Just a quick note to let you all know that multiculturalism in action can get on this good Canadian’s nerves as much as anyone’s.
There is some shrivelled old Chinese granny standing on her balcony, slapping herself on the back and hawking up phlegm.
LOUDLY.
She has been doing this for, I kid you not, a solid half-hour. I was having dinner but had to stop. I was going to make some tea but knew I’d be unable to drink it.
Surely this must come under noise pollution guidelines???
raincoaster 
Yes, I Do feel your pain. I’m Canadian Chinese. Now you feel MY pain…I’m annoyed and ashamed of people from my culture (other cultures too) who fail to realize their unmannerly practices. And I do think that all cultures East & West have their own flaws…here and there.
But then again, are you sure she wasn’t Korean, Filipino, Vietnese, or Punjabi? hehe…g’luck.
Raincoaster wouldn’t have noticed this lady if she hadn’t been asked by the building superintendant to go outside to chew tobacco.
I am quite sure she wasn’t anything but Chinese. It’s a Cantonese retirement home.
I will not even speak about the man next door who sleeps on his patio (near my bedroom window) and snores like an oak table being sawed in half.