Border Agents

So I was in the US again very briefly this afternoon.

I picked up some of my furniture in Minot, after finding someone able to bring it that far. And so I had yet another round of interesting experiences with the border services agents on both sides of the border.

I must admit....with the exception of getting my work permit (and I think that was just a fluke--one bad apple) Canadian Border Services (both Immigration and Customs) have been much better and easier than their US counterparts.

Today was a great example. When I arrived at the US border, I gave the agent my passport (still an American one, I should mention), explained my reason for crossing, was asked all the standard questions about alcohol, tobacco, firearms/weapons, fruits, vegetables, meat products, visits to farms....etc. And then was asked for my Canadian documents stating I could bring goods into Canada, my rental paperwork on the U-Haul, my driver's licence and insurance. I was then told to park the van and come inside.

I was escorted into the office, made to give up my purse, had my purse searched, had to empty out my pockets, had the empty (except for a coffee cup, tee shirt, hoodie and wrist braces) van searched and had to explain why I was getting my things, why I wanted to live in Canada (all the while having this kind of snotty look being given to me like "You are a traitor for not wanting to stay in the US). Finally I was allowed to go sit in a waiting room. It was only for about 15 minutes, but I'd already been there about 15-20 minutes, so it took about 30-40 minutes to cross the border. :(

When returning to Canada about 3 hrs later (the drive from the border to Minot is about 1 hr each way and it took about 40 minutes to transfer stuff, use the bathroom and grab a quick bite to eat) I was first stopped by....US BORDER PATROL!!!!!

Thank God one of the agents that stopped me had been one of the agents that I spoke with before, or I may have had to go inside again. They still looked thru the van, asked more questions about my stay in the US and who I had met. Then I went to the Canadian Border Patrol.

Wow! What a difference. Greeted in two languages (Hello/ Bonjour), Gave my passport and customs documents. Asked which items I was bringing this time. He highlighted the items, stamped the form, looked ever so briefly at my work permit, told me to have a good day, and drive safely. Handed my paperwork back and I was on my way in about 3 minutes flat. I never left the van, the van was not searched. (or if it was...it was done so quickly and quietly I never noticed. There was a dog walking past the vehicles in the back, so maybe the handler took a quick peek while he was walking past.)

So to the US Border patrol....I know you are only doing your job. But really, how scary do I look? I mean...I was wearing an Eeyore sweatshirt, jeans and had my hair in a pony tail. I have a US passport and was born in the US. You have to go back to my great grandparents generation to have any foreign born citizens...and they're from Hungary. Before that...well, lets just say at least one branch goes back to early colonial times. (and oddly enough....one branch of that family went to Canada during the Revolution) The other parts...probably go back quite a ways, but no one's ever bothered to look. I grew up Baptist and am now Catholic. I'm so pale, I burn in about 10 minutes flat on a sunny day. The chances of me being a problem for either country? About a million to one. And they must know that...I've crossed the border enough I'm sure I'm in their system. :( But all three times I've made this crossing since getting my work permit...I've gotten that same kind of attitude and hassle.

And all three times...Canada has welcomed me home with open arms, trust, speed and efficiency.

Of course...it maybe a difference in how Canada feels about the world and the world feels about Canada. I was listening to a CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Company) radio show called LOL (Laugh Out Loud) on my way home. And the comedian made the comment...that when foreigners say mean things to Canadians...Canadians tend to respond with "Oh, yeah, well, OK eh?" and go on. Which got me thinking...about culture, climate, and how people interact. More on this another time. :)