American Reacts to Things You Should NEVER do in Canada

[@LaurieLeeAnnie]

I met a European once in a Hostel in Halifax. She had booked 6 days to see ALL of Canada. She was traumatized when she realized that to see everything on her list she would need 6 months. Which, kudos to her, she DID change her plans to 6 months!

[@hiredgun7186]

LOL She'd be hard pressed to see Halifax and a bit of the rest of NS in six days

[@amosfraser]

A friend of mine from London, UK was going to be attending something for work, in British Columbia and wondered if there was any possibility of meeting up while he was here in Canada. I laughed and explained that from where I live (Toronto), it takes me about 7-8 hours on a plane to visit him... OR about 5-6 hours on a plane to visit my friends in BC. ....

[@tonygroves5526]

@@amosfraser my daughter lives in Vancouver and her friend from the UK was visiting Toronto. He asked if she wanted to meet up for tea. I started laughing and asked daughter what she said? "I just dropped him a pin."

[@trevorc1371]

BAHAHA You can't even drive across Canada in 6 days from Halifax (presuming you're following the 8.5 hour per day guideline). It's amazing the lack of realisation that Canada is the second biggest country in the WORLD.

[@TheJShiggs]

As a Canadian I’m always a little sad that foreigners have seen more of my country than I have. Having such a large country means it just costs more plus unlike Europe our trains are expensive and not enough of them! Travel is definitely a privilege.

[@Rasbougri]

As a Canadian, I don't think we're overly polite, I just think we understand the need of respecting basic human decency, such as acknowledging the existence of others and just treat others with mutual respect. If you can't do that, you weren't raised right

[@GreatCamel]

Alberta: I just had it yesterday, I was at a stop light trying to turn right. The cabbie in front stopped at the line, but there wasn't enough space for me to turn. He spotted me and inched ahead until I could make it by. We both waved and went along. He looked foreign, we get a lot of taxi drivers from abroad, but we are almost infectious with our courtesy.

[@bobbeatbox]

Respect have to be obtained by your actions , hard to get and easy to lose (just like trust) i dont respect random strangers who believe they deserve it for no logic reason

[@Music-Is-Real-Love]

That's a great point about weather. Coldest temperatures are accurate AFTER factoring in the Wind Chill, as well. For Summer, you factor in the Humidex Reading after the temperature. All in Celsius.

[@natashaw401]

Loll awesome

[@DamienWins]

​@@bobbeatbox nobody should respect anybody unless someone respects you first.... selfishness

[@bobmartin7717]

Fun fact, in Toronto a Hollywood film crew was trying to depict a NYC alley complete with trash and overflowing dumpster, during their lunch break the city crews came in and cleaned it up

[@D-Maulish]

I 100% believe this. 🤣🤣

[@allangillis2033]

Believe it or not that actually happened on my street in Halifax several years ago :)

[@alibi237]

I remember that.

[@Nevertoleave]

“… where’s my garbage??”

[@theoneandonlymsg991]

Where the hell did my prop garbage to. 😮 some Hollywood producer probably.

[@TrevorPalmatiershow]

My friends from Sweden were astounded that people thanked the bus driver for the ride when they got off the bus. "But you pay for the ride, why would you thank the driver?" they asked. Because you are just acknowledging the efforts of the driver and being grateful for the ride and safe delivery to your drop off. I had no idea this was weird until they pointed it out.

[@celticlass8573]

We do it here too. I think of it as they're providing a service, and you arrived safely, so a thank you isn't out of line.

[@MrLoobu]

I just doubled back to thank the woman for vacuuming the hallway in my apartment building. She was so pleased to be acknowledged. It was just nice for both of us, haha. The other day, I had a 20 dollar Tim's order, and someone in front of me paid for it lol. It's weird that people find it weird to be nice.

[@alisonnewall1748]

It’s not weird. It’s just being grateful and respectful of the Labour of the people who contribute to making your life better.

[@alisonnewall1748]

Yeah, be afraid of raccoons.😊

[@finnhauge2535]

Not weird at all! we do that in Norway too :-)

[@girthbloodstool339]

There is no "open carry" anywhere in urban Canada, unless you're a cop. We would assume a random person carrying a pistol is engaged in homicide.

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

I've never even seen a person who wasn't a police officer (or a member of the military) carrying a gun. And I lived in Toronto. If I saw a non-uniformed citizen carrying a gun, I'd totally freak out.

[@mattsena7708]

I like the no open carry, I feel safer knowing that 99.9 percent of people are not armed in public. I live in Northern Ontario and about 75% of people here have rifles or handguns. People hunt a lot up here and there's lots of guns, yet pretty much no gun violence

[@hannabis80]

Some security guards can open carry but only if they're protecting valuable things like cash or gold not people.

[@girthbloodstool339]

@@hannabis80 yes, here too.

[@brendamiller5785]

A few years ago an RCMP officer came to my door asking if I'd seen any unusual vehicles in my neighborhood...they were looking for a stolen car for a particular reason. Anyway, as we were talking, I happened to glance down and saw a gun on his belt and I started to cry. First, I had never seen a gun "in real life", as Tyler says. When I was little I lived in Northern British Columbia, my Dad used to hunt a little bit. He was very careful never to let my sister and brothers and me see his hunting rifle. I'm not even sure where he kept it. And I looked everywhere, as all kids snoop in their parents bedroom when the parents are out. Second, if the office ("member" as they're called here), ever had to take his/her gun out of the holster, it would be for one reason only. To shoot (and wound) someone. I guess the enormity of the whole thing was too much for me. I'm a middle-aged woman now living in the Vancouver area.

[@UniquelyPenny]

As a Canadian if I hold the door for somebody and they don’t say thank you, I usually say “You’re welcome” pretty loud to ensure they hear me.

[@hearstboy]

Yeah, we can be pretty passive-aggressive like that... lol!

[@susanmeredith4957]

Lol, I do that too.

[@joesutherland225]

Correct imo!

[@joohoneybun]

ah yes, gotta love that canadian passive-aggressiveness lol.

[@boomshanka8743]

I feel like this is the most Canadian comment here.

[@bevsmi]

The talking to strangers 😂 so true. If I catch someone’s eye in the morning I feel morally/socially obligated to say good morning

[@wendybremner918]

One ‘don’t’ I would add is - don’t wash your car in freezing weather unless you want your car doors frozen shut 😊

[@rhondathieson1156]

@@wendybremner918 more broken car handles than I can count, good thing I have an old 97 Camaro with a hatchback because I’ve climbed through the back to crawl into my front seat.

[@independentaquaman7424]

Or dry them immediately after INDOORS, with something like a shamee (leather rag).

[@PeBoVision]

I have 3 major "don't" based on actual repeated experiences with American vsiitors: - Don't talk about how much money you make. Nobody cares and it's rude. - If you're going to complain about how the (food/hotel/venue/service/air/water/sand) is better in the USA, stay home (because really, they're not - ie. Niagara Falls). - Don't expect arctic conditions immediately across the border - In June, July and August, leave the skis at home and bring beachwear (it can get mighty hot).

[@imisstoronto3121]

and the guns

[@Nevertoleave]

I had an American once try to tell me it was illegal for us to sell Cuban cigars and his friend was just like, “oh buddy, no. That’s just us.” He was shocked to find out it wasn’t the whole world that refused to do whatever it is that prevents Cuban cigars from being sold in the US (assuming a trade thing and not just cigars) then pleased that he got to legally try Cuban cigars and bought a few different ones to enjoy while camping

[@personincognito3989]

@Nevertoleave It's due to the 1959 embargo between Cuba and the USA. The USA stoped all trade with Cuba and it still exists today

[@PeBoVision]

@@Nevertoleave I have vacationed in Cuba several times (always a fabulous experience). Best part: No American tourists. (apologies Tyler, I'm sure you are anything but a typical American tourist)

[@PeBoVision]

@@imisstoronto3121 I have no issues with gun ownership (my dad was a hunter). What I don't get it is using firearms to define freedom (seems to me if you need firearms to protect yourself, freedom has yet to be achieved).

