brinshannara (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
brinshannara) wrote2005-05-29 12:51 am
brinshannara) wrote2005-05-29 12:51 am
It's funny, 'cause it's true.
I spent the evening in the presence of several Americans, some Canadians and a Swedish guy.
At one point, the Americans made a comment about being superior, and I said "Look, don't make me bring up the War of 1812."
"It was a tie!" one of them called out.
"A tie? How can it be a tie if we STOPPED your invasion AND burnt your White House to the ground?"
"Well, technically, we won," he said, "because we burned down both Toronto AND Montreal."
"Pfft," I said, unimpressed. "We have them both today."
"How can you say you won when you wound up with Toronto?"
I paused and then cracked up. I have been arguing the War of 1812 with Americans for the better part of 10 years, now, and never before have I ever admitted to us losing that war. But then, no American had ever pointed out that we were stuck with Toronto after the war ended. I am now convinced.
At one point, the Americans made a comment about being superior, and I said "Look, don't make me bring up the War of 1812."
"It was a tie!" one of them called out.
"A tie? How can it be a tie if we STOPPED your invasion AND burnt your White House to the ground?"
"Well, technically, we won," he said, "because we burned down both Toronto AND Montreal."
"Pfft," I said, unimpressed. "We have them both today."
"How can you say you won when you wound up with Toronto?"
I paused and then cracked up. I have been arguing the War of 1812 with Americans for the better part of 10 years, now, and never before have I ever admitted to us losing that war. But then, no American had ever pointed out that we were stuck with Toronto after the war ended. I am now convinced.