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July 18, 2001 :: "I don’t care!"
Leia came up to visit me this week. It was her first trip to the D [Deeeetroit]. Being as Detroit is so close to Canada, I told her we had to go to Windsor. We had a smooth drive, perfect weather and minimal traffic.
If you’ve ever gone to Canada, you’ll know that they are pretty used to Americans crossing to hit the bars. Consequently, the customs officials are pretty lax. It generally goes something like this:
Customs: “State your citizenship.”All well and good. However I had inadvertantly picked the wrong lane. There is a lane which is only for Canadians who work in Detroit. They have special swipe passes. Our conversation:
Me: “U.S.”
Customs: “Purpose of visit...”
Me: “Going to the bars.”
Customs: “How long ya gonna be there?”
Me: “Just a few hours.”
Customs: “Move along eh.”
Customs: “This is the working pass lane, but I don’t care.”We punched the gas and sped out of the apathetic customs official’s lane. We were about 20 feet away when we heard one more cry of “I DON’T CARE! YOU HEAR ME? I DON’T CARE.”
Me: “Oh I’m sorry I can-”
Customs: “I don’t care.”
Me: “We’re from the U.S.”
Customs: “I don’t care.”
Me: “Is there a place with a tour-”
Customs: “I ... DON’T ... CARE!”
He said. She said. There’s 11 Comments
The last time I tried to go to Canada, or should I say, my relatives tried to smuggle me into Canada without a canadian visa, the conversation I had with the immigration officer was a lot less apathetic and more threatening than that. Be thankful. Why can't we all have apathetic canadian officers?
By Shiloah :: July 19, 2001 08:08 AM EST
I know I was really surprised and almost apalled at his apathy. He never even looked up at us to see if we appeared suspicious. That magazine must have been really interesting.
By Davezilla :: July 19, 2001 08:19 AM EST
I've been through those customs gates in Detroit and other customs gates in North Dakota. That one going into Windsor is pretty lax, but other's are much worse. It is pretty funny that the often customs people are apathetic going into Canada, but when you come back from Canada, you feel like your being interrogated.
By Jon :: July 19, 2001 08:29 AM EST
that's because they're american. as a canadian with a visa, i break out into a cold sweat everytime i cross the border. toronto ins have always been the friendliest. montreal comes second and ottawa? mean, mean, mean. i'm thinking of starting a project where i try all ins border crossings. i've heard that the peace bridge in niagara falls is really bad. must be those sneaky honeymooners!
By heather :: July 19, 2001 11:59 AM EST
ah canada. i was lookin' at some property up there back in the 60's. my grades weren't too good and i afraid i'd have to go over to 'nam. daddy "took care of things" at yale for me though, so i was spared. was a good thing too 'cause i don't really care for that i-talian food.
By "w" :: July 19, 2001 01:21 PM EST
Your experience sounds a little creepy. Living in Arizona, I've always found crossing the border into Mexico (in some border towns) quite amusing as well. To leave Mexico going to the US, they ask if you have any fruit, alcohol, drugs, guns, etc. They also wand you with a metal detector and check your bags. What's the procedure to enter Mexico....just walk thru the turnstile.
By Brad :: July 19, 2001 01:23 PM EST
No W. Canada is where they make the ginger ale.
By Davezilla :: July 19, 2001 01:27 PM EST
When you say bars ... can I assume that you didn't go to the ballet?
By Mike :: July 19, 2001 06:49 PM EST
Canada [well at least Windsor] is known for its bars. The drinking age is only 19 [not that I need worry about that. ahem] and the beer has 9% alcohol.
By Davezilla :: July 19, 2001 07:37 PM EST
Lest we forget that Canada has the world's largest unprotected border. Why don't the INS crack down on our Great Northern brothers?
By ed :: July 19, 2001 08:27 PM EST
The Windsor Ballet == Jasons
By Mike :: July 19, 2001 08:40 PM EST
