Canada - The Land of "Peace, Order and Good Government"

Glorious Canada is a lovely multi-cultural, duel-language Country with the famous Canadian Mounted Police, Niagara Falls, the Thousand Islands (1800 islands to be exact), delicious French Quebec bakeries, Victorian architecture, British Colonial cultural traditions and the Toronto Stock Exchange. 

Ottawa is the Capitol of Canada. Total population numbers about 30 million. Montreal with 3 million population, Vancouver with 2 million, and Toronto has a population of approximately 3.5 million. Median Income is $20,000 USD. The currency is the Canadian Dollar. Canada operates on the metric system. The weather is Arctic cold, cold, wet and cold. Celsius is Fahrenheit x 2 + 32. Cars are equipped with engine "block heaters", or you can bring your own extension cord and hair dryer!      

Most Canadians speak British English and French. Surprisingly, household grocery store brands and pharmaceutical products at the "Chemist's" are listed in French and English. In Quebec, 80% of citizens speak French, so best to brush up on a few 'magic words' in French. N'est-ce pas?  

Canada's natural resources include timber, fish, natural gas, petroleum and many minerals. Agricultural products include beef, wheat, eggs, hogs, cattle and milk. Canada is known for its cars and trucks, wood, machinery, electronics and mining. 

Canada prides itself on its low crime rate, however, when traveling, always remember to use your common sense and be careful. Ontario is big city mentality like New York City. Western Canada is like California, and British Colombia is like Seattle, WA. Unpopulated Northern Canada is for the Vikings! Quebec is very French! 

Canadian manners are reserved and very 'Old World' and formal. Use formal British and French names and titles until invited to do so otherwise.  Never embarrass another person. Sense of humor does not translate well in foreign countries. Do not compare Canada to the US. Remove your hat and sunglasses when speaking to someone or being introduced. Do not use hand gestures as most translate into obscene meanings, and keep your hands out of your pockets. Handshaking is 2 firm shakes, then down. Be sure to maintain eye contact and smile. 

Use your French and English 'magic words.' Please = 's'il vous plait', Thank you = 'Merci', You're welcome = 'De rien', Have a nice day = 'Bonjourne.'  To Toast: "A votre sante" (to your health). 

Canadian Holidays: Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, December 26th. St. George's Day is April 23rd. Discovery Day is June 27th. Orangeman's Day is July 10th. Heritage Day is August 2nd. 

Gift Giving for the host: avoid red roses (love) or white flowers (funeral). Any other flowers are fine, as are gourmet chocolates, a nice wine, or good scotch. Corporate gifts include a coffee table book from your home region, food from your home region (for example, Virginia peanuts), Logo gifts, desk set and a fine pen set.

Table manners include Continental style dining, and please use your finest formal table manners. Do not refer to the wait staff as "Garcon" which means "boy." Call the wait staff Monsieur or Mademoiselle. Linger a bit at the table after the meal with a rum, coffee and/or dessert. Take your time as meals are to be enjoyed! You will not be given the check until you ask for it: "L'addition, s'il vous plait." Just as in the UK and most of Europe, a "Service Compris" may be included and should always be listed at the bottom of your check. If in doubt, ask the Captain or the Manager if the service charge (usually 12% - 15%) is included. If the service is excellent, leave 5-10% extra cash tip on the table, or hand it directly to the server on your way out.

Tip the maid $5-$8CA per day. Tip the Taxi driver, tour guide, Spa attendant, Hairdresser and Barman 10% -15%. Not tipping is considered very insulting and rude. Always tip everyone. You will get better service, better tables, better drinks and enjoy your vacation more!   

Hotels may charge a 17% - 20% V.A.T. (Value Added Tax), G.A.S. (Goods & Services) tax, or P.S.T. (Provincial Sales Tax) tax, so be aware. Read the fine print. 

              Remember, never sing "Alouette" as it is considered condescending. 

Valentine's Day can be cruel for some. Be nice.

 

Happy Valentine's Day! Hope you all reach out to the ones you love. Just remember, kids and adults can be cruel. Mean for sport. Behaviors that become habit. Please remember to be kind. 

Style Magazine, Family Style Section, May 2001

Wales "Cymru" The Lushest Land Since The Forest of Arden

 Wales "Cymru" is one of the most lush lands since Shakespeare's "Forest of Arden." 

With a land mass a bit larger than the size of New Jersey, ancient Wales has a burgeoning population of 3.1 million. Wales is known for its grazing grasses, moors, King Arthur & Camelot, the infamous literary "cywydd metre"(elegies & eulogies), the William Morgan 1588 Bible, "The Bard" 1774, the Prince of Wales, Welsh choirs, popular Portmerion pottery, the famous Tintern Abbey 1131, the Battle of Hastings 1066, Cambrian mountains, Pembrokeshire wild horses, many famous Church choirs and glee clubs, and Welsh Rugby.

