Unfortunately our world is fraught with peril and so our borders must be protected.
Indeed, I applaud our border agents for shouldering such an awesome responsibility on their broad shoulders. That having been said, there is an irrefutable truth to the entire border crossing process…
IT JUST PLAIN SUCKS!
- The lines are ridiculously long; you’d think they were giving out free hams!
- Your trepidation builds with every nerve-wracking second. The last thing you want to do is rehearse your answers; nothing good will come of that, trust me.
- The agent’s steely exterior immediately sets off your “douchebag radar”. They’re just doing their job, people! They’re not stand-up comics; they’re trying to catch criminals!
- Your nervousness triggers sudden memory loss! You instantly forget the geographical location of your birth, and other simple details.
To sum up, the truth of our nature requires we protect out borders, but that same nature reduces some of us to blithering idiots when we have to cross those very lines.
I wish they handed out cocktails before you crossed; that would mellow everyone out, right?
Once again, this explains precisely why I carry luggage for a living…
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Hams – love the image!
Hams rule!
Ham rule was major political movement in Ireland in the 18th Century and on St Patrick;s Day just the right time to review that turbulent period in the nation’s history!
I feel smarter already! Thanks!
I know exactly what you mean. It’s the same at this end of the USA only worse than at the Canadian-USA border. And the Border Patrol has authority up to 300 miles inland. They have authority to stop people here in San Antonio! And we are 250 miles from the border! Talk about making you nervous when you see their trucks with the light pulling you over.
It’s quite an experience, isn’t it?
I crossed the border once to go heli-skiing and it was ridiculous. It was really late at night and they took forever!
“Heli-skiing”? Very cool, Susie!
I’ve gone through border checks in a few countries and each time I get nervous. I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to it. And I’m not trying to get away with anything. I can’t imagine the stress if I was trying. I feel for the employees. I know I give them the deer-in-headlights look each time. Can’t imagine seeing that every day all day long.
It would be something else, wouldn’t it? You’d have to be a master of human nature, right?
>Once again, this explains precisely why I carry luggage for a living…
- You don’t know how good you’ve got it, Hook. Some people carry baggage for life.
Kate
What a cool line, Kate! Thanks!
Ham and cocktails – now THAT’S a good idea, Hook!
We’ve struck gold!
I don’t live near an international border myself, just a state border, but living near an international border certainly sounds unpleasant.
It has its moments…
LOL!!! I had to laugh when my mother and I did a fair bit of border crossing over the summer. There was this one where there was an actual sign that read, “We can hear your conversation in your vehicles before you reach the window”. Or something along those lines. My mother and I laughed so hard about it.
I don’t mind the border crossing, but I hate just hate the lines!!!!
That is hilarious!
I know!!! She was put out at first, and when we told other people they were all ticked off at invasion of privacy etc… I just said, “are you doing anything wrong?” They said no. So why be upset? I just said start talking dirty.
Can you imagine your Mom talking dirty? Can anyone?
It’s hard to act cool with contraband shoved up your keister or at least that’s what I’ve been told.
I think you’re right!