How to Be Canadian
Here's a list of how to be Canadian and what makes things Canadian. This is also to separate the misconceptions of Canada.
Manners. Remember to say thank-you and please when offered a service. This is what makes us "nice" by saying the proper things and also we say, "sorry" a lot.
Not all Canadians are nice. Many people who travel believe that Canadians are nice. Not all of us are. I have dealt with people that really need to get their manners checked. I work in the service industry and I have met my fair share of "mean" people.
Not all of our milk comes in bags. Milk in bags is more a eastern Canadian thing, but if you go to the west, we have regular cardboard milk cartons and plastic cartons as well.
Yes, our money looks like monopoly money, it's fun and colorful. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. We like our colorful money and that way you can look in your wallet and know right away how much money we have.
It's the Eastern Canadians that pronounce things funny (mostly Nova Scotia and Newfoundland) not all of us pronounce "about" as "Aboot" that is a misconception.
Maple Syrup. The province of Quebec is known for their maple syrup farms because they have the right climate to grow maple trees, which produce the syrup. Maple syrup can literally go on anything.
Tim Hortons. Yes, lately the brand has not been doing well due to employee care, but it is Canadian. This is the place to get coffee and doughnuts, it is affordable and yummy despite what some people say. However, I have had better coffee than Tim Hortons. Also, Tim Hortons are almost everywhere!
Our healthcare system. It's free and we don't have to worry about getting sick and not being able to get better. That is all I will say on this topic due to the fact this may upset some people.
The Canadian Rockies. The rockies are great for skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities. It is about a 30 minutes from Calgary, Alberta to the Rockies, so, when in the mood, there's an opportunity.
Ryan Gosling. Yes, he's ours.
Ketchup Chips. Yes, it sounds a little gross and maybe weird, but it's yummy!
Beavertails. No, they are not actual beaver tails. A beaver tail is a yummy carnival food that is deep fried dough and chocolate. Totally worth the calories.
Ceaser's. For those unfamiliar with the Ceaser's drink it contains clamato juice (yes, it does contain clam juice) and then Worcestershire sauce with hot sauce mixed together and then a shot of vodka and some kind of fun garnish like pickles or pepperoni stick.
Kinder Surprise Eggs. Yes, they do exist in the U.S, but the ones in the U.S do not come with a toy. So we get the fun little toys to build.
We have the better beer, it is not the best, but it is better than what is sold in the U.S., that is for sure. American beer kind of tastes like distilled water...so not very beer tasting.
Don't be surprised if it's minus 20 outside and you see people drinking slurpees or ice cream. We like cold yummy treats, what can I say?
A misconception about Canada is how we wear shorts in minus 20, (okay, some people do) but for the most part we know how to dress for the cold water.
Having to dig up you car in winter. "Dude, where's my car?" and it's buried under the heaps of snow we sometimes get.
OH MY GOSH Poutine! Best invention ever, cheese curds, gravy and put fries with that and you've got yourself delicious fatness ready to be consumed.
All dressed chips, best chips ever made!
Our metric system makes sense. Temperature measured in Celsius. It's kilometers not miles.
Our sports. Our sports are lacrosse and hockey and we will destroy you in both. (mostly Hockey because we get angry with it).
Nothing is better than truly Canadian beef.
Another Misconception: Polar Bears. No, we do not keep them as pets nor do we see them everyday.
Igloos, not all of us live in igloos...yeah they're called houses.
In Western Canada, we don't call police "Mounties," they are often referred to as "cops" or "police."
We don't allow guns.
Not everyone speaks French. In eastern Canada maybe there will be a greater percentage, but most of us don't speak French. It is only Quebec.
Canada is second largest country in the world.
Some people think our money smell like maple syrup...umm...no. That's not a thing. Sorry.