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Differences of Canada and the U.S.
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Discharger
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Probably the most major change (I'd think anyway) is that we don't use imperial measurements, so you might want to get used to using kilometres instead of miles, centimetres instead of inches, etc. I've heard that we're supposed to be more friendly but I don't really know. I mean, I'm an asshole but for the most part I wouldn't go off on someone unless they did something really stupid.
Other than that and the difference in prices/value of money there's not a lot of a difference really. A few people we knew online from the 'States came up here and those were the big things they noticed.
Not too many big changes, but there's a lot of small differences. For example I've heard that in most US McDonalds, they cashier would say "For here or to go?" whereas here we say "To stay or to go?". Also, we got a lot of different flavours of pop (soda) much later than they appear in the US, so some of your favorite carbonated beverages may not exist over here yet. Just noticed Sprite "Remix" for the first time other day and apperantly it's been in the US forever.
Oh yeah, and we don't get some US fast food chains here. No Jack in the Box, for one and until just a few years ago no Burger King. Then again, there's only a few Tim Hortons in the US (mostly on the eastern side near the border) so I guess it somewhat balances out.
Other than that and the difference in prices/value of money there's not a lot of a difference really. A few people we knew online from the 'States came up here and those were the big things they noticed.
Not too many big changes, but there's a lot of small differences. For example I've heard that in most US McDonalds, they cashier would say "For here or to go?" whereas here we say "To stay or to go?". Also, we got a lot of different flavours of pop (soda) much later than they appear in the US, so some of your favorite carbonated beverages may not exist over here yet. Just noticed Sprite "Remix" for the first time other day and apperantly it's been in the US forever.
Oh yeah, and we don't get some US fast food chains here. No Jack in the Box, for one and until just a few years ago no Burger King. Then again, there's only a few Tim Hortons in the US (mostly on the eastern side near the border) so I guess it somewhat balances out.
Escape Goat
Member
canada is colder
We try to use the metric system more often.
Very high rate of broadband penetration.
We don't typically eat biscuits and gravy for breakfast.
It's pop, not soda pop, not soda. (doesn't apply to all areas in US)
Are money is multi colored, and are wallets are heavier as we use twoonies ($2) and loonies ($1) more often.
Debit (Interact) has really taken off, and is accepted nearly everywhere. Very few people ever use cheque books.
Very high rate of broadband penetration.
We don't typically eat biscuits and gravy for breakfast.
It's pop, not soda pop, not soda. (doesn't apply to all areas in US)
Are money is multi colored, and are wallets are heavier as we use twoonies ($2) and loonies ($1) more often.
Debit (Interact) has really taken off, and is accepted nearly everywhere. Very few people ever use cheque books.
Escape Goat
Member
NetMapel said:
Dont even try that with me! I've read about canada...in um, books and stuff. Its like friggin cold up there and dinosaurs roam the landscape.
Necroscope
Member
I think we are way more multicutral and acceptance between races here in Vancouver BC at least.
The Bookerman
Member
Doth Togo said:
Fuck yeah, tabarnak.
MrPing1000
Member
the rest of the world will like you!
In my opinion, as a culture, we're a little bit more evolved. (depends on your definition I suppose)
Race and sexual preference just aren't as big of a deal here as they are in the states. We're just more open and accepting.
Plus social services are nice.
Oh, and Hockey! It's a requirement to love Hockey to come to Canada. I think it's part of the citizenship test.
Race and sexual preference just aren't as big of a deal here as they are in the states. We're just more open and accepting.
Plus social services are nice.
Oh, and Hockey! It's a requirement to love Hockey to come to Canada. I think it's part of the citizenship test.
Lord Error
Insane For Sony
It's perfectly legal to download and upload music in Canada.
Goverment regulators don't give a crap if someone shows a boob on the TV.
Noone gives a crap if you are black, white, asian or esquimo.
Goverment regulators don't give a crap if someone shows a boob on the TV.
Noone gives a crap if you are black, white, asian or esquimo.
Oh yeah, Canada is subject to many experimental stuff that companies want to see if it will be successful before launching them in the US.
Such as:
Sprite Ice (Sprite with a mint flavor, tastes like drinking sprite after brushing one's teeth)
Sprite Remix (Sprite with a raspberry flavor, I really don't like it either)
Such as:
Sprite Ice (Sprite with a mint flavor, tastes like drinking sprite after brushing one's teeth)
Sprite Remix (Sprite with a raspberry flavor, I really don't like it either)
There are definitely differences between Canada and the US in several respects. Then again, it is not night and day, either. In short, there are more similarities than differences.
