The Gift of the Gab.

"Other people have a nationality. The Irish...have a psychosis"

-Brendan Behan

Bar "Service"

      A friend of mine has a way of defining Canadian nationality to the people we meet in Europe that seems to always confuse the inquirer. Of course it sounds more charming coming from a girl with the remnants of a stereotypically Canadian Cape Breton accent, But her point usually circles 'round to say that most Canadians will label themselves as anything but (Until they make it to Europe sporting patriotism in the form of a backpack patch).   
  I remember the bewilderment on the face of a Yugoslavian (an Italian at first introduction) when he was told that generations didn't matter as long as it set you apart. That in Canada, stating that your father's cousin was born in Germany and came to visit one summer is acceptable evidence for an exotic status. 
  I leave for Ireland in about 14 days, for 3 weeks, which is why I've begun to question my own "exotic status". I was raised in Canada, granted by Irish people with Irish values (whatever those might be), but aside from my pasty skin and hints of accent picked up from my mother, I'm pretty used to the cold and end my exclamatory sentences in eh. Still, I remember my own entitlement to nationality as a grade schooler to feature subtle rejections of Canadian things. I can count the times I've been ice skating on one hand and how many times that included a hockey stick on a fist. In grade 3 I was very intent on never truly singing "O Canada". I would stand silently, Lip-syncing only when I was in the teacher's sights. Never anything boisterous, only little things to convince myself I was special.
  I'm in Limbo. I don't feel Canadian, my 9 year old self made sure of that, but I don't feel Irish either. Especially around those travelling from the island itself. I figure then, it'd be best to be good at being both. At least if I spend time with the family that only knew me by name and diaper in Ireland, then I can feel more comfortable convincing myself of what I would have fought for before hitting puberty. And why not milk the Canadian reputation in Europe? I passed my civics exams after all.