I Consider Small Differences Between Canada and the Britain

I am on holiday, and despite waking this morning at 6.30 in order to lie in bed being irritated by something someone did two weeks ago, my mind is free to wander (and sort out my move from London, the insurance on my kitchen ceiling falling in in London, the replacement cooker hood for my flat in London, the clearing out so that the buyer's surveyor might get into the cellar of my flat in London, etc) and consider the many cultural differences between my adopted country (Canada) and my original country(ies), England and France.

Eggs, and the storage thereof

In Canada, they are in the refrigerator section, often near the 123 varieties of Philadelphia cream cheese. In the Britain (and France), they are open on the shelves. It is fair to say that the veterinary research histopathologist with whom I share my life and fleas finds this slightly worrying.

But I have checked with British Lion Eggs, and it is apparently OK, and something to do with the temperature of British supermarkets (under 20 degrees) and the temperature at which eggs need to be stored (under 29 degrees).

Teeth

Regular readers will be aware that I have written about this before, but really it is astonishing! The teeth of the French are as bad as the teeth of the English. The teeth of the Canadians are beautiful in an understated way (unlike those of the Americans).

In the supermarkets in Canada there are rows upon rows of tooth things: brushes, whiteners, mouthwashes, flosses, picks, etc. In France, you must hunt for the floss and the mouthwash. In England, there is some in Boots but most people are in the food section crunching up Smarties with their remaining teeth, so miss them entirely.

Teeth (2)

In most houses in Canada: a cup to convey water to your mouth after brushing the teeths in order to rinse your mouth out. In England: it is more usual to stick your head under the tap. This is an endless source of amusement to the Canadian with whom I share my bed (and lice).

Toast Racks

Again, not the first time I have mentioned this, but suffice to say that the first time I 'brought out the rack' (not like that!!!!) for one of my new Canadian friends, she laughed until she cried. The foreigners can't see the logic in it, although I suspect they may change their minds once they consider the many and manifold joys of The Toast Host.

Washing Up liquid dispenser systems

A feature of a great many Canadian homes is the MOST ghastly sort of combined washing up liquid 'n' spongey thing holder. Awful. Makes getting the liquid into the sink almost impossible, means rank water collects in the bit where you put the spongey thing, and most of all it is as naff as fuck and not that far removed from lace curtains.

Showers in your kitchen sink

This however is a splendid Canadian thing (that I hear you can now get in the Britain!!): a kind of tap attachment or replacement that doubles as straight jet of water and sort of shower jet of water. I must say it makes sink-based activities much easier, and I heartily suggest that everyone in Britain gets one now. (And France too.)

Meat


It is much, much harder to find good (i.e, nice-tasting, without things added, etc) meat in the supermarket(s) in Canada than it is in Britain or France. Strange, but true.

Old stuff

There is much more old stuff in England and France. I had not appreciated it before. Now I live in Canada and I visit the Europe I realise how much I miss it, and will for e.g. spend a very long time looking at small things in wonder. Also the fact that parts of the house I am in in France at this very moment and second are eighteenth century now suddenly seems remarkable to me, and it is all I can do to restrain myself from licking the walls.


Central heating

Most English houses are colder inside that most Canadian houses. I will make no comment other than to say in Canada it routinely falls to -30, and in England everyone cocks on about the end of the world if it falls below -1.

Yes.