[@lissamcd]

The "yes nod and smile" in my eyes as a Canadian means you never know what someone is going through, something as small as a smile or nod may brighten their day or even save them from thinking they're alone in the world

[@denniscain5738]

Especially to our elders A smile costs nothing but is worth a fortune🙂🙂

[@jayfedder1578]

If it’s someone you’ve never seen before you bow your head down, if it’s someone who lives in your neighbourhood and you both know you live near each other you move your chin upwards. Always with a small smile.

[@gaylynyoung6387]

I agree. I always make it small if someone seems unhappy. Don’t overdo it but I think it is nice and appreciated.

[@jessicazaytsoff1494]

The chin 'hey' or the 'I see you' half nod is ingrained in our culture. I think 'maybe I'm wrong but I'm not sure ' half shoulder shrug '

[@edna8924]

Here on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, there are deer roaming the streets so you have to fence your yard to keep them out. Black bears and cougars can also wonder into your property. There is a sign on our highway that says “if you don’t like our cougars, bears and wolves, there will be a ferry to the mainland leaving shortly!” 😊

[@commenter5901]

I live in the Okanagan and it's the same here, but with less cougars than the island. We still have a few times a year, particularly in the winter months, when cougars come into town and kids aren't allowed to walk to school or play outside at recess if there's a cougar hanging around school grounds. But they are really just looking for deer, which are absolutely everywhere. We don't have a fenced front yard so they hang out in our yard a lot. My parents have a problem with black bears, even with tall fences.

[@cowbayshrub]

The signs that say ‘expect deer on the road’ signs

[@ericwickman920]

On Vancouver Island, Metallica has work as a cougar deterrent device.

[@andij5249]

@Commenter I lived in the Okanagan for a few years and not only did moose regularly get into the school. (Not sure how the doors opened outward) lol but right above the school was a cliff that the cougars would sun themselves on. My thought was always if the moose can get in can't the cougars? 😬🤣

[@hereforthecomments9676]

Yes, im also from the island and can confirm ahahaha

[@jf76]

I remember when travelling abroad from Canada that on public transit I would be the only one to get up to offer my seat to an elderly person - always greeted with a grateful smile of acceptance. I don't mean to imply of course that others are not kind but many simply don't notice it seems. In Canada it is definitely emphasized to give up your seat to others who need it more.

[@SheaMF]

And thanking the transit driver!

[@WindRidgeable]

its funny to see when 1 elderly person come on board and see 6+ people get up to give up their seat.

[@hilareeek]

There were even pictures at the front of the bus reminding you to give up those seats to those who need them.

[@laurabailey1054]

I gave my seat up once on a bus to a senior and I got looked at like I was from mars. This was in Ontario

[@timetraveler5246]

Many decades ago when I was growing up, manners and giving up your seat to an ‘older’ than you, elderly or disabled person was automatically expected as a social norm. Often, men without hesitation would also offer their seat to a woman. When I was 8 months pregnant and riding public transit on a very hot summer’s day I was astounded that not one person offered me their seat. As I stood there exhausted in the sweltering heat with my back and feet aching I wearily felt so very saddened that good manners and thoughtfulness in our current generation had seemingly vanished. As a Canadian it really was a shock to me.

[@hockeyfan2704]

You keep hearing about the geese because they can be aggressive/territorial, especially when nesting. We call them cobra chickens for a reason lol. I have also had situations when I have had to walked right very close to them and nothing happened, but I still walk by with caution because I know what can happen.

[@cheallaigh]

i live up in georgian bay with a small river that leads directly to it in my front yard(we're by the mouth). between them and the swans, there's days i'm scared to approach my vehicles and it's the same with all my neighbours. we can end up with a dozen to several dozen or so pairs of geese directly in our yards with the rest more spread on the river, 100's of babies... and then we have the swans who are just as evil as the geese. have we mentioned how f'ing LOUD geese and swans are?! lmao

[@hockeyfan2704]

@@cheallaigh OMG they are loud. I was walking by a river and I had music on, I was paying attention but not to the water. I had no idea geese were right above my head until they started honking, it quite startled me lol

[@emordnilap4747]

I know a woman who had to rescue her 4 year old brother from a goose, as a kid. He got too close to a nest, and was almost killed by 1 of the parents.

[@commenter5901]

I would be surprised if I met a Canadian who has never been attacked by geese. You sometimes just don't notice them, and then they're chasing after you. They are probably just as aggressive as any other wild geese, but they are everywhere so they're hard to avoid since they are water foul and Canada is covered in lakes.

[@kenlompart9905]

@Exorcist Rising They think they own the road, I had a family of geese walking down the road holding up traffic, they weren't crossing they were walking right down the road even though there was grass and a sidewalk right beside the road.

[@tonygroves5526]

About the littering thing: some people still think it's okay to throw cigarette butts out their car windows and in our area, they have started fires in people's fields/crops. This can be absolutely devastating to a farmer's income, let alone the other damage caused. Just don't!

[@joohoneybun]

I'm in saskatchewan, half of the fires we get here are manmade due to cigarette butts. or so they say. idk exactly how they figure that stuff out but i won't question it. wasn't that uh.. fort mcmurray fire caused by cigarette butts? in alberta? the one that happened a few years back that was pretty intense? i forget the details but i think it was caused by cigarette butts. you can actually get fined if a cop sees you flick your ciggy butt out your car. we have fire bans all summer long now. i haven't had a summer bonfire in over five years.

[@AnikMonette]

Yeah, it annoys me a lot! People here are usually good with not littering but they seem to think their cigarettes butts will instantly decompose as soon as it touches the ground!😠

[@gaylynyoung6387]

Not to mention it’s actually illegal. So many fires now! I don’t know the proportion of human caused but even one is too many.

[@WinterWarlock261]

I an a Canadian who lived in the US for 2 years. I noticed when I'd say "thanks" or "sorry" or whatever, people would just ignore me and move on, or say "whatever" (literally) or just look at me weirdly. Manners seemed a foreign concept there. People there seem way too self-absorbed and not caring about anyone they're around at the moment.

[@Ryan-sl8mw]

Haha I lived in the state as well. In the south west. They would "you're good" when I would say sorry, thank you , or excuse me. 😂

[@wysetech2000]

Bryan Wilkes Right now I think that Americans are so divided with their politicians and governments in general, they are afraid to talk to anyone who might be on the other side. It's a real disgusting shitshow down there.

[@TheAmtwhite]

I found it depends where you are in the US. We travelled from Toronto area to Nebraska and back via St Louis. People in the Midwest were very Canadian like. Though they still weren’t quite as friendly and polite as Canadians. The friendliest were just west of Chicago.

[@lisamoanaSoprano]

I lived in the Midwest for 16 years. I am from Edmonton, and I found midwesterners more friendly, just striking up a conversation at the bus stop. I think it was because Edmonton is a large city, but I lived in smaller towns in IN.

[@kingslaphappy1533]

Kudos to you for pronouncing Quebec properly!

