Are you traveling to Canada soon? Are you planning to study a season there? Canada is one of the best valued countries for the hospitality of its people, the beauty of its landscapes and its modern cities. A mixture of British, French and Native American cultures, in this post we present some of the most curious customs of Canada so that you can get to know the country of maple syrup a little better. Can you come with us?
Wave
In Canada it is not customary to greet with a kiss on the cheek as it is in other countries. Greet like this can be seen as too daring an action, as people usually greet each other by shaking hands or patting the back lightly if there is some familiarity.
However, just because people don't kiss each other to say hi doesn't mean Canadians are cold and distant. Just the opposite: they always overflow with kindness, a willingness to help and a smile on their face.
Image | Pixabay
Punctuality in appointments
It is Canadian custom to be extremely punctual at work meetings and personal appointments. In fact, being two or three minutes late can be considered a lack of punctuality.Therefore, it is advisable to arrive several minutes before the agreed time.
Medals
Canadians are characterized by being very orderly and by their good manners. You will never see them sneaking into a queue or the subway and waiting patiently for their turn, in line, waiting to be attended when making a purchase or requesting a service.
Alcohol
In Canada you cannot drink alcohol in public places such as parks or beaches and to be able to drink it in bars or restaurants it is necessary to present two IDs to prove the age of majority, which depending on the province is 18 or 19 years old, for example in British Columbia.
Image | Pixabay
Propinas
Although it is not required, in Canada it is customary to leave a tip when paying the bill at a restaurant. The amount is usually 15% of the amount, although depending on the quality of the service received it may be higher. However, for large groups, the tip is mandatory. In other services such as hairdressers or taxis, it is also customary to tip.
Smoke
In Canada, smoking is not allowed in closed public places and even several meters away from any entrance to a building.
Sports
The star sports in Canada is ice hockey, although snowboarding or skiing are also two widely practiced sports. Other sports such as soccer and tennis are becoming very popular activities.
Shoes
It is customary in Canada to take off your shoes when entering any house. This helps to keep the interior clean and to not make noise if neighbors live on the ground floor. It may seem strange at first, since you always have to have slippers at home, but over time you get used to it.
Environment
Speaking of sports, Canadians love to play it outdoors, which is why they care so much about maintaining the environment by recycling all the waste. They are very aware of protecting the environment and that is why they always separate garbage into organic waste, plastics, paper, cardboard and metals.
Parties
In Canada, the most typical celebrations are Canada Day, when the country is dressed in white and red and numerous music and fireworks festivals take place, and Thanksgiving, which, unlike in the United States, is celebrated first October. Christmas is also another very important date on the calendar that is celebrated with enthusiasm in the country.
Meal
In Canada, people tend to eat early. They usually eat breakfast at 7 in the morning, have lunch at noon, and have dinner around 17.30 or 18 p.m.
As a curiosity, donuts or donuts are one of the favorite desserts of Canadians. They take them in all ways: cold, hot, filled with creams and jams ... The best known are those of Tim Hortons.
Open mind
Canadians are very friendly people with an open nature towards other cultures and sensitivities. It is an inclusive and respectful country as well as a country committed to gender equality.