dotinthesky | There Ain't No Chavs in Canada

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There Ain't No Chavs in Canada

Kevin called last night from a phone booth in Montreal. I asked him if they were already snowed under and he laughed; I wanted to say that it's cold in London, with leaves everywhere, but that would be a lie. I should have worn shorts to work today. This weather just ain't right.

Talking back and forth, Kevin reminds me of how great it would be if we could live in Canada again: we could find a cheap and spacious apartment in Montreal; he'd work with graphic design (or make more films), I could find some administrative job and study french part-time. Or maybe we could live in Ottawa, Canada's cultural void, and travel every weekend to Montreal (it's only a two-hour bus ride) for any gigs or parties. We'd crash on Ryan or Dagmara's floor, go to the Tam tams on Sunday's, go dancing in the village once in a while (with Josie, of course), and have breakfast at Chez Cora just before catching our bus home. As a last resort, we could try living in Halifax: the city is small, but it's where CBC is stationed, there's a fairly big university, and the people are nice. Also, Halifax is by the sea and has a really great countryside (we visited in 99, during the Awesome Blossom festival.) However, it would never cross our minds to live in Toronto: we dislike the place and we'd only live there if we were desperate and all our other plans had failed. Don't get me wrong, I have plenty of Torontonian friends that I love, but the city itself annoys the shit out of me. Toronto seems to constantly be struggling to imitate New York, but there's nothing more to it than its bland and faceless core and its population of suburbanites who think they are the crème de la crème of Canadian society. When I lived in Canada, people used to say there was animosity between Montrealers and Torontonians. I think you can guess which side of the fence you'll find me on that discussion.

I'm thinking of getting the immigration ball running. If that doesn't work out... I might need to get married next Summer!!!! That would be the fastest way for me to get residency in Canada. From speaking to Kevin last night I got the impression that our plans to move to Ireland next year have been shelved. I better start enjoying my last year in London - doing all those things I should have done before - because it's probably my last one here.

I've got a Chav party to go this Saturday (where I'm the only person not allowed to dress like a chav - perhaps because I'm one?!), another birthday party at Casino Royale and a third birthday party during the day, at lunch time. I've been trying to come up with ideas for a halloween costume for the Chav party, but nothing seems to work. I'm also scared of taking public transport while dressed as an air hostess, so I'll probably have to resort to a more mild attire.

In half an hour, I'm taking my lunch break. I'm going to sit on a bench facing the Thames again and write a little more in my notebook.

When given the opportunity, goths like to dress up as chavs

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oh there are chavs in canada...we just don't call them chavs...
and I am offended by what you said about Toronto!

Phooey on you!

(although, I do live in North York)

And let's not forget that you are originally from Scarlem! :-P

Seriously, my perception of Toronto comes from being treated like shit by so many people there while I was visiting. I never saw so much attitute problems! Granted, Montrealers aren't the nicest people on earth but at least they have a sense of self-deprecation or something. But, as I said, my beef is with Toronto the city and not the friends I have who live there.

well, I also have yet to be to Montreal...or New York, so maybe that is why I see no problems with Toronto...either that, or I am just one of the assholes.

(probably the latter)

I think you'd love Montreal, like everyone else who visits there. And New York too.

I do want to take a trip to Montreal...especially now that I am single!

sorry, but in some ways, I acutally like Toronto better.

I was also terrified because I couldn't speak French very well, and I was too shy to even try. I have heard horror stories about people getting made fun of for trying to converse with people in french.

You going to get assholes in every city, I suppose. My feelings about Toronto are based on my experience there, but also on how the treated friends of mine who moved there. There's plenty of good stuff happening there, but I think you can find the same things elsewhere. But, when it comes to some unique personality, I don't think Toronto has one.

totally see what you are saying, but at the same time I think Montreal is trying pretty hard too,although i agree they have more of a soul. I think that all of the people that I ran into in Toronto (including people we asked on the street for directions) were so amazingly nice, almost overly helpful. and keep in mind Winnipegers hate Torontoians, so I went there expecting to loath it

Next time I go to Toronto, you're gonna have to come with me. I want to see some of that Torontonian good nature and I think I'll have a better chance beside you. ;-)

I do realize now I'm being unfair on the city... it's a massive metropolis, with so many cultures and different neighbourhoods... who knows, maybe that's where Kevin and I will end up.

it's because so many people from Winnipeg have moved there, and left all the crusty bitter ones here. Seriously.

And there are a lot of amazxing neighbourhoods. I think that was the other part of it, is that PHil knows the city fairly well, and knows the snotty areas to avoid. Although I have to say that the cab situation was less then ideal.

okie I am not ready to concentrate yet so I am not sure what the rest of this entry is about, but what is a Chav? I have been thinking about this more then I should lately. I would assume it's like England's version of white trash?

Yup. 14 year old girls with babies, guys who wear tons of jewellery, etc.

okie got it. so more like a (this is so politically incorrect) wigger.

Well, not so much because they aren't trying to be black, like wiggers are. It's more that they are trashy and into a particular style... I don't know... I'm not too qualified to talk about them!

bwhaha, that's funny. Don't they have a distinct accent?

Very much so! Though I can't imitate their accent either. If you see that comedy "Little Britain", I think the character Vicky Pollard is a satire on them.

I think that the cartoon bromwell high makes fun of them. I love that cartoon with a passion. although it needs new episodes.

Why does somebody voluntarily choose to hold a chav-themed party? That's a serious question. Why? It seems to remind me of those daytrips to places like Alton Towers, where there's always one group of people who have turned up dressed as Elvis; deperately trying to pretend that the novelty hadn't worn off five minutes after they arrived.

I think you should go along dressed for School Disco, just to see whether they have any irony in their veins whatsoever. Or failing that, go along as a goth.

It was a Chav party because it couldn't be a Halloween one (I'm guessing.) It's someone's belated birthday party and they wanted to throw something in the mix other than the usual elements. I think it's a good idea! Should be fun to see what everyone wears.

Oi. You might want to consider that the person who is throwing the party would be on Ollie's friends list. Arsehole.

Arsehole

Charming!

Ha ha, nice try, but I'm not sinking to your level...

Staying silent is as much of a political act as speaking out. Which level is it you're not sinking to, exactly? The one where you apologise for being rude and presumptious? In my book, that wouldn't actually be *sinking*.

i don't think you're an asshole...oops, arsehole, mark.

look what i wander into when i try to kill time reading my friends' friends pages.

arsehole

She has spelled it how it's pronounced in England as the person using the word is English.

So, no oops!

That young woman would be prettier....IF SHE'D LEAVE HER EYEBROWS ALONE!

p.s. Editors are playing at the Barfly (it's the pub which used to be called The Monarch) in Camden on Monday 5th December.

I'm already booked to go somewhere else that night (otherwise I'd have offered to get you a ticket or two), but if you want to book then they'll be going on sale at 10am next Monday morning, here:

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=uk&query=detail&event=140925&interface=pr1v8t3

It's a very small venue, they won't last long...

You both don't stop moving from one country to another!! And... what's a Chav?

see other comments in this post for some idea on what is a chav.

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