Unfriendly customs officers :(
This weekend we went to Montreal. The Canadian customs officer was efficient but polite. Asked all the right questions with a friendly manner and when finished wished us well on our visit.
Returning to USA was the polar opposite. The officer said absolutely thing; stuck out his hand. I figured he wanted our passports. "Why were you in Canada?" I answered. "What was the purpose of your visit?". I answered. "How long?". Etc. When finished, he thrust the passports back at us with the most unfriendly demeanor imaginable and said nothing. I figured that meant he was done with us and we pulled away.
No "Thank You". No "Welcome back to the United States." Nothing but a scowl.
In my experience this was not an isolated incident.
As an Ameican I am ashamed for our Canadian friends who come to visit us. Please know that we're not all jerks. But from your first encounter at the border you could be left with that impression.
Returning to USA was the polar opposite. The officer said absolutely thing; stuck out his hand. I figured he wanted our passports. "Why were you in Canada?" I answered. "What was the purpose of your visit?". I answered. "How long?". Etc. When finished, he thrust the passports back at us with the most unfriendly demeanor imaginable and said nothing. I figured that meant he was done with us and we pulled away.
No "Thank You". No "Welcome back to the United States." Nothing but a scowl.
In my experience this was not an isolated incident.
As an Ameican I am ashamed for our Canadian friends who come to visit us. Please know that we're not all jerks. But from your first encounter at the border you could be left with that impression.
