Bringing food into Canada--hope this is the right forum

[Da Nag]

Actually, on a deeper level, if their aggression, intimidation and rude behavior really bothers you to the point you become very upset, the true reason it upsets you is you are being exposed to things you don't like about yourself.

That ain't quite deep enough...it needs to be buried.

Quite frankly, that's hogwash. Many of us share complete disgust with our Customs and Border Patrol, particularly up here on the Olympic Peninsula - and it has nothing to do with being faced with something we "don't like about ourselves." Rather, it's an insane waste of resources, all in the name of "protecting" us from a non-existent threat - at the expense of trampling on our civil liberties, and subjecting us to rude and unnecessary behavior by these power hungry thugs. They've repeatedly shown a lack of common sense and patterns of abuse up here - it's far from a few isolated incidents.

We did just fine up here with the Coast Guard, the 5-6 CBP agents in a small office and the numerous well respected State, County and tribal LEO's that were here for decades prior to the multi-million dollar CBP expansion. Ooooh...somebody save us from the Canadians! Please...

And, as yet another data point of how useless they are - I just came back into the US on my Nordic last week. Called in and cleared on the phone. This was the first time I'd ever called in, on a brand new boat (to me) and I informed them as much. They didn't know me or my boat from anyone - other than what they could glean from their databases, and what this first-time caller was reporting on the phone. The amount of illicit goods I could have brought back in the cargo holds of my boat is staggering...and they didn't even see it necessary to send an agent to greet me. The Customs dock is right down the street from their office, they're at the marina routinely, and they had almost two hours notice that I was about to arrive. And yet Bob and his grandkids are a threat?

None of the above reflects anything about myself I don't like. Rather, it pisses me off that people actually think any of the crap Bob and others have gone through at the hands of these people can in any way be justified.

 

[Aurelia]

We just came through the Blain crossing with the boat for the second time this month and it went smooth. I think a snide or "wrong" answer to a question, even unintentional, can really turn a smooth crossing into something else. I have been pulling loads of kayaks/gear on trailers over the border 2-4 times per year for the last 12 years and have never once been searched beyond the walk around. On the crossing we did Sunday back into the states, the agent actually said "How was the boat trip". I replied that it went well and we caught lots of fish. He said have a safe drive and waved us through not checking a darn thing but our passports.

I wish I had the answer to a smooth crossing for you all but people are involved and that usually makes it complicated. I am a technical instructor and have a good eye for maintaining at least a respectful demeanor toward everyone and I think that goes a long way at the border. It doesn't hurt to offer access for a search before they ask and its usually a little disarming and puts them at ease. "I can open up those kayaks for you really quick" or "some of our gear doesn't smell so fresh but we would be happy to crack open some bags for you". They get the hint that you don't have anything worth hiding. Hard to fake a casual attitude if you are nervous or stressed so try very hard not to be.

Greg

Greg

 

[Sunbeam]

The only reasonable way to handle unreasonable people is to be polite, keep your
cool, follow instructions (to a point; define yours), and realize the behavior you are
witnessing is theirs, not yours. You can't control them and it's not your job, why
try?

I didn't notice anything in Thataway's post indicating that he wasn't polite, didn't keep his cool, or didn't follow instructions. Nor that he tried to control them. I would have been upset by that kind of treatment too, and rightly so in my opinion. I don't treat others that way, so I doubt it would be something I don't like about myself.

Having been through many inspections (quite a few in "less civilized" countries), I've found 99% of them to be respectful and polite -- even if they were thorough (they were just doing their job, as professionals). Likewise I am respectful and polite, and I have a hard time imagining Thataway and his family were anything but.

Chew on this: "You spot it; you got it".

That strikes me as the sort of thing kids say on a playground, and although it certainly may apply in some situations, I have a hard time believing it's germane to this one.

 

[rainger]

Just wondering, what is the procedure when crossing into Canada with more booze than is allowed duty free.

DONT DO IT. Unless you lie (not advised) Canada has a 235% duty on booze. Our alcohol here is extremely taxed. Yes that is the duty. That number is not a misprint.

If you bring any into the country over your allotted amount they will charge you the duty so that you are paying all the Canada taxes.

 

[Foggy]

Actually, on a deeper level, if their aggression, intimidation and rude behavior really bothers you to the point you become very upset, the true reason it upsets you is you are being exposed to things you don't like about yourself.

That ain't quite deep enough...it needs to be buried.

Quite frankly, that's hogwash. SNIP. FOLLOWED BY A LONG RANT.

I rest my case.

Aye.

 

[Da Nag]

I rest my case.

With nary a retort to any of the factual concerns raised.

Mirror. Aye.