[@mustwereallydothis]

My husband moved a few months ahead of us to a very tiny, northern town. When we were on our way to our new home there he very sternly informed me how important it was for us to always smile and wave when encountering another vehicle on the road there. He was not exaggerating. If we were to ever forget people, would genuinely worry that we were upset with them. This is not the case in most of the country, of course, but it's quite common in very rural areas. So, if you're driving out in the country and someone waves, just smile and wave back. Don't worry they've mistaken you for someone. It's simply a rural reflex.

[@karendaley3184]

So true. And you're a sort of laid-back driver, with just the one hand on the steering wheel,you can lift your index finger in lieu of a full wave.

[@tonygroves5526]

Absolutely. We live in a remote rural area and if you forget to wave, the neighbours might stop to see if we need help. We also have to leave extra time to go for the mail or groceries, bc people like to visit. It's a great place to live.

[@mustwereallydothis]

@@tonygroves5526 Very true! One does not simply make a quick trip to the store. Lol

[@mustwereallydothis]

@@tonygroves5526 That little village had a store that was a combination of hardware store, bank and laundromat. Then there was the grocery store/post office. Then there was a small motel. That was about it. If you needed to cash a cheque, it was absolutely essential to call ahead to make sure the bank had enough cash on hand.

[@laurieforsman7820]

This is also the case in the rural U.S.

[@DP-hk6ox]

Don’t ask your Banff National Park tour bus driver “Can you give us a 5-minute warning before you bring out the wildlife so we can get our cameras ready?” I was there when a gentleman with a heavy, southern accent posed this question. The Canadians on the bus made sure he wasn’t offended at our light-hearted chuckling.

[@LLearners]

Oh that's too funny.

[@ameliedebonaux820]

That made me laugh out loud. Thank you.

[@JoRiver11]

I was camping with someone (Canada) on a beautiful autumn weekend and it felt so much like a movie that we joked that the cue for some wildlife to show up should be any moment. Barely 10 minutes later a deer wandered into our campsite, and we had a (quiet) chuckle. We then meandered into some absurd story line about parks staff who are responsible for making the wildlife show up, probably the underpaid summer interns.

[@johnfitzgerald7618]

One of the reasons to avoid raccoons in Southern Ontario is that they often have rabies. [EDIT: Nope, they don't, as A. Walsh points out below. I haven't been keeping up with this issue, and I apologize].The raccoons in Toronto have also acquired an international reputation as uber-raccoons. They are intelligent, wily, and aggressive. A few years ago Toronto proudly introduced raccoon-proof garbage bins that the raccoonc figured how to break into in about two days.

[@christopherrobin6955]

Toronto is also the raccoon capital of the world

[@kyleinkster4494]

#Christopher Robin maybe bc Toronto is such a dirty overpopulated city?

[@johnfitzgerald7618]

@@kyleinkster4494 Now that Toronto recycles organic waste the opportunities for food theft from garbage are less. And raccoons are not attracted by dirt. Anyway, Toronto has an international reputation for cleanliness, so even if they were they'd be out of luck. EDIT: Check Bob Martin's post.

[@gloriusk7105]

My silly teenage self in Winnipeg years ago saw one crossing the street late at night so I ran towards it. It just ran away from me, I don't know what I was thinking...

[@awalsh3294]

No, raccoons do not often have have rabies in Ontario. The last cases were in 2016 in Ontario and in Toronto in raccoons was in 1997.

[@nmacgp]

"No worries" is actually Australian but has definitely come into our vocabulary because it fits so well.

[@karimajor1165]

Canadians always say no worries

[@karimajor1165]

Yes Canada is only second to Russia

[@Arcticmohawk]

I use, "It's all good" a lot

[@MD.moi-dire]

Re: units of time.... I didn't realize that this was a Canadian thing. I was recently in Europe and was talking to a colleague about how far they lived from where we were and they responded in km. I asked how long it took them to get home as that is what I'm used to - of course I know km's as a Canadian but I never realized how often we refer to hours/minutes as distance until now. An American friend of mine talks about driving miles wherever he goes, not hours/minutes. That's so funny.

[@janetbest6638]

If you think about it, using a time frame to travel from point A to B is more accurate. It factors in changes in speed limits, possible weather related/road construction delays, city traffic, etc. In most cases, distances between point A & B is more depictive of traveling in a straight line and doesn't take into account our very winding roads that have to detour around lakes, forrest's, etc.

[@LLearners]

I have zero concept of how far anywhere is from me in kilometers. Only measurements I've ever known is 30 min walk, 2 hour drive, 4 hour plane ride etc.

[@noseboop4354]

@@janetbest6638 The problem with using a time frame for expressing distance from point A to point B is that it is wildly different if it's by car or public transport, and public transport is much more common in Europe. So if you specifically ask for time they might say 40 minutes, when by car it would only be 25 minutes.

[@hiredgun7186]

I think us Canadians do it is because time is universal measurement and everyone can relate to a 4 hour drive as opposed to a 400 km drive

[@kathleenclark5877]

Until relatively recently, I had no idea that I did this. None! Nor did I know that this is a Canadian thing. Who knew?

[@km_studios]

One that I never thought of until I saw a video on this topic was, DON'T ask Canadians about their political views. I know that politics is a contentious topic for a lot of Americans as well, but there also seem to be a lot of Americans who very openly identify with a particular political party or philosophy and don't hesitate to express their views. In Canada, not talking about politics is much more universal. I remember one time, during election season, my BEST FRIEND of many years asked me who I was voting for, and ended the question with "if you don't mind my asking", like it was a bit of a taboo. Definitely don't ask such questions of someone you don't know well.

[@celticlass8573]

Any time it happens to come up for me, I just say I don't discuss politics. Either the person will agree, or you'll get an ear-full, and since you don't know ahead of time, I want no part of it. Once I had someone all peeved rant AT ME (like not to me but at me if you get what I'm saying) about a particular politician that was in office, saying heatedly, in a very accusatory manner that people were stupid for voting for them blah blah. It was very aggressive. Finally, I said, "I have never voted for them!" and that stopped it. I'm guessing she thought I did and wanted to rant at me for making the wrong choice? I can't imagine how exponentially worse it must be to do it in the US. *shiver*

[@joohoneybun]

i never discuss politics, especially nowadays where half of our country wants to humour the idea of canada becoming more like the united states. it's scarier to talk about politics today. even my own mother rarely expressed her political views growing up - i had only found out what they were when i first voted at 18.

[@jts-x5k]

Growing up when our parents taught us to NEVER discuss politics, NEVER TO discuss religion, Never to talk about money or how much you make. Many friendships were lost and families divided when people did not heed that advice.

[@lisat9707]

Sadly this is NOT healthy behavior for a functioning democracy. It causes polarized and extreme views and hampers people's ability to have constructive conversations that lead to better understanding. It's very important!

[@rhondathieson1156]

@@km_studios No political conversations during family holiday dinners! And if someone tries to get it going I instantly change the subject.

[@eternalsunshineofthespotlessme]

If someone dropped something near me and said "sorry" my response wouldn't be sorry. I think "no worries" "no problem" or "no big deal" would make a lot more sense than to also say sorry. But when it comes to someone bumping into you, I completely agree both parties will probably say sorry regardless who's fault it was.

[@agnessnow4806]

Indigenous refers to the 3 distinct groups of indigenous peoples of Canada. They are First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Each of these 3 groups also is broken down further by region/tribe. So it's an all encompassing term for all of the above mentioned people.

