I decided to do our groceries in Massena, New York, USA today.  To do that, I needed to do the hop, skip and jump over two bridges.  But more importantly, I needed to get past the US border guys. 

From past experience, you don’t speak unless spoken to and whatever you do, don’t crack a joke!  Anyway, I’m not an idiot:  I know to answer their questions and, hopefully, quickly, be on my way.

Today’s border crossing was interesting though.  I got asked more questions than ever before and even had the guy ask to look in my trunk.  It went a little like this:

I pull up, take off my sunglasses and hand my passport into his outstretched hand.
Border guy (for lack of a better title):  What is the purpose of your visit into the United States?
Me:  I’ll be shopping.
BG:  And how long will you be staying?
Me:  An hour or two.
BG:  Where are you going?
Me:  Massena.
BG:  Where specifically?
Me:  I don’t know the name of the store where I’ll shop.  This is my first time coming across for groceries.
BG:  So, (looking at his screen, having swiped my passport) is this your first time in Massena?
Me:  No, I’ve been here before, but not for groceries.
BG:  Where were you born?
Me:  England.
BG:  How long have you been a Canadian citizen?
Me:  Since I was about 7.
BG:  Have you ever been arrested?
Me:  No.
BG:  Fingerprinted?
Me:  No.
BG:  Had a criminal record?
Me:  No.
BG:  Been refused entry into the United States?
Me:  No.
BG:  Are you carrying in excess of $100,000 in cash?
Me:  No!
BG:  How much cash do you have on you today?
Me:  Ummm, I don’t know… a bit of change.  My purchase will be made on credit card.
BG:  A bit of change?  In excess of $10,000?
Me:  $10,000??  No, a bit of change, like a dollar or two.
BG:  Well, some people see $10,000 as a bit of change.
Me:  …
BG:  What do you do?
Me:  I work at _______.
BG:  What do you do there?
Me:  I’m a ________.
BG:  Who’s vehicle is this?
Me:  Mine.  And my husband’s.
BG:  And everything in the vehicle belongs to you?
Me:  Yes.
BG:  I’d like you to pull forward a few feet and pop the trunk.
Me:  Ok.  (I pull forward and pop the trunk.)
BG:  (He looks around and returns to my car window.  He hands me my passport.)  Have a nice day.
Me:  Yeah, thanks, you too.

All this probably only took about 3 or 4 minutes. 

As I waited in line of cars for about 20 minutes to cross the border, I did not see him check anyone else’s trunk or spend nearly as much time with them. 

Does he have a quota of cars to check or people to give a hard time to?  Or did I set off his inner alarm bells?  Did I seem dishonest?

But as usual, Canada is much easier to get into.  My return crossing with the Canadian border guy was almost like talking to a friend.  He asked if I was bringing any goods into Canada.  I told him yes, groceries.  How much did they cost, he asked.  $88 American dollars, I said.  Have a good day, he said.

I wonder if the Americans would hire that guy.  I like him best.

UPDATE:  Since writing this post, I’ve written further about border crossing requirements here.