Famous actors and artists include: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Anthony Hopkins, Richard Burton, Dylan Thomas, and Tom Jones! Movies and TV include "How Green Was My Valley", "Dr. Who", "BBC Sherlock Holmes", "Torchwood" and "Third Star", starring Benedict Cumberbatch. 

Natural resources in Wales are coal, slate, iron, limestone, wool and many metals & minerals. Wales grows barley, oats, dairy, hay, potatoes, turnips, and of course, cows & sheep graze on the vast and lush yet rough grazing grasses. The Capital of Wales is Cardiff which is an ancient and quaint yet sophisticated city, and a cultural & media center. GDP per capita is about $30,000 USD. The weather is cold, foggy and wet. Average temperatures are 40-70 degrees F., so when packing, best to layer.

Dress code is casual chic. For any means of travel, a thin wool Pashmina is worth its weight in gold, as is a light weight travel rain coat with hood. Navy or black is best because it blends into any city scape, can be easily dressed up, and can mix and match with jewel tones or beige. Comfortable black walking shoes and black clothing may be boring but it makes you look thinner for those travel photographs! 

When out and about, please use your 'magic words' ('Thank You", "Please", "May I", and "You're Welcome') and be quiet and reserved. No hand gestures. Don't rub your nose (means 'rub your nose in it"). Don't put your hands in your pockets. Do not eat or drink while walking down a public street, or in a taxi or bus. Eating & drinking in public is considered rude.

Some helpful Welsh catch phrases: Hello = 'S'mae', Good Morning = 'Bore da', Thank You = 'Diolch o gallon', and Goodnight = 'Nosda'. Do NOT say "pants" as these are underpants. Say trousers or slacks. 

Hand shaking is 2 firm shakes, then down. Eye contact is to look someone square in the eyes and smile. Do not stare. Introductions are more 'old world': "How do you do?" and stand. Women extend their hand out first. Welsh demeanor is reserved, quiet, very polite and courteous. Private. 

At the Pub: Men order a "pint." Women order a "half-pint." Over 28 famous Welsh beers available. Study up on which beer you'd like to order!

 Welsh cuisine is famous for Welsh rarebit (don't worry, there is NO rabbit on the rarebit, just cheese), Glamorgan sausage, Bar birth, mutton and lamb stew or 'cawl', Conwy mussels, leeks, Sewin (trout) and samphire (greens), laverbread (Welshman's caviar), and crempogs (cakes). A Century old tradition for the miners, is a half moon shaped pastry consisting of a meal in a pocket called a "Pastie." It is layers of pork or beef, potato, vegetables, onion, and jam at the base. The "Pastie" was made by wives of miners to put in their lunch box and eaten mid-day, as the miners did not come up from the mine until the end of the day. Try one! They are a treat!

Table manners include Continental dining only, using your finest and most formal manners. Tipping is 10-12% as servers are paid a "living wage." Leave an extra 5-10% cash on the table (or hand it to the server) if the service is excellent. If you attend a dinner party, it is tradition that couples do not sit next to each other.

Take registered Taxi's only (Black Cab). It is customary to round up to the nearest GBP (Great British Pound). Tip the Porter 1-2 GBP per bag. Tip the maid 5-10GBP per weekend, 15-25 GBP per week. Tip room service 15%. 

St. David is the Patron Saint of Wales and St. David's Day is March 1st, so many establishments and businesses may be closed. 

Remember: the Welsh are very private and to themselves. Be respectful. 

Post Covid19 Big City Travel Tips and a Top 10 List of International Faux Pas

 Having a bit of Covid "cabin fever?" Once Covid has subsided, here are a few tips to help you travel easily, and please remember: travel with handy wipes, wear your mask, keep your distance and wash your hands often. 

15 Smart Travel Tips: 

1. Drink plenty of water when flying, and avoid too much alcohol and sodas as these will dehydrate you.

2. Ladies: invest in one neutral colored (grey, black, beige or navy) very light, very thin, wool pashmina. I wear mine as a scarf in the winter, on train trips, on my lap covering my legs at the movie theatre and even on flights to warm climates! 

3. When first on the plane set your watch if changing time zones. 

4. Eat when you are hungry. E-mail or call ahead to your hotel and ask what type of coffee makers are in the rooms and bring those coffee pods/bags. Hotels charge a fortune for extras. Also, if your Country allows, pack a bit of half & half pods, travel sized salami, cheeses, olives, nuts & chocolate (the kind that do NOT need to be refrigerated) and crackers (& other foods you may like that do not need to be refrigerated) so you will have a bit to eat if you arrive late and everything is closed. Can't tell y'all how many tapas style dinners we have had this way while traveling! Save your bottled water and nuts from the plane too! Also, bring a few kitchen zip lock bags for leftovers as those "doggie bag" boxes are huge and take up too much room in your mini-fridge. Leftovers and plane food can be easily stored in any hotel room mini-fridge and you will save money and waste nothing!  

5. Get up and walk around and stretch as much as you have opportunity on long train trips and flights. 

6. Be alert always. When entering any room or theatre, look for the exit signs and doors, and remember where they are located.

