Fromage Skouik Skouik

00:00:00: Welcome to Dimensions Voices, a podcast about celebrating diversity the richness that different cultures bring into our lives and our workplaces.

00:00:09: Today we're traveling to country that stretches across an entire continent A place of vast valourness friendly people And a quiet confidence That has made it one Of the most admired nations in the world.

00:00:23: This country covers around nine point nine eight million square kilometers The second largest in the World roughly twenty-eight times the size of Germany.

00:00:32: And it is home to towering mountain ranges, more than two million lakes and national parks like Banff & Jasper that search further then entire countries.

00:00:44: It has the longest coastline in any country in the world – over two hundred thousand kilometers touching three different oceans!

00:00:53: Today we're talking about Canada And we could not be more delighted about our guests today.

00:01:02: Yes, We have met through my neighbors and mutual friends so it has been a pleasure.

00:01:10: every time when we meet at kind of home parties and sitting in the yard wherever we've met there's always been nice conversations.

00:01:21: I'm glad you're here today.

00:01:24: So, Eric...

00:01:25: I'm blushing!

00:01:29: Thanks for being here today.

00:01:31: You are welcome.

00:01:32: Thank you for having me.

00:01:33: Of course We would like to start at the very beginning.

00:01:40: Tell us a little bit where your from Your birthplace.

00:01:43: How was it growing up there?

00:01:46: And how did you end-up in Germany?

00:01:48: You can tell my story.

00:01:49: My

00:01:50: name is Eric.

00:01:53: I was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

00:01:58: It's on the east side of Canada and it's really close to the border of America.

00:02:04: So my ancestors are from France so we spoke French there.

00:02:08: but my father's side comes from Scotland Ireland Britain.

00:02:14: We have one branch that spoke English at the border.

00:02:21: Yeah, so I was born from two different types of villages and grew up in Quebec.

00:02:27: And yeah... I grew there.

00:02:30: it's a typical Canadian summer camps and canoeing and wilderness stuff learning how to make fires on the summer camps.

00:02:43: when i was twelve I moved to Sarnia which for me is a big shock because its ten hour drive.

00:02:50: So it was still in Canada, but it was completely different.

00:02:54: We moved from a French Canadian to English-Canadian and even though I could understand English... ...I never spoke it!

00:03:02: My dad spoke English my grandmother spoke English.

00:03:05: so It was bit of culture shock already And so i did high school there.

00:03:12: There is also very typical Canadian High School.

00:03:17: I went to two proms because the first prom, I had a duct tape suit for competition.

00:03:23: Like girl she needed a model i guess.

00:03:28: so She made a suit out of duct tape and then her dress was southern bell anyways.

00:03:34: it Was very typical.

00:03:37: And For my studies I went University of Ottawa which was a French university but it was bilingual university.

00:03:47: So Canadian government level is very bilingual, I grew up bilingual so that's always normal for me and we spoke two languages fluently.

00:03:56: then my whole environment still there up to professional and then I switched to philosophy, so i was always kind of like drifting into the spirits in my mind.

00:04:17: And then I worked as a UX scientist...like a UX designer but for testing?

00:04:27: Then I did a master's in cognitive science!

00:04:30: ...and I worked with computers and human interface.. ..and I hated it!

00:04:37: Okay yeah

00:04:38: I really disliked it.

00:04:40: Like, technically it was fine.

00:04:41: I was working bilingual work and it was fun.

00:04:45: but i wanted to travel...I always wanted to see culture in the world!

00:04:50: And yeah.

00:04:51: so back in twenty-seventeen year thing I moved a lot when I traveled.

00:04:58: I did my three month tour.. I sold my French horn from high school And then I tried to move to Montreal.

00:05:08: It was like trying to make it work.

00:05:11: and Then I was like no the call-to Europe is too strong.

00:05:15: So I learned yeah, and then I have friends in Cologne and so I live there and then i Was very naive?

00:05:23: I'm English.

00:05:24: I'm French.

00:05:24: I can get a job and I didn't.

00:05:30: So uh...I worked at gastronomy The normal stuff.

00:05:35: I worked as a Nachmittar-Betroyer, like for the afternoon care program.

00:05:39: For schools in bilingual school French German because again bilinguality was important to me and education became very important too.

00:05:49: so i've stayed within the educational sector.

00:05:51: now it's nice.

00:05:54: my life is now in Cologne.

00:05:57: it was really easy to meet people, I feel in Cologne.

00:06:01: It's nice to connect with people from all over the world and experience them through small trips like Berlin or even Rome last year that include my mind.

00:06:16: This is what i thought was missing because Canada is wonderful of course but Europe there.

00:06:22: so thats why im here And then i met Sebastian ,my partner And we just got married this year.

00:06:28: I just got my... Thank you!

00:06:31: German bureaucracy is finally finished, so i got my citizenship this year and my student that got paid off this year as well.

00:06:42: Congratulations!

00:06:42: Wow there's

00:06:45: so many big things happening this year

00:06:47: right?

00:06:47: Really really.

00:06:48: So Things are lighting up and I'm really glad yeah, and I am actually really impressed by this topic of multicultural diversity, like this speaks to me on so many levels and I'm glad i can be part of it truly.

00:07:02: Thank you for sharing everything in your story which is really interesting!

00:07:06: And I believe that's um interesting to everyone listening because It gives a bigger picture Yeah an inside view how Canada is How the different cultures are coming together What's the difference is what's the similarities?

00:07:26: So yeah, it's very nice to also get that perspective Exactly exactly.

00:07:32: I'm glad to open that up for you guys.

00:07:35: Thank i feel like I have a specific way of seeing him as a Canadian because I'm French-Canadian and I think It's so important.

00:07:42: or the identity of Canada that french-canadian Multiculturalism And I am glad I can try to explain it to someone.

00:07:50: really nice.

00:07:52: So everyone who listens to this will have a benefit, hopefully from there.

00:07:58: You mentioned you had friends in Cologne and that's why you moved here.

00:08:02: how did you get to know them?

00:08:04: From university.

00:08:05: so they were my... In first year of University we have residents And then one of my friend is there.

00:08:13: She started philosophy she met her husband.

00:08:16: He ended up working for Max Blank Institute here in Cologne.

00:08:19: So it's just, you know networking and vitamin B but I follow them through like the Weber close friends my whole life.

00:08:30: And then so when i was struggling In Canada an Ottawa in Montreal?

00:08:35: Then a student debt got Knocking at The door there...so they were There to help me.

00:08:41: This type of connection is worldwide.

00:08:44: You Know It's not Just your neighbor next Door it's breathing Worldwide Connections.

00:08:48: I've learned to listen to those connections.

00:08:53: Yeah, really nice and really important to listen.

00:08:54: the connection sometimes especially when you have been called before by like your inner instincts And then you have these kind of connections.

00:09:03: that's always good thing.

00:09:09: What was the moment that you decided to come to Germany?

00:09:11: Was there like a specific thing happening or is it just process and had connection with your friends?

00:09:18: so, okay let's go.

00:09:20: There's an easy answer long answer!

00:09:24: You are free say whatever you want too.

00:09:26: The easy answers...the friend asked me to come.

00:09:29: they were saying hey we have place for sleep.

00:09:31: but made sense was that I traveled before, and needed to come Europe.

00:09:43: There's like a...I wanted travel or want see the world.

00:09:46: And i did!

00:09:47: Like I travelled here..and then went through all of major cities with gay communities.

00:09:55: where is it welcoming?

00:09:56: Where can feel welcome?

00:10:00: So I kept...I kind of shopped around.

00:10:02: Yeah, yeah!

00:10:03: And so like i kept being like okay could I live here?

00:10:06: Could I live there?

00:10:08: and like Barcelona Amsterdam Berlin Like I tried to..I went to so many and then Cologne was the one that I was like.

00:10:15: yeah it's not too big It is in the middle of Europe ,it feels open.

00:10:21: People are kinder than other places.

00:10:28: That´s how it got.

00:10:29: So,

00:10:30: and you came out in Canada?

00:10:33: Yeah.

00:10:34: My coming-out story is yeah like I grew up French Catholic And then In high school it was all hush-hush.

00:10:40: You know the prom king stuff Like.

00:10:42: It's like too calm down.

00:10:44: Then when i went to university I was like okay..I can be myself Okay!

00:10:49: And...it Was fine.

00:10:52: How did your community receive The message?

00:10:55: Was it like, as you know and you live in Cologne which is really open.

00:11:01: Could you... Is there a difference?

00:11:03: I mean yeah i see big differences.

00:11:06: actually good question.

00:11:09: Yeah, I'm a bit of a striber.

00:11:10: Like i really try to do my best all the time.

00:11:13: so when I came out... ...I was like.. I'm gonna be the best!

00:11:15: So there's

00:11:17: a clue!

00:11:19: So like adjoined community center-like the community center at the university and I worked there.

00:11:24: so it became like a community leader for uh outsources And then got active listening and suicide training.

00:11:31: like I got all that stuff too.

00:11:33: Try to make a difference and to be part of activism.

00:11:38: And then in Canada, again I thought that was normal.

00:11:42: So and went to prides in Toronto with pride in Montreal Pride in Ottawa... ...and always part of this community in the middle carrying a flag like let's go!

00:11:52: Then i arrived in Cologne.

00:11:53: everyone says oh it is so big here and I'm like where?

00:11:58: It's there..I am not saying its' just The size and the amplitude.