Climate-wise, it depends on where you go in either country, but Canada is generally colder. Although if you go to the major cities (which often border the US), you'll only really notice during the winters (which are similar to those of Seattle or New York).
From vacationing in the US and speaking to third-parties (ie, people from Scotland), Canadians are often nicer and less materialistic. Not to say each person in Canada is nicer or less vain than each person in America, but there is, on the whole, a noticeable difference. Also, there's very little racial or sexual discrimination in Canada; anywhere in Canada.
The media is more objectionable and less sensationalistic in Canada. I live in Vancouver, get a few Seattle feeds and US national feeds, and the difference is honestly startling.
I don't want to give the impression that Canada is perfect, while America is seriously flawed. Obviously that's not the case. But the distinctions I mentioned, contained to what affects your quality of life, are simply facts.
You really should specify which city you're moving from and which you're moving to. Halifax life cannot be applied to Vancouver, like Baton Rouge life cannot be applied to Boston. Select cities in the US are pretty good, while select cities in Canada are trash.
Climate-wise, it depends on where you go in either country, but Canada is generally colder. Although if you go to the major cities (which often border the US), you'll only really notice during the winters (which are similar to those of Seattle or New York).
From vacationing in the US and speaking to third-parties (ie, people from Scotland), Canadians are often nicer and less materialistic. Not to say each person in Canada is nicer or less vain than each person in America, but there is, on the whole, a noticeable difference. Also, there's very little racial or sexual discrimination in Canada; anywhere in Canada.
The media is more objectionable and less sensationalistic in Canada. I live in Vancouver, get a few Seattle feeds and US national feeds, and the difference is honestly startling.
I don't want to give the impression that Canada is perfect, while America is seriously flawed. Obviously that's not the case. But the distinctions I mentioned, contained to what affects your quality of life, are simply facts.
You really should specify which city you're moving from and which you're moving to. Halifax life cannot be applied to Vancouver, like Baton Rouge life cannot be applied to Boston. Select cities in the US are pretty good, while select cities in Canada are trash.
Mike Works
Member
now I want some poutine
The Interrobanger
Member
Like it has been said previously in this thread, there isn't a huge difference, unless your moving from New York to Nova Scotia or something. I've traveled to many places in the US.
Doughnuts = Food Staple (sad but true)
Soda = Pop (but I don't drink it)
Hockey = Sport Of Kings (although I hate it)
Get used to seeing Km and Kg's
Get used to money that is colorful and worth less than in the US.
It is also very multicultural here and people seem more tolerant when it comes to race/sexual preferences, at least where I live (Toronto).
Doughnuts = Food Staple (sad but true)
Soda = Pop (but I don't drink it)
Hockey = Sport Of Kings (although I hate it)
Get used to seeing Km and Kg's
Get used to money that is colorful and worth less than in the US.
It is also very multicultural here and people seem more tolerant when it comes to race/sexual preferences, at least where I live (Toronto).
Winged Creature
Member
Ya Toronto (live there too) is very multicultural and very tolerant, but im sure this applies for all other canadian cities, not sure about rural areas though.
I've lived in Canada my whole life. South-Eastern Ontario to be exact (near Toronto).
I lived in the Silicon Valley for 4 months last year, and am living in SV another 3 months this year (I'm actually in California right now). So I have a pretty good perspective on the American-Canadian divide. Of course my experience is limited to the state of California, and I'm aware that states differ immensely.
First things first. Canadian drivers are LEAGUES beyond American drivers in skill. Americans are very agressive and fast drivers, whereas Canadians take things a bit more chilled out. Of course you'll have your exceptions on both sides, but in the general case Canadians are more patient.
Canadians, in general are more intelligent. I'm not saying that all Americans are stupid, in fact there are plenty of incredibly intelligent ones (I wouldn't be here otherwise), it's just that the service sector is absolutely filled with total morons. For example: cashiers. In America even if the lineup is only a few people long I always have to wait at least 15 minutes, whereas in Canada small lines = short time. And then when you actually GET to the cashier they know what they're doing, are NOT ridiculously slow in pricing the items and actually know how to make change.
Continuing, the likelihood of you seeing someone arrested is pretty small, especially compared to the US where it's a daily occurence. In fact the entire feeling of safety is overwhelmingly more powerful in Canada. When I'm in the states, for some unexplained reason, I'm always afraid. Always. It's just this general atmosphere and pervasiveness of fear that emanates from everything and everyone. It's this general tenseness that seeps into your body and never leaves, until you do. This is actually one thing people don't really comment on because you ahve to be in teh US for an extended period of time before you really start to feel it.