 

[Hunkydory]

Bob, I'm also disgusted with the personnel types I've seen encouraged instead of sorted out of the border personnel & other fields of law enforcement who are attracted to these positions of power. It takes very few individuals doing this to have many of us question our respect for the whole bunch. Behavior such as you described & the SWAT style dressing of the regular personnel of many law enforcement agencies going on all over the country is something I've watched intensify over the last couple of decades with personal feelings of unease. I graduated from a law enforcement academy in the early 70's & was on patrol during some unrest & resentment against authority during that period, so know the difficult job good law enforcement has, but this type of behavior diminishing the respect they need from the normal law abiding among us, really makes the good officers job a whole lot harder & rightfully citizens thus treated angry at the individual & institution they represent.

On foggy's comment of self implication. I was going to write balderdash, but I think hogwash will suffice.

Greg, a slightly snide or unintentional off remark is still no excuse for abuse of power & Gestapo like actions. I too have made many border crossings & the very few times I was treated similar to Bob was definitely not due to my own actions, though some of us are more apt then others to bristle at unprofessional behavior by those of whom are supposed to be serving & protecting us.

Jay

 

[Will-C]

So let me get this right. Someone is rude and over bearing and it makes you angry, it's really your problem? Wow what insight. I have to admit, I must be more screwed up than I thought.
D.D.

 

[Aurelia]

Jay,

It is not an excuse, just a likely reason in some circumstances. I have spent plenty of my time smoothing out friction between people who want to get along but simply rub eachother the wrong way. I have a coworker who claims he is always hassled at the border and lets just say that non of his coworkers find that surprising. The kind of treatment experienced by Bob is not likely related to these factors but I just think with people, you never really know what will happen. I would personally be very pissed about the bed trodding and treatment he experienced and it would be hard to stay composed. I small,persistant barking dog may have been helpful to expedite the process :wink:

Greg

 

[AstoriaDave]

I have seen vehicles getting tossed at Port Angeles, similar to what Bob describes, but it must be random, as I have made maybe 30 crossings there and never been scrutinized, never been harassed. Got inspected for weapons by the Canadians once at Blaine, going north, I suspect as a strictly random choice, and they were firm but polite. The woman at the kiosk looked at her terminal, looked at me, rolled her eyes, and then told me I would be inspected for weapons. The eye roll was the tell. She could look at me and see I was not likely to be a weapon smuggler.

The conduct and attitude Bob describes is outrageous. If it happened to me I would definitely write a letter detailing the experience on the badge number of the agent. He could have done the job without being an asswipe.

 

[rogerbum]

I rest my case.

With nary a retort to any of the factual concerns raised.

Mirror. Aye.

Too bad we don't have a like button on the C-Brats! I too am struck by the difference in courtesy between the US and Canadian customs agents. Canadians are almost always nice. The U.S. guys seem to have >25% chance of being jerks.

That said, I think there is some reason to be concerned about the border and it's not just "protecting us from Canadians". If you recall, it's not that many years ago that Port Angeles customs agents arrested Ahmed Ressam who was coming into the U.S. from Canada with explosives.

Also, to slightly play the devil's advocate - it's easy for you and I to say that Bob and his grandkids are not any threat and I'm sure the customs agents knew that too. However, in an age where anything that looks like racial or ethnic profiling might also be questioned, I think customs agents are in a tough position. They have to do inspections that are just as thorough for everyone lest they be threatened with racial/ethnic profiling lawsuits even if they know that there is little chance of Bob and his family being a threat. HOWEVER, they could at least slip off their shoes or put on shoe covers when inspecting an RV AND the could be quicker about dealing with freezers and fridges etc. They could also make an attempt to be far more polite and to apologize for the necessity of doing their inspections. My guess is that a little friendlier and more understanding attitude on the part of the customs agent would have gone a long way with Bob.

 

[Hunkydory]

Jay,

It is not an excuse, just a likely reason in some circumstances. I have spent plenty of my time smoothing out friction between people who want to get along but simply rub eachother the wrong way. I have a coworker who claims he is always hassled at the border and lets just say that non of his coworkers find that surprising. The kind of treatment experienced by Bob is not likely related to these factors but I just think with people, you never really know what will happen. I would personally be very pissed about the bed trodding and treatment he experienced and it would be hard to stay composed. I small,persistant barking dog may have been helpful to expedite the process :wink:

Greg

Greg, good clarification of which, I agree. Thanks, Jay

 

[Foggy]

So let me get this right. Someone is rude and over bearing and it makes you angry, it's really your problem? Wow what insight. I have to admit, I must be more screwed up than I thought.
D.D.

US Border injustices occur that are undeserved. I agree.
I'm not saying you have to like it. And, I don't like it any more than you do.
But getting "pissed off" and "outraged" doesn't do any good, doesn't
solve the problem and is self degrading as it shows your own state of mind.
It can even get you into trouble if things escalate. There is a difference
between not liking and letting something, or someone, really get to you and
raise your blood pressure.

Others ridiculous antics and verbiage are none of your business since it reflects
what is in their heads, not yours.

