Jeannie,
I still quote your signature line to myself and to those who can appreciate it. It says so much about the attitude with which we approach things.

quote:

Originally posted by Joolz:
So true. I don't know how you do. I know when I travel people always say 'you must be Canadian because you're so polite'.

Frankly, I've met very polite people from everywhere!

It is a compliment Joolz. I've met a great Canadian couple on my tour; they were warm and friendly. There were also 2 Canadian brothers and they were polite but aloof. I asked them their opinion about South Africans as many South African physicians work in Canada now - their response: we (South Africans) are arrogant! D.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: dalene,

I haven't met any South Africans myself. I work in a public venue (that puts on concerts and ice hockey) and I can tell you, I've met plenty of polite and nice people from all over the world, including Canada, as well as some not-so-nice people from everywhere, including Canada!

Hopefully I will meet all very nice people, including from South Africa in September!

If there's some 'not so nice' people, I tend to move on pretty quickly, thinking to myself 'gee, how sad that you can't just enjoy your vacation'.

To the moaners I some times encounter during the day I sometimes say.

Well my day has been a good day.

1. I woke up this morning

2. got out of bed unaided

3. and remembered who I was

to those who like myself are ?? over their weight and what they are eating. (I'm one of those that put on weight while away or just by looking at food) I was at a supermarket looking into the ice-cream section a few months ago. A woman of about the same age as me, but much slimmer, said 'It doesn't get any cheaper does it' ~ I said ~ 'no but it doesn't stop me from buying it ~ thats why I'm as big as I am' ~ her reply

'When you are 80 you will have wished you had eaten more'

so now every time I eat my vices of chocolate and ice cream I remember her quote and it makes me feel ssooooo much better

Moral: Is it better to be a little rotund and to have eaten and drunk some of your vices so that 80 you can smile about it ~ or is it better to have abstained and wish you hadn't?

I know what I'm doing she gave me my motto

We had a couple on our tour who always looked grumpy. Said on the first day that they were toured out, having just come off another one. Never did any optionals and even had a domestic on the last day cos he wasn't happy she took so long in the toilet. There was only one and she was the last in the queue. She stormed off and he carried on with the group.

Sounds like they were on each others' nerves! I bet that wasn't very pleasant to have them on the trip. Just sucks the life out of everyone, doesn't it?

quote:

Originally posted by Joolz:
Great Canadian minds think alike! Maybe it's a thing for Canadians -- like Canadian's have a reputation for being very polite! Maybe we're just laid back as well.

I tell you, I'm going on European Cavalcade on Sept 1 (yes, 11 more sleeps) and I'm really looking forward to it. I don't really care what happens, I'm having a good time no matter what! Even if something is off a bit, I'll be able to make it into an amusing story for my trip journal / tour tale!

It's funny you should say that, Joolz, because I read your post then posted mine and then scrolled back up to see where you were from and it was no surprise to me that you are also Canadian.

quote:

Originally posted by Tootsiebelle:
Jeannie,
I still quote your signature line to myself and to those who can appreciate it. It says so much about the attitude with which we approach things.

Thank you, Tootsiebelle. Attitude is everything! Although it's better after I've had my morning coffee.

quote:

A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour.

Jeannie: We have had a couple of occasions on tours when your section of detours quote has come to mind

Thank you, Cottontail. I actually experienced it literally myself this past summer on a road trip. I was using a GPS and it didn't always take me on the most direct route. We still laugh about the day it took us to a cemetery! We travelled some side roads I never expected to be on but we ended up seeing some things we would never have seen if we had stuck to the highway.

Jeannie, on our TT we had a three-hour detour going to Amsterdam from London. I think I might have been the only one on the coach that loved every minute of it.

I agree about the morning coffee!

quote:

Originally posted by BrendaC:

Funny, we had the same guy, not only on our tour, but down in the Caribbean where the buffets for breakfast, lunch and dinner are gargantuan, and still the complaints. I don't get it when most wouldn't have anything like those breakfasts at home.

Brenda

O.K. we need to hunt this guy down & give him a good talking to. Seems we have all met him, yet strangely not befriended him.

quote:

Originally posted by Cottontail:
To the moaners I some times encounter during the day I sometimes say.

Well my day has been a good day.

1. I woke up this morning

2. got out of bed unaided

3. and remembered who I was

LOL I often say I know it is going to be a good day when:

a) I got out of bed

b) read the obits

c) my name wasn't listed

quote:

Originally posted by dalene:

Joolz ~ Canada have such a vast, conglomerate of many diverse cultures - I'm just interested -in a multicultural nation how do you find a common identity? D.

I see that you haven't yet had an answer, Dalene. Perhaps it's something they don't bother about.

Iam always saying that if I get out of bed in the mornings and Ihave not any pains then Iam afraid that I AM DEAD.At least with pains Iknow I'm still alive. South-Africans are very friendly,well most of them.As my dear departed grandmother always said:"Be down to earth my children,because remember how higher a baboon went up a ladder the more you can see of his backside.