Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living

Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of living

This week the US imposed 50% tariffs on US$20bn (£15bn) of Canadian goods, and Mark Carney, the country’s prime minister, has vowed to match them “dollar for dollar” after the collapse of trade talks between the two countries last weekend. Donald Trump retaliated on Thursday by ordering the federal government to rename Lake Ontario to Lake America.

Such actions have added fuel to a widespread boycott of US products and services by Canadians that began early last year in response to the president’s trade war and threats to annex his northern neighbour.

More than 3,500 people from across Canada shared with the Guardian via an online callout how they have made changes to their lives in response to the US administration’s political and economic stance. Many expressed deep anger and sadness, but remained resolute that this was now a new way of living.

  • Jspelts@lemmy.worldEnglish
    26·
    2 days ago

    I met plenty of people who were older, married, with kids who taught English overseas. No different than teaching here (except for the food, which in many cases was better than here!). Seriously.

    But you are clearly writing over-generalization checks that life refuses to cash. SOME Americans think teachers should have guns, and they have their reasons. MOST Americans don’t want guns in the classrooms for obvious reasons. Everyone has a right to their beliefs and opinions. Nobody deserves to be generalized or compartmentalized into a group. You just did both.

    Personally, I think you’re converting your own lack of follow-through for your own family’s future into misplaced contempt for a nation that (unlike most) will actually allow you to leave. You said earlier that you can’t just “show up and be a citizen” in other countries (because they have rules), and tried to blame America for it. Then, when I showed you that you could, you said “it’s not for me” and then expressed even more contempt for the country I just gave you a way out of.

    Grow up. Quit bitching.

    • Ann Archy@lemmy.worldEnglish
      1·
      23 hours ago

      Stop being mean. I get it. I get like that too, but it’s bad and we should both stop and let our words speak for themselves.

    • VelvetPinkOtter123@lemmy.worldEnglish
      31·
      2 days ago

      I’m trying to go to England, not Singapore. Pretty sure they don’t need Americans to teach the English how to speak English

      • Jspelts@lemmy.worldEnglish
        23·
        2 days ago

        I never said anything about Singapore so please quit lying and putting words in my mouth I never said (although I did date an incredible girl from there, I just liked Malaysia better). And as Singapore was an English colony (prior to the American colonies), they already speak English better than you and I ever will.

        Are you really trying to blame America because England spoke English before America even existed? Just wow…

        • VelvetPinkOtter123@lemmy.worldEnglish
          31·
          1 day ago

          You said I could go teach English. To who? The English in England? Scotland? Ireland? Canada? Australia?

          I’m trying to move to a place where they already speak English, dipshit

          • Jspelts@lemmy.worldEnglish
            11·
            22 hours ago

            But I wan’t talking to you, trollbot. If you want to move to a place that already speaks English, you’ll likely need to have 1) a skill they need or 2) a decent income or 3) a decent business proposal. But that’s the rules of those countries preventing you from moving there, not America. But as you’re just a trollbot, you can’t emigrate anyways.

              • Jspelts@lemmy.worldEnglish
                11·
                18 hours ago

                You can still teach English in those countries just like you can teach English here. Believe it or not high schools, colleges and universities there have English classes just like they do here. They also crave tech workers and nurses.

                The problem here isn’t that you can’t leave, the problem is you trying to invent excuses on why you think you can’t leave.

                But as a trollbot, you completely ignore fact because you think it enables you to troll. The funny part is, I’m wasting your resources at a cost to your owner.

                  • Jspelts@lemmy.worldEnglish
                    11·
                    17 hours ago

                    Oh because you think I’m psychic or something?

                    I’ve actually seen 20-year-olds overseas as well as 75-year-olds, both taught oral English at private language schools and were paid good money. You want to put limitations on yourself, hey that’s your business. But don’t complain to others because you refuse to do anything for yourself. You’re just here to whine and complain. That’s just sad.

                    The problem here isn’t me, or the USA, or your country of choice. It’s your own refusal and desire to stay a miserable human being. Grow up.