Watch Your Mouth

Yesterday while I was at work, my boss (newly back from vacation) told me a story that I want everyone to know. When I asked my boss how his vacation was, he said that his time in Toronto was amazing. he loved the people, and the shopping and all the things to do. But going to Cuba was absolutely a mistake. He told me that the resort he went to was advertised at a 5 star resort, and he really did his homework on booking and where to stay. when the got there it was more like a 2 or 3. This was upsetting but they made the most of it. the people were nice, the staff were friendly. until going on a bus tour.

My boss is from South Africa. Picture Uncle Jessie from The Dukes of Hazard except He is highly intelligent and speaks perfect English (among a dozen other languages) and keeps himself clean shaven. He always wears suspenders. What I'm saying is this is the cutest dude in the whole world. I want him to be my grandfather 

So when the tour guide asked who was from Canada, and then asked if anyone was from Newfoundland, He decided to keep quiet, in the interest of seeing what the man had to say.

It was not impressive. The man proceeded to talk down about us, mock us and badmouth Newfoundland. Even the other tourists were awkwardly quiet and not at all, amused by the man's remarks. For this my boss was very happy because the man showed no signs or letting up. Newfoundland became the butt of every joke, despite the crowd not being amused.

After the tour was over, my boss approached the man.

He told him that what he had done was a terrible thing, and that he called Newfoundland his home. now and that none of the things he was saying were true. and now a whole group of tourists think a lot of things about Newfoundland that are not true. The man was unapologetic, 

This is so disappointing to me. Newfoundland is my home and I love it here. The idea that someone completely removed from here, who has probably never set foot on our shore, is spreading such negativity about my home is very frustrating. I thought it was worth mentioning for all my friends planning trips down south, to spend their money hard earned in Newfoundland. I probably will go to Cuba at some point. one idiot doesn't speak for an entire area.  But I am much more determined to be the kind of person that will change people's mind about Newfoundland. The sad reality that I believe is all these stereotypes do in fact apply to a number of people here. but not everyone. their dated and closed minded opinions and nobody is going to change them if we don't present ourselves in the way we want to be viewed.