Because he was in the US and there it is customary.
We don’t do it in Spain either, but in the US I’ve been accosted several times by people asking angrily why wasn’t I waving a little flag, holding my hand over my heart or some such. Every time I’ve explained and every time the explanation has been accepted, plus I imagine the people Mr Sanjjan was with would have remembered he’s not American, but in the end it’s just a matter of “when in Rome”.
Lots of people just do whatever is being done around them without really thinking about why.
For foreign nationals?
I attended a football game at Mile High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. I stood at attention for the US national anthem. I did not put my hand over my heart during the playing of the US national anthem. My American seatmates asked me why–I simply answered that I was not American, owed no allegiance to the US, and while I respected the US and its flag, I could not, in good conscience, put my hand over my heart for the US anthem. They understood, and we all enjoyed the game.
The gun thing is jus t bad optics but refusing to participate in the Quebec debate is just because he doesn’t have the French.
I’m going to guess it’s because Canadians, are less inclined to lose their shit over stupid crap like who’s wearing a flag pin, or who’s hand is over their heart during the anthem.
Not that there aren’t those who’d love to see us adopt those very attitudes, there are and always will be. But each time, most Canadians are largely indifferent to such tempests in teapots. And I, for one am glad of it.
I’m sorry you find such a simple thing so seriously and personally offensive, but would suggest that yours is a very individual response. Most Canadians will see it as mere politeness to their host and nothing more, I believe.
So why did you stand at attention if you are so concerned about appearing to show allegiance?
Because it shows respect for the country in which I am a guest.
Maybe I’m weird, but being born in Canada, and brought up in Canada, and having gone through the public school system in Ontario, I was taught that we do not put our hands over our hearts. That’s an American thing, and we are not Americans.
On a lighter note, does anybody remember the work of Toronto Star photographer Boris Spremo? He took some iconic images of our country in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s; and I was glad to stumble across this archive of some of his best known:
A great photographer, who captured Toronto (and elsewhere) in those days. Does anybody else remember him?
Didn’t know his name, but I recognized several of the shots (especially PET with the elastic band). The Dief one is new to me, but very good.
You were taught that? Some teacher actually said, “Don’t put your hand over your heart because only Americans do that”? Very :dubious:
I remember standing beside my desk during God save the Queen or some similar nonsense played over the loudspeaker when in grade school. The most instruction I ever had was chalk or a chalkboard eraser bounce off my head for screwing around. No other command than to stand still and sing along (or shut up depending on the quality of one’s singing)
You know what’s WAY more American than hand over heart? The idea that petty shit like this, and lapel pins, are an ACTUAL measure of respect, or politeness, or patriotism.
Instead it seriously diminishes any gravitas such gestures may have once had, by changing them into a non optional social protocols. Which then becomes complete conformity like that seen at a Chinese military parade.
Getting your panties in a twist because someone did or didn’t make a certain simple gesture is kinda silly in the extreme, in Canada or America.
Yes. So did our Cub and Scoutmasters.
Of interest: what other things were you (or others) taught not to do only because some other country did it? Or is this just related to indoctrinating Canadians to not be like Americans? Pretty pathetic if the latter is the case.
I’ll have to add an additional bit of puzzlement that this is something you were specifically taught; why would something like that even come up? I’m glad these days we’re a bit more confident in our national identity to not have to teach our children such silliness.
I don’t exactly get why it is as a Canadian you definitely should stand for “The Star Spangled Banner” but not put your hand over your heart. Why is the dividing line there? What about just taking your hat off, do you have to do that? Can you opt not to face the flag, or is that required, or must you face 20 degrees away to show you’re respectful but not too respectful?
Honestly, why is this an issue? Sometimes at baseball games I see people who don’t stand for the anthems. My reaction is always the same; I don’t give a hoot. It’s a free country.
Well, Justin Trudeau managed to be the first to neutralize the Trump Handshake with a lovely display of footwork, balance, and timing. Just beautiful. You’d almost think the guy had boxing experience.
Believe me when I say this; Trudeau planned that, and probably practiced with someone taller than he was. It helps that Trudeau is big, strong and athletic for a politician, but if you’re not prepared for the Trumpshake, it’ll pull you off balance for sure, and even on Trudeau, Trump has a height and weight advantage.* Say what you will about Trudeau but he’s good at managing his public image and probably saw the way Trump “shakes hands,” especially with Shinzo Abe, and thoughy, “there’s no goddamn way I’m going to let the big lummox do that to me.”
Damn it.
I’ve been listening to him for close to half of my life. Vinyl Café has been a constant for me and my family.
I’m just glad that I got to see him live before he passed.
Dave Cooks the Turkey is a classic piece of radio we listen to every Christmas.
I just saw the news about McLean. I am grateful that he left us a wonderful legacy.
How very sad.
He is one of those luminaries that that CBC will find a roughly equal replacement for.
Peter Gzowski, Rex Murphy (not deceased), Lister Sinclair - among others - and now Stuart Maclean.
Aside from the stories Maclean told (and there were some doozies) I’ll always remember him for the last thing I heard him say on the radio, (paraphrase) “This will be the last Vinyl Café for a while… I have asked that the CBC not air reruns in this slot during my absence. I have had my chance and I think it is better that this time go to giving someone else, someone who hasn’t had their shot a chance.”
That’s class.
And I can still hear the theme.