[@morallyambiguousnet]

It's not just about, "Sorry", but also about, "Excuse me." For example if you're in the grocery store and need to get something off a shelf that someone is standing in front of don't just reach past them, but rather say, "Excuse me" before doing so, and wait for acknowledgement. If someone holds a door open for you, don't just blow through and keep going. Say, "Thank you." If you don't, then you might be greeted with a passive-aggressive, "You're WELCOME!" as a result ;) Distances - I was tasked with helping some visiting government officials from Cuba and had to explain to them that no, they couldn't go to Montreal for lunch and then visit Niagara Falls in the afternoon. If I'm out for my early morning walk in my suburb of Toronto and run into someone else who is just out walking, walking their dog, etc. on the otherwise empty street, one of us will almost certainly say, Hello" or "Good morning", though we don't know each other.

[@meco4068]

YES, the passive-aggressive "youre WELCOME!" is real! 😆

[@TheCinematicUniverseTraveler]

Reminds me of the time I went to the park early morning and this was the first time I did it I thought it was a good idea since it’s cooler in the mornings and it’s not crowded full of people ( I was bike riding so no biking with a lot of people in the path is not helpful ) so I went and didn’t expect a whole lot of good mornings from people walking by I thought I was going to have a quiet morning to myself but I was pleasantly surprised

[@Matt2010]

Same is true of Minnesotans, with passive-aggresiveneas.

[@jeri-annabbott1896]

@@meco4068 I use that all the time! Even when I am driving and let someone in front of me who doesn't wave (I always wave), I give them the "You're WELCOME".

[@wysetech2000]

morallyambiguousnet When someone doesn't acknowledge me after being courteous to them I say "ass hole"

[@lucymacdonald7601]

I underestimated the weather in Winnipeg once and will never do it again. I walked 20 blocks to work one day in -40° temps and didn't wear a hat, gloves or scarf. My ears were FROZEN solid when I get to work and the pain was unbearable after the thaw. I was lucky to avoid getting gangrene.

[@wryalways985]

Was that with the windchill or without?

[@lucymacdonald7601]

@@wryalways985 With I think. There was def a wind that day.

[@laundrygoddess4]

Winnipeg is pretty unforgiving

[@rhondathieson1156]

@@lucymacdonald7601 Edmontonian here, we often say Wind-i-peg! Actually I find that Edmonton seems more windy over the years especially with the dang windchill in the winter!

[@Lord_Shal]

As a Canadian with 2 Husky’s I’ll allow my friends and family the courtesy of wearing their shoes on the house during the summer due to the excessive fur deposits in the floor. But NEVER wear your winter gear inside…

[@isabelleblanchet3694]

Slushy boots in the house? No way anyone would allow that I think.

[@DaveGIS123]

@@isabelleblanchet3694 My Scottish relatives always know when "the Canadians" have arrived when they see shoes neatly lined up beside the door --- even in summer.

[@hiredgun7186]

my house is a snug 24 in the winter, if you can stand it for a bit , I would be curious to see how long before you are too hot

[@g.p.4973]

I know someone people that have indoor shoes, they bring shoes that they only wear indoors, so they are not dirty from the outdoor. I find the older generation use those a lot.

[@isabelleblanchet3694]

@@g.p.4973 I wear indoor shoes and bring them with me to other people's house or anywhere that you have to remove your boots in the winter (like the dentist office or church). Because I have to use feet orthotics or I get knee pain caused by my flat feet.

[@monicaolteanu7490]

When you are driving if you have to pull over because the road is too narrow for two cars to pass then you must raise your hand in appreciation of the person moving over and waiting for you. Generally the person raises their hand at acknowledgment back to you and then this gives you a heartwarming feeling. If they don't raise their hand back to you then it gives you an understanding that they have no clue of how to be polite.

[@Cookies-i2f]

True

[@jenn527]

New Brunswick I've actually said out loud "Sure, you're welcome" to people who didn't say thank you. Not all situations, but say I've held the door for someone and they don't acknowledge it, it drives me nuts. In regards to the wave from your vehicle. If you're driving out in the country, you give a little wave to the person driving in the opposite direction.

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

I do that too. I ALWAYS hold doors for people, and if they don't say thank you, I just say "You're welcome!" out loud.

[@cheallaigh]

canadians have passive-aggressive and sarcasm down to a cultural art.

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

@@cheallaigh Yep!

[@chuckandjenbridges721]

My sons all have aspergers. When teaching them how to determine personal space, i had them take small steps towards a person. When that person stepped backwards, that was their personal space limit. 😁 it kind of backfired on me because they knew where my bubble was and would walk up to me with their finger and pretend to poke my bubble with their finger and say poke , poke. 😆

[@lisabourque5076]

I love the bubble poke

[@jodibraun6383]

😂 That's cute!

[@rko1095]

Many Americans do not know that the legal drinking age in Canada is less than America. The legal age for purchasing alcohol is 19 years in Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, PEI, Yukon, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario and Nova Scotia. The legal drinking age is 18 years in Alberta, Quebec, and Manitoba.

[@FaileX2]

um yeah it's 19 in New Brunswick too

[@SweetLadyK420]

I was gonna say, you left us out in New Brunswick 😅

[@ericwickman920]

As a Canadian, the differences between us are basically summed up by a Canadian "thank you" met with an American "uh-huh". One could have whole podcast series built upon this experience.

[@torink8229]

Idk it depends where in Canada you are from. A lot of people in Toronto will say “Yep” in response to thank you.

[@sslssg247]

About nodding to each other on the street.... There was a really funny story that happened years ago now, but an American doctor wrote a letter to the newspaper because he felt that he should have been able to bring his gun into Canada because he felt unsafe walking in Canada. He was in Calgary for Stampede, was walking in Nose Hill park, and people walked by him and would ask if he was going to Stampede. Or just smiling and saying Hello. It is actually pretty sad that his experience at home was that just people saying hello on the street was such a threat.

[@Dimcle]

"The Nose Hill Gentleman" as he came to be known, was not a doctor. He was a cop from Kalamazoo. He even wrote a letter to the editor of the Calgary Herald after he and his wife went home, complaining about how "threatened" they felt at being approached by strangers handing out free tickets during Stampede Week. Just imagine what might have happened if his gun hadn't been confiscated at the border.

[@sslssg247]

@@Dimcle Thanks, not being from Calgary I guess the story became a game of telephone. Still ridiculous, and sad.

[@janetkizer5956]

I remember that story. Had a big laugh about it.

[@lynnm.wheaton1559]

And we wonder why the American gun culture is so strong. They can’t even say a friendly hello without triggering fear. I can’t imagine being afraid of everyone I come across. 😢

[@alonanomi5809]

On the walk on the streets and crossing someone's path. I got an anecdote on this. When I was younger, I would walk to go to work. I was always crossing the path of the same man. I would smile at him and say " have a good day ! " He barely moved and do anything, only kept walking on his own path. I thought the man was rude but I told myself I wouldn't let him get to me. Each day I would come across him and each day I would smile and say " have a good day ! " One day he raise his head and notice me. He smiled back. I took it as a victory and kept doing it. And one day we strike a conversation where he actually thanked me. He was from the U.S.A and came to Canada to live with family of his that came to our country. He first thought I was freaking weird but than said that my smile and wish of a good day made actually his day start well. I was just happy , that just being polite did help out that guy and we never really spoke more than that. Only smiling and nodding when our path crossed. 😂

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

I say sorry to everyone, even if I haven't done something wrong. Like, if I'm staring at the apples in the grocery store a bit too long with my cart, taking up the space, and someone else wants to choose their own apples, I say sorry and hustle off. It does get a bit ridiculous, though. I say sorry to inanimate objects. If I bump into furniture or even a wall in my apartment, I automatically say sorry lol.

[@gamexsimmonds3581]

😆😆😆😆Stop

[@metaphoricallyspeaking45]

I do this.

