Comments on: To Err Is Human: My Olympic Media Experience, by Annick Labadie

By: Matt C

Matt C — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 17:13:32 +0000

I’m sure you’re fully aware that the Mail is deservedly regarded as a worthless rag by most intelligent people. The Telegraph isn’t much better. But then, you live here, so you probably already knew this well before they pricked your national pride with this (unecessary and undeserved, I agree) criticism of the Vancouver games. I find the best approach is to not read either of them (or the Express, Sun, Star, etc…), ever.

By: Breanne Watson

Breanne Watson — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:50:35 +0000

Another great post. I too can relate to staying up late/getting up ridiculously early to watch events live online and spending countless hours scouring the internet for articles on how Vancouver was handling the games. It’s funny the emotions one goes through when away from home – especially when watching the Olympics being hosted in your home country. From cursing at my laptop, to screaming with joy while alone in my apartment – I had no shame as I dabbed away my tears after another Canadian (gold) medal. I suppose a lot of this also had to do with the fact that I’m from Vancouver, live 15 minutes from downtown and 5 minutes from the Richmond Olympic Oval where I worked this past summer. However, instead of partying in BC, I was here in Europe trying to make a living…

Hey Rick Reilly – how many golds do you have?
Breanne

By: EddieCarlNealy

EddieCarlNealy — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 09:10:51 +0000

Funny, I almost mentioned South Park as an example of Canada-kidding that actually works. Great minds…

By: Annick

Annick — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 19:02:02 +0000

Eddie – “neither creative nor funny” is right on. Canadians are indeed self deprecating. And Reilly’s article rubbed me the wrong way because it showed zero understanding of this reality, while focusing instead on stuff that yeah, we Canadians have never even heard before. Or, on stuff we’re tired of hearing about (mounties – beavers – politeness. come on, use your brain or something). South Park comes up with funny stuff sometimes. Some skits on Canada are hilarious. But they’re original, and reveal something authentic about or quirks, weaknesses, whatever. What makes south park works too is that they’re as aware of their own shortcomings. Which is also while reilly’s column didn’t work. Thanks for the comment.

By: EddieCarlNealy

EddieCarlNealy — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:03:41 +0000

I’m Canadian, and what irked me about Reilly’s column was not that he made some jokes at our country’s expense (or that some of his examples of ‘Canadian vocabulary’ were completely foreign to me), but that his jokes were neither creative nor funny. I get that he has an angle to work, but get some better and original material, you know? I don’t think Canadians in general are afraid to poke fun at themselves, but we have the right to criticise a piss-poor attempt at humour.

By: Annick

Annick — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 22:29:18 +0000

Remzi – Thank you, and great story you just shared.

Paul – Hmm. I think you forgot about Norway. Norway is my #1 country pick. Anyway, thanks.

Matt – Some traits are universal. Took me a while to compute this, but i agree somewhat. There might be a question of cause and consequence here. In any case, I know some people over here who claim that they “never felt so American” until facing foreigners who just hated them by default.

By: M Shirley

M Shirley — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:49:46 +0000

What I’ve learned in my travels is this: there are morons everywhere. But it takes them attacking your country from their country to realize that they are just like the people who attack their country from your country. (That is, if Canadians put down other countries. Seems more of an American thing to do.)

By: pshirley

pshirley — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 20:20:26 +0000

If it’s any consolation, I think Canadians are the best the world has to offer. Well, except for Australians. And Slovenes. And maybe the Swiss. But fourth isn’t bad.

Nice work.

By: Remzi

Remzi — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 17:19:28 +0000

well-said..or written. Spending some time in Sarajevo the week of the Vancouver games’ opening reminded me of the effects such a big venture can have on national pride – 16 years after hosting the 1984 Olympic Winter Games, Bosnians continue to tell each other that theirs is not the besieged city of Sarajevo the world got to know, but the Sarajevo that once boasted amazing alpine skiing hills, unprecedented hospitality, beautiful landscapes and competitive athletes..That is now a memory, but the sign at the entrance to the city continues to say “Welcome to the Olympic City of Sarajevo.”