00:12:07: perhaps in Canada was already maybe ten years ahead, perhaps.

00:12:12: Like it's... Germany is always slower but at the same time Berlin-the pride of Berlin is spectacular like that way that the parade Is not to be watched But you can participate.

00:12:28: It's very unique And I'm like wow.

00:12:31: and then Cologne also has a sense Like, everyone is together and that's very gay.

00:12:40: That's what I also connected to... So yes, Cologne is good!

00:12:46: If i had landed at the other city then it wouldn't have lasted.

00:13:01: It has something warm when you get to Cologne, like the communities and people there.

00:13:08: Of course those are always different.

00:13:12: but overall I would say that Cologne has a very warm and welcoming vibe

00:13:18: too.

00:13:19: There's events all of time.

00:13:21: next week we're going to Midsummer thing by The Hine because why not?

00:13:26: You can just go!

00:13:28: Sorry,

00:13:32: Zara got me there.

00:13:34: It's your inner coming out.

00:13:39: There is always something in Cologne and I connected to that because professionally speaking my life in Germany was a bit flat.

00:13:48: so it like... My Life Is Not To Work-I Want To Live My Life.

00:13:53: So i made sure to make some sacrifices And I feel like Germany allows me to do those sacrifices.

00:14:02: Like, I don't have a car...I don't well my partner has the car!

00:14:08: But but i never had a car for myself....like my apartment is small..i dont need big apartments.

00:14:16: The rents are still relatively cheap in Canada.

00:14:19: Forget it you have work so hard and the core culture's different.

00:14:28: This is a difference that I really see.

00:14:29: the work culture.

00:14:31: We can talk more about it later.

00:14:33: Yeah, we will cover those points!

00:14:37: So does there anything that surprised you most when you arrived in Germany?

00:14:44: Culture class of Germany... Yes, there's a few of them.

00:14:51: One that I noticed is social distance.

00:14:55: to me as I was in Canadian... ...I took for granted.

00:14:58: but people are aware of each other.

00:15:01: you hold the door for each other.

00:15:02: You're saying sorry because we were in this space with one another and you always kind-of be aware And try to be kind to one another like if there's sense even big cities or Toronto You still have this but in small towns like Sarnia.

00:15:18: Oh my gosh Like you don't have an elevator.

00:15:20: a lot ride without talking to a stranger.

00:15:22: oh my god, are you constantly talk and it's almost too much sometimes.

00:15:27: But when I came here?

00:15:28: I was like ah yeah There's maybe not coldness but there is social distances where people Are really close to each other Here And then you Have To Just Not Pay Attention stay with yourself and avoid each other.

00:15:48: So like the train rides are obviously quiet, but if The Grocery Store was a big shock for me at The Groce Stores where everyone is standing so close to one another I'm looking in the milk section And then an old lady will just put her hand in front of my face To grab her milk.

00:16:09: I'm sorry, am I in here away madam?

00:16:11: Should i be moving like ah... Could

00:16:13: have said something right.

00:16:14: Exactly and I think that in the old German mines sometimes they can small villages it used to be like this And they kind of remember back too but thats gone.

00:16:27: so that's a culture shock for me.

00:16:29: there is just a sense of space personal space and then politeness.

00:16:36: Like after a long day of like having this happen, I become this person.

00:16:49: And then people see each other coming but they won't move no one will move.

00:16:55: and Then until the matrix moment where you each person moves their shoulder by ten centimeters Yeah, it's like new sideways and all that.

00:17:06: And yeah I got so annoyed sometimes That i just don't move.

00:17:11: So im the jerk Im the bad guy to push someone And i feel bad Really feel bad.

00:17:23: But thats a culture shock.

00:17:25: The space was one.

00:17:28: Yeah other ones i'm not sure.

00:17:29: Every time i go back There is Yeah, I miss the space as well.

00:17:35: Like just like driving.

00:17:36: and

00:17:36: then there's this

00:17:38: space.

00:17:39: There was nothing you know?

00:17:40: There's just infrastructure.

00:17:41: The road yeah in one building And then a sieve grass between the Road and the Building.

00:17:47: and Then i'm always like could be buildings here like why are they?

00:17:52: And Kenan was like, there's no more space.

00:17:54: There are too many immigrants and I'm like guys you don't know!

00:18:00: So there is a reverse culture shock happening right now in Canada where... the space of Canada so big.

00:18:09: How would describe the reverse cultural shock that you have with Canada now?

00:18:18: I miss it a lot and I'm trying to be like, I have a good life.

00:18:24: So there's this sense of when i go over that culture shock is the perfect word in English or German but it's just.

00:18:40: I want to make my family, and friends from Canada understand what I understand.

00:18:46: So i try to be like come visit please so that you can also experience those culture talks And vice versa...I think this exchange of culture is necessary..and im trying really hard to make these bridges happen.

00:19:03: A goal for me is having a space at home where anyone could come visit anytime, not just a couch like real space.

00:19:12: And yeah that's my project.

00:19:15: Wow!

00:19:15: So really cool.

00:19:18: How old have you been when he came to Germany?

00:19:21: Twenty-seven I got a youth mobility visa because i was below thirty.

00:19:25: This would allow me get a job.

00:19:29: Yeah,

00:19:32: and it was good.

00:19:33: I think twenty six twenty seven because you're not in your young twenties like complete chaos.

00:19:38: It was...I had already finished a few things my master's i got a new real professional job And then now he was like ready to start?

00:19:47: This is the big question!

00:19:48: I have like a mid-life crisis but early twenty yeah early life crisis.

00:19:53: I was like what a life crisis.

00:19:57: this is important.

00:19:58: so make a big choice and that's why I came

00:20:01: here.

00:20:03: Really interesting to push the home via little bit more, sorry to do so but if someone asked you to introduce them to Canada like what would your version of Canada be?

00:20:23: How would you describe it?

00:20:26: What's your, you're Canada?

00:20:27: That's nice.

00:20:29: So welcome Europeans!

00:20:30: Welcome to Canada.

00:20:32: so I think that most Europeans are more Germans than they talk too.

00:20:36: They see mountains and bears and rivers And i'm like yeah thats a part of canada but Thats not my panada.

00:20:46: We think British Columbia Banff.

00:20:48: You mentioned banff Like we mention.

00:20:51: I think there's Toledo, like there is a surfing region.

00:20:54: There was one surfing region in Canada and it's some British Columbia.

00:20:58: so but that the far west It's like Siberia might as well.

00:21:02: Imagine Siberia when you think of Europe.

00:21:04: But I mean Toronto Ottawa Like That Valley Of The St Lawrence Valley And Then We Have The Great Lakes.

00:21:13: So Sarnia is the beach area where we have the sunsets on water.

00:21:18: As my stepdad has a boat, so we can go sail into the sunset...

00:21:23: You know you just invited us there!

00:21:27: Yeah it's here It's nice.

00:21:31: There are also like... I wanted to do even more.

00:21:35: The temperature and climate is different.

00:21:38: We have lots of wind coming from the jet stream where all the clouds always have the same pattern and they come very quickly.

00:21:47: And so, the storms comes very quickly The temperature drops change differently.

00:21:51: So in Germany you feel like weather is the same for weeks In Canada.

00:21:56: it's like oh this storm was coming!

00:21:58: For sure there will be huge thunderstorms and sometimes tornado warnings.

00:22:03: There are a sense of climate around us.

00:22:08: That was really nice.

00:22:09: But then from Sarnia you have this little idyllic space, but then you have three-hour drive.

00:22:14: You have Toronto with the large skyscrapers a large life millions of people for pride.

00:22:19: like it's A place to party but also a place to connect.

00:22:24: who eat great food or the food in Canada?

00:22:27: because if they're multicultural space any culture is welcome too not just like, oh I'm a struggling immigrant.

00:22:34: No it's like.

00:22:35: what do you do?

00:22:35: Please share that with us and food is a great way to share yes!

00:22:40: And the festivals there's like Brampton i think.

00:22:43: close to Toronto there's an Indian population that's huge.

00:22:47: so they're types of festivals that are happening in toronto and you can be part of it.

00:22:52: .I participated in Ramadan for two years in a row in Ottawa because why not?

00:22:58: And there's a sense of connectivity and social connection that I really liked.

00:23:06: Yeah, anyway so you have the Sarnia with this small boat to run into it with big buildings... ...and then you kind of follow the St Lawrence and then you have Ottawa which is more kind of cottage country.

00:23:16: You have these small lakes where you have one house or like a few houses With The Little Boat and The Lune It's- Like you do have those experiences It's nice.

00:23:29: So I really... Anyone, please come to Canada and visit!

00:23:34: Because it is a great place And the people are kind.

00:23:38: People are nice.

00:23:40: We try.

00:23:41: If someone isn't kind or nice we usually tend To get shocked

00:23:45: as Canadians.

00:23:47: Is there truth about the stereotype that Canadians Are always polite?

00:23:53: The way you're impolite is very indirect.

00:23:56: But I think it's correct that we are very kind and best of my partner says as well, is there a Canadian relaxed vibe?

00:24:05: That you just don't take too seriously.

00:24:08: Just go with the flow bit And makes it easier to be polite.

00:24:12: When your not so stressed its easy for

00:24:17: us You said that you lived close to the border, so have you had experiences with Americans coming into Canada and intercultural exchange in this sense as well?

00:24:35: Absolutely.

00:24:35: Yeah,

00:24:37: absolutely.