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

@@gamexsimmonds3581 I know; it's ridiculous. But I'm old, and it's so ingrained in me I think it's too late to change it LOL

[@gamexsimmonds3581]

@meghanmacqueen5157 Its all good, bumping into the wall and saying sorry is amazing lol.

[@pvdogs2]

Yes, and we, me included, also say sorry to our pets. I caught myself saying this the other night. The dogs were asking for their dinner and I realized I was about 1/2 hour late giving it to them and I apologized.

[@Lyralope]

Moving to Ontario from Quebec was a bit of a culture shock for me. I couldn't go out without someone, a stranger, stopping me to just chat. Waiting for the bus, the person sitting near me on the bus, walking down the street, people in the shopping mall, the restaurants.. I just couldn't go out without someone wanting to chat/small talk. Coming from Quebec they are not ones like that for small talk to strangers, so it was a bit of a social handicap for me. If you are not use to it people seem to be just a little "too nice", but it is just the norm, at east here in Ontario.

[@Cookies-i2f]

I enjoy chatting it up on my travels. It really makes my day.

[@jodibraun6383]

I had the same experience in Quebec. My hubby and I went to a concert in Montreal on New Year's Eve about 10 years ago, and the following morning while we were walking around looking for a place to have breakfast, every single person we passed said, "Happy New Year" (in French, obv). It was so extremely pleasant! Being from Ontario, we're used to Canadian politeness, but this was something a little "more". When we finally found an open restaurant, the waiter was super excited to see a pair of Ontarians there, and insisted on taking pictures with us. 😂 The whole experience was so charming.

[@czesati2964]

Don't be a bystander when you see someone needing help. Help them:) that's the Canadian way

[@angelebeauvera]

One thing I have learned from many travels in America: In Canada it is so natural to thank for all service. The person who was thanked proceeds to say "you’re welcome". I am forgetting the multiple American destinations where I naturally said thank you to a person and the response was "unh huh …". It felt rude to me yet I quickly adjusted and recognized it was a cultural thing not uncommon in America. It grates my sensibilities every time, I must admit.

[@sid7088]

City folks seem paranoid about wildlife. I live in the northern wilderness, surrounded by wildlife and have never had a problem. Leave them alone and they'll leave you alone, simple.

[@forksandspoons7272]

Agreed. I'm out in the sticks in BC. Folks from the city are always worried about wildlife. Far more tourists get hurt being obnoxious at the pub than ticking off a bear.

[@sooankim9247]

Problems only occur when people try to interact with wildlife as if they're pets. Some of these critters are cute but, unless you're Dr. Doolittle or Ellie-May Clampett, admire from afar only LOL!

[@charitygold6412]

As a city person, living in Toronto, I agree with this statement. However, it is a little disconcerting when you’re walking at night and you see a coyote walking down the street towards you. You’re right though if you leave it alone it will leave you alone.

[@cheallaigh]

@@charitygold6412 hmm coyotes are the one animal i would be very, very leery of actually. highly intelligent, cunning, and rapidly loses their fear of humans. there's been a rise in attacks, because they're becoming... citified... i guess you can say.

[@cheallaigh]

being from nelson and now in basically northern ontario, first time i found bear scat by my back door after i moved here, my neighbours freaked. i'm like what? it's only a black bear, i'm from grizzly country, now those are scary!

[@frank_qc8506]

As a very unsocial personne i can try to explain the politness like that : Even if i dont like to speak with strangers, smiling after eyes contact, saying sorry , answering by thank you, you're welcome, have a nice day is totally fine because it doesnt ask you to have a conversation with other people... its just be polite and continue your life. Its not a big deal.

[@JessicaKennedy367]

The personal space is a big one actually. Arms length is a decent rule of thumb. My husband works with people from all over and it's surprising and often uncomfortable how close they stand.

[@mayloo2137]

I've become especially picky about personal space because of Covid.

[@janbodlund2660]

When I see a nice outfit on someone, I always tell them how pretty their outfit is. Someone told me that I made their day, as she had a bad day at work ❤

[@michaelsantos8518]

I was born in Winnipeg where it's not uncommon for the temperature to drop to minus 40 degrees celcius. Minus 40 degrees Celcius and Minus 40 degrees Faranheit are the same.

[@margaretblank9351]

I went on a retreat in Scotland in 2017 -- I was the only Canadian, and there was a single American. We had fun showing the Scots and Europeans there (mainly from the Netherlands) the differences in our language, our 'accents'. The fact that I didn't drop my 'g' sounds; my speach was much more 'crisp' than the American present. (Plus, of course, there's our spelling...which is more correct... 😉)

[@karendaley3184]

I once visited Wales and a lady in a pub told me I had very good English for a Canadian. I thought that was funny.

[@B-Rock13]

Has anyone mentioned the “Canadian Stand off”? This occurs when 2 people pull up to a 4 way stop at approximately the same time. They then will wave back and forth insisting the other goes first.

[@paddington1670]

Person on the right gets "right of way." When I see someone else coming to a stop sign at the same time, i like to make it clear that im coming to a complete stop AND ill time it so im either first with complete stop or second with complete stop, so there is no mistaking who got there first, because not everyone knows that the person on the right, who came to a complete stop first, gets right of way, as we see here. Or even cares and just goes first anyway with a rolling stop, that's what I want to avoid, I dont mind waiting, i dont need to save 10 seconds off my trip time, but some people feel the need to risk it for 10 seconds.

[@toryjames5084]

Yessss! This one. Glad I read the comments before posting

[@mariedancavitch1581]

I say hello, or good morning, or just a smile when out walking about, it's just a friendly thing to do and most people reciprocate. It usually brings a smile to everyone's face!!! It's quite common here. I love it,😊

[@backskys7180]

Far as I know here in Canada, I have noticed a head nod is sign of respect and acknowledgement. There’s another one it’s the same thing, but you’re head upwards that’s use for close friends and family

[@juliafig17]

If you finish the bag of milk, do not leave the empty jug on the counter or even worst put it back in the fridge. Take another bag out, put it into the jug and cut the corner before placing it back in the fridge.

[@TheJessDoer]

The Canadian Goose, aka the Canadian Cobra Chicken, is extremely territorial and will actually attack someone who gets to close, especially if there are babies nearby. There are tons of videos of people getting attacked by them. And if you fall in their territory, guaranteed you're covered in Goose poop. They're the Bears of the bird world 😂 Not sure about the racoons, but in general Canadians leave wildlife alone, and Canada is so vast, that a lot of wildlife isn't used to humans, so they are still super wild! If you come to Canada, just look from a distance, it's safer!

[@theosterhout91]

So true about the animals. I used to live in a national park and was walking home drunk from the bar. Without noticing there was a 800 pound male Elk behind a tree. I was way too close and it charged me. Luckily it was just giving me a warning but I sobered up real quick haha

[@AnnieThyme]

Oh man. That's a lucky escape! I worked in Algonquin years ago and early morning before anyone else seemed to be awake I came around the corner of a building and was arms length away from a giant moose starring at me. Thankfully all it did was stare but it was a surreal few minutes. :)

[@swimmarfishy]

How do you live IN a National Park?

[@jamiehill9137]

People think Vancouver is close to Victoria. It's actually around 3 hrs with the ferry and driving time into Victoria from the terminal.

[@jaquiemeelker6623]

It didn't help that Victoria is on Vancouver Island! 😂

[@garycarolcalder3612]

Another comment, this greeting to someone passing you is usually only done in your residential neighborhood, NOT in a crowded mall or downtown busy area. That would seem pervy!

