Allan
What are some unwritten rules in Canada?
- Don’t raise your voice in public places. It’s done in another English speaking country that shall remain nameless, but it’s considered vulgar and crass here.
- Always remove your shoes when entering someone’s home.
- Say sorry a lot, even if somebody else bumps into you, still say sorry. (So should they, if they are Canadian.) You’ll understand better when you’re here.
- Do not say or make any jokes about Canadians saying “aboot” instead or “about”. Nobody says that; it’s a myth created by Americans. This cultural distortion is not appreciated.
- We are a very polite culture. Use please and thank you more than you might think you need to. It will be appreciated and you will be viewed in a kind light.
- Tip waiters. Without tips they can’t get by. Start at 15% of your total bill for average service and adjust up or down depending on the quality of service.
- Do not be taken aback by someone approaching you in French. We are a bilingual country. Depending on which region you are in it could happen. Just smile and say, “I’m sorry, I don’t speak French”. Be nice about it, they may not speak English, especially in eastern Ontario, Québec and New Brunswick.
- I live in Ottawa, the federal capital and a tourist town. I’m always happy to help out lost tourists. That is if they are polite and pleasant. I have had tourists come up to me for help without even saying please. I just tell them I don’t know.
- In stores, the price of an item is fixed. You cannot barter with the cashier. The price is the price; take it or leave it.
Tony Gibbs
