Im planing on going to canada, is there any etiquette i should follow thats different from the united states?

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moddy almondy

Tipping is normally %15 (I usually give around %20). Do bear in mind that our gov't overtaxes service people because of tipping, they depend on the tips to survive.

Cell phones work here. It's considered rude to be on the phone while dealing with service people (ie - while ordering coffee, paying at a cash, etc), nothing is more irritating than overly-loud talking on a cellphone, turn it off in the theatre.... etc...

Water's more than fine to drink.

Please and Thank You are always appreciated. (S'il vous plait and Merci if you're in Quebec.)

Littering is a big no-no, we take pride in our streets (I don't know about the rest of the country but it's a $125 fine in Montreal for a discarted cigarette butt).

The drinking age is 18-19, depending on the province, ditto for smoking.

It's not uncommon to walk down the street and get a whiff of marijuana in Montreal... while it is illegal here, it's not treated as harshly as in the US. So don't be shocked.

And please don't [I doubt you in particular will, but I'll mention it anyways] project the 'dumb American stereotype'; it's the best way to repell people. ie- constant comparaison between countries, a holier-than-thou attitude and really ignorant questions (I kid you not, I came across a question on Y!A today that asked if Canada had their own currency.)

"Eh" is a speech pattern. We can't rid ourselves of it. (Primarily in the Maritimes / East Coast) so please don't point it out. It's so cliche to point it out.

Please also note that there is a difference between racial humour and racist humour here. While we love racial humour (comedian Russell Peters IS one of our greatest exports), I can guarentee anything from a telling-off from everyone in the vicinity to an all out @ss-kicking for racist remarks.

Hockey is a religion.

If you really want an idea of Canadian and Quebequois culture, I strongly recommend the film "Bon Cop / Bad Cop"... it's a bilingual movie (it flips back and forth between French and English dialogue and takes place in both Montreal and Toronto) but it has subtitles and is frankly, hilarious. You MUST watch it.

Please sample our beer. (Molson, preferably)

And thank YOU for asking.

Kelapabesar

I think you'll find that tipping is roughly the same as in the US...15% in urban centres and a little less in more rural areas.

Cell phone? Common courtesy goes a long way. Not EVER in a theatre. If you take a call while talking to someone, apologise, keep it brief. Avoid it in places where you can be overheard; restaurants, public transportation, etc.

It's okay to drink the water. Canada provides much of your drinking water and it's safer to drink and better tasting than city water in most US cities.

Overall, just remember you're a guest. Obey the laws, be courteous, respectful. Remember, Canada is country in which respect for others and courtesy are so deeply instilled that you're likely to hear people saying "Thank you" to an ATM.

Above all, try to avoid the tendency to compare everything to "the states". On the whole, Canadians are much more aware of and familiar with the US than the reverse. If they don't do things the way you do, it's because they have chosen not to; not because of ignorance or lack of sophistication.

Enjoy your stay!

auntcookie84

It's been awhile since I've been up sightseeing in Canada, but the two that remain constant with them is 1. do not litter! and 2. do NOT cross against the traffic light!!! They are very serious about these two!! Oh, and yes, the water in Canada is delicious, so drink up! hehe!

Mica

Water is drinkable, tipping is 15% for good service. It is important to treat people respectfully, absolutely no racial comments would be tolerated, and simply be nice and polite.

Danelady

A good deal of the water you drink comes from Canada to start with. Just remember to say "please" and "thank you" and to hold doors for people behind you. Have a nice trip! That was a very thoughtful and considerate question.

BTW, don't mind Biff, he forgot to take his pills today.

Edit - We all know what great doctors you have in the US, Biff, most of them trained in Canada. Sadly, they don't seem to be doing you much good. Ah well, you should be an interesting case history.

felix

Be polite and always say please and thank you. Please, no exclamations of things like Wow, you people even speak English. We are always amazed at how little Americans know about Canadians and when you make comments like that it really ticks us off.
As for what Biffnasty says, don't pay any attention to him. His name says it all "nasty". Obviously he has never been to Canada and doesn't know what he is talking about. Typical American redneck.

Chester Field

I live in an area where there a lot of US of American tourists.

Notable faux pas are:

-loud public use of cell 'phones
-loud complaints that it isn't just like in the US of America
-loudness in general
-displays of US of American symbols - flags, bumper stickers, etc.

Curiously at the beer store they actually buy the US brands instead of trying some of the good stuff! Mind you they consider pike to be a food fish so...

And never ever ask "How much is that in REAL money?"

nbr660

Don't litter & be friendly and the water is great & gas is sold by the litre not gallon. There are 4 litres to a gallon.

deleted

lmaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooo canada is just like america pretty much...the water is fine to drink jeez...lol you can use your cell phone...everything is the same...it's funny how people think canada is so different from america when it's not. We drive on the same side of the road too if you were wondering that lol...no but really canadians are very friendly and you won't have any problems.

HAPA CHIC

.15 percent tipping.That is your taxes !!! NOt .10 % !!! yes its okay to drink our water we have the same filtration system as in the USA.We are not a 3rd world country just don't be obnoxious or rude ...just be polite and it will be reciprocated back to you !
live in Ontario and sorry no one says eh with just about every other word! what a stereotype made by an american

John M

Being no expert on etiquette, I don't know about this specific question. However, here is a free online etiquette training website. Its informative and its fun:
http://www.etiquettepolice.com/

Grand pa

Water is safe we are just like everyone else We use metric for speed and weight

No. We are just the same as you!

Water is fine to drink in any province...except I'd opt for bottled water anytime!

Tipping is 20%+...little steep, I know.

Other than that, I cant think of anything different.

Dangermanmi6

Hey thanks for asking this question YOU deserve the 10 points for asking it.

I've lived in both countries and they are basically the same, there are a few small differences but those seem to be the things that REALLY tick us Canadians off;
You can use your credit cards (except Discover) just about anywhere and do get some Canadian money or traveler's cheques before you get here!!! We don't use the American dollar in spite of what one of my friends wants and its just rude.
OK I admit it we say "EH" just about every other word so please don't find it cute until you get back home or to the hotel. Its normal for us to say it, eh.
As some of the other posters have commented please don't compare everything to the States. We have a great country here (2nd largest in the world) and we are VERY proud of it as you are of America.

Some of the things that may tick you off about us;
We too are a free country and we will speak our minds about many things that your country is doing. Thats politics sorry.
Unfortunatly we have VERY rude people here in Canada like everywhere. Sorry about them too.
Some of the brands that you get in the States we have here but they are made in Canada so they may taste different. Coke for example has a slightly different taste here, my daughter perfers the taste of Dr Pepper from the states.
We won't take the American dollar in some places.

Last few words as the others have mostly said we try to be a polite socity and by and large we are. We like to keep our citys as clean as we are able to. The water is safe to drink in the restraunts & out of the tap. And the old joke is true, "what's the difference between an Canadian & a canoe? You can get a canoe to tip!" Tipping in Canada ranges from 10 to 15% usually I generally give 10% myself (OK I'm cheap) for really good service I go a little higher.

Enjoy your trip here

redrose75

hello , i have travelled 2 canada and u can drink the water in canada .

cell phones in canada are not so much expencive and in canada you must not joke with any child or parents ,.

and when you go to the airport do not talk to any one of ur family { if you are married } ....

i mea that u can talk but dont make urself so hurried and angry or nervus . Just stay cool and talk slowloy and happily .

thanku and bye ,

this is my email if u wanted anyrthing

cute_fufu96@hotmail.com

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