# Non-Canadians who have visited Canada - what surprised you about the country? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 6, 2015, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364 "2015-03-06T15:36:46Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/261 "2018-12-06T00:55:53Z")
I live in the Detroit area, so nothing surprised me. we’re very familiar with Canada. Well, at least Ontario. > [@Crafter\_Man](#): > > The border crossings went smoothly. They asked a few simple questions, then let us through. I guess we didn’t stimulate their “spidey senses.” You didn’t trip any of their “triggers.” in my experience (and that of people I know) these are what will cause CBSA to get the shoulder length rubber gloves ready: - entering Canada for business purposes. I took many trips to Oakville a number of years ago (plant visits) and CBSA gave me the third degree every time. on the other hand, when I cross the border every year to go to an R/C boat race, I get a handful of questions and then get waved through. - traveling with children with a last name different than yours. I guess this is one big thing they look out for, supposedly to try to catch non-custodial parents trying to abscond with the kids, or worse. I’ve had fellow R/C boat racers get a thorough rogering at the border because they were traveling with their grandchildren or nieces/nephews. > [@](#): > > - The cottage had satellite TV. Much of the programming was Canada-centric. As if the producers were wanting to make a point that this program was made in Canada, this product was made in Canada, etc. Of course, I didn’t mind this. But just thought it was interesting. And there was lots of hockey on TV. yes. IIRC one of the conditions for Sirius/XM to be able to offer their service in Canada was that they had to carry a certain amount of Canadian-produced content. and lots of hockey on TV is a _good_ thing (Detroit, remember?) ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/262 "2018-12-06T02:41:41Z")
I used to go to Canada regularly to stay with relatives during Christmastime. I loved it, probably because I was among fun, smart, nice, generous relatives who provided wonderful food and company. The last time I went, I took the long way around, driving to Toronto first, and then west across Ontario. We were in a train of three cars, with the first car being driven by a Toronto native. We left the city during a busy time, and I couldn’t believe how crazy the traffic was. Not only were people driving fast, but they were driving very close together, and weaving recklessly in and out of lanes. Worst was that the Canadian driver leading our train was driving the same way, with no thought to the fact that two cars behind him were trying to keep up. I was so pissed off at that asshole. When we stopped, I asked him why he did that and he was totally clueless and was surprised that anyone would object to what he had done. Dumbass. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [December 6, 2018, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/263 "2018-12-06T02:49:26Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You sniff bills? Don’t you? The old paper ones smelt quite different from the new poly ones. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/264 "2018-12-07T17:59:34Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > You sniff bills? Of course. There’s quite a market for various fragrances of bills – particularly when authenticated by the person who left the most recent scent, so it’s not just a hobby – it’s also a profit centre. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/265 "2018-12-07T19:48:21Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > Don’t you? The old paper ones smelt quite different from the new poly ones. > [@Leaffan](#): > > You sniff bills? > [@Muffin](#): > > Of course. There’s quite a market for various fragrances of bills – particularly when authenticated by the person who left the most recent scent, so it’s not just a hobby – it’s also a profit centre. Guys? I think you’re doing it wrong. You’re supposed to sniff the cocaine _through_ the bill. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [December 7, 2018, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364/266 "2018-12-07T21:58:31Z")
> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#): > > Guys? I think you’re doing it wrong. You’re supposed to sniff the cocaine _through_ the bill. Cheaper to siff the used bills one the coke user is done. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/non-canadians-who-have-visited-canada-what-surprised-you-about-the-country/714364.md?page=13)