[@melodychapman9185]

Hi Tyler that was interesting. I have to say as a Canadian who has dealt with quite a few Americans over the years, most will respond to our manners! I don’t know if it’s from observing our culture or as we say a smile is contagious and goes a long way! Our manners in general help with our overall daily moods. I also find though people in general that don’t make eye contact are the sketchy ones lol we stay clear 😂 Have a great week! Oh and any and all wildlife leave them alone, observe and carry on…

[@AnonymousBeachBall]

I just want to mention that the term Inuit is not a term to encompass all indigenous communities. The Inuit are there own separate indigenous community, historically situated in the subarctic regions of North America, such as Yukon and Northwest Territories (Inuvialuit), Northern Québec (Nunavik), Labrador (Nunatsiavut), and Nunavut. Please forgive me if any of this information is outdated or untrue, or if I made any spelling errors. However I can confirm with 100% certainty that the Inuit is a group of indigenous peoples and not an alternate title for indigenous peoples.

[@kathytoy5055]

Any time of the year, really, but usually in winter, when visiting a friend's house, it is perfectly fine to bring a pair of slippers to put on when you take your shoes/boots off at the front door if you don't want to go in bare or sock feet.

[@sandrajewitt6050]

It's very common in National Parks especially, for tourists to treat wildlife like they are part of a Disney ride. Don't try to pet them. They can and will hurt you if you piss them off.

[@thebowandbullet]

Re. French vs French Canadian cultures: They are very different. Also, obviously, each of those has a lot of variations and dialects within their respective lands. If the language differences interest you, LangFocus (KZbin) has a good video comparing French Canadian vs French words, expressions and pronunciations.

[@scds1082]

I live in Québec and can testify that the cultures and language (accent, dialect etc.) are very different. I was in France one time, and as soon as they heard me speaking in French, they started calling me "la petite Canadienne."

[@kenlompart9905]

I dated a girl from Paris for awhile and one day while we were watching TV I turned on the French channel, as soon as she heard them speak she started saying "no no no turn it off." They generally think of Quebec French like we think of hillbilly English.

[@CaptHollister]

@@kenlompart9905 You know, Parisians are notoriously considered snobbish by the rest of the French-speaking world for a reason. Your girlfriend would be surprised to learn that almost 40,000 French citizens have immigrated to Québec in the last 20 years.

[@kenlompart9905]

@@CaptHollister Actually I found them quite friendly when I was there. Everyone seemed to be fine speaking English to me because I don't speak French, I found the French in Quebec to be more snobby to me when I went there.

[@wysetech2000]

@@kenlompart9905 LoL, that's funny.

[@xGoodOldSmurfehx]

I like the door example Even if 2-3 people were in a discussion in an elevator, lets say someone is standing next to the elevator as they exit and wishes them good day or good night, one or more from the group would immediately reply "thank you" or something of the likes before going back to their discussion Its really not about being polite so much as it is about being courteous, Canada is big on courtesy

[@D-Maulish]

The "acknowledging people in public" thing is dependent on the region, IMO. I'm a Newfie, and my parents moved us all to Ottawa when I was really young. We moved back to Newfoundland specifically because my mom hated how people in Ottawa would not meet her eyes on the street. She was expecting the same thing to be true when my husband and I moved to Hamilton, but honestly it was much friendlier than I was anticipating. I still do get a little annoyed when I smile or nod at someone and they just continue to scowl at me, though. @15:49 "How ya gettin' on dere buddy?/Best Kind" is so true of Newfoundland English. Another common exchange of greeting in Newfinese is "Whadda ya at?/Dis is it, b'y". - Translation: "What are you up to?/This is it." @25:02 "Inuit" is correct if they are Inuit, but Canada has a plethora of different indigenous identities and I can imagine if a person is Mohawk, Cree, Mi'kmaq, Metis etc. they would appreciate the difference acknowledged? Would love to hear indigenous perspective on this, I'm white as the driven colonial snow.

[@wysetech2000]

D-Maulish I have lived in Hamilton all of my 72 years and since Covid I find people in general are just not the same.

[@D-Maulish]

@@wysetech2000 I don't think you're wrong there. I don't think any place is quite the same since COVID, to be honest. We've since moved away from Hamilton. We want to own a house one day and we and simply can't afford it there. That makes me sad because I actually really liked living there.

[@wandamundy1759]

If you know the Nation of the person in question - you can reference it. But as a GROUP, the term "1st Nations" is what ilks who believe they're being "politically correct" will use the terms "Aboriginal," or "Indigenous." But we prefer "1st Nations." This is only for the Inuit, and the Nations. Metis are a separate group - who are descended from inter-marriage between a 1st Nations woman - and either a French or Scottish man. And NEVER, ever, EVER call us "Native Americans." The Americas were named so in the early 1500s. The short version of the story is that it was Amerigo Vespucci who first realised, on 17 August 1501, that present-day Brazil was not part of Asia but a New World, and that the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller named the new continent of America after him in a map published on 25 April 1507. Given that we were here for approximately 19,500 years BEFORE the arrival of Vespucci in Brazil - referring to us as "Native Americans" is an insult. We are 1st Nations of Turtle Island - what WE called this place for 20,000 yrs before the illegal European settlers arrived.

[@D-Maulish]

@@wandamundy1759 Thank you so much for taking the time to explain. ❤️

[@danellabella6834]

@@wandamundy1759 Love your narrative! I find it very fascinating!❤

[@keithbell6866]

In Victoria, BC, there was a train bridge going over the highway that had my favourite graffiti on it. In giant letters it said "You are not all boring"

[@lucymacdonald7601]

Never underestimated the time of year you plan to travel. While some provinces don't receive major snowfalls until January/February, other provinces may receive it a early as August/September.

[@aaronmiedema7917]

Where the term America comes from is that Amerigo Vespucci was good friends with one of the early map illustrators of the sixteenth century, Mercator. Mercator decided that his first name had a better ring than his last name. Good thing too, or you would be living in North Vespuccia. The US nicked it because they were the first ones not to be a colony.

[@JC-cu4ek]

Proper etiquette on the street is to say, "good morning/afternoon" or "hello" with a smile or a head nod when passing someone. If you are an introvert, it is acceptable to drop the pleasantries and simply smile and/or nod. It is rude to not acknowledge the other person - it's like saying they aren't worth your time. If they're on the other side of the street, a simple smile will suffice. You can tell who is new to Canada based off of their reaction - usually it's surprise!

[@Nuclear_Hamster]

#1 thing I have not seen mentioned: Don't Honk only beep!!!(I use the words to distinguish between a short sharp beep and holding down the horn button) I cannot stress this enough!! Most beeps are appropriate Whether it's a goodbye Beep Beep to a friend or a single Beep to a person who cut you off, a Full Honk is reserved for only the most serious incidents...I'm not talking near accident, or nearly died after someone made a mistake. ONLY if your are about to die (In the near future) is a long honk appropriate. For anything which passes from a beep to a Honk will cause everyone nearby to stop what they're doing and focus on you (because it's assumed shits about to go down) and if you merely did it because you're pissed off at a person YOU will be looked at as an asshole on the same level or worse then the guy you're mad at.

[@Janewomanpower]

In Newfoundland you will get people smiling, saying hi 99 percent of the time. No response is expected. But we usually smile or say hi back and move on. And you might get people talking your head off. Like, if I see someone with a map looking around I'll ask if they need help. We tend to give them directions and chat the people up. I've had many a times where tourists are shocked at how we do willingly help out. We are a pretty easygoing crowd. You'll never feel lonely here. You'll meet more friends in a week here than you will in your lifetime in many other places.

