I'm actually a big fan of Canada...
Before my first visit there, Canada was synonymous with poutine and people using the phrase, "ay". I did see a lot of poutine, and the "ay" thing seemed mostly true. But now, when someone says "Canada", I think of the kindness of the people. As we attempted to navigate the street car and bus system, and father and son noticed our confused faces, and stopped to explain how it works and how to avoid paying extra for transfers. As New Yorkers, that was a culture shock. Also, "the machine" in restaurants is something I still think about, but that's another story.
What comes to your mind when someone mentions Canada? Redditor u/DShillington was curious, and so asked non-Canadians to answer... "What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think 'Canada'?"
20. Canada in the 80s
Back in the day (80s and stuff) we used to go across the St. Clair River/Lake St. Clair to go to Canada.
The thing that sticks out in my mind is the friendliest border guards/coast guard guys in the world. It was like 'hey, so why are you traveling to Canada today?' Oh, we're just gonna go pick some strawberries at that farm...you know the one. 'Oh, cool! Well have a nice time, and don't forget to bring some back for us!'
Once out on the lake, we got 'busted' by Canadians for having open alcohol on the boat. 'You guys know that's against the law over here, right?' (My brother puts his beer out of their line of sight) 'Okay, you guys have a nice day!'"
19. Canadian television
"The Red Green Show. I will always imagine that show portrays the ideal Canadian life."
17. Even Australians know all about Canada
I'm Australian, this is what I think of when I think Canada: Friendliness and politeness, the Canadian flag, maple trees/leaves/syrup, mountains, cold weather, poutine, speaking French, hockey.
16. WWII history
"To me probably heroism and loyalty Canada played a very major role in liberating my country from German occupation in WW2, and every year during the 5th and 6th of May we commemorate your bravery and sacrifice! So yeah, thank you Canada!"
15. Great comedians
"Phil Hartman, Jim Carrey, Mike Myers, Dan Aykroyd, Will Arnett, Tommy Chong, John Candy... So funny dudes. Yeah, I know, I'm old."
14. All of their Canadian friends
"I have a lot of friends in Canada, so I think of them. :)"
12. Some... darker facts
"The fact that my ancestors were ejected from Canada by the British!
I wish people who could prove Acadian ancestry (Cajuns) could get a track to citizenship there; I fantasized about moving to Montreal as a teen."
10. Taking advantage of the drinking age
"I live about 45 minutes from Canada in Michigan.
Hockey, poutine, and 19 year old drinking age for me."
9. Freaky geese
"the color green for some reason and the leaf thing. Also murderous geese who will someday develop teeth and destroy mankind"
7. Contrasting environments
"First I picture the beautiful flag. The simplicity and elegance which makes for a perfect flag.
Then I picture the map. A huge county covered in unique and interesting nature.
Then I picture the mounties. Dressed in their sophisticated red uniforms, gracefully riding their horses.
Then I picture downtown Vancouver where I saw a hobo taking a piss in his hat."
6. Sneaky shoppers
"I once saw something on Reddit, not sure if it was a post or a comment, but it was someone describing how a Canadian will reach past someone at a grocery store to grab something and they'll pretty much always say this when they do:
'Just gonna SNEAK right past ya there.'
This may not be exactly right but it's still what I think about everytime Canadians are mentioned in any medium."
3. Overwhelming politeness
"Idk why but I start imagining 2 people standing at the door telling each other, 'its okay, you go in first'."
2. Boreal Forests
"The woods! Even though they're not talked about much, Canada's extensive Boreal Forests are super cool to me"
1. The classics
"Maple syrup and the Canadian flag. Honestly that's what I just thought of. But also, I think of trees, airplanes, and Saskatchewan."
Do you have something to confess to George? Text "Secrets" or "
" to +1 (310) 299-9390 to talk to him about it.
Redditor Deviant55 wanted to talk about physical intimacy in relationships, so they asked:
"How important is sex to you in a relationship? Could you be with someone you love even if sex was off the table indefinitely?"
I learned how much sex matters in my last relationship.
Once I wasn't interested, it kind of killed everything.
Forever
GIF by moodmanGiphy"When my wife of 30+ years became too ill for sex to be even remotely interesting for her, I certainly did not end the relationship. I loved her and I took care of her until she died. No other course even occurred to me."
fvillion
Frustration
"When I met my wife we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. This lasted a few years. I was in my mid-twenties when we married. She developed a chronic medical issue. I’ve gone twenty years being sexually frustrated. There are stages and phases to this."