00:24:38: I don't want to talk about politics but culturally speaking Canada and America is very different like truly different And america has many cultural centers Like a plant as different than california.

00:24:50: different then road island You know?

00:24:53: And canada is so big And there's so many people as well, like Canada is big but not so new.

00:25:01: So the culture sometimes it more similar.

00:25:03: between British Columbia and Toronto There was a more similarity than between Florida or Oregon.

00:25:11: I've traveled in America As kids.

00:25:14: we were close to the border that went east coast at The Beach.

00:25:20: We went camping.

00:25:24: Very cute, very nice.

00:25:25: And so it was like Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont at that level.

00:25:28: and then we went to New York.

00:25:30: when we grew up older... We drove further.

00:25:33: the kids were allowed to drive.

00:25:35: well It's easier for my parents to drive longer.

00:25:39: So I went all the way to Florida once.

00:25:42: The idea is that we travel a lot Even from where dad moved.

00:25:47: after divorce.

00:25:48: he moved to Kentucky for ten years.

00:25:50: So like the uncultural exchange is there because people in my view, we always knew someone who... My uncle went to Kentucky or my friend's dad went.

00:26:04: There was a sense that we kind of exchanged and partake in this same culture.

00:26:08: but I said the shock of clash Like you can't be serious right?

00:26:15: What do say those things?

00:26:17: Calm down!

00:26:20: You look on the news and you're like, this is obviously riling up everyone.

00:26:24: Can everyone chill?

00:26:25: And that's I felt was a Canadian standard.

00:26:29: so our news are more boring.

00:26:31: what say?

00:26:32: More neutral maybe...

00:26:34: Maybe not as neutral as Tageshaw with the... That's another level of Gishaw.

00:26:46: Sorry!

00:26:49: Well, it's true.

00:26:50: It's very straightforward.

00:26:53: so media is interesting and culturally and morally is interesting.

00:26:59: but I don't know like i've left Canada in ten years ago And I know that since then So many millions of people have immigrated to canada That canada is a world that changes constantly?

00:27:13: And I'm really curious when I go back only see small section And I want to really kind of see that again, to what the development is like.

00:27:24: Germany's so ancient changes in Germany are slow and i think they're quicker.

00:27:34: It'll be interesting to see whats coming.

00:27:36: Would you say people can adapt faster?

00:27:38: To change?

00:27:40: That's

00:27:41: a

00:27:42: good question because adaptation Okay, philosophically.

00:27:48: Adaptation requires change on the individual part right?

00:27:52: But in terms of culture and Canadian culture it's more about institutional change and corporate change or like things that are coming from the top down.

00:28:02: And so the individual changes to an institutional change That is The Clash.

00:28:07: So when you see people wanting To Change That's the melting pot.

00:28:12: How dare you speak a different language?

00:28:14: You have to try and speak my language, your language has to adapt!

00:28:18: And I think that in Canada... ...you allow people be different.. ..and don't expect them to adapt or follow their laws.. ..participate in culture and community but there is also clashed between institutions.

00:28:40: change and adaptation is a little bit more relaxed, I would say.

00:28:47: Anyway sorry that was a bill of... normal science?

00:28:51: Everything's fine!

00:28:52: If anyone wants to read about Charles Taylor

00:28:58: you have the recommendation for a book now.

00:29:00: yeah please go ahead.

00:29:00: it's like Canadian philosopher who kind-of coined the term multiculturalism.

00:29:06: he.

00:29:09: And it's about... It is not the Trudeau that we know, but our parents.

00:29:16: The first Trudeaux in the seventies and eighties?

00:29:19: I forget!

00:29:20: Yeah..I was important.

00:29:24: My study this i should now buttoned to get things right.

00:29:27: I asked at GPT now.

00:29:27: So

00:29:29: what's the book's name?

00:29:34: What did you already... Sorry, yes!

00:29:36: The author is Charles Taylor and i don't actually know the book.

00:29:40: it's just Charles Taylor in general.

00:29:41: It's this multi-culturalism he understood Hegelian philosophy And this dichotomy between the clash of worlds.

00:29:52: Then you have Marxists who believe in revolution.

00:29:56: then you have Charles Taylor you know, multiculturalism and a different approach to this conflict.

00:30:03: And I recommend it!

00:30:05: Nice thank-you.

00:30:07: if we have heard now about your Canada let me bring you back to Germany.

00:30:13: the first time you landed here in Germany You just arrived.

00:30:19: what was your first thought?

00:30:24: I have a little story.

00:30:25: Arrived in Berlin, had my suitcase and then went to buy ticket And was very confused.

00:30:31: everything's in German.

00:30:33: The machine is just like antiquated.

00:30:36: Why can't i not pay with my phone?

00:30:39: Then tried and got the ticket With my suit case from airport and police or whatever.

00:30:47: at that time They were like, you don't have a ticket.

00:30:51: I was like it's right here and they're like You did not stamp it!

00:30:53: And the were so mean.

00:30:54: that made me miss my train.

00:30:56: Like...and i didn't get to find.

00:30:59: but The experience Was already weird.

00:31:03: It was so weird.

00:31:05: That was seriously My first week because I had arrived in Cologne Then my First time at Berlin with this experience And I think thats very telling

00:31:16: especially being used to people being polite and very indirect with criticism.

00:31:22: Then you get here, everyone's just slapping their opinion in your face... It

00:31:28: is direct!

00:31:30: You did something wrong?

00:31:32: And I'm like

00:31:32: what?!

00:31:34: Can you help

00:31:35: me??

00:31:35: I don't

00:31:35: understand!!

00:31:36: They're like no it's your responsibility.

00:31:39: figure this out.

00:31:40: now i am going away.

00:31:43: It was shocking to be like, oh I have more independent.

00:31:46: I had to be aware of what i do and before doing wrong things... ...I know the German way!

00:31:55: So it's a learning curve.

00:31:57: And now that is my negative experience but there are other positive experiences.

00:32:08: My dad came for first time last year and really interesting from his eyes It was his first pride as well, so we brought him to Pride.

00:32:19: And then we were walking in Cologne and it was all like... All the people, all things and colors and everything?

00:32:25: Then we arrive infront of the dome Like in front of the cathedral.

00:32:30: He just looks up and he's just like wow!

00:32:32: And he stood there with goosebumps.

00:32:34: There is this sense of humongous architecture.

00:32:39: Wei walked in and he was so emotional.

00:32:43: So there's a sense of awe, in Europe that I love...I really love!

00:32:49: And i had that as well..so like I went to Rome this year Like the sense of wonder That I love....and thats also European.

00:32:59: You have all the exams but then you also have the architecture.

00:33:04: Oh I cried when I ate My first pasta in Rome, I just tasted it and was like oh its so good!

00:33:12: This is the original Pasta.

00:33:14: It's real stuff that was different... it felt better.. I don't know everything is better with pink glasses but... So yeah you have....I had both experiences In The Worst Sense And The Best Sense And I feel like that's very European.

00:33:37: Looking at it now, what would you say is the biggest difference apart from the directors with criticism and everything?

00:33:48: What's the biggest different between German and Canadian culture?

00:33:53: Yeah...I

00:33:54: have a big answer for this because i've thought about this all lot!

00:33:57: So uh..i think you might find online there are guest cultures versus ask culture guest versus ask.

00:34:04: And those are like differences of way and I'm from a guest culture, we're British-Canadian kind of.

00:34:12: you have to.

00:34:13: oh it's been such a long day!

00:34:15: It has been hot outside.

00:34:17: that is my statement.

00:34:18: but what i am asking...is I want water?

00:34:21: As a Guest You need to know That..you Have To Kind Of Predict What People Expect and a good person, a polite person will then sideways ask for things.

00:34:36: So even in management or professionalism there's the sense of being team player.

00:34:39: saying this project is not so... No that's too rude for Canadians!

00:34:44: Maybe we can rework this chapter?

00:34:46: That something to say which means it really bad.

00:34:50: And I think you don't do that because its too confusing.

00:34:57: tell culture.

00:34:58: You have to say what you mean and clearly as possible, objectively is possible.

00:35:04: I make air quotations in the air because that objective... So it's so personal!

00:35:10: It's very individual and a cause-conflict.

00:35:12: but also the German and also the Dutch are very much like this.

00:35:17: there's a sense of directness that is valued.

00:35:26: Sometimes I'm, you know me and my partner like he's German so we're practicing.

00:35:32: And then she says oh it won't say yeah i am hungry He'll say something else...and its just that..that is wrong!

00:35:43: No thats not quite right You are not Canadian just yet!

00:35:49: And in mine this reverse was also strong.

00:35:52: I had a conflict actually at work yesterday because I work in a primary school and there's this sense of overwhelm when too many children are happening at once.

00:36:02: And i was looking into my co-workers being confused because they were just sitting there, like how is it not obvious that you have so much to do?

00:36:13: There has been the feeling where you feel uncomfortable telling yourself what should be done for your own free will go into conflict to tell you.

00:36:27: So I'd rather be like, what are we gonna do in twenty minutes?

00:36:31: Like this is my way of being like can't... What Can You Do?

00:36:35: And then it's- yeah i get in conflict professionally because im too nice and uh which is weird.. Im becoming an old man!

00:36:44: I'm like no I cant just refuse.

00:36:52: I still have this sense of like, This is too rude and i want to maintain my values.

00:37:01: So how did you navigate through the conflicts sometimes?

00:37:04: I make alliances!

