Markie

I thought I knew some English. Now after reading this column, I think I'll need to learn a lot more to understand "Aussie-English". I'd better take some time off studying Japanese and learn some "proper" Aussie-English since I would like to go there some time in the future to catch some snow during our Summer months. One more question? Do the Kiwis speak Aussie or is it similar or another language altogether?

Yes, Ocean 11, I see your point. Just like us in Hong Kong, we like to distinguish ourselves from the mainlanders and also sometimes identify with them "when it suits our needs". I just thought it might be a useful hint to those who have friends or acquaintances who are Canadians that it who be wise not to refer to them as "from America". On the same note, I have some Scottish and Welsh friend and they get pretty annoyed when people here introduce them as being from England.

I tend to disagree with Ocean 11 on this one. My impression is that when people, especially the Canadians, refer the "America", they really mean the U.S.A. only (including Alaska) but NOT Canada. Only when "North" America is mentioned is it implied that both Canada and the U.S. are included. I imagine that even the "easy-going" Canadians will take a little offense when you say they try to "sneak" into being included in the term America. I actually believe the reverse is true. They prefer NOT to be included in any reference to America but will accept (with a little resignation) being included