"What I came to realize is that I love my wife. Yes, sex is important in our relationship. But I would rather have her in my life with no sex than have sex without her."
"The thing is, I love her. She can’t help her situation. I can’t help it. One deals with it. Marriage is more than sex. It is building a life and memories, raising a family, and loving each other regardless of the challenges life throws our way. But sex is very important. It helps keep the closeness and the emotional bond. But it isn’t the only thing that does that."
QuietusNoctis
I Love Her
"It is complicated. I am in a near-sexless marriage. The wife needs antidepressants to function. And it kills her libido. So usually it is four to six times a year. My libido rages. And yeah, it sucks. I dream of more sex."
"But I love the chick. She loves me to the moon and back. I’m not willing to sacrifice her love so I can try dating again. Divorce rates these days? And I found a woman who more than tolerates me, she loves me. I’ll stay. And not to be crude but yeah I masturbate. A lot. She doesn’t begrudge me that. Occasionally she even encourages it."
"She went off her meds for a while. And man did we do it. But she was a mess. I need her healthy more than I need a shag. We travel together. We enjoy each other’s company. We actually like each other. I could claim that it is hell, but I choose to see all of the good I am blessed with."
painthawg_goose
Heartless
"Quite important. But I think it depends on where you are in the relationship. I've been married for 10 years. I have kids. If my wife suddenly couldn't have sex with me for some reason -- illness or injury or something -- I'm not divorcing her over it. That's heartless."
"Now, if she just decided we weren't ever having sex again because she didn't feel like it, that'd be different. Or if I was just starting to date someone and they told me they'd never have sex, I probably just wouldn't keep pursuing the relationship. Plenty of people out there who will."
Arkhangelzk
Necessity
"It depends on the circumstances. I LOVE doing it with my man but I love his heart and soul more. If we had to stop having sex for medical reasons or something I’d definitely stay with him and stay faithful. If I was single, I think it’s unlikely I’d start a new relationship knowing it would be sex free."
Fit_Technology8240
Heart and soul is just as necessary and hot and sweaty.
At least a lot of people recognize that.
Percentages
Giphy"Sex life is 10% of a relationship when it’s good and 90% of a relationship when it’s bad."
jakovichontwitch
"The other way I've heard it put is that sex is like the bathroom in your house. It's not the only reason you bought the house, but if it's not working it's a big problem."
molten_dragon
Age Related
"50-year-old here married for 27 years. It’s not important. It was important when we were younger but honestly, if sex wasn’t possible I would still love my wife and really nothing about our day would really change."
Kantforall
"I’ve been reading these comments and wishing that everyone’s age was flared on their post because I sense that there are a lot of under-60-year-olds. I am older than my wife but she is starting menopause and I can see the writing on the wall. Not super thrilled but I love her completely and understand. The real intimacy is in how we still (and will always) want to sleep touching each other and waking up next to each other."
caffeinated-hijinx
Kiss Me
"I honestly considered this before. I absolutely adored this guy. It was like a child relationship; we'd kiss and cuddle and hold hands and things, but he wouldn't have sex with me, nor would he commit properly. Any time we came close to sex, he'd go soft or back off."
"I couldn't understand it, wondered if I could keep doing that. My sex drive was wild. Why kiss and the rest but not sex?"
"Then one day he told me he was in love with me and asked me out properly. I said yes there and then, had a wonderful day with him, but when I went home, I was left questioning if I could possibly live without sex. I decided that yeah, I loved him but it would be tough."
"We had sex the next day. So yes, I think I probably could."
Adventurous_Train_48
Touchy/affectionate...
"It's very important. I'm a very affectionate and physical person and touch/caresses and anything physical is one of my love languages. I couldn't function with someone who is the opposite of me or who's uncomfortable with how I am. I already was in a relationship with someone who wasn't that touchy/affectionate and it created frustration for both of us."
Borboleta77
Don't Look at Me
"I am in a sexless relationship. He has erectile dysfunction and I really don't like sex in general. I'm really uncomfortable naked or even vulnerable. I'm shy around him despite the relationship being 10 years nearly, I'm even shy around my family and friends. Everything about sex makes me feel so embarrassed, and I feel nothing but negative feelings when I used to be sexually active. Not through choice of partner, I just hate that sort of attention."
NucularOrchid
Definitive!
Shake Handshake GIF by OriginalsGiphy"10/10. Sexual incompatibility is a deal breaker!"
oeeiae
Sex is important but not everything.
Until it is everything if it becomes an issue.
Good luck couples. Open and honest communication is key.