When I was living back east, every so often I’d do some shopping across the border over in Windsor, Ontario for various things: groceries, clothing, that kind of stuff. The exchange rate between the US and Canadian dollars was excellent; back then, it was usually around US$1 = CDN$1.65 or thereabouts. One day I was at the Devonshire Mall and at the mall was this bookstore called Chapters, which is a lot like Borders here in the United States.
I perused through the inventory when all of a sudden my eyes went to this book, ”Canadian History for Dummies.” I scooped it up and bought it! This book is a very eye-opening read about just how much we Americans really do have in common with our Canadian friends...and yet at the same time, the differences as well which makes Canadians who they are. For instance, I found out what a “Trudeau Salute” is...and so can you!
Anyway, I finally found this book this morning as I was searching through some old photos (yes, the same “repository” where I found the Cleveland photo). Believe me, I was happy to see it again! I know some people at work who have definitely expressed an interest in seeing this book, so now I can take it to them.
Before someone brings up the “multiculturalism” meme again, let me point out that it is always important to know how people think and do things on an everyday basis, and that is a good starting point to building bridges of trust and friendship. It worked for the Soviets, and it also works with our friends. This book is a great place to see that in practice.
I do have a number of Canadian friends. They are all good people. I just don’t agree with their government, which has been in power since 1993, and how Ottawa see things vis-à-vis the War on Terror. But I’d much rather have the Canadians stand beside us than have them stand on the other side. Even the Québecers. After all, they’re Canadians too!
Then I checked Dummies.com and found out that, sadly, they don’t have a “Mexican History for Dummies” book. That sucks. They should.