Return PolishForums LIVE
  PolishForums Archive :
Archives - 2005-2009 / USA, Canada  % width 4

Polish and Ukrainian image in Canada?


Polonius3 994 | 12,367  
6 Nov 2009 /  #1
It has sometimes been said that the reason for 'Pollack' jokes in the US was because Poles were accoutend for the largest group of immigrants from backward East Europe. In Canada however that biggest group are Ukrainians. My question in what is the prevalent image of and general Canadian attitudes towards Poles and Ukrainians? Are they the same of do they differ? Was there ever a wave of Ukie jokes similar to US Pollack jokes which were actualy re-makes of moron jokes?
Marie_Canada 1 | 4  
6 Nov 2009 /  #2
Anyone I have met over the past forty or so years tend to tell Newfie jokes...jokes about people from the province of Newfoundland...and 99% of the Newfie jokes were told to me by people from Newfoundland to begin with.

I haven't heard the derogatory term "pollack" for about 30 years! Unfortunately, I believe it was my grandfather who used the term...a bit unusual considering his mother was Martha Czapiewski and her family came from Kalisz.

And also, most of my friends are HUGE Pope John Paul II fans, have read his books etc. and thus would never insult the Polish, even in jest.

I lived in Manitoba for about eight years and there is a huge Ukrainian population out there. I never heard any jokes about these people.

Maybe I just live a sheltered life!
OP Polonius3 994 | 12,367  
6 Nov 2009 /  #3
Thanks.Very interesting indeed!
polishcanuck 7 | 462  
25 Nov 2009 /  #4
I think polish jokes are more common south of the 49th parallel. The only ukrainian thing i've heard in canada is that the city of Edmonton was once known as "edmontonchuk."

Archives - 2005-2009 / USA, Canada / Polish and Ukrainian image in Canada?Archived