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I’ve been planning a second series of books since moving from blogging to simply posting in my online notebook. This time, I want to try my hand at geopolitics. The scary realization I’ve been reluctant to admit publicly is that when I get to the heart of most social and political affinities, I’ve always found that sex, resources, or both are the primary motivators behind any determination. That happened when I saw these YouTube videos about immigrants leaving Canada. You see them sitting in cozy apartments, complaining about how difficult their life has become, in a YouTube video they recorded in 4K.
Anywho, let me explain my perspective…
I realized I was in an echo chamber about fifty videos and at least twenty articles later. Most of which gave the same reasons. But… international migration is a lifetime undertaking. The greener grass takes time to cultivate. Anywho, let me explain my perspective regarding why many immigrants are seemingly dropping out of Canada. Almost all complained of high taxes, depressing loneliness, freezing weather, skilled professionals whose previous work experience doesn’t matter, piss poor wages, disappointment with the healthcare system, hindrances in their integration process, and the high cost of living.
I must admit some of them were convincing. As someone who lived there and then moved away (with hopes to return someday), this would be a great topic to set my geopolitical timetable for the new book series — Quandaries of a Conquerer. Did I have the same problems while living in Canada? Take a look. I arrived there under different circumstances. I had money saved, a vehicle, a fantastic family/friends, and my home was the United States, next door. Logistically, I was far better off in Canada, closer to the US, than in Europe, one Atlantic away. How do I relate to what the other immigrants are saying?
1] High Taxes: It was annoying that the prices were cost plus tax in my first few years. I couldn’t understand why they didn’t quote one number instead of two. For example, back then, if I wanted to buy a pair of jeans for $60, the seller would charge me for that plus 13% tax, implying that the two amounts were separate. However, coming with US dollars, I found the Canadian price system affordable. Although, the item cost was a little higher than if I had bought it in the United States. I also thought hotels and fuel were too expensive since the price for two liters was what I would pay for a gallon in the US.
Although, the item cost was a little higher…
2] Depressing loneliness: The cost of renting a decent hotel room was insane. Fortunately, I didn’t lack friends. In this department, my problem was the opposite. I fumbled as too many daily commitments prevented me from staying in touch. However, I will admit that I thought Canadians were shy. One must put the first effort into making friends. Once you get that rolling, you have a friend for life. It would be best if you risked a few rejections. I let the rejections bounce off me. In such a cold and distant country from the rest of the world, the last thing you want to be is an introvert. Canadians are friendly people.
Just be sincere, polite, and respectful, and keep talking. When they start replying, you’re in. Date the locals in a serious relationship, and become a trustworthy and reliable friend to the people. Now, in my opinion, culturally speaking, North America is an extension of Europe. I would ask myself why the United States and Canadian authorities go to such lengths to bend over backward for Europe. They ignore Europe’s controversial facets, conduct trillions of dollars in business pacts and reserve many valuable resources and opportunities for people of European descent. That leaves other immigrants without.
3] Icy weather: Nobody disagrees here. The Canadian winter is unforgiving, so everyone must find their way. That is where the loneliness sets in for immigrants. Humility is the be-all and end-all. It’s either that or spending the winter alone. Okay, I get it. Some immigrants are already in a committed relationship when they emigrate. They have a spouse or a family. In that case, it could be tricky when they are also an introvert. Many Canadians are also introverts. That I attribute to the weather; living in a country where about 75% of the year is cold, you will only have a few opportunities to practice your social skills.
We’re looking for a fresh start, so we accept our level in life.
Resources like food, money, or fuel may be too precious to share with strangers. The result of that is the tendency to avoid new friends. People are looking for someone who brings something valuable to the table. There could also be racism or xenophobia when stereotypes serve as warning signs. There is what I deem cultural superiority. My philosophy is the person who came is the one who has the responsibility to prove themselves. You’ve relocated to live the rest of your life. To start building from the grass level, you must understand the national mentality, join the local struggle, and volunteer in your new community.
4] Qualified professionals whose previous work experience doesn’t matter: If one were such a frontrunner where they’re from, why would they move? It’s different from a company that contracted and repatriated the skilled worker into the country, bringing me back to humility. Why would a trailblazer leave their home, lucrative career, loving family, and friends to relocate where their experience is worth less? As fellow travelers, we migrate because the pickings were slim where we’re from. The relationships were mostly dead. We’re looking for a fresh start, so we accept our level in life. I did it that way.
I didn’t move to Canada as an expert who should be on the Canadian gravy train. Canada is a vastly developed country with a low population. They also have qualified professionals. Their locals are also on the lookout for excellent employment opportunities. How can an immigrant expect to move there and quickly rise to the top? A career lasts a lifetime. If you’re moving to a new country hoping to start your life over, you should be lucky if there aren’t any primary language or cultural barriers. I’d say don’t overvalue your self-worth. Whoever you were in your previous country is not who you are after migrating.
Accept your level, respect yourself at that level, and appreciate it.
Granted, Europeans fair better. Before moving to Canada, I was a phlebotomist. When I got there, I reinvented myself and eventually became a writer. Everyone has a list of goals and achievements they wish to attain, but the journey starts with checking our ego. Believing that we deserve more than we can earn only leads to dissatisfaction. Allow the naughty motherfucker to get away with his mouth instead of taking it personally and backing off or talking back. Study the soil, make friends, and use resources from your previous land. Whenever I got stuck, I pulled resources from the United States to Canada.
Sometimes I’d go on vacation to my hometown in New Jersey and shop there. The key for a lower-caste immigrant is to lower one’s expectations and be grateful. Appreciate everything, and be honest with yourself. If you were a peasant back home, don’t come acting like a king. The new people may not know your background but also want resources. Accept your level, respect yourself at that level, and appreciate it. Then change your mentality. I had already done all of these things in Canada and had to re-reinvent myself after moving to Europe. Such is the nature of an immigrant. There is no Eldorado for you.
I also believe that the so-called caste system plays a significant role in how sex and resources like jobs, healthcare, and social status affect immigrants in Canada. The Indians have a better explanation of how this caste system works, but one would be remiss to assume this is not the case in the West. Having said this, we must look at the world and how it works. At first, I said that almost everything boils down to sex and resources. Most people want a great romance that leads to genuine companionship or family.
Most want to ensure we live long, healthy, happy, and comfortable lives. When you have the best resources, making friends and forming partnerships becomes more accessible. Money brings power, and power brings respect. If you don’t inherit it, you need employment or business deals. How did the wealthiest countries become so geopolitically advanced? They plundered, exploited, enslaved, colonized, or went to war and confiscated resources from other countries. This so-called supremacy by race is where elite families of Europe, Arabia, India, or Asia control much of the world’s wealth and resources.
In an increasingly globalized world, one cannot escape their caste status via migrating. People often hope to run through marriage, higher education, or criminal activity, only to find all doors closed. That’s why I said: be happy with what you are and appreciate what you have. Those immigrants who left their country to move to Canada and then decided to leave after a year will migrate under the same caste system to which they belong. Race, gender, religious beliefs, medical condition, poverty, sexual market value, or sexuality could worsen this. As always, my position is one of quiet reflection or debate on the subject.*