00:37:10: I try to be extra nice To some people who are extra sharp so that they can voice out The things.

00:37:18: That Is an opinion for more.

00:37:21: And yeah, but it's a bit manipulative perhaps.

00:37:28: But I'm very open and like.

00:37:29: this is what i do and help!

00:37:33: Like ask for help?

00:37:34: It usually works.

00:37:36: Then also bring topics to the large conversation because in Germany you have these meetings where everyone is involved... ...like its important not create these cliques or backstab each other trying to do, so it's really trying to create this consensus.

00:37:56: I think yeah...I read that somewhere.

00:37:56: Consensus is important in Canadian culture but apparently German too!

00:38:02: Well done and share that.

00:38:06: How would you say people communicate at work?

00:38:10: So we have learned now there as an implicit and explicit way in the Canadian and German culture factors that you can see.

00:38:27: Direct-interact, I have to think like one thing about my experiences is that i've always worked in bilingual structures.

00:38:35: um...i've never worked in unilingual german spaces.

00:38:40: so what's interesting is that in the bilingual structures you always have multiple ways to handle the same thing.

00:38:48: So uh we're working at a turkish bilingual school right now where it's completely different.

00:38:53: And so as a Canadian myself, I'm trying to coordinate or understand multiple facets all the time and try to manage conflict.

00:39:03: To be like... Get along everyone!

00:39:09: Whereas maybe in Germany it's not that much about this.

00:39:13: Conflict is not avoided.

00:39:14: very often People are just comfortable with conflicts.

00:39:21: There was one moment when It's not about work, but I was waiting at the red light and then a bicycle was standing on the bike path.

00:39:31: Oh no!

00:39:33: And so the bike came and gling-ling-ling started yelling out of person...and there were two Germans and they started yelling as well.

00:39:42: But she approached them continuing to yell.

00:39:47: The approaching made it make the conflict come to a climax because like you're approaching by yelling and it resolved itself.

00:39:56: It was like, You're wrong blah blah blah okay yeah but don't yell at

00:40:00: me.".

00:40:00: And then she backed away and the guy came back.

00:40:03: I'm pretty sure that both of these people never thought about conflict.

00:40:07: twenty minutes later You know, there was a conflict and it was resolved.

00:40:11: And that's it whereas this my way of like Managing is when I see a conflict I can make.

00:40:17: this conflict has not resolve for It can last months.

00:40:21: you don't want to mean so.

00:40:22: There's oh, okay.

00:40:23: I'm exaggerating but like if it stays on my mind too long Whereas this lake way-to connect Conflict not avoidate it.

00:40:32: Hopefully it results itself.

00:40:35: But i'm two.

00:40:36: i'm too aware.

00:40:36: then maybe I'm too afraid of it, iIm not sure but its... im very averse to conflict.

00:40:44: I mean you do not need a conflict every time.

00:40:46: sometimes You can discuss things out without having like Conflict Climax and yelling at each other?

00:40:53: I think this is kind Of disrespectful.

00:40:55: that's important also.

00:40:57: And my conflict I see That had with My landlord You can't bring the garbage at ten, twenty at night.

00:41:04: It's too

00:41:05: late.".

00:41:05: And I'm like why are you yelling at me?

00:41:07: I don't care!

00:41:09: Like...I wish i could care and..i guess that makes me a bad person.

00:41:14: but The fact that you care about this in such way That it make us conflict is weird to be like

00:41:20: Why?!

00:41:21: And then I have to like okay Are you-are you cared for this?

00:41:24: therefore I had to care For this as well especially close relationships.

00:41:28: But This where am I?

00:41:30: I just don't understand sometimes why people care.

00:41:34: What was it?

00:41:35: Oh, it was an empty street.

00:41:37: IJ walked... oh no!

00:41:38: IJ walk.

00:41:39: Germans yelled at me.

00:41:40: they were yelling at for jaywalking.

00:41:43: It's like the rule is broken and you're a bad person And i'm like-I don't care.

00:41:48: Like..i dont' care I am too old to this.

00:41:51: I've seen in the world.

00:41:53: Your rules do not matter right now That's sad.

00:42:01: But in a community like where things matter Then we have to go into conflict, you know Like I want the conflict and then but not in any...I don't wanna yell.

00:42:10: Can we just solve this?

00:42:13: Talk about it Be gone?

00:42:17: Yeah, exactly I mean Germans are very Very much married to their rules.

00:42:23: most of times like lot of people they're very very strict with

00:42:31: Rules matter.

00:42:31: Yeah

00:42:32: rules matter of course yeah, but sometimes there's Sometimes you have the feeling that there is no gray?

00:42:38: Yes That's a rule and it has to be followed.

00:42:41: exactly.

00:42:43: I believe that with The younger generation especially those living in the city or close-to city It's getting less it's gotten bit more.

00:42:54: And then the old people are saying, The German culture is breaking down.

00:42:58: Right?

00:42:58: Because by not caring about their rules People get upset.

00:43:03: So I see a real clash there.

00:43:06: But at this same time This multiculturality that i have shows That they're not native to pure logic.

00:43:18: You know what i mean.

00:43:18: it's not.

00:43:21: We Germans are from Prussia, from Kant.

00:43:24: The morality of pure logic existed like they created this and people were very proud of it.

00:43:30: but I grew up in French-Canadian believing in angels and water spirits you know?

00:43:41: And then we moved to Ontario where was about the good souls working hard?

00:43:48: You always have these differences from all over the world.

00:43:51: And when you see this like, purity of logic or law and I'm just like yeah but what about freedom?

00:43:59: What about love?What about kindness care?

00:44:03: What are other things that are more flexible?

00:44:06: because when your logic applies to capitalism then i am just like hmmm...or other large logical structures it becomes void.

00:44:18: I see this as a culture clash for real.

00:44:22: and yeah, sorry.

00:44:27: Sorry that was a kidding!

00:44:33: No we're happy to hear your silence.

00:44:34: That's what we have for us.

00:44:36: Yeah exactly Appreciate you sorry And i can't where he is coming from.

00:44:40: sorry

00:44:41: Can you guys have multiple layers of sorry?

00:44:44: One word means like seven things.

00:44:47: This one was just a sorry for taking so much space.

00:44:51: Seriously, that's the sorry.

00:44:52: It was like oh okay I'm backing up!

00:44:54: Sorry there is a sense of acknowledging That i went on a tangent and am going to stop the tangent And say sorry.

00:45:03: That what it meant...I'm not actually apologizing.

00:45:05: I said now its your time.

00:45:06: So this where you predicted You took space without us saying anything about This?

00:45:13: Yeah because I went on philosophical, Kantian Blah blah blah.

00:45:18: Maybe not everyone wants to hear this, like I'm backing away.

00:45:23: Okay interesting yeah that's very interesting it is.

00:45:28: i wouldn't have said anything and then me neither.

00:45:31: so i was like very interested

00:45:33: because i think the sorry...i am not trying to say sorry for hurting you..the story is more about my space backing off walking in a room, we will say sorry for hurting.

00:45:52: Like if I bump into you, like no, you bump into me and I'll say sorry because I'm taking your

00:45:57: space.".

00:45:59: The story is not... It's not told me lie.

00:46:02: it's not that I am going to go on my knees and say sorry That's different apology.

00:46:07: there are different apologies And this one specifically was just cute.

00:46:13: Oh, no.

00:46:19: Is there something that you have taken from German culture?

00:46:24: That um... You have embraced where you've been Germanized.

00:46:29: Yeah I think conflict Like.

00:46:31: we talked a lot about conflict like the..I'm not so afraid of conflict as it used to be because if your are still afraid then you float belittles you right.

00:46:43: So theres'a sense I have to say what i stand for and get into conflicts more often.

00:46:52: Another thing, maybe not so philosophical... I enjoy my free time in Germany than Canada.

00:47:03: Free-time culture here like fire out in Kotoa There's people drinking their beer at six

00:47:09: p.m.,

00:47:09: right on the dot, they're like... On their way home and they already have their beer in their hands?

00:47:13: Like that's... Big

00:47:14: beer!

00:47:14: Yeah yeah!

00:47:16: Fusspits!

00:47:17: Oh my god I never heard of that!

00:47:20: But yeah it makes sense.

00:47:24: Where did you get that

00:47:25: from?!

00:47:27: I don't know

00:47:27: where they drink piss

00:47:29: Yeah anything.

00:47:30: so.

00:47:30: And then put my beers.

00:47:34: Maybe it's a pot word.

00:47:37: I think so,

00:47:39: yeah there is the sense of enjoying your free time and saying no to you like.

00:47:44: i think the french are even more than this right?

00:47:46: The French culture.

00:47:48: they're like ah how dare you...I will not work on weekends!

00:47:51: Like the the sense.

00:47:55: It's something that as a Canadian, you're just like.

00:47:57: yeah but it is my duty to work.

00:48:00: Teachers are great example.

00:48:01: I worked in primary school But in Canada You work forty fifty sixty hours per week As teacher and all the time Because children need it And overworked The system built on this.

00:48:16: So we have to understand.

00:48:19: but here if I'm sick, like... If i am sick.

00:48:22: ...I'm not going to

00:48:23: work.".

00:48:23: Then- I had to learn this the first time I was sick!

00:48:25: I was actually throwing up and I said, "...I can't work

00:48:28: guys!".

00:48:28: Oh

00:48:29: my god!

00:48:29: It's okay!

00:48:31: Like it worked!

00:48:32: Don't send me home!

