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Seeing the similarities in Canada's different cultures by Chelsea Liu Grade 11, Abbey Park H.S. 13 | Friday, May 10, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com W hen someone asks about your "culture," the first thing that comes to mind might be the history of where you came from, or it might be the traditions and customs of your family. But what makes one culture different from another? Why do the greetings between people change from culture to culture -- and what does that say about those people? Canada's more than 32 million inhabitants reflect perhaps one of the most culturally diverse places on Earth. In Canada alone, we see a wide range of cultures with distinct customs and traditions. Some cultures are generally more reserved, while others show a greater degree of openness reflected in the way people greet each other. These differences may not seem significant at first, but the way they are perceived -- especially by the older generation -- still shows traces of the inevitable prejudice that comes with unfamiliarity. I think our generation faces a unique situation because we have all been stuck -- without warning -- into the midst of a conglomerate of cultures. We have learned much more about an individual's traditions and their sometimes-surprising quirks than our parents' generation has, which has not only helped make us open-minded but also knowledgeable to the different shades of the world. The most important thing I've learned since coming to Canada is people are more alike than different. Although their reasons behind coming to our nation can differ greatly, there is common ground to be found with anyone from any culture. Now, we must bridge this gap with the older generations, where misconceptions of how people from different cultures behave and what they could accomplish are more prevalent. I think today, there is a generational gap not only in terms of the new technologies that are being invented at breakneck speed but also in the great diversity of cultures with which we have made acquaintance and the task with which we are now faced to reconcile our parents and grandparents to this idea that we are ultimately more alike than different. And that is the beauty of living in Canada -- that we can see, all around us, the multitude of cultures that reflect the light from different corners of the world, and yet understand that everyone is made of essentially the same building blocks. If you are a teacher or student interested in participating in an upcoming Kids Speak Out - School News column featured in the Beaver, please e-mail Tom Dykes at ellergreen58@ gmail.com. The Regional Municipality of Halton Access Halton at: www.halton.ca Dial 311 NOTICE OF CONSTRUCTION Intersection Improvements at Upper Middle Road (Reg. Rd. 38) and Dorval Drive (Reg. Rd. 17) Town of Oakville Water Depot has As an Added Bonus, Water Water Dispensing units Depot Oakville will throw ranging from in $50 of our finest R/O $139.00 to $399.00 Water! Oakville Water Depot 2251 Westoak Trail Blvd. | 905-257-9257 Mother's Day Sunday, May 12, 2013 Caesar Salad or Mixed Spring Greens with a Balsamic Vinaigrette Dressing or Vegetable, Split Pea Soup with Prosciutto or Velvet Shrimp & Lobster Bisque Laced with Cognac Roasted Black Angus Sirloin with a Three Peppercorn Cognac Sauce or Breast of Chicken with a Marsala Wine Infusion or Marinated Roasted Lamb Leg with a Garlic Barolo Wine Sauce or Fresh Atlantic Salmon with Shrimp and Scallops in a Cream Dill Pernod Sauce or Penne with Roasted Bacon and Chicken in a Vodka Tomato Cream Sauce or Angel Hair Pasta with Lobster in a Velvet Tomato Cream Sauce Fresh Fruit Cocktail with French Vanilla Ice Cream and Wildberry Coulis Contract Number: Scheduled Start Date: Scheduled Completion Date: Project Manager: R-2789 May 2013 June 2013 Raymond Lau 906-825-6000 x 3243 100513 Please contact us, as soon as possible, if you have any accessibility needs at Halton Region events or meetings. 1715 Lakeshore Road West, Mississauga 905-822-5751 · www.michaelsbackdoor.com $39.95 Lunch $ 34.95Sunday, DinnerMay 12, 2013 Mother's Day