I recently came cross an article about how an average Chinese perceives Canada: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080605.wolympics-survey06/BNStory/International/home
The finding is that most see it as a ‘quiet’, ‘friendly’ place suited for immigration and retirement. But overall, Canada has a bland and even dull image in China.
However, Canada is home to two beloved foreigners in China. Norman Bethune, or 白求恩/bai2 qiu2 en1, a surgeon who came to China and helped to treat wounded Communist troops in the 1930’s. And 大山/Dashan ( Mark Rowswell), who has a daunting command of Chinese and was the first ’sinophile’ known to the general public.
Most Chinese don’t know the down to earth, even self-deprecating attitude of Canadians. Nor do we get the sacred popularity of hockey.
All these I shall experience when I leave for Canada today. A much anticipated trip.
6 Responses to “O Canada”
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About this blog
Hi, I am Jenny Zhu from ChinesePod.com. I bring you a slice of the Chinese language and culture in the daily podcast. But there is so much more than what a podcast has time for, so jennyzhu.com is a space of observation and reflection on the big, small and everything in between about China.
Jason
June 12th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Being a Canadian living in Toronto I will say “Welcome to Canada Jenny!”
Since you have been to Australia you will find us Canadians very similar to the Aussies. If anything I think Canadians have more in common with Australians than our with our Americans neighbors. We are laid back people. Instead of surfing, we have skiing. Instead of kangaroos and kuala bears, we have mooses and beavers. etc.
Don’t forget to check out the Chinatown in Toronto or Vancouver.
May C
June 12th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Interesting that you are going to Canada. May I ask whereabouts you are visiting? And will you still be doing the daily Chinesepod podcasts?
Yes, Canada can be perceived as being dull and plain compared to the hustle and bustle of the metropolitan cities of China or HK or other south east Asian cities. But there is something that will appeal to a lot of Chinese visitors. The weather and scenery is quite nice as as the friendliness of the people.
Some mainland Chinese people I know who have visited have expressed that they find Canada quite nice.
It will be interesting to find your thoughts once you arrive. Please keep us updated!
sushan
June 12th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
The hockey season is over as of last week but there was just an enormous kerfuffle over the Hockey Night in Canada jingle - a few seconds of music that plays before the regular broadcast of games on our national TV network, CBC. The CBC lost the right to play the song and a rival network picked it up. Here is a clip from Colbert (an American comedian) about the situation:
http://www.youtube.com/v/TD-W5EIX0BM
Faisan
June 13th, 2008 at 5:12 am
quiet, laid back, bland and boring comments.
Just kidding .. I love Canada too.
Melissa 梅莉
June 13th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Welcome to Canada Jenny! Hi from Ontario, I hope you have a great time.
Yuehan
June 20th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Heya Jenny,
A Canadian here living and studying in Chengdu. Just want to say enjoy your writings just as much as your podcasts. You have a great knack!
For those of you that tried the globe and mail link, if you are no a subscriber you have to pay, you can find the link to read the article for free here:
http://forums.canadiancontent......fuzzy.html