If countries were people at a party, Canada would be a delightful, pretty girl in the corner, who smiles and politely says hello, but is so afraid to express an opinion or offend that shows no personality at all. She doesn’t swear. You make a sarcastic joke and she takes it literally, and you decide that’s a perfect time to walk away. If you’d left after five minutes you’d only remember her beauty, but the rest of the conversation has clouded that.
Her older brother USA is in the next room loudly telling stories and grabbing everyone’s attention. Perhaps he’s the reason Canada is afraid to rock the boat. You stand there listening. Some things he says are hilarious, some fascinating, some brilliant – all very charismatic. But every now and then he says something clearly not true. Nobody challenges him on it because he’s far too confident in himself – and you’re pretty sure he just grabbed someone else’s drink right out of their hand and nobody said anything. You hope that he can be reasoned with, because of the side of him which is good. He has a lot to offer if he loses the attitude.
I miss Australia.