Lastly, the food in Canada is a million times better than that in the US. The produce and meat products are worlds apart, and the dairy products actually taste good. The produce is probably the area with the biggest difference, I can't stand American produce. The funny thing is that a lot of Canadian produce comes from America! I think maybe California just has crappy distributors or something. Oh, and the food is clean in Canada, what i mean by this is your colon doesn't get backed up every week. It's probably one of the most annoying things about teh food in the states, it just stays in your system.
Diversity and racial tolerance are in another class entirely in Canada. It's still an issue to an extent, but compared to the US we're like a bunch of smurfs. Especially in teh bigger cities will you barely ever hear a racially motivated remark. I mean, people still feel that way and will comment to each other in private, but it's not flaunted and exposed for everyone around.
This is something that's probably unique to California, but the number of people with plastic surgery is far less in Canada. In fact the whole fake look is far less prevalent in Canada.
I guess the biggest thing is that everything is just so much more subdued in Canada. We're not as extreme in any way. Our nerds aren't as nerdy. Our luxury isn't as luxurious. Our women aren't as beautiful, but they're not as ugly. Our attitudes just aren't so extreme.
I lived in the Silicon Valley for 4 months last year, and am living in SV another 3 months this year (I'm actually in California right now). So I have a pretty good perspective on the American-Canadian divide. Of course my experience is limited to the state of California, and I'm aware that states differ immensely.
First things first. Canadian drivers are LEAGUES beyond American drivers in skill. Americans are very agressive and fast drivers, whereas Canadians take things a bit more chilled out. Of course you'll have your exceptions on both sides, but in the general case Canadians are more patient.
Canadians, in general are more intelligent. I'm not saying that all Americans are stupid, in fact there are plenty of incredibly intelligent ones (I wouldn't be here otherwise), it's just that the service sector is absolutely filled with total morons. For example: cashiers. In America even if the lineup is only a few people long I always have to wait at least 15 minutes, whereas in Canada small lines = short time. And then when you actually GET to the cashier they know what they're doing, are NOT ridiculously slow in pricing the items and actually know how to make change.
Continuing, the likelihood of you seeing someone arrested is pretty small, especially compared to the US where it's a daily occurence. In fact the entire feeling of safety is overwhelmingly more powerful in Canada. When I'm in the states, for some unexplained reason, I'm always afraid. Always. It's just this general atmosphere and pervasiveness of fear that emanates from everything and everyone. It's this general tenseness that seeps into your body and never leaves, until you do. This is actually one thing people don't really comment on because you ahve to be in teh US for an extended period of time before you really start to feel it.
Lastly, the food in Canada is a million times better than that in the US. The produce and meat products are worlds apart, and the dairy products actually taste good. The produce is probably the area with the biggest difference, I can't stand American produce. The funny thing is that a lot of Canadian produce comes from America! I think maybe California just has crappy distributors or something. Oh, and the food is clean in Canada, what i mean by this is your colon doesn't get backed up every week. It's probably one of the most annoying things about teh food in the states, it just stays in your system.
Diversity and racial tolerance are in another class entirely in Canada. It's still an issue to an extent, but compared to the US we're like a bunch of smurfs. Especially in teh bigger cities will you barely ever hear a racially motivated remark. I mean, people still feel that way and will comment to each other in private, but it's not flaunted and exposed for everyone around.
This is something that's probably unique to California, but the number of people with plastic surgery is far less in Canada. In fact the whole fake look is far less prevalent in Canada.
I guess the biggest thing is that everything is just so much more subdued in Canada. We're not as extreme in any way. Our nerds aren't as nerdy. Our luxury isn't as luxurious. Our women aren't as beautiful, but they're not as ugly. Our attitudes just aren't so extreme.
heavy liquid
Member
All Dressed chips ROCK! Now I want some..
Again, what part of the country are you moving to? I'll add that most Canadian cities are much cleaner and safer than most cities in the US, from what I've found. But expect taxes to be WAY higher. 15% sales tax in Ontario!
Burger King has been in Canada for a really long long time. Just maybe not in your city.
I can't imagine any difference being greater than the use of debit up here. While visa cheque cards are gaining popularity there, it's nothing compared to debit use up here. It's a survival thing for businesses now, and it's much more secure than opening up your bank account to access via a signature.
At least that's the biggest difference I've noticed in my travels.
I can't imagine any difference being greater than the use of debit up here. While visa cheque cards are gaining popularity there, it's nothing compared to debit use up here. It's a survival thing for businesses now, and it's much more secure than opening up your bank account to access via a signature.
At least that's the biggest difference I've noticed in my travels.
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