7. Blend in. Do not be loud or boisterous. Ladies, if an establishment allows you to sit at the bar by yourself, just be mindful. Do not ever leave your drink on the bar to use the restroom, and return to drink the rest of your drink. Please take care and be careful. Do not give out your phone number. Have the gentleman give you his phone number, then you are in control. 

8. Travel lightly. Many people duplicate and triplicate pack. You won't use half the clothes you will pack. No matter how long the trip, pack for 6 days & nights only. Stick to one pair of nice looking, yet comfortable black shoes for the day and 1 dress pair of shoes for evening, and pack black & navy clothing. One jacket. One skirt. One pair of casual and dress pants. One black sweater. A few light jewel toned shells or beige shirts to mix & match will do. Travel websites have washable under garments for ladies and gentlemen that will hand wash & dry overnight! 

9. Use covered luggage tags. 

10. Bring extra copies of your passport, prescriptions & important documents. I store mine inside my makeup case.

11. DO NOT travel with any valuable or sentimental jewelry, engagement rings or watches you cannot live without. If you do, keep them on your person. Don't wear fake bling jewelry either as muggers don't know the difference. Tuck your necklaces IN. Muggers will rip them off your neck & knock you down, even if they are fake. They won't know the difference or care. Ladies: if you must wear rings, turn them around when out on the street. 

12. Seek out a local Pharmacy and go inside & ask for the business card of the pharmacist, usually  available on the pharmacy counter. Ask for a fax and an e-mail incase you need to have your Doctor fax in or e-mail a prescription.   

13. DO NOT wear a "fanny pack." This item in particular screams "Mug me here!" Travel catalogues have reasonably priced belts, shirts, and pants with interior hidden zippered pockets. They have annual sales too so with a bit of planning ahead, you may purchase these items on sale! 

14. Always walk where there are people. If you feel you are in danger, dodge into any building with a doorman, a hotel, or any restaurant. Don't yell "help." Yell "Fire!" People always run towards a fire to help out. 

15. Just use your common sense and don't be where you're not supposed to be when you're not supposed to be there. Gas up your car when reaching your destination. Always travel with a lighter, matches and a flashlight. Lock your car. Lock your door.     

Top 10 list of travel faux pas:

1. Don't assume things outside of America will be the same as within America.

2. If abroad on business, relax, socialize and develop your business relationships a bit first before getting down to business. 

3. Don't compare customs, quality of goods and services or business practices inside the United States to those outside of the United States. Check guide books on local customs and business practices before you travel. 

4. Even though in some countries and cultures (one example is Malaysia), it is proper to ask how much someone makes for a living, don't talk about money. Ever. For any reason. Inside or outside of the US. It's considered by most to be déclassé.  

5. Don't misinterpret body language, such as standing too close, "close talkers", bowing, staring or not smiling. Different cultures have different mores and manners. Know before you go. 

6. Don't fidget with your feet. Don't touch or point with your feet. Don't show the soles of your shoes. Feet and the soles of one's shoes are considered "dirty" or bad luck in many countries. 

7. Watch your hand gestures. Many hand gestures have obscene meanings abroad. Also, keep your hands out of your pockets. Don't stand around with your hands stuck in your pockets. Europeans will wonder what you are doing in there. Pockets are for making change only. Also, don't touch anyone. Don't point with your finger. Don't point with your feet. Best to simply keep your hands at your sides. 

8. Try to dress up a bit. Dress simply and be clean. Don't "go native." Just try to avoid looking like you are cleaning out your garage. No bra straps showing or tube tops. Tuck your shirt in. Clean your shoes. Wash your hair. It is also best to wear covered shoes. No one wants to look at your dirty toes, filthy feet or gross sandals on a plane. If you are late and need to run to your plane or train, tripping on flip flops is not the best way to get anywhere or exit quickly from a building or plane. Remember: Casual chic will admit you  anywhere. Blending in is the best way to go. Black or Navy always works, and you can mix black and navy with either beige shirts or jewel toned blouses. You'll look thinner in black or navy too!  This way, you can pop into the best hotel in the city and use their lovely, clean restrooms, and after, have an ice cream or drink in their cafe or bar. You'll look nice and fit in anywhere, because half the fun in traveling is treating yourself and enjoying your trip to the fullest.  

9. Always veer towards the formal. Always use proper and correct titles and surnames until invited to do otherwise, especially with elders. 

10. Always follow the appropriate dining etiquette and customs. In Europe, and especially in Germany, you will be considered dishonest and hiding something if you eat in the American style and place your hands in your lap. Eat in the Continental style! Even today, they will think you "have something up your sleeve."   In many countries, it is considered crass, or strange, to eat while walking down a public street or drink your coffee while riding in a car. As a general rule, do not chew gum in public. Do not decline food or drink from your host. Never show displeasure with a particular food or drink you may not like.  

Remember to use your magic words ("please", "thank you", "may I" and "you're welcome") when traveling and save your change all year so that you may tip often & generously. You will receive better service, better tables, better seats, better travel!