00:48:34: There is a sense of moral failing for being sick.

00:48:37: And uh that's wrong that's insane.

00:48:40: That something I've unlearned.

00:48:43: and then when i see my sick family like they're going to work sick, And I'm just like stop you are literally killing yourself.

00:48:49: You're gonna die ten years younger.

00:48:51: Yeah Just because of this stress yeah?

00:48:54: Stop.

00:48:55: so that's something that Germany has taught me

00:48:59: Very good.

00:49:02: I feel like thats a very positive thing.

00:49:05: we can teach the world about actually appreciating your free time.

00:49:11: and because there's a lot of hustle cultures.

00:49:16: Looking at Canada, also America where you're like apologizing for going on location when you have ten days.

00:49:22: yeah exactly take my laptop.

00:49:25: no

00:49:26: I took my laptop my first time cuz i was self-employed.

00:49:31: Oh, that's

00:49:32: a different story though.

00:49:33: Yeah it is!

00:49:34: But its the hassle culture.

00:49:36: Its self-employment becomes you kind of forego corporate world.

00:49:40: You for go the rules of Zaya Abund to accept the hustle culture.

00:49:45: I went on holiday.

00:49:46: like i told my boss says im on holiday Im not available but if u need me ill have my laptop.

00:49:53: So i was carrying my laptop around just respond emails and did work.

00:50:01: But I've learned to let go of that.

00:50:04: because yeah, the hustle culture even if you are self-employed means That you need to create rules for yourself too.

00:50:10: then allow yourself your brain to just relax.

00:50:14: and In a culture.

00:50:16: The Hustle Culture has it like put their tentacles into your brain.

00:50:20: You cannot relax here in the middle of the night?

00:50:22: You wake up And you have insomnia there.

00:50:24: this is the side effect of hustle culture and an Ottawa was definitely part of them.

00:50:32: Yeah, sorry.

00:50:33: Oh my I'm sorry.

00:50:35: No, that was okay.

00:50:38: What kind of story was this?

00:50:39: But yeah

00:50:44: Would you say there's something that gets lost in translation.

00:50:49: so it's not about the language but more feeling.

00:50:55: That is a hard question.

00:50:57: Lost in translation... I think there's a... It made me think of something because Smiling and laughing in Germany, like being part of fun events.

00:51:09: If you're a German or group of Germans there are social rules that aren't spoken out.

00:51:17: for example I was invited to my boss's house.

00:51:23: it is her birthday.

00:51:27: she said welcome to the kitchen.

00:51:29: You serve yourself some drink.

00:51:31: But she had organized a table where all the drinks were, but I was like...I don't want this!

00:51:37: So I went in her cupboard to grab a cup and served myself water from the tap because I thought it's fine, tap water is fine.

00:51:44: And then she came back into kitchen.

00:51:45: She was so shocked To be like

00:51:48: oh

00:51:50: you didn't follow the plan Like he went out of the plant.

00:51:54: Oh no i'm sorry There's sense politeness of the German.

00:51:59: that's completely lost in translation and I feel like an elephant In The Room sometimes.

00:52:03: I'm just like, I don't understand!

00:52:05: I laugh too loud or serve myself to easily take off my shoes when i am not supposed there is a sense Of Like...I Am Too Relaxed!

00:52:16: Sainted her personal space by opening the cupboard.

00:52:18: yeah But for example smiling in Germany if you're politely Smiling You Do Not Show Your Teeth.

00:52:26: There's something I've learned, so when you're like politely just like mm-hmm.

00:52:30: You have to make sure that your teeth are not showing and... ...I learn this through networking events where i was looking at the people trying to be like what they doing?

00:52:44: I feel autistic!

00:52:46: Like im trying understand how the culture works And Im trying to understand the rules of the culture.

00:52:55: It's not through spoken, it is just completely unspoken.

00:52:58: And that's me trying to fit in right?

00:53:03: I'm trying to adapt but the Germans adapting to me... That a different story like some are trying.

00:53:11: But i've been here ten years and how many German friends do have really?

00:53:16: Look!

00:53:17: I am connected with multicultural network.

00:53:23: The other way around is harder, I think for them.

00:53:26: Like my partner's like he moved to South Africa for a while He traveled in America that he was already non-German and That allowed them to meet me In this middleway.

00:53:37: And so that's what i expect from people.

00:53:40: i expect This Middle Way?

00:53:42: When you show signs of not wanting To do that i've learned to just be like okay there's A lot Of fish in the world.

00:53:49: i'm Just going to continue meeting new People and Cologne is great for that again.

00:53:53: It

00:53:54: is, many years.

00:53:57: I forgot your question but i think you answered it

00:54:00: on point!

00:54:06: I would love to take you to our next segment which is a little bit gamified kind of part of this podcast called Lightning Round.

00:54:18: Basically, we're just going to give you two options and you have quickly given answer.

00:54:22: Oh my God.

00:54:23: Stibborn... No, see should I start?

00:54:28: You can start!

00:54:29: Okay.

00:54:30: Maple syrup or Nutella?

00:54:32: Maple syrup.

00:54:33: That

00:54:35: was a quick one.

00:54:36: I'm offended.

00:54:43: Canadian politeness or German directness?

00:54:45: Oh no, politeness.

00:54:49: I say that very directly.

00:54:53: The sorry culture or ono?

00:54:57: Oh no, sorry!

00:54:59: No...that's hard!

00:55:02: What did i said?

00:55:06: It is lightning round faster!

00:55:12: Sorry all the time and it seems good.

00:55:16: Yeah, so as we didn't know what kind of sports fan you may be it's a cricket or football?

00:55:22: Do you mean soccer?

00:55:24: Of course!

00:55:28: I will say none of those cause I'll say hockey.

00:55:32: Hockey oh yeah

00:55:33: Because

00:55:34: um i've heard that it like Canada is very big especially ice hockey nation.

00:55:39: So yeah and hockey like.

00:55:42: do you just refer to ice hockey as hockey?

00:55:45: yes

00:55:46: okay

00:55:47: Otherwise, we could call it field hockey when its on the grass.

00:55:53: Hockey is hockey and then field hockey.

00:55:54: so its reversed because you have more ice.

00:56:00: And then soccer... We don't say football but American Football is everything.

00:56:06: Soccer obviously big especially FIFA right now has that.

00:56:10: But there's a sense of being too slow for me.

00:56:14: Like, you know like oh offside and then everyone has to run one way.

00:56:18: And it takes like two...like thirty seconds for everybody want a hockey.

00:56:22: Hockey is the fast pace of it all?

00:56:24: Yeah!

00:56:27: The great HBO series this year about hockey did you hear?

00:56:31: No I didn't.

00:56:31: I forgot the name of it.

00:56:34: Do mean Off-Campus.

00:56:36: no It's gay.

00:56:38: Ah, he's the driver.

00:56:41: Oh

00:56:42: my god I forgot it in like a day.

00:56:44: so yeah... Yeah It is bit of Canadian culture right now.

00:56:54: Tapping into the stereotypes which go with the plate flanner or leatherhosen?

00:57:01: Ooh!

00:57:02: I would like Leatherhosen!

00:57:06: I don't own it but lots of lumberjack stuff.

00:57:10: I think guys look good in it, like.

00:57:16: objectively they looked good.

00:57:18: Are

00:57:18: you talking or are we talking about the Bavarian leader?

00:57:21: Or is it more like leather?

00:57:23: Oh no!

00:57:25: The Bavarians.

00:57:27: Yeah

00:57:28: okay but

00:57:28: yeah... I think like the stereotypes to accentuate genders.

00:57:33: right You have women with large hips and big boobs which accentuates their attractiveness with a large beard and then you have the lidojusen, legs are strong and muscular.

00:57:50: And like it's nice as well!

00:57:52: You just have to accept that gender difference...and I mean sannel come on it's boring.

00:57:59: It's just like pajamas.

00:58:00: Okay,

00:58:00: I've

00:58:01: been okay.

00:58:01: Vamper tracks are nice.

00:58:04: Okay, thank you so much.

00:58:13: So now we get into the next segment which we call Let's Learn and therefore we have sent some homework for today And I really love this part of every episode because at this point We're going to learn more about the culture in our country.

00:58:37: to learn something?

00:58:41: Dive.

00:58:41: Dive

00:58:42: into exploring.

00:58:42: Exactly,

00:58:43: yeah.

00:58:45: Yes!

00:58:47: Okay.

00:58:47: so um the first thing that we have was the fun fact about Canada or Canadian culture.

00:58:54: Yeah man I need to look into it...I had a few facts but they're just not fun.

00:59:00: You can try.

00:59:02: Like did you know that Belle who invented her telephone with Canadian?

00:59:07: Did

00:59:09: you know that Torfino is the only surfing space in Canada, basically?

00:59:16: Well it's not their own place but they're on a good place.

00:59:18: That's not true!

00:59:20: And that's in British Columbia right.

00:59:22: so part of my family like... It's my mom's cousin who lives in Kelowna by lake and I know he's big on surfing sort of thingy, I don't know what it's called.

00:59:42: For people who want to travel to Canada and do sports... ...I really recommend British Columbia because you have the island like they have Vancouver Island which is Victoria and then Tofino and You're so close to the mountains or close still hours away but It's relatively closed.

01:00:01: And then you have this sea.

01:00:03: So take me a day where your skiing in one day And then you end up at the beach watching The Sunset.

01:00:10: You know, like...you can have both and that's really nice!

