Comments

All:

London Drugs deserves this. If you ever have the chance to go into one, it will blow your socks off. There is literally no comparison to it in the US.

It is a Pharmacy/Food/Cosmetics/Technology/Music/Media/Photography outlet rolled into one.

I miss them living here in the US.

smp

Posted by Stephen Pierzchala at March 1, 2005 3:34 PM

Cirque du Soleil doesn't do it for me. Instead of being entertained, I'm just freaked out by it. Must be something in my childhood that I don't remember--something about clowns. Cirque du Soleil reminds me of Bradbury's "Something Wicked This Way Comes." Still, something can be excellent and still not appeal to me.

Posted by Mike Gardner at March 1, 2005 6:31 PM

Ahh !! of course tom, canauk's kick butt--always !! :)-

Posted by /pd at March 1, 2005 7:09 PM

At least spell it right - Canucks - they kick mouseburger backsides if lucky.

Posted by Sean at March 1, 2005 7:39 PM

I am a proud Canadian now living in Anguilla in the British West Indies - I believe Americans own great service and that Canada was positively influenced by being next door. Now, I will say that Canadians do the "Avis Thing" - we "TRY HARDER" because we assume our Southern neighbour is pretty darn good and it will take a lot to catch up. Then the Americans take a siesta and before you know it, Canada has squeaked by (Four Seasons is a good example). So, hats off to Americans for setting a high imaginary standard and hats off to Candians when they innocently surpass it.

Posted by Gerry Riskin at March 2, 2005 1:10 AM

Let's not forget Canadian beer, comedy, Corel, hockey, and Rush.

GS

Posted by Gabriel Salcido at March 2, 2005 2:59 AM

I love Canada but one thing that really destroys the brand for me is every time I leave Vancouver airport - paying airport tax. For goodness sakes bolt it onto the landing fees so I don't notice it then I will leave that wonderful country with a smile on my face

Posted by PaulH at March 2, 2005 9:13 AM

I just love the LCBOs!!! They're definitely a refreshing change to the skanky ABC stores in NC.

The Ca'naijans are not ashamed to drink, plus, they publish free quarterly mags on pairing food with alcoholic beverages. Exquisite!

Posted by EC Stewart at March 2, 2005 11:10 AM

Yep, it's the water! Everyone always talks about Canadians being "nice", but there is also something engaging about their general business practices (at least on the consumer and professional services side). EC is right that the LCBO stores are a far cry from what we tend to see here in the states (It seems that here in the south we are ashamed of our liquor stores - in Canada they celebrate them). I've also had great business relationships with both corporate offices and ad agencies there.

Posted by Andrew Hayden at March 2, 2005 11:58 AM

Ah yes, but what about Air Canada, quite possibly the worst managed brand in North America? Then again, there's Tim Hortons' - quite possibly one of the best managed brands in North America.

I guess it all balances out.

Posted by Gabriel Draven at March 2, 2005 2:00 PM

Paul H will be glad to know that from now on, he can leave Vancouver with a smile on his face; the airport improvement fee has been "bolted into" the landing fees, so he won't notice it. and besides, he's spending a lot less "Canadian loonies" for that airline ticket. I have been a customer of London Drugs for many years and I guess I just take them for granted. Much like the sailing, skiing, and golf in early March.

Posted by ej at March 4, 2005 9:33 PM

Tom's recent rant against Walgreen's in favor of London drugs got me to respond. Please, Tom, don't be like the little people out there and throw out the baby with the bath water. My local Walgreen's is always very clean and tidy, the staff are always helpful and courteous, and the selection is good. To top it off, it has the cheapest prescription prices around. Do you think you sometimes are a little prejudice against anything Jim Collins is in favor of? Why the big "disagree-with-Collins-at-any-cost" feud, anyway. Does he owe you money or something?

Posted by Mike at March 6, 2005 12:54 PM

I think you are right on it regarding Cirque du Soleil. I am from Montreal. Cirque du Soleil is the result of the awakening of the Quebecer after the quiet revolution in the 60's, in a time were Quebecer had the same level of education than black american. They would go to a shopping center downtown Montreal (the 2nd largest city in the world after Paris) and couln't be served in French ('speak white' they would say). Thanks to an extraordinary Prime minister, René Lévesque, who supported a small bunch of friends that were nothing more than a gaggle of fire-breathing, stilt-walking street-theatre performers looking to make their dream come true: create their own circus. Cirque du Soleil has grown exponentially since it’s founding. Today, it's a $500 million entertainment empire with nine different tours and five resident shows in Las Vegas. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in 2004. This is the proof that creativity, inventiveness comes out from challenges and adversity.

Posted by Serge Labelle at March 8, 2005 11:50 PM

I made a mistake: Montreal (2nd largest FRENCH SPEAKING city in the world after Paris)

Posted by Serge Labelle at March 11, 2005 2:42 PM