Expats - What Has Changed? What Won't Change?

[NotQuiteCockney]

As an expat (Canadian in the UK), I'm very aware of what I've changed. I now say "mum". I like queueing. I use lots of British constructions. My accent has even drifted a bit (although only DH can tell. Other people say my accent is still quite strong).

But - I will not drink tea. I will not listen to the Archers. I think that doing either of these would mean I have "gone native", and it would be time to go home.

Do any other expats (to anywhere, from anywhere) have similar lists?

confession: have tin of Bird's custard powder in cupboard.

lol tex! apparently they're not allowed on airplanes (even when packed in case & stored in the hold) so I guess posting them would be out of the question, also.

Ooo, we buy those make your own crackers from Lakeland every year, so we can put our own goodies in. Fun, fun, fun!

What about water biscuits, Janh?

Did that woman also write that book about the evil kid? In what way is she mad? (I know next to nothing about her.)

In Quebec, Xmas Crackers are illegal, full stop. No home fireworks, no party poppers, none of that. Very strict laws. Sounds wacky, but for several weeks around November 5th (especially when Diwali is at the same time!) I think it's very very wise.

dh always takes the piss when i say crackers instead of biscuits.

expatinscotland, have you tried Lupe Pinto's? They mainly do Mexican food but I am sure they import American stuff like Oreos. Website here .

Well, Quebec isn't really part of Canada, so what do you expect?

I get picked on for saying "erb" (herb). I don't know why. DH is ok about most of it, but somehow "erb" is unacceptable, even when I claim it's a French pronounciation.

or what about oregano?

NQC, there was a piece about her when the book came out, she has a very peculiar family background IIRC (starting with her being called Lionel!) - will try and find it.

Fair point, sansouci. I'm never sure whether I identify with all you square heads or with Quebec on these things.

Now that I think about it, a lot of our holiday traditions are English. The whole meal on Christmas day is the traditional English feast, we have port afterwards and crackers on the tree. We do celebrate Thanksgiving every year though and I do the whole thing from marshmallow covered sweet potatoes to pecan and pumpkin pies. Other US holidays like 4th of July don't really get a look in but Halloween is growing in importance as DS gets older. Must admit I did a jack o'lantern every year even before he was born.

Yes, the Lionel thing is odd. I assumed it was becoming a woman's name, like Sigourney? Maybe not.

square heads??? whassat?

This is it - family not quite as peculiar as I thought, and in an Orange Prize piece it turns out she was actually named Margaret - she changed it to Lionel herself in her teens so bonkers in her own right!

I do get depressed that the DSes won't get proper trick or treating. But then I gather it's fallen out of fashion back home, thanks to the stranger danger paranoia - is that right? (The only person I know with decentish sized kids is my sister, who I think goes in for stranger danger.)

enough of this banter! (fascinating though it is). i'm off to raid the fridge.

Trick or treating very popular round here, NQC (semi-rural Lancs, nice safe town).

Hm, Janh, exactly like Sigourney then (she was born Susan Weaver, but changed her name in her teens).

sansouci, square head is a rude expression for anglos: Tete carre.

Actually, when you think about it the only bit of Canada that is 'proper' Canada is Ontario. Afterall Quebec is always attempting to secede, and Newfoundland seems to be a world unto itself (I've read The Shipping New you know ).

Newfoundland only joined Canada in like 1949. Clearly not part of Canada.

Originally, Canada was just Ontario and Quebec, and even then, only the St Lawrence River bits. All the rest isn't really Canada.

Gem13, I think sansouci knows more about Vancouver than me. Almost anyone knows more than Vancouver than me, frankly.

Toronto is a nice multicultural city. I think rents are a bit high. There's ok public transit, and it's pretty safe. There are a lot of good activities for kids (museums and so on).

I've thought of a few more things for this thread.

I would never serve a cup of tea/coffe without something to go with it, or at least apologising for the lack of biscuits in the house. I remember as a child in Dublin hearing someone being very shocked that she have visited someone and only been given a cup of tea, she said "You would have thought she was English". I will also never say "Innit", or say "floor" when I mean the ground.

I also have lots of foil containers as dh is very Malaysian about food and always makes people who come to dinner take some left overs with them. It used to annoy me before I got the foil containers as he would use my plastic containers and I'd have to keep buying new ones.