01:00:14: Then there is a huge forest like.

01:00:16: so if you want to do Van Damm If you wanna go hiking uh..You can go into the big forests of British Columbia.

01:00:25: It's gorgeous.

01:00:26: But again I'm not from THAT area.

01:00:28: i am from the other side and um yeah other fun facts away.

01:00:34: Ah, one cool fact is there was a maple syrup heist.

01:00:39: that happened in the past and a heist means they stole it.

01:00:43: So the maple syrup production I wouldn't call it mafia, but let's call it monopoly.

01:00:54: So there is a sense of like large storage vats of maple syrup in order to control prices so its not fluctuation based on whatever.

01:01:04: But these vats are holding like millions of euros worth of our Kenyan dollars, worth of maple syrup.

01:01:12: And some people that were working in the company stole it.

01:01:15: they moved from one place to another and then bring a big scandal into their eighties or nineties.

01:01:20: I forget... That's a fun fact!

01:01:22: It really is!

01:01:23: I feel

01:01:23: as if this should be an HBO series!

01:01:26: Yeah, the maple syrup high isn't he?

01:01:30: But how did you do so?

01:01:31: i imagine these storages are like big containers full of maple syrups.

01:01:37: Like, do you know how they stole it?

01:01:40: I think It's just that looks normal business where a truck comes in takes it but then over weeks and months it got empty And no one knew it.

01:01:49: at some point someone controlled it.

01:01:50: They were like oh!

01:01:52: The eyesight more dramatic.

01:01:54: You open the doors to their building.

01:01:58: Barrels are gone and it's like, no.

01:02:00: My

01:02:01: maple syrup!

01:02:03: Not mine.

01:02:04: Oh, my maple syrup is so good I put in spaghetti as soon you see sugar in a recipe?

01:02:10: No, maple syrup.

01:02:12: And because there's a tanginess to this, it adds spice.

01:02:17: It adds little bit of magic.

01:02:19: Have you found good maple syrup in Germany?

01:02:22: Online!

01:02:26: I

01:02:28: also love maple syrup and always have like a little bottle at home whenever i do pancakes or something or yogurt even with like berries and stuff, absolutely maple syrup on there.

01:02:40: It's amazing but I'm still looking for something...

01:02:45: I did a workshop with kids.

01:02:48: it was project week at school so And i made my product in Canada And for their activity, I bought different types of maple syrup and then we had a maple syrup tasting.

01:03:00: That's so cool!

01:03:01: Yeah it would

01:03:02: be really cool like...I liked it more than the kids i think.

01:03:07: It was just interesting to see that my maple syrup is more complicated..it's anything like wine or coffee when you start seeing.

01:03:16: the land has a taste and different areas have different tastes.

01:03:21: And then you have different calibrations of what good is, so...and they call them markers like amber versus.

01:03:27: I don't know gold or rose?

01:03:28: I forget whatever!

01:03:29: You also have grade A, grade AA....I should be an expert on maple syrup.

01:03:37: come one!

01:03:39: I just taste it, i know the difference.

01:03:42: But you can really taste a different if they're made from corn syrup like that normal table syrup.

01:03:47: no way!

01:03:48: And most syrups we buy here or anywhere in the world would be mixed with a mix of real maple syrup and normal table syrup and you can't taste them.

01:04:00: So yeah, maple syrup is the best.

01:04:06: My brother went to Canada for a while and they stayed there like work-and-travel kind of thing.

01:04:14: Also, he went through all the national parks lived with people through Airbnb And when they came back He showed us something that they had learned from their hosts which was pancakes With bacon berries whipped cream And then you had like these different layers, so you would layer it up and put maple syrup on top.

01:04:42: I'm like of course!

01:04:46: And that's what he introduced us to... So there was interesting because i wouldn't have thought a combination like this but now makes sense salty and sweet.

01:04:56: you know the combinations?

01:04:58: It was very good.

01:05:01: that I really miss, you just made me think is brunch culture.

01:05:05: Breakfast in Canada and like the big cities?

01:05:08: You kind of see it on movies where we're gonna go to a brunch guys!

01:05:12: Like there's this sense of celebrating breakfast In a way not just bread & toast and a bit of cheese

01:05:20: What?!

01:05:20: No!!

01:05:22: There are eggs and pancakes A mountain of pancakes And when you have chefs doing it Wow, it's so good.

01:05:30: But even the normal stuff like my family level of breakfast?

01:05:36: The fountain of pancakes bacon on this side and you have the maple syrup.

01:05:41: Of course I'm not a big fan of whipped cream.

01:05:43: i think It takes away from...I don't Like that.

01:05:46: anyways That's fine.

01:05:48: The texture Yeah the texture but its also butteriness of it.

01:05:51: I prefer the pancake with actual batter.

01:05:53: No, I want pancakes!

01:06:01: Okay.

01:06:02: Nice

01:06:03: And waffles.

01:06:04: Waffles are good too.

01:06:05: The little cubes take more maple syrup.

01:06:08: So like the here we call them Belgian waffles where you have these like

01:06:12: little cubes

01:06:14: and squares.

01:06:16: Yeah Now i'm hungry.

01:06:19: Yep We gotta eat something afterwards.

01:06:25: Okay, next thing would be a song that you associate most with your culture or country?

01:06:33: That's interesting.

01:06:34: Songs are so... because I'm French-Canadian and when we didn't really speak about like the canadiens françaises And i think the songs that connect to our more french-canadian okay it's very interesting.

01:06:47: Like do have sort of my ancestors?

01:06:49: We had the violins.

01:06:51: It sounds Irish, it sounds like from the sea.

01:06:54: Like a jig.

01:06:56: and we have these like rigodon-like songs of New Year's Eve parties.

01:07:03: We had The Accordion.

01:07:04: my great grandfather used to play the violin And then My Great-Great Uncle played the accordion.

01:07:08: There was like a celebration Of fifty people in small house.

01:07:12: Oh nice!

01:07:12: With the clackette on the floor And then you only hear it on the radio, like in the CDs now.

01:07:21: That song is kind of fading away and that's so sad!

01:07:24: So I really connect to that... Whenever i see that button-for-younds there are a few artists who just focussed on them.

01:07:35: It's amazing.

01:07:36: You have this folklore kibiko music?

01:07:40: Love that And it's making me very sad.

01:07:45: But other than that, there is also like more pop culture.

01:07:48: Céline Dion is typical Canadian.

01:07:51: Cédine was opening at the Olympics right?

01:07:55: She had this song on The Tour Eiffel and It Was Very Grand Dios.

01:08:00: We brought my dad to Paris for the opening, so we were in the streets and again he was crying.

01:08:07: You made his visit unforgettable?

01:08:09: I did!

01:08:11: So come visit people!

01:08:17: That was really nice... And then my mom always wanted tickets to see Sidenzion.

01:08:22: there's this connection.

01:08:23: She is like an international fame.

01:08:26: she got famous through Eurovision.

01:08:29: She's like a bridge between Canada, French-Canada.

01:08:32: She is Canadian and the rest of world love that but it so not modern.

01:08:39: I'm sorry It

01:08:40: doesn't matter yeah?

01:08:41: Yeah i mean you know Especially these older songs That everybody knows.

01:08:48: then those are the ones that connect The culture where Everybody just You Know it Doesn't have to be your type Of music that you usually listen To.

01:08:56: But it Just Is this this feeling of like togetherness and belonging where you experience this closeness to people when the song comes out.

01:09:07: You just all sing along, maybe a shun-geun or something yeah?

01:09:13: And that's basically...

01:09:15: Next karaoke night I'll sing My Heart Will Go On

01:09:19: We will join!

01:09:28: Just to just pick this up because you've mentioned that we haven't talked about the French-Canadian part so much.

01:09:35: Is there something that you would like to share, or do want people know?

01:09:43: Because it's your identity basically right and I'd say probably feel more comfortable with the French as well.

01:09:53: So interesting my identity has never been French Quebecois Like, because my uncle for example is Kibequah.

01:10:01: And in Canada you have the reds and blues.

01:10:05: it's a bit like Bavaria.

01:10:06: Bavarian has a blue flag right?

01:10:09: They will identify as Bavarians- as blue!

01:10:12: And kibek is very similar.

01:10:14: Kibek has an identity that's been core identity for hundreds of years... ...and I think that because my father was Anglophone.... Canadian.

01:10:24: I was always both, French-Canadian and then when i'm a french canadian in ontario you were franco-antarien so the flag is green.

01:10:36: there's this sense of like identity cultural identifier to my culture but have alway been between.

01:10:43: So When I moved to Ottawa it was bilingual And then in Cologne also.

01:10:48: There's that sense.

01:10:51: The source is blue, is Cherbourg.

01:10:58: And like interestingly there's a separatist movement in Quebec who truly identify the culture as more important than nationality.

01:11:06: so and it just... There's this sense of true connection to that.

01:11:11: I absolutely do have that!

01:11:14: It has to be celebrated.

01:11:22: multiculturalism, the Charles Taylor stuff that I talked about earlier was from this conflict.

01:11:27: How do we allow Quebec or... The political space that Québec holds within a national space is larger than it should be but because of its history like there's a huge history and It's a bit like Bavaria.

01:11:44: I think Bavarian as very good example cuz also has political differences.

01:11:48: It kind of

01:11:50: stands on its own within a country.

01:11:54: What's the name?

