Do ya think I'm sexy? Oh. Then how about dinner?
On June 23, The Globe and Mail published the results of a recent Ipsos/Reed study on how 24 other countries view Canadians.
In response to the statement, "Canadians are sexy", a scant 39% of the French agreed.
But in response to the statement, "Canadians are someone I'd invite into my home for a meal", whoa! 94% of the French are willing to tie the feed bag on a Canadian.
Does this mean we're desirable to bring home for dinner because we're not very sexy? "Oh, don't worry dear, he's just a Canadian", says the French wife as Ryan Reynolds tucks into her blanquette de veau.
The French are at the top of the list of 24 countries for those who find us polite: 95%! Do they figure they can watch us do the dishes?
Whom do the French think is sexy? Study doesn't say, but I suspect it's the Argentinians, all flowy hair, tangas and polo ponies, but we paid for this poll, let them buy their own worship.
71% of Indians think we're sexy–the highest rating we got–which will not surprise if you've ever been "Eve-baited" in Mumbai. But only 32% of Swedes think so, which is probably because they are busy ogling the world's hottest people, i.e., other Swedes.
Way more Americans than French find us sexy, 50%, but this is low because most Americans can't tell the difference between Canadians and Americans, especially late at night in a bar. And we are too polite (87% of Americans think so) to correct them.
In the cellar for the ratings–sexy (32%), polite (57%) and would welcome for a meal (56%)–are the Japanese. Go figure, when every third restaurant here is a sushi bar. It's alarming that they find us unappealing, and let's face it, they are so polite themselves that their real rating is likely far lower. "Canadian" is probably Japanese slang for "not if she was the last woman on the planet."
Meanwhile, given that the average rating for sexy is only a pallid 53 percent, we have some work to do. Boycott Tilley hats and show the world a little somethin'.
Foreign affairs indeed.
In response to the statement, "Canadians are sexy", a scant 39% of the French agreed.
But in response to the statement, "Canadians are someone I'd invite into my home for a meal", whoa! 94% of the French are willing to tie the feed bag on a Canadian.
Does this mean we're desirable to bring home for dinner because we're not very sexy? "Oh, don't worry dear, he's just a Canadian", says the French wife as Ryan Reynolds tucks into her blanquette de veau.The French are at the top of the list of 24 countries for those who find us polite: 95%! Do they figure they can watch us do the dishes?
Whom do the French think is sexy? Study doesn't say, but I suspect it's the Argentinians, all flowy hair, tangas and polo ponies, but we paid for this poll, let them buy their own worship.
71% of Indians think we're sexy–the highest rating we got–which will not surprise if you've ever been "Eve-baited" in Mumbai. But only 32% of Swedes think so, which is probably because they are busy ogling the world's hottest people, i.e., other Swedes. Way more Americans than French find us sexy, 50%, but this is low because most Americans can't tell the difference between Canadians and Americans, especially late at night in a bar. And we are too polite (87% of Americans think so) to correct them.
In the cellar for the ratings–sexy (32%), polite (57%) and would welcome for a meal (56%)–are the Japanese. Go figure, when every third restaurant here is a sushi bar. It's alarming that they find us unappealing, and let's face it, they are so polite themselves that their real rating is likely far lower. "Canadian" is probably Japanese slang for "not if she was the last woman on the planet."
Meanwhile, given that the average rating for sexy is only a pallid 53 percent, we have some work to do. Boycott Tilley hats and show the world a little somethin'.Foreign affairs indeed.
Comments
Today is St-Jean-Baptiste, La Fête nationale du Québec. Everything closed. Big celebrations I avoid, and small neighbourhood ones that can be fun. Actually, French people have a lot of contact with French-speaking Canadians such as Québécois and Acadians, as there is a lot of travel back and forth and many exchange programmes. They may not think we are sexy, but they often marry us, go figure.
Yes, I've met many hot Argies, including fellows of an age more suitable for this blog than the lad in the pic. Yummy, though I fear that even the most progressive of them in terms of voicing support for women's rights could revert to macho ways.
And now for the real issue, Duchesse: what kind of summer hats do you advocate in lieu of those ghastly Tilleys? Very important to propose solutions for MEN as well as women.
Tilleys have one great advantage: they fit almost every head. I have a large head and still have a lot of hair, though obviously less than I had when 20. Most sunhats I see in shops and department stores simply don't fit me - they sit atop my head like those bowlers Indigenous Andean women wear as part of their costume.
They have become part of postmen's/postwomen's summer uniform here - I think they look fine as a uniform, functional and all, but a passion-killer on otherwise fit and attractive Canadians of a certain age.
Men? What is more dashing than a fine straw Panama or fedora- or any other "real hat" shape? I see even young men in them, and they are so much cooler than ball caps. Le Duc has these, and one fine Panama from a yard sale that fits me, too. (Tilleys seem to be affected by well into middle aged men, the kind who wear socks with sandals.)
Happy St-Jean-Baptiste!
I live near the major "confinement area", the film studio district enclosed by a storm fence. G20 security is disconcerting but stranger was the earthquake yesterday, which rattled the house for 7 seconds.
Perhaps the modest percentages of those who appreciate Canadians indicate how modest are the numbers of those who are worthy of them. :)
(FYI: I'm American)
As for being sexy: pffft! A strutting Spaniard or buff Brazilian might be fun for an ogle, but day-in-day-out sex appeal stems from qualities like kindness and humour... which Canadians possess in spades.
Apparently the respondents to the survey do not know us well or long enough to sense our superb appeal.
Speaking of hats and the G20, I work next to the secure zone, and I would love to get one of those sexy baseball caps all the police are wearing. Do you suppose they sell them or would I have to steal one? (The riot helmets are not so cute.)
I'm quite fond of my Canadian family and friends - there can be a streak of, I don't know, boorishness and close-mindedness in some Americans that I don't find in our neighbors to the North (though perhaps I've missed the bad ones).
I am also a long-time Tilley hat owner and user - but only for hikes in state and national parks, at alumni camp, etc. They are dorky but so useful (and can be washed!). I was recently elated to find one for $3 - apparently brand new and very crisp - at an estate sale, and think that it and my current old, soft and battered one should do me for the rest of my life.
Artful: "Apparently brand new and very crisp- at an estate sale" says it all, doesn't it?
Since my paternal Grandmother was a designer for one of Southern California's poshest milliners, I have an opinion on hats, of course.
For keeping the sun off (a serious matter when you're fair and have a family history of skin cancer, like me), I much prefer a Tula hat -- they have a really high SPF, are quite attractive, and many styles come in sizes. Oh, and they retail for about $30 US.
As for Canadians, I've had a couple of beaux from the Great North, and I didn't have any quibbles on the sexy or politeness issues. (And they didn't wear Tilleys, either. Though one was a bit too fond of his Eton Old Boy blazer for my taste.)