[@JennaGetsCreative]

Accurate! Sometimes when I'm just running to the mail box and I don't want to be held up chatting to neighbours I'll intentionally keep my head down and not make eye contact because a 3 minute mail box walk can easily turn into 45 minutes 😅

[@Janewomanpower]

@@JennaGetsCreative 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 so true!!! So watch out for me! Keep yer head down. 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Janewomanpower]

@@JennaGetsCreative I've gotten really good at telling people I have to go while they're still talking. True story.

[@Joncom98]

that remark you said about offending someone here by not replying politely is very true. If I say sorry or thank you to someone and they don't respond I consider it really rude or hope they just didn't hear me

[@charitygold6412]

Was seven years old when I came to Canada back in the 60s. For the first couple of years it was hard for me visiting my friends at their home. Back then, a lot of Canadians wore their shoes in the house. However, It was really uncomfortable for me to be wearing my shoes inside a home. By the 80s it became more common for Canadians to take off their shoes when entering their home. Now it’s more common to take your shoes off then to keep it on.

[@eternalsunshineofthespotlessme]

I find it so gross when people wear their shoes indoors! If you must, have a pair of indoor shoes or slippers to throw on.

[@VeryCherryCherry]

Where did you live? I'm pretty sure both my grandmothers would have beaten anyone who walked on their clean floors with dirty shoes. Same time period. One grandmother was in the city in Ontario, the other on a farm in the country in New Brunswick.

[@nanciecianfrini9168]

Born and raised here, we've always removed our shoes in the indoors.

[@n.b.3521]

I'm surprised you were ever in an area of Canada where wearing shoes inside was ok. Both my grandmothers (one a francophone & one an anglophone) would not have allowed that and it was never okay at anyone's house I went to growing up either (small town Ontario).

[@KevinOConnell00]

In the Winter I leave the house wearing a T-shirt, colored shirt, fleece, overcoat. In the summer I wear a T-shirt and a colored shirt. I remove layers if I get too warm.

[@LetItBeSummer-1]

Tyler in this dark time now, you are really a breath of fresh air, and a delight. As a Canadian. I so appreciate your channel. It’s light and funny (foe the most part) & you’re lifting our spirits. I’ll call you our gift to Canada 🇨🇦!

[@Cookies-i2f]

For sure!

[@Ghost-Spirit]

The warning about rivers is actually about underwater currents the surface looks calm but there could be a fast moving current underneath

[@TheBusymumof4]

Re: the time it takes places. I can start from my house in Southern Ontario and drive to Florida in 22 hours. If I start at my house and drive north through Ontario I’ll still be in Ontario 24 hours later.

[@Cookies-i2f]

True

[@rhondathieson1156]

I live in Edmonton Alberta, particularly during rush hour, when you let a driver into your lane when they are signaling, or if a driver is wanting to merge into traffic from a parking lot, you better wave a thank you to the driver letting you in! Also, when there is road construction and a merge lane is having trouble merging, there is usually a code of conduct ( or a sign) that indicates a “zipper” technique that is every other driver will let that merge in to keep traffic flowing…makes sense, right!

[@TravelingBibliophile]

Exactly even our rush hour traffic is polite 😀

[@addictedtoguitars4948]

I remember some years ago talking to my cousin who was living stateside and had come back to Canada. She was surprised at how little garbage there was, because in the US people would just throw things from their cars along the side of the highway.

[@hiredgun7186]

here its mostly trucker missiles

[@JK-zz4ip]

I've that happen a couple times here in Canada, although rare and it really irks me when I see someone doing that.

[@bronwenhook6088]

Living on a dirt road in rural Nova Scotia, I can testify to many beverage cans in the ditches. I have been told that (for the beer cans anyway) it is to be blameless either when stopped by a cop, or when they get home to the wife. Anyway, I have trained my dog to go get them so I can recycle. But there are also old tires, Tim's trash, etc.: not huge amounts, but Canadians can be as lazy and thoughtless as anyone else

[@kingslaphappy1533]

For the nod in the street…maybe not so much on a bustling city street but in a residential setting, its not unusual.

[@ronaldgillespie5714]

Yes the nod is a real thing. Best way to see people who are in a good mood.

[@thegreypath1777]

Tyler: I live in small town USA 🇺🇸 (NorthEast Ohio), and the items on your list apply here also. We even have Canadian Geese, deer, and raccoons. Also, we have a neighborhood skunk that will visit after I have put out bird food. Waving to other drivers is very common. Politeness can drive you crazy at a four-way stop.

[@meghanmacqueen5157]

If you're in a smaller city or town, and you come to a four way stop, it can be pretty funny. Unless it's TOTALLY clear who got there first, people will sometimes wave each other on for a long time. When I was little, my friend and her dad came to a four way stop and a bicyclist stopped at the same time. They waved each other on for so long, finally they went at the same time (by accident). They hit the cyclist. Anyway, they put him and his bicycle into their car and drove him to the hospital (luckily the health care is free).

[@simonbujold2708]

I lived in Montreal so I'm used to traffic jam. I tease my parent that live in a small town when they says they had traffic today. "So you guys ended up 4 cars at a stop again? "

[@joanneolsen5635]

Health care isn’t free in Canada, it’s in our taxes

[@RLMARMEN]

Talking about passing people on the street, quite often we will say Hello, have a good walk etc. We acknowledge them.

[@thegreypath1777]

We do that too, down here in The States.

[@lochthefox6397]

If you're in Newfoundland you may hear someone say "Where's it at?" The proper response is "This is it." It's basically a way of asking how's it going, and responding by telling them things are good.

[@Raisin747]

For anyone that doesn’t know about the geese, the Canadian geese are absolute hellspawn. They will attack you unprovoked, they hiss at you for absolutely no reason, and they also travel in large amounts. So it’s not just one little demon charging at you, it’s 20.

[@jessicazaytsoff1494]

Geese have a posse. And are dense. Not in intelligence but in mass. You think you can kick a water fowl for distance? You can't. You will break at least one bone in your foot and now you can't run from the rest of them. Best to avoid.

[@nickknight5543]

The geese don't appreciate being killed and used for winter coats that is why they are pissed off.

[@alicesmeathers1179]

They are called Canada Geese.

[@alaintoutant4646]

I don't know if this is actually the case in real life but I noticed on many American TV series that people never seem to greet people when ending a phone call, they just hang up without a word. In Canada, I'm used to some form of "goodbye" to end the conversation (the caller being expected to say it 1st). It always strikes me as kind of rude. Perhaps that's only on TV though.

[@isabellemarois3962]

Yes!

[@thegreypath1777]

An USA here: That’s only on TV.

[@pantagruelcat]

Actually, taking shoes off in the house is pretty debatable in Canada. We never did when we were growing up and neither did any of our friends' families (very working-class) - unless it was winter boots. Most of my family still don't take shoes off. Some of us live in old houses where your feet aren't safe from splinters from the floor. And most hosts do not provide house slippers (what they do in Japan). Also, as an old person with mobility problems, taking shoes off for a visit is very difficult.

[@CaptHollister]

In Canada, alcohol laws vary from province to province. It's a bit frustrating that Americans understand that the English language and culture in the US is different from the English language and culture of the UK, but can't understand that the French language and culture of Canada is different from the French language and culture of France... Even worse is that this is often true even in English Canada. Anglophone Canadians often disparage Canadian French as not being "real" French because it differs from the language spoken in France without ever giving a thought to the fact that Canadian English is different from the language spoken in England. Anecdote: I went to English school in Québec and throughout elementary, our French classes were based on the language and culture of France instead of the language and culture that was all around us. Try ordering a "bifteck pommes frites" in Montréal, see what that gets you... Fortunately, that all changed in high school.

[@danellabella6834]

All very true!

