"Newfoundland and Labrador retains the right to proofread and approve all social media, general media and fiction output from visitors. Thank you for bringing your money, but please leave your opinions at the door and double check your pronunciation of Newfoundland (Think: Understand)."
Is this the disclaimer we need at the bottom of Marine Atlantic's booking sites, or incoming Air Canada flights?
Last fall, Robin Short was crucified on the altar of salt meat and potatoes when the poor man said he was tired of our image outside the province. It's a wonder he wasn't deported for attacking our proud heritage of singing and dancing in the middle of Toronto Pearson Airport. Fast-forward to last week, when Anthony Bourdain's documentary was announced to be airing. "Great" we said, "but don't call us Newfie". Oh, and then media coverage focused on Bourdain's pronunciation of Newfoundland (I know it was more cheeky than anything, but... really?). Clearly he didn't see Mindy Kaling's tweet.
So, we @ him. We tweet CNN. We're the friendliest people in Canada, but my son don't look at us sideways. Follow our rules while you visit, please. This lucky American got to meet his girlfriend on Corner Brook on Monday, and lord help him if he tweets something off-colour afterwards. It's a wonder we don't have volunteer tourism advisers following his every move. Holy moly. Are we really so serious?
I don't think Anthony Bourdain will be revisiting any time soon. If he ever did think to recommend us, I'd say that goodwill is gone b'y. This week, he had to defend the Quebecois chefs who suggested he come to the island. The same province outraged about being called 'Newfies' were ticked off with the 'frenchies' and 'frogs' who were so prominently featured. And who the hell is St. Pierre, anyways!?
Um, okay.
We're dying for cash right now. Tourism might very well be the answer, honestly. People coming in from outside the province and spending their money with us. But we're not exactly screaming "come visit!" when offside of the tourism ads, we're berating personalities for not toeing our line. Sure, Anthony has probably had negative feedback before and it won't be the last time. He visits myriad cultures and can't get it all right. But c'mon, he ate some fish and had a good time. Is this how we want to be remembered?
In the conversation about immigration, it's well documented that when people enter Canada through Newfoundland and Labrador, they move on. If they stay, they struggle to feel welcome and settle. Meanwhile, we need them. With a quickly aging population from generations who would have an average of four to five or more children -- "and THEN they came out with the pill" my Nan used to say -- we're looking at a lot of some awfully wise people leaving the workforce without anyone to replace them. But, don't take away our jobs you CFAs.
Thank you so much for the free advertisement, Come From Away on Broadway; an award-winning musical about the charitable spirits of Newfoundland and Labradorians, who invited stranded people from around the world into their homes. Never mind that Claude Elliott is allegedly unsupportive of LGBTQ people, please come visit us CFA fans! Heck, film the movie here as well -- we could use the dollars. Before you arrive, consult this informative pamphlet about the exact words you should use while you're here. Please don't stay more than two months. And finally, please visit George Street. Don't mind what happened to that guy from Aquaman.
