Post by achebeautiful on Mar 11, 2006 18:12:00 GMT -5
Today at work there were a couple of people talking around me about Canada. Each of them take differing sides politically, one is conservative and the other liberal. So it was interesting to me to lean in and listen to what they had to say.
The conversation was very polite, and I have to admit smart. Neither person expressed their opinion in a rude or putdown kind of way, so I felt I could really learn a thing or two from both of them.
Well, it didn't take long for the one person who differs from me politically (he the liberal, I the conservative) to notice that I was listening in. He pulled me into the conversation thinking for certain that I was going to have something negative to say about Canada. I know this because he brought me into it by saying, "Oh, and here's a capitalist. I'm sure he has an opinion about our socialist neighbors." LOL (I have such a reputation!)
I think they were both surprised to hear that I had nothing but compliments for Canada. Really, I had to admit that I know very little about them, but that I had a friend (you, Leona) from there who is teaching me a lot. Actually, I spoke more about you, Leona, than I did Canada. But if that serves anything at all, it should be that you represent your country very well!
As far as the political aspect of it, as well as the capitalist/socialist thing, all I said about that is that as long as there are people who are struggling to make ends meet, and poverty in both countries, then both have work to do. There's good and bad to be said for both sides.
But I guess it was more important to me to speak well of what I do know about Canada. And it was kind of cool to tell some people about someone I know who lives there that I think very highly of and consider a friend!
The conversation was very polite, and I have to admit smart. Neither person expressed their opinion in a rude or putdown kind of way, so I felt I could really learn a thing or two from both of them.
Well, it didn't take long for the one person who differs from me politically (he the liberal, I the conservative) to notice that I was listening in. He pulled me into the conversation thinking for certain that I was going to have something negative to say about Canada. I know this because he brought me into it by saying, "Oh, and here's a capitalist. I'm sure he has an opinion about our socialist neighbors." LOL (I have such a reputation!)
I think they were both surprised to hear that I had nothing but compliments for Canada. Really, I had to admit that I know very little about them, but that I had a friend (you, Leona) from there who is teaching me a lot. Actually, I spoke more about you, Leona, than I did Canada. But if that serves anything at all, it should be that you represent your country very well!
As far as the political aspect of it, as well as the capitalist/socialist thing, all I said about that is that as long as there are people who are struggling to make ends meet, and poverty in both countries, then both have work to do. There's good and bad to be said for both sides.
But I guess it was more important to me to speak well of what I do know about Canada. And it was kind of cool to tell some people about someone I know who lives there that I think very highly of and consider a friend!
