the pleasure of trying real fries with curd cheese and gravy . Now that’ s havin a taste of Canada ! Say POUTINE in Québec and nobody will think you are referring to a foreign head of government. Welcome to Canada man.

Robert, I think you have it right. If Matthew wants the full Canadian experience he'd skip Toronto and whatever business he has there and go directly to the poutinerie on Route 20 just east of Drummondville. Nobody survives authentic Quebec poutine without wearing a toque and declaring tabernaque.

And if that's not enough, what do you call those pork pies in Quebec City?

[Robert Bergeron]

«* Tourtières «* Bruce . But don’t teach Mattew French swear words please , there are ladies present . That’s what we put ketchup on, not fries. Now that’s from a Qwébécer who has lived the past three years in Edmonton , Comox and Victoria and just pitched his tent in .... Winterpeg [ Winnipeg Manitoba for Mattew] for the duration or until i freeze over. Mathew you must hink we are crazy , cause we are . We are crazy fun and welcoming in Canada .

[Chuck Anderson]

Originally Posted by Dan Martel

9) If you can possibly avoid it, don't drive in downtown Toronto on a weekday. Take the subway or a cab. (Stay off the highways at rush hour if you can, too

Toronto has a daily hour dedicated to Rush? AWESOME!

[Bruce Parker (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Chuck Anderson

Toronto has a daily hour dedicated to Rush? AWESOME!

Ain't no 'rush' in Trawna's rush hour. Come to think of it there's no 'hour' either. The damn slow to stop on roads in that excuse for a city lasts 24 hours a day.