01:11:55: I didn't want to talk about politics, but like there is yeah... There was this sense of political power within the larger architecture government that is only specifically for Bavaria and Quebec is very similar.

01:12:09: And um Yeah So But yeah For my own culture My own identity i'm both And now three.

01:12:21: I have French, Canadian and German as of three months ago.

01:12:24: so there is a sense of multiculturalism that exists within one like...I don't have multiple personality disorder guys!

01:12:33: Like.

01:12:34: i hope There's the sense you have to unify all aspects who are without letting go too much.

01:12:46: That's the magic And that's why traditions are important.

01:12:50: So we celebrate Christmas in my family, traditionally we celebrate New Year's Eve and this year for example We were just married on the third of January.

01:13:00: so I put a lot of effort to create a sense of traditional Quebecois but for everyone!

01:13:06: The new years eve party invited people from all over the world.

01:13:11: We were like, this is rigaudant people.

01:13:13: This the music we want to and found someone who played the accordion.

01:13:18: so we invited somebody with us.

01:13:22: It was not my great-grandparent's house but made it in a way that we could And you just have try to create and build between pasts I call them traditions without crushing anyone around you.

01:13:39: It's about invitation and welcoming, and multifaceted identity.

01:13:46: Inviting people to experience the difference... Sharing what is true for them.

01:13:53: And part of my culture.

01:13:56: I said it early, like...I want to have a room in my house that is for other people to come.

01:14:00: It's…like.. I wanna have dinner parties with an extra chair just for next-to-guest.

01:14:05: Like you always have to have An extra person to come and or at least the desire for it Or the intention for it.

01:14:15: That's what i want!

01:14:16: I'm excited!

01:14:18: You know we were talking about creating bed & breakfasts In the future?

01:14:21: I would love that!

01:14:22: Like space For Other People To Come And experience what we have.

01:14:28: I won't bring you to Paris, Cécile Indy on every time dad like... Okay

01:14:37: i will move on with the food that you associate with your country of culture.

01:14:43: yeah That's easy actually but it was easy.

01:14:46: Timorin's coffee and poutine.

01:14:50: I heard about-I know there are some kind I wouldn't say fake poutine that you can get here in Germany, but it's okay.

01:14:59: So what?

01:14:59: i'm really interested about the original poutine.

01:15:07: Disgusting, first of all.

01:15:10: The best time to eat a poutine is at three AM when you're walking back from Saint-Catherine in Montreal and we are going up to Platon en Royal and there's that Poutineville restaurant open twenty four seven and then you enter your bidrunk.

01:15:21: it just like selection of putines.

01:15:25: It's weird.

01:15:26: Like it

01:15:27: sounds like a dinner for the Germans

01:15:29: and there is also one in Lyon, like in France they stick to shawarma with fries inside if you've got them in And when your hungry and want fatty food its fatty salty food You know?

01:15:45: Its not chic so it doesn't have to be.

01:15:48: So the poutine is fries For people who don't know its fries With gravy with a meat gravy, so it can be vegetarian.

01:15:56: And then the cheese is very specific.

01:15:58: that's why it's fake poutine anywhere else because you have to have a very specific cheese and then Quebec specializes in it.

01:16:05: I don't know why...and i think its byproduct of different cheese.

01:16:10: So when we make the cheese It creates like little balls of cheese and it create squeaky Like it has to be squeaky cheese.

01:16:21: And if it's not squeaky cheese, its' not poutine.

01:16:24: So If the cheese is wrong... It's not poutine basically.

01:16:27: So everything else was fake?

01:16:29: Correct.

01:16:29: so as you use cheddar what like?

01:16:33: shut the door!

01:16:34: Like no.

01:16:35: and at school in Sarnia I was Ontario but they served poutine.

01:16:42: of course everyone loved it.

01:16:46: I think nowadays like there's, Poutine is much more common.

01:16:55: You have more cheese exports i guess and um but the squeaky cheese... And in northern Quebec or small towns of Québec when you have fresh cheese made that day it's so squeaky!

01:17:09: It still warms from where ever its coming from.

01:17:11: The cow?

01:17:14: Caming is that really good?

01:17:17: We were just imagining a cow, giving cheese.

01:17:21: And we're like yay, Poutine!

01:17:22: It's delicious!

01:17:26: All the fries!

01:17:30: Seriously it's not luxurious food... Sorry but yeah the Poutine is good and it's really good.

01:17:43: Does this cheese have a name?

01:17:45: Is there specific names for it?

01:17:46: We call

01:17:47: that squeaky cheese.

01:17:48: Oh,

01:17:48: okay!

01:17:49: And then I said Tim Orton's coffee is also the thing... It was just Tim Ortons.

01:17:57: Everyone should know Tim Ornton's coffee.

01:17:59: Sorry to embarrass myself but I don't know.

01:18:04: I think i've heard of this but obviously never tried.

01:18:11: without the expansiveness.

01:18:17: It's like, I think Tim Hortons was a hockey player and he started a chain... Like you start at restaurants to serve donuts and coffee in expenses And In the fifties or something?

01:18:33: Then it became a chain, like Dunkin' Donuts But more Canadian!

01:18:37: Way more Canadian.

01:18:37: Now its everywhere Like in New Brunswick, there's more Tim Hortons than other restaurants combined.

01:18:46: So for me to go to work with a car you get a Timmy's.

01:18:51: There is drive-through culture as well where you can just get things on your car.

01:18:56: The cash that goes through the drive-thru at the cash Drive thru and then drive trough.

01:19:02: coffee is wonderful.

01:19:04: You're so tired when driving.

01:19:08: Let's get me my coffee.

01:19:11: We need that in Germany?

01:19:12: Yeah, definitely!

01:19:13: I mean the only thing we can get his drive through is like McDonalds or Burger King maybe... But

01:19:20: i was at Langefeld two months ago whatever and we had a sandwich in our hands walking because i had to go to work in twenty minutes and i was like i'm going to be late.

01:19:29: so let-we were eating and walking and an old lady ...Langefeld is full of elderly..like it's just space for elderlies ..and her lady interpolated us to say, you are unhealthy by eating.

01:19:42: Stop!

01:19:43: You have to sit down and

01:19:44: eat."

01:19:45: And I was like thank-you kind lady but YOU don't have my life?

01:19:48: I'm late for work...and this is where the hustle culture comes back.

01:19:55: so to eat while you go to work guys relax Sit down take a cup of coffee And I like that.

01:20:09: By do miss coffee in the car, that's true.

01:20:15: Next thing we would ask you for is a sentence or a proverb that you love?

01:20:24: more.

01:20:27: And yeah, it's so cute!

01:20:41: It is the Petit Trinvalde one to say that you know work just a small amount and you'll get far.

01:20:50: Yeah?

01:20:51: Big bursts...and also an expression like Hemkibbeck.

01:20:58: A small expression of endearment.

01:21:01: I think its very sweet and identified.

01:21:09: And yeah, it's nice.

01:21:11: Also in Quebec also and Canada Interestingly the train is actually very important In the history of canada like when the train the transcontinental Train was built?

01:21:23: It builds canada.

01:21:24: without trains you wouldn't have canada.

01:21:26: So I thought that was a cute one but straight line oh

01:21:35: This is really cute.

01:21:38: Okay, so as this segment is called Let's Learn of course we want to learn something from you.

01:21:44: We would ask you please teach us how to say hello and thanks for listening in Canadian French.

01:21:50: Thank you!

01:21:51: Hello?

01:21:53: Hello?

01:21:54: Say hello.

01:21:56: Hello?

01:21:56: Bonjour?

01:21:57: Which both?

01:21:58: Can I use both?

01:22:00: What's more common?

01:22:01: Hello okay.

01:22:04: Quebec or french is very... Hello!

01:22:07: How are you?

01:22:19: Hello, how're y'all doing?

01:22:23: Hello!

01:22:24: Hello!

01:22:26: But it's not... Good morning, ma'am.

01:22:32: It is... No no no.

01:22:33: In French or in English?

01:22:35: So hello Hello.

01:22:37: This is the first one, yeah?

01:22:39: And then in second sentence...

01:22:40: Thanks for listening!

01:22:43: Merci d'être avec nous.

01:22:45: It means thank you for being with us.

01:22:48: It's kind of.

01:22:49: Merci d't être avec nous.

01:22:52: Merci de l'écouter.

01:22:54: That's more like direct.

01:22:56: Merci des écoutés.

01:22:57: Thank-you for listening.

01:22:59: Je préfère merci d'êtres avec nous.

01:23:02: So it's merci d'detre avec nous.

01:23:10: Ouais c'est bien.

01:23:15: My French lessons from school are coming in handy now.

01:23:21: I forgot so much, but like i still understand a couple of things.

01:23:24: But um...I forgot!

01:23:25: Like speaking is- I have very passive knowledge

01:23:30: to- Feel like french?

01:23:32: Okay..i don't want it pulled too long about this.

01:23:37: Like the language of... The real language, Franca doesn't mean French.

01:23:42: It means honest language, Franco and it used to be Latin.

01:23:48: It's the Latin language with a common tongue And then it moved into French.

01:23:52: so everyone in Europe still learns French but as if he was Latin!

01:23:56: You know what I mean?

01:23:56: Kibikwa has nothing to do with this!

01:23:58: No

01:24:00: no

01:24:00: no like Kibiko has its own It has its own way of grammar, so you have to learn French but it's like learning Latin.

01:24:11: To speak kibikwa is different.

