Tuesday, April 19, 2005
Viewers Like You
Well it seems that some of my readers are a bit shocked by my wording. Apparently, expletives are not necessarily a welcome replacement for more lengthy descriptions. I suppose this, in part, has to do with the stress and excitement of finishing my first draft. However, I surmise there is a more gradual re-definition of my character that has occured during my time as a Vancouverite and college student.
When I first moved here I picked up the school newspaper and was equally suprised by the generous use of the word fuck. Specifically fuck. There are occasional references to excrement and warm places of permenant residence, but a (insert word here) of a lot more uses of the premium f-word. I thought, "Gee, Canadians will print anything!" But I was wrong. The f-word in Vancouver is just a part of the culture. It's not covered up or bleep'ed out. You just say it.
We could spend the next few paragraphs discussing urban politics, the demographics of my friends, or the lack of moral decency of the locals, but I think I'll cut to the chase. Canadians have taught me to embrace diversity. I don't mean the U.S. melting pot style where all cultural references are stripped and you learn to love McDonald's. No, I mean *real* diversity. The type where you ask, "What does your family do over winter break?" Or "Should I bring a non-meat dish?"
Canada will have at least two, if not more visible minorities in the next decade. This means that people learn to cooperate, rather then criticize. Yes, there is always tension. Of course it would be more efficient to have "one" way of doing things. But, if that's what you want, well, it's also easier and more efficient to transmit black and white TV.
Personally, I enjoy the differences that I experience on a daily basis in this city. The "color" of this city is fantastic. So I apologize for my "colored" language, but I can't promise it won't happen again. Besides, if you watch four seasons of Trailer Park Boys you can't come out unscathed.
When I first moved here I picked up the school newspaper and was equally suprised by the generous use of the word fuck. Specifically fuck. There are occasional references to excrement and warm places of permenant residence, but a (insert word here) of a lot more uses of the premium f-word. I thought, "Gee, Canadians will print anything!" But I was wrong. The f-word in Vancouver is just a part of the culture. It's not covered up or bleep'ed out. You just say it.
We could spend the next few paragraphs discussing urban politics, the demographics of my friends, or the lack of moral decency of the locals, but I think I'll cut to the chase. Canadians have taught me to embrace diversity. I don't mean the U.S. melting pot style where all cultural references are stripped and you learn to love McDonald's. No, I mean *real* diversity. The type where you ask, "What does your family do over winter break?" Or "Should I bring a non-meat dish?"
Canada will have at least two, if not more visible minorities in the next decade. This means that people learn to cooperate, rather then criticize. Yes, there is always tension. Of course it would be more efficient to have "one" way of doing things. But, if that's what you want, well, it's also easier and more efficient to transmit black and white TV.
Personally, I enjoy the differences that I experience on a daily basis in this city. The "color" of this city is fantastic. So I apologize for my "colored" language, but I can't promise it won't happen again. Besides, if you watch four seasons of Trailer Park Boys you can't come out unscathed.
