Considering the great deal of natural beauty and uniqueness of this province it is unfortunate that most tourists do not get that experience. We speak about how areas of the province get neglected in tourism promotional material but sadly more tourists visit George Street than Gros Morne. Perhaps there is a little bit of appeal to the lowest common denominator when it comes to marketing the province. A visitor can travel coastal Labrador, or fish The Big Land for the best Lake Trout and Char in the world. They can do battle with the great Atlantic Salmon on the Exploits, Gander and Humber Rivers. They can visit fiords, and follow the footsteps of Maritime Archaic, Beothuk Indians, and Dorset Eskimo. They can surround their boots with living waters of capelin. Icebirds, whales, and seabirds, roughed coasts and friendly people raising their voices in song. They can do all of this and more; but most do not.
I'm speaking of that particular breed of tourist who treat the experience like they were sent here on a dare. They only hope to take from the experience a story of how inferior the Newfoundland and Labradorian is. Fortunately they represent a small few but when you find one you'll know it. He will be the one teasing the waitress by ordering cod lips, or squid burgers. He'll be speaking in a very poorly executed Newfoundland and Labrador dialect and possibly accompanied by a Beavis and Butthead counterpart chuckling like an old Evinrude outboard.
Still not sure if you've meet one? They are commonly seen taking each others photos in front of the sign pointing the way to Dildo, or having their photo taken dry-humping the silver ladies in front of the St. John's convention Centre. They are the ones who undergo the now infamous Screech-in and actually belief it entitles them to the claim of being an honorary Newfoundland and Labradorian; entitled to use the term Newfie, if only in jest.
From my own experience this particular brand of visitor comes from other parts of the dominion. I have spoken to Europeans and Americans who have none of these preconceptions and biases. Ah well, all in good fun I guess. For the record "Dildo" is the wooden pegs used to keep the oars of a dory in place, and the ladies hunched over in front of the Convention Centre is a statue of respect to the women who helped to build this land. And just between you and I... the dialect is entirely fabricated, we only speak like that when mainlanders are around. It's all part of the master plan, "Confuse and Conquer", our version of "Shock and Awe".
So welcome fellow Canadians to Newfoundland and Labrador! Lard Tunterin' Geeze Cocky I'll see ya on Garge Street, we'll have a Swally of Screech.
5 comments:
Just got back from watchin a skiff race in Trinity Bay. The 6 acadie won. Don't say she wasn goin! Anyway, excellent write up me son.
I haven't spotted too many of these but I know what you mean, some people see us as all party types. The media at times don't help. I remember some references to how Newfoundlanders & Labradorians would be hungover on Monday after the Brad Gushue team won. In my experience, a few times in other parts of Canada, a scattered person was a bit condescending when they learned you were from NL. Another person who I befriended while in hospital in ON liked to tel "newfie" jokes, but didn't have time for a counter jab. Good piece.
Ahhh, another diatribe from the centre of the bellybutton gazing universe once again. Must get boring staring at oneself all the time. Thars a world out there matey and ya can't keep it out forever. People will come here and bring their own diversity and they won't give diddley squat about yer bellyachin. Gonna be fun to watch.
I'm not staring at myself Anony - I'm staring at YOU. You on the other hand seem to have a fascination with my belly-button and that is just creepy. Please allow me to turn around so you have something else to gaze at.
...as a point of clarification if anyone perceives this post to be an attack at diversity that is not at all my intent. In fact it is quite the opposite. I welcome divesity of culture and people.
In short The Portnoy's of Marystown GOOD. Johny Canuck down on a trade show from White Bread, Central Canada BAD.
funny thing about 'mainlanders' is that most of them are just fine...they speak a little slow, and sound kind a funny but mostly they're 'ok'. However, when you do meet the 'bad-mainlander' you really get a doozy!!
I was in Greece one time, on a job. Here I was making new friends, telling them about Canada, and about Newfoundland, etc, getting on just fine. Then this one guy comes back and tells me about another bunch of Canadians he'd met, and how he told them about this NEwfoundlander he'd met, and they told him 'to tell me, these jokes ya see, that I'd find hilarious'...well the Greek guy was naive enough to go and tell me those Newfie Jokes that he was told I'd think were cool...Well ya talk aboot a kick in the pills!! Half way around the world and your getting Newfie Jokes tossed at you!
I never met that guy/those guys, but they were the epitomy of what you are saying.
And for anon...just how is 'being an A-hole' about someone's culture, 'diversity'...
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