Read through some facts and learn more about Canadian Culture.
1
Canada is an open society
Canadians are generally tolerant, polite, and community-oriented, and they often engage in volunteering and charity work. They value honesty, empathize with others, and respect people's privacy. What's more, they prefer not to be compared with U.S. Americans.
2
A different Thanksgiving
Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the second Monday of October, earlier than the U.S. holiday because crops are harvested earlier due to the northern climate. It is a family gathering centered around a hearty dinner, being grateful and enjoying typical dishes like turkey with cranberry sauce, vegetables, and pumpkin pie for dessert.
3
Leaving your shoes in the entrance is a nice gesture
In Canada, it is common for people to take off their shoes when entering homes to keep the indoors clean; it is also a sign of respect for the homeowner.
4
Favorite sports: Ice Hockey and Lacrosse
Sports are essential to Canada's culture, with ice hockey and lacrosse being the national sports. Canadians learn hockey from a young age, participating in school leagues. The NHL draws millions of viewers. Also, skiing and snowboarding are also popular traditions in Canada because of the country's mountainous regions.
The Stampede is a July festival in Calgary, famous for its cowboy attire, races, games, exhibitions, rodeos, and parades. Canada also hosts year-round festivals like the Montreal Jazz Festival and Quebec's Winter Carnival, filled with parades and sleigh races. Dress warmly!
6
How do they greet each other?
In Canada, friends usually greet with a short hug, while a firm handshake with eye contact is common for first introductions. Sometimes just a short nod and a friendly smile is enough. As in many other cultures, it's also common to greet people and express gratitude, saying “hello” and “thank you” in stores and on buses.
Tipping at restaurants and bars is common, typically starting at 15% of the total bill, with more for exceptional service. Not tipping or giving less is seen as disrespectful. This practice also extends to hairdressers, delivery drivers, cab drivers, and masseurs.
8
Wearing comfy clothes is quite common
When people think of Canada, they often picture a lumberjack in a plaid shirt. However, Canadians typically dress casually in T-shirts and jeans, and in winter, they wear thick coats, boots, hats, gloves, and scarves. The truth is that Canadians love to be comfortable and tend to dress casually.
People often hold yard sales on weekends throughout the year, especially in spring and summer, selling items like home accessories, instruments, books, and clothes. You may also find boxes labeled “Free stuff” in front of some houses for anyone to take.
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