Being thoroughly Canadian!?

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Kate

Canadians are polite. The majority will hold doors for strangers in public places, and apologize for the slightest bump they make make on somebody.

You definately know stereotypes. Canada is different from the northern states simply because we are Canadian. The accent is different (but there are different dialects...for example, the east coast (NFL & the Maritimes) sound rather Irish, whereas the west coast sounds more American...just things like that), and we have different words and pronunciations for different things.

DEFINATELY know your hockey. Even if you don't watch it a lot, or even like it, only root for your city's team (or closest one....GO SENS!!!) and know who's winning in the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Please research who is who in the government. Know who the PM is, and the GG. Also, get used to driving on the opposite side of the road and to reading in both French & English if you are moving to Ontario, NB, NS, or PEI. In Quebec, you will only read the signs in French.

Brush up on your French skills...especially in southern Ontario, Quebec, and NB.

Hope that helps!
You'll love it here.

bugged to death

Hmmm, it seems you have covered all of the stereotypes. As a Canadian (who does not drink beer or watch hockey), I would say one national characteristic is politeness. Also, Canadians, as a group, (but not all of us obviously) tend to be live-and-let-live people. Thus, national attitudes about things like gay marriage, out gay politicians, abortion laws, multiculturalism, pot smoking, etc. tend to be quite liberal compared to the States.
Try to cultivate an attitude of compromise, politeness and minding your own business. Welcome to Canada.

Danelady

Well, don't go by the stereotypes too much. I've never said "eh" in my life. I also don't drink beer or watch hockey. I'll have to confess to liking bacon, though.

It's hard to explain the difference, you have to experience it. People are far more polite, it's quite common for people to hold the door for you, say "thank you", not put up a fuss in a public place. Canadians tend to be more reserved, they will be polite, but they will have to know you better, before you will be really welcomed. Much like England in that respect.

Canadians LOVE humour.

Just be yourself, honesty is valued above everything.

Inuk

learn to say zed not zee. When you come to Canada, be careful on drinking our beer, pretty strong compaired to others, be ready for the cold (if global warming don't happen when you move here) and be polite, smile at people or just say hi, get to know your neighbors, learn to take jokes, we tend to do that a lot and know when to be serious. Great to be Canadian eh?

countpetez

Come to Bobcaygeon Ontario we are very diversified,laid back and tolerant even to Americans. Environmentally aware, because we have so much to lose. We are just proud to be Canadians and don't stress over having a distinct cultural identity. Great place to live that even our politicians can't totally mess up..

burrito

We have a quiet, but dignified sense of pride in being Canadian and for the love of our great northern country.

We don't have to display our flag on every car, every house or every T-shirt to show our pride!

The other fellow Canuck comments ring true. Welcome to Canada!

Chas B

I addition to the first answer, not only should you develop a live and let live attitude, you should also develop your sense of humour. We Canadians like to laugh and have a good time, so being stuck up or overly sensitive will alienate you from others. Being quick witted and funny will draw people to you, no matter which part of the country you live in. Americans tend to be more sensitive, rigid and abrasive (they say or do things that Canadians would find a little politically incorrect)...not all of course. Oh! And don't be a pansy! Haha I only say that because I once went camping with an English dude and he was definately not an outdoorsy guy. He was freaking out over insects and other animals. He caught a fish...and got me to clean it! He had no idea how to build a fire...it was hilarious! I mean good entertainment but totally had no chance of getting laid that week. Outdoorsy people tend to be sexier. I think you shouldn't completely absorb Canadian culture, the English culture is cool too.

PS Buy a toque

Marie

First of all be advised that there is no such thing as "Canadian bacon" in Canada; we eat strip bacon just as you do (the closest thing we have to what what you call Canadian bacon is "peameal bacon" which is actually smoked pork loin coated in peameal and we eat it for dinner, not breakfast).

Actually, if you are coming here from a northern state that is blue it may not feel too much different, except that even our CONSERVATIVE radio talk shows and print media argue how much your national government is a total disaster, and, notwithstanding some debate whether or not some services might be provided by the private sector, socialized health is totally accepted. We also are much more accepting that our being more civilized than Americans includes acknowledging that we must pay higher taxes (and in return we by and large get better services), although the market controls which make our dairy and chicken cost 2/3 more than in the States is a bit extreme.

By the way, most Canadian beers are the same 4.5% - 5% as American beers (but, alas! - we have far fewer great microbreweries).

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