[@kathybernatchez8473]

I live in a small town in Quebec and we are used to greeting people we don't know. But I have not observed this habit in a big city like Montreal.

[@mayalemaire]

Last comment. As a French Canadian there is a lot of variations. Each French community has different accents, way to say things, varying traditions, etc. Also Quebec is not the only French speaking place in Canada. You might also want to look into English vs French speaking people and their battles. There has been and still is A LOT of tension.

[@personincognito3989]

It's only for some people. Most of us in the West embrace duality

[@nouradrouin]

I got to say I see so much free hate online toward quebecers that when I visit family outside of Quebec I ask them to not speak french to me in public because Im actually afraid to be attacked for being francophone 😢 (Im originally from the US so I speak English well and Ive seen people being attacked by strangers for the smallest things before)

[@valeriemcdonald440]

@@nouradrouin There are tons of French-speaking locals in Eastern Ontario, you can speak as much french as you like here. It's not so much the language of Quebec as much as the politics that you might want to avoid discussing.

[@nouradrouin]

@@valeriemcdonald440 I agree, trust me Im never going to start or entertain a conversation on Can vs Qc politics with any stranger 😅 unfortunately my family and friends live in predominantly English speaking towns. But from my experience online, I simply mention that in Qc lots of people do post-secondary studies and I get an "Alberta payed for it". Or talk about how many lakes and rivers we have and how we use them and I get a "Quebec is useless, you dont need to exist" or "quebecers are stupid" out of nowhere 🤷🏾‍♀️ some people just enjoy confrontation... I'll also admit that I've also had the pleasure to converse with a few English Canadians online who were very interesting, polite and open minded. So of course I know its only a handful of people who are hateful to the extent of verbally attacking someone on the street. Im aware my fear is a bit irrational 😅 🤏🏽

[@mayalemaire]

@@personincognito3989 I mean just in my mother's generations English and French people would have turf wars and sabotage each others schools. They also would not talk to each other/socialize. My mom knows someone her age (baby boomer) who almost got disowned for marrying "an Anglais". Not as severe now but those under currents are still very very much present.

[@tomwilson8637]

One of best examples I have seen was a 30:03 porta potty that someone had left a note thanking the cleaners for the great job they were doing and others also signed the note . Have to admit it was the cleanest potty I have ever used 0😂 and yes I signed aswell

[@janellegodin2934]

The smile or nod when passing someone is very common in many places in Canada. Maybe it's because we don't have the population density. I can't see this happening in a city like NYC but even in larger Canadian cities, it does happen.

[@prevosfr]

Not downtown Toronto, especially when you're a single woman and ask for directions, you'd be surprised how many will say "don't know", or just plain ignore you.

[@MGrant-dx2tj]

My friend from London (England) was staying with me in Toronto. The first few mornings she went outside for a walk, she couldn't figure out why people were smiling at her; she thought maybe she had food on her face. She finally realized that they were just acknowledging her in an unobtrusive way. It made me proud of my neighbourhood and my city.

[@j.h.3777]

If you're walking in Montreal downtown and it's crowded, no one is smiling and nodding to each other. Maybe if you see someone cute, you may catch their eye longer than usual and smile.

[@MGrant-dx2tj]

@@j.h.3777 Why do I feel like breaking out into the chorus of 'Some Enchanted Evening'? (from South Pacific) :D

[@j.h.3777]

@@MGrant-dx2tj ; )

[@anthonyd.1428]

Some of the most respectful encounters I have ever had is when I went to America 🇺🇸. A stranger passing by tipped his hat to me. I never had that before, and I did likewise. I was a teenager at the time, and this made me feel like an adult. So yes, Americans can and are polite and respectful, just in a different way.

[@PJPerdue1293]

I lived for several years in the Okanagan Valley of BC (semi-desert). Beautiful wine country, the Napa Valley of the north, but I couldn't handle the summers anymore. Routinely 40°C (104°F) for a lot of it. I finally moved to the south tip Vancouver Island where it's mild and we get maybe one week of snow a year.

[@2ninja4U2see97]

The shoes-off rule applies everywhere, even when viewing places like model homes and open houses

[@CharCanuck14]

Hi Tyler! Speaking about the difference between French Canadian and European French reminds me of an incident that happened to me a few years ago. I was camping in France and the campground owner, knowing I was Canadian, asked me if I could translate for him a French Canadian camper who he was having problems understanding. Yes, the campground owner was French!

[@acarriere8534]

Well, that French guy never visited Normandy or Larochelle or neither Bruxel, as we have almost the same accent and I could not understand a word said in Normandy by some rural people, just like the farmers here in Quebec. and in Paris, they speak VERLAND all reversed words and sometimes double reversed words, try to figure that out!

[@threenorns3]

I used to live in Northern Ontario - Field, Ontario, to be precise. My aunt came to visit. As a Finnish transatlantic telephone operator, she spoke *many* languages. Even though one of them was French, I still had to interpret between her and my Franco-Ontarien boyfriend! Hint: up there, "Mon truck est fuckez" is an actual sentence.

[@CharCanuck14]

@@threenorns3 The truck statement is hilarious!

[@NatoBro]

I was on a D-Day beach tour along the Normandy coast, and our guide said to me he has a hard time understanding French-Canadians. Accents and words are very different.

[@chrisanderson5240]

You should do one on which vehicles are the most popular

[@JeneticCode]

As A Canadian I Used To Roller Blade Along The Ottawa River Parkway. I Would Have To Do Some Fancy Footwork To Get Around The Gaggle Of Geese Loitering About. 🤣 They Not Only Didn't Flinch Or Move, They've Been Known To Chase You Down

[@wryalways985]

Geese are evil.

[@allaneisner4729]

Geese can be very aggressive and should not be approached in quick movements, as that would be perceived as a threat! However, you can safely feed geese from a reasonable distance of say 10 to 20 feet.

[@TheJessDoer]

Oh, yes, the nod and smile thing is also pretty common! Some even go as far to say a quiet "Hello!" As we pass each other. I have social anxiety, so I often wait for the other person to initiate, but it happens almost all the time! Unless you're in a crowded place, then you just smile at everyone lol!

[@Daeananaias]

Okay here is a good example of Canadian politeness. A person was self checking through their groceries and at the end the computer said "Have a great day" and the customer said "Thank you , you too"😮

[@chaddalziel8524]

I'm a Canadian living in Cayman Islands for a year. When I first got here I would say Hi to everyone passing on the street and alot of people would almost looked like they got shot.

[@louisejohnson6057]

The second month that I lived in Winnipeg, on Christmas day, it was -39°C, - 48°C with the windchill. Back home on the west coast, it would be damp and chilly, but usually above freezing.

[@36jjmc]

Dont reprimand and lecture people for speaking other languages. Especially if they are not speaking to you. Whistler chairlift line. A group of Japanese girls in front of us having a fun time talking to each other, and a group of 40 something American women behind us. I could hear the American women starting to boil over, furious that they were'nt speaking "American", and one of them pushed me to get around me (without an excuse me or a sorry). She got in their face with her finger and loudly snarled "YALL NEED TO SPEAK AMERICAN WHEN YALL ARE IN AMERICA! YALL ARE BEING RUDE!" I lost my shit. I wont say what exactly I said to her, so ill paraphrase: told her she was the rude one, to mind her business, gave her a geography lesson, asked her if shes lost or confused and if shed like me to get someone to help her back to the home (retirement village), and to try and go back to her spot in the line with out hitting me with her fat American ass (couldnt sugar coat that last one lol)

[@thinkpadBentnoseTheBlind]

I was in the high mountains at -52 Celsius without the wind chill . If you spit it crackles and freezes before it hits the ground