Canada and the U.S.
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Mike
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Todd
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Todd: Now, Mike, you're from Canada but you lived in America for a good period of time.
Mike: Right!
Todd: How would you compare the two counties?
Mike: Well, the most obvious difference is Canada is a lot colder, I think than the United States in general, that's cause were north of the U.S., but culturally, I think that the US has a lot, many more culturally different areas within the country than Canada does. Canada as a culture, even though it's different from east to west, for people in Atlantic Canada are quite different from, let's say, Ontario, or Quebec, different from the West Coast. In the U.S., there are many more of those cultural pockets like New York for example is very different from Florida, which is very different from Louisiana, or Georgia, which is very different from Texas of course and all of those are very different from California and all of those, again, are very different from the North West part of the U.S., Seattle and that area, so the U.S. has many, many more sort of culturally diverse areas, very, unique, and that's one, I think one significant difference between Canada and the U.S. Another difference is, Canada is obviously, one thing that many tourists point to, is a reason for going to Canada, Canada is safer than the U.S. Again, I think partly cause of gun laws and things like that, but just in general, I think the history of Canada sort of is a lot more, is a lot less, I guess, it was a lot less, there was no revolution really in Canada and there was in the U.S. so I mean I think the roots are a little bit less, more subdued, I'd say, so that makes a difference culturally. However, I think that because Canada is more safe, it's also more boring than the U.S., so the U.S., it’s maybe a little bit riskier but it's a lot more fun. Canada is safer but, again, more boring.
Todd: That's interesting, I mean, I don't know. I haven't been to Canada but I would like to go.
Mike: Definitely come up and visit and you'll know why you enjoy the States so much.
Todd: I'm not so sure about that. All right, thanks, Mike.
Mike: Sure.
obvious
The most obvious difference is that Canada is a lot colder
than the United States.
If something is 'obvious' it is easy to see or understand without a lot of effort. It is something that is noticeable. Notice the following:
- There was a small sign next to the road, but it wasn't
that obvious.
- It's very obvious that you aren't interested in what I'm
saying.
cultural pockets
In the U.S., there are many more of those cultural pockets.
A 'cultural pocket' is an area where a group of people from one particular culture live in a community. Notice the following:
- Why would a cultural pocket of Puerto Ricans form in a
place that is so cold?
- There are cultural pockets in the United States where
you feel like you are almost in a different country.
diverse
The U.S. has many, many more sort of culturally diverse
areas.
If a place has people who come from all different countries or cultural and religious backgrounds it is considered to be 'diverse.' Notice the following:
- One of the cool things about living in a big city is
that the people are very diverse.
- The student population at my university is very diverse.
significant difference
I think diversity is one significant difference between
Canada and the U.S.
A 'significant difference' is a different that is very big or important. Notice the following:
- The most significance difference about my life here is
that I don't drive anywhere.
- The only significant difference between Sara and her
twin is that one is a little taller.
point to
One thing that many tourists point to as a reason for going
to Canada is that it's safer than in the U.S.
Used like this, 'point to' means the same as 'refer to.' The meaning of the sentence is that the reason that tourists give for going to Canada is that it's safer than the U.S. Notice the following:
- All of the evidence points to the fact that we are
looking for at least 3 criminals in the bank robbery.
- She points to her desire to have a safe home for her
family as a reason for moving out of the city.
roots or subdued
I think the roots in Canada are a little bit less and
subdued.
'Roots,' in this sense, are cultural traditions or feeling of belonging or wanting to stay in a place. When something is 'subdued' it exists, but not in as strong or obvious a way as in other places. Notice the following:
- She put down very strong roots during only a few months
in Asia.
- My dog is a lot more subdued now that he is older. He
was wild as a puppy.
Vocabulary Quiz
point • subdued • roots
Simon compares bar service around the world from three different places.