Control others? Forget it. Concentrate on controlling yourself and don't take it
personally.

Aye.

Grandma used to say, "When anger appears, logic and reason disappear".

 

[Foggy]

SNIP

Chew on this: "You spot it; you got it".

That strikes me as the sort of thing kids say on a playground, and although it certainly may apply in some situations, I have a hard time believing it's germane to this one.

We all are childlike, to some degree, in our adult bodies; i.e., a 'man-child'.

"You spot it, you got it" refers to the very common psychological phenomenon
called 'projection'. If interested, Google it and learn something; hardly a saying
to be understood or heard on a playground.

Aye.

 

[rogerbum]

SNIP

Chew on this: "You spot it; you got it".

That strikes me as the sort of thing kids say on a playground, and although it certainly may apply in some situations, I have a hard time believing it's germane to this one.

We all are childlike, to some degree, in our adult bodies; i.e., a 'man-child'.

"You spot it, you got it" refers to the very common psychological phenomenon
called 'projection'. If interested, Google it and learn something; hardly a saying
to be understood or heard on a playground.

Aye.

But I think you might be missing the point. I'm willing to bet that very few on this site need to Google projection to "learn something". However, some could benefit from learning what is acceptable and normal social behaviour.

 

[RobLL]

To move this thread to a more humorous plane:

Were you all aware that the PM of BC (Campbell) was arrested for DUI in Hawaii? This felony was not embarrassing enough for the BC Parliament to change their laws. And you can bet that Campbell is still going to Hawaii. What a jerk. What I find particularly offensive is that even those taking the catamaran to Victoria or cruise ship passengers cannot embark in BC.

Almost makes me ashamed of my Canadian ancestry.

 

[Foggy]

SNIP

Chew on this: "You spot it; you got it".

That strikes me as the sort of thing kids say on a playground, and although it certainly may apply in some situations, I have a hard time believing it's germane to this one.

We all are childlike, to some degree, in our adult bodies; i.e., a 'man-child'.

"You spot it, you got it" refers to the very common psychological phenomenon
called 'projection'. If interested, Google it and learn something; hardly a saying
to be understood or heard on a playground.

Aye.

But I think you might be missing the point. I'm willing to bet that very few on this site need to Google projection to "learn something". However, some could benefit from learning what is acceptable and normal social behaviour.

I did not know this was a closed forum where one could not express ideas,
thoughts and experiences.

Please explain how "acceptable and normal social behavior" has been violated.

Aye.

 

[rainger]

To move this thread to a more humorous plane:

Were you all aware that the PM of BC (Campbell) was arrested for DUI in Hawaii? This felony was not embarrassing enough for the BC Parliament to change their laws. And you can bet that Campbell is still going to Hawaii. What a jerk. What I find particularly offensive is that even those taking the catamaran to Victoria or cruise ship passengers cannot embark in BC.

Almost makes me ashamed of my Canadian ancestry.

?? Campbell is not the PM of BC. He was once the Premier but never the Prime Minister. And that was years ago 2003 to be exact what does it have to do with what people need to think about when going across the border?

What laws was he supposed to change in BC because he was over the limit in Hawaii??

What I don't understand at all is your last sentence, what are you saying? Who cant embark in BC. I know of no rules that prevents people coming to Victoria by boat getting off when they get here!

So I am at a loss what humor I have missed??

 

[RobLL]

If a person has a DUI on their record, and without any time limits they cannot enter into British Columbia. Even if they are not driving (auto or boat). I knew this, but it has been emphasized by both the Norwegian cruise ship and the Victoria Clipper.

Sorry I got his title wrong. He is a jerk in any event, driving drunk in the US.

 

[rainger]

If a person has a DUI on their record, and without any time limits they cannot enter into British Columbia. Even if they are not driving (auto or boat). I knew this, but it has been emphasized by both the Norwegian cruise ship and the Victoria Clipper.

Sorry I got his title wrong. He is a jerk in any event, driving drunk in the US.

Well he may be a jerk to you because he did something that a large part of society does daily by having a few too many drinks before driving (in fact Hawaii promotes alcohol consumption by tourists,) (not an excuse or making it right) but you are terribly mistaken on the laws of Canada and directing that at him.

The Canada Border is controlled by the Canada Border and Security Agency. This is a Federal Department and the laws are Federal Laws not BC laws. Just like Washington State does not create, control, police or have anything to do with the US border, the Premier of BC has no control over the laws and processes of the Canadian Border.

So you can have your dislike for Campbell because of whatever issues you have with him or you have developed because of media manipulation.

However don't blame him for things he has no control over. Unfortunately this is already done far too much by the media and uninformed people in society today on practically every issue.

PS: my step brother in law has not been able to enter the US for 35 years because he had a pot bust in 1968. A former Governor of Washington has nothing to be blamed for that.