Korean Job Discussion Forums

VanIslander

I just found out I can go home on Friday and snapped up a last minute ticket. Haven't been back there in three years because after my second year I opted for a CELTA course and winter in summery New Zealand instead. Then last December, after my third year here. I got a serious leg injury that laid me up over the holidays. That means nothing since my one-month visit back in December of 2003 at the end of my first year.

So, how has Canada changed? Other than political leaders.

What kind of consumer trends or heads up could you give? I'm talking to those who've gone back in the last year or so as well as those just heading over here from there.

I'm landing in Vancouver saturday morning, in case there's something new there to be aware of specifically. Then I'm gonna Greyhound it to Kamloops.

I'll answer my own question when I return in the new year but it'd be nice to get some perceptions from others who've experienced the differences, if any.

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

Hell, I could use some info on how Canada has changed since 1997 while you're at it.

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:04 am Post subject:

mt01ap · Joined: 04 Nov 2006

Well, the Toronto Maple Leafs still suck, ditto for the Habs.
oh ya, gay marriage is happenin legally Shocked

you prolly won't notice any other majors changes, execpt your family and friends are older

VanIslander · Posted: Mon Dec 18, 2006 6:13 am Post subject:

I guess i could google to find out who the latest Canadian musical hit artists are (thanks to CanCon we're guaranteed to get a lot of air play), and find out what trends there are, the pulse and vibes that can be lost on someone in the middle of it.

I expect to encounter some surprises and a whole heck of a lot of familiarity.

The King of Kwangju · Joined: 10 Feb 2003 Location: New York City

I could probably answer this question better if you were asking how Toronto had changed. But Canada? That's a tough one.

Maybe you forgot, but Canada is a lot slower than Korea. Most things take more time to do. Count on that.

Cellphones are still not as popular here as they are in Korea. Don't expect everyone to have one.

Korea in general is more wired. Don't expect everyone here to be up to speed on tech. A sizeable part of the population still has dialup and are wary of buying things online.

For music, check out The Arcade Fire and Broken Social Scene if you want to look cool.

Ugg boots are big here, or were last winter, anyways.

People might expect you to love bubble tea, because you lived in Asia.

Most people, when they hear you were in Korea, will have something to say about nukes. A big story here is how condom sales and love motel occupancy went up in the ROK when the nukes were announced.

That's all I can think of right now.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Changes:

Look of money and government.

Also Toronto Blue Jays are now Phoenix Fireflys

SuperHero · Joined: 10 Dec 2003 Location: Superhero Hideout

ajgeddes · Joined: 28 Apr 2004 Location: Yongsan

Moldy Rutabaga · Joined: 01 Jul 2003 Location: Ansan, Korea

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aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

more gun-toting pimp wannabes.

pot is cheaper.

Mea · Joined: 24 Mar 2006

Radio Shack became The Source, Tim Horton's introduced flavour shots and breakfast sandwiches, and a very funny show called Corner Gas started airing on CTV/Comedy Network.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

Canadians have developed an over weening sense of themselves. "We're such clever people!" It's quite intolerable. C-pride is at an all time high.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

twg · Joined: 02 Nov 2006 Location: Getting some fresh air...