01:24:16: But I mean we're learning school English and then as you start talking with people that understand how people speak.

01:24:22: Absolutely not!

01:24:26: And i'm proud of that...I must say very proud of the colloquial french Of

01:24:34: course.

01:24:36: So, slowly coming to an end we have two more questions one question and then we'll close.

01:24:47: you're almost done

01:24:50: I'm hungry.

01:24:53: Okay um One thing if someone was interested in moving to Germany what would the one advice be that you'd give them?

01:25:05: One thing that you're telling

01:25:07: create a bureaucratic folder for yourself Seriously, like your birth certificate.

01:25:13: You are Like make sure that every paper That you have from your country is pico bello perfect.

01:25:21: put them in plastic.

01:25:23: Make sure to contact any bureaucrat that you need too before you come because once you're here they will ask for everything, and if you're not ready they will have no patience.

01:25:37: The customer service in the bureaucracy does not exist.

01:25:41: so... You have to know before you know is really difficult because it's not possible To Know Before You Know.

01:25:46: So It's About Preparation Be Prepared Bureaucratically.

01:25:51: Otherwise Try to Meet People Quickly.

01:25:58: I think that Germany is difficult to really connect socially if you don't like, If You Don't Live In Cologne.

01:26:06: So try To See Who You Know Ahead Of Time As Well and Pull On Those Connections Like See And What Events Germans Love To Plan Events Months At A Time Or Months Ahead.

01:26:19: so like see oh i'm gonna move in June.

01:26:22: okay then what should i be doing August?

01:26:26: And I'll kind of prepare your sofa counter that way because, uh...I think it's not internationally understood.

01:26:34: Like in Brazil for example like- I don't know what i'm doing tonight.

01:26:37: we will figure out.

01:26:38: there is a sense going with the flow Germany.

01:26:40: no you have to plan.

01:26:43: so connect yourself ahead time and make it easier like one hundred times easier.

01:26:50: yeah Because only through connections how Germany works.

01:26:56: You have to know people and then doors will open.

01:27:00: Okay,

01:27:03: thanks for sharing that!

01:27:05: So before we close is there anything you would like to ask us?

01:27:09: Anything you were hoping we would ask but did not get

01:27:14: too?

01:27:17: I love this project...like the idea of welcoming different cultures.

01:27:23: I would love to hear more about that reception and how it came about, like the history of your project is wonderful.

01:27:32: And then the second which has connected... ...is um..I would love see you're understanding multiculturality not from my Charles Taylor background in Canada but form yours own.

01:27:46: Sorry,

01:27:47: very deep question.

01:27:48: I know

01:27:48: i'm sorry It's good.

01:27:51: yeah we should like to start.

01:27:53: um maybe just about the information That we gather a lot of information through those Talks that we have We intend to interview on to speak too Like every country and To invite a guest?

01:28:07: Like we did with you today Of every country to learn more from people who really lived there came to Germany and really experience those differences.

01:28:17: And it could be a platform to, first of all build bridges secondly give space for others to learn about experiences maybe not make the same mistakes but have things going smoothly.

01:28:36: if there is someone who wants move to Germany Of course we want celebrate what world has offer.

01:28:44: That's really nice.

01:28:45: I love it, absolutely loved this idea and i think that people who can connect from all over the world to learn about this is a wonderful idea.

01:28:53: Germany's great!

01:28:54: Like...I mean..i've been rashing in a bit today but its just that I understand differences.

01:29:00: And only through understanding and mutual understanding Can you build those bridges?

01:29:07: It's not like shutting down the door or saying no You have to keep open and adapt, of course.

01:29:13: And only through that understanding will it work.

01:29:18: great I love it sold.

01:29:20: do you want to tell him a little bit more about the history?

01:29:25: Yeah so basically Sonya and i met at uni like the first time we saw each other.

01:29:34: It was uh at the introduction to those studies that we're gonna study with.

01:29:43: No

01:29:43: way!

01:29:44: That's amazing.

01:29:46: and her, I don't know what it was but We got to the place where were like talking all of others And i liked everyone.

01:29:58: But you know...I had a connection Like I knew sh..that is my girl.

01:30:07: So, and I think we were the last people who left the site in general.

01:30:14: And then also we went outside.

01:30:17: it was February... ...and we just stood there talking.. ..and like i think about forty five minutes went by and we didn't even- It felt like five minutes!

01:30:28: We would just connect.

01:30:30: it clicked.

01:30:31: And then through the time that we spent together, we saw that.

01:30:36: We have a shared passion which is like this multicultural exchange understanding how people think what their lives look like.

01:30:45: and so for me I had been given this interest by my family because we've always been hosting but we kind of an open house where international students lived in the building invited them to our Christmas and birthday parties, everything.

01:31:04: And they became part of the family.

01:31:07: so I grew up with it.

01:31:11: It's kind of... How do you say that?

01:31:14: The value?

01:31:15: Yeah yeah!

01:31:16: That is a value i grow-up With.. I've been raised multicultural like my family is German but have been exposed all different kinds of cultures throughout my life and growing up.

01:31:30: So it's just like picking up the work that my grandparents had started with.

01:31:38: what they did...

01:31:39: Was he diplomats?

01:31:41: No, no.

01:31:42: so my grandparents have a chance through school projects to build a connection or bridge Israeli families after the war.

01:31:57: And they were like, we don't want this to happen again.

01:32:01: We want to avoid people being just mean to each other and that's a very big understatement.

01:32:09: but so they wanted to bring people to talk to each others because they always said... people to like, like each other is through talking to each other and getting to know each other.

01:32:21: So you don't shoot at a person that no one that they've talked to usually.

01:32:26: so um That's where it all started.

01:32:29: kind of yeah.

01:32:31: And then it just grew.

01:32:34: Yeah It connects what I was talking about this Canadian value maybe my own personal value But it's important to share that.

01:32:45: It is so important, to share and I relate.

01:32:48: So maybe thats what made us connect with this invitation.

01:32:52: Absolutely!

01:32:55: I was missing the part of my life

01:33:00: And then we were talking.

01:33:05: Sonia said that she had like similar interests and we were just you know imagining, what could we do?

01:33:11: And then we picked it up again this year.

01:33:12: We're like let's do it!

01:33:14: Let's go ahead and start the

01:33:15: project.".

01:33:17: I think its similar to my bed-and-breakfast idea or of shared space for international students...I think that is necessary And we need people like us to really try to connect and build that forward.

01:33:34: Yeah, yeah takes energy.

01:33:35: Yes I think it's worthwhile.

01:33:38: It is definitely.

01:33:42: as I was born in Germany I grew up between two cultures and so for me at sometimes felt really um...it was difficult to Sometimes understand the differences uh..and i grew up really multicultural with different types of nationalities and I picked up Different things from different cultures which um, i thought was really interesting to see.

01:34:13: on one hand We are all kind of we're similar.

01:34:17: On the other hand it's just like the subgroups and traditions And The values that different countries might have That make a difference Even there, they are similarities in different countries that can be spread all over the world.

01:34:33: But it might be two or three four countries who really share I wouldn't say the same but similar set of values.

01:34:40: and yeah

01:34:42: sure There's like a smart sociologist somewhere then made a matrix Of cultures and value.

01:34:47: is there?

01:34:48: Is this book actually more than that?

01:34:51: so you have different types for example Hofstede who thought of like dimensions Different kinds of dimensions that you have culturally and also there's like the globe studies Who took off?

01:35:05: The professional issues And differences that they are good.

01:35:10: No, no There is a book called the culture map which also like the author I only know her first name Aaron And she's just giving examples on, through her work because she's also like coaching international employees.

01:35:34: And um... She created kind of a map showing the different ways of giving feedback and stuff.

01:35:44: so yeah this is also it's very interesting read.

01:35:48: And also writing The Wines Of Culture as well for Trumpinars?

01:35:52: Yes This is a bit more... I would say, more business-related maybe?

01:36:01: Yeah.

01:36:03: A little straightforward and then with the culture map it's giving examples talking about experiences that she had.

01:36:09: That

01:36:09: sounds interesting because so many of us are affecting like.

01:36:13: we have this similar storyline obviously but than i work in education with primary school children.

01:36:24: cultural strength to multicultural children with pride, not adaptation.

01:36:31: You are not melding yourself into the German culture.

01:36:34: you're becoming multicultural and so what those values that need to be promoted?

01:36:42: And what languages can we speak together and how do show pride?

01:36:47: but I do it as a psychological developmental stage, right?

01:36:54: Very simple games and cute projects.

01:36:59: But the work is still the same.

01:37:00: you know creating a space for multiculturalism And I think it's a project that can resonate throughout the world like this is important everywhere.

01:37:11: Go us!

01:37:15: But go everyone else who was working on the same project because so many millions of people I'm billions of people know exactly what we're talking about.

01:37:23: Yeah,

01:37:24: that's

01:37:25: why it's all

01:37:26: perfect.

01:37:27: so here We get to connect a couple of them through this project.

01:37:29: maybe who knows?

01:37:32: Stay tuned let's

01:37:33: grow together.

01:37:34: Yeah Eric Thank you for this conversation.

01:37:39: thank you for opening up For your honesty, for bringing laughter and your heart into this room.

01:37:46: Apologize a couple times?

01:37:48: No worries!

01:37:50: And forgiving us... Your view about the culture of differences in Canada and Quebec ...and Putin.

01:38:04: I'm hungry!

01:38:06: And squiggy cheese Exactly.

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