As someone born in the U.S. but having lived in Canada and been a citizen more than half my life here are things I noticed when I moved here:
- I could not figure out what to do with the milk in the bags. I didn't know there was a special container and a little tool to slice the plastic. I kept looking for the Gallon Milk Jugs. Fact is ....the milk keeps longer and you can even freeze it in those bags --- imagine that.
- When you went to people's houses - people took their shoes off at the door and walked around in their sock feet. I remember a party wearing a cocktail dress walking around in slippers ---- and everyone was. I now find if I go to the states I forget and do that and my relatives think it is my southern heritage coming through versus Canadian of not wearing shoes:-) It is because there is a lot more snow here and tracking in wet slushy boots can be a mess on carpets or any floor....and it seems to carry over until the rest of the year. Keeps your floors in good shape.
- Though some people say "eh" and "oot and aboot" that tends to be in smaller towns or certain parts of the country.
- Most Americans think there is a Canadian accent and the fact is just like the U.S. ....you can go 100 km and you can get another one. People in Newfoundland, Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta all sound very different. But if you go to a small town outside the major city in any province - you will hear differences as well.
- There are two official languages in Canada - French and English.
- I find culturally there are some things that are the same and some that are different and that very much differs by area. People in Toronto are much like those in NY or any big city. People in Vancouver I find very much like people in California and those in Alberta - find have similarities to those in south and specifically Texas.
- I find Canadians to be more socially conscious and the government has better programs to support its citizens.
- We have a health care system and our citizens will not go bankrupt after a couple day visit to a hospital.
- Our financial / banking system is one of the strongest in the world. When the U.S. was in trouble - Canada was in good shape.
- In Canada - we do not bear arms. Our crime rate is nill compared to the U.S. There were 76 murders and this is in a large metropolitan multi-cultural city in 2011 - Toronto GTA - population 5M.
- I have found Canadians are more accepting of people's differences - no matter what that is - nationality, race , religion, or sexual orientation .
- Canadians can travel and vacation in Cuba without any government restriction.
- Travelling on a Canadian passport abroad comes with less hassles as Canadians are well liked abroad. I noticed a real difference.
- Canada has provinces and territories - not states.
- Canadians know more about the U.S. than Americans know about Canada.
- Our government in Canada is a parliamentary system. There is a Prime Minister of Canada not President. We have 3 main parties. (PC, Liberal and NDP). We have Premier of Provinces not Governors.
- Our Universities and Colleges are reasonably priced and almost any Canadian who has the grades can attend. The average price of one year in a 4 year University including room/board is around 15K and there are good government programs for school loans. There are some that cost a bit more and some less as there are some institutions focused on particular areas such as Engineering, Business, The Arts....etc.
- Maternity Leave is a Year in Canada
- When people get laid off in Canada- severance packages are significantly greater than their American counterparts.
- Canada is to hockey as the U.S. is to football.
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