Weblog Wannabe
It’s A Canadian Thing
These are things about Canada (or more specifically, Waterloo) I didn’t know about until I got here (and some of them came as quite a shock, coming from a country like Indonesia):
- People say ‘hey, how are you doing?’ to each other, even strangers they pass on the street (like yours truly);
- People have their car headlights on, even on bright, sunny days;
- If you’re an eavesdropper and English is the only language you know, you’d be frustrated because a lot of people here talk to each other in languages other than English;
- You don’t get seat number with your movie ticket;
- If you go for a walk, cars actually stop to let you cross the street (that always makes me feel important, heh);
- Parking lots are huge;
- Canadian squirrels are less shy than their British cousins;
- Contrary to popular belief, Canadians don’t say ‘eh’ a lot (at least Troy doesn’t; I still have yet to hear him say ‘eh’);
- Gas stations (and supposedly parking lots) are the place where drivers go wild and abandon all driving rules;
- You can’t commit suicide on railway tracks in Waterloo because no train will ever pass;
- Sunny days don’t necessarily mean warm days;
- I could pass for Canadian, if only I didn’t wear a thick sweatshirt all the time (because real Canadians are cold-proof).
Well, that’s all I can think of for now. There’ll be more as I continue my Canadian adventure. Today is my one-week anniversary (if there is such thing) of my stay in the Great White North, and I’m loving it so far!
Quacks on It’s A Canadian Thing
Glad to hear that you are enjoying it! Sounds a lot like America, especially the parking lots =-)
-H
There are places that give you seat numbers with movie tickets? They don’t do that in the US either, but I would love it if they did!
They do that in Indonesia :)
5. If you go for a walk, cars actually stop to let you cross the street (that always makes me feel important, heh);
I would be careful of that one. Some people don’t stop.
Glad you are enjoying your stay.
Don’t worry. Being Indonesian, you just can’t help but being extra careful when you’re crossing the street, even when you’re outside Indonesia.
Glad you are having a good trip and enjoying good friends. And, yes, be careful crossing the street.
Welcome, eh! — Why Canada?
Loose Jasmine and other authentic tea can best be found here in Toronto at the Red Tea Box on Queen Street (delightful spot). Although some lesser product can be found at Whole Foods or the Green Carrot, with pre-packaged :( product at Loblaws or Fortninos. I was looking you up with interest in your design skills, loving the templates you’ve done for Expression Engine!
Cheers,
Canada has some law that all cars have daytime running lights, so we can’t really turn our headlights off.
Come to Alberta. We only speak English there.
i’m glad to hear you are having a good time… now i really can’t wait for my trip to canada at the end of the month!
My favourite part of that was “Canadians are cold-proof” You have no idea how much I wish that were true. But I will admit, I have been outside in 5 or 6 degree weather in a t-shirt just because it felt so warm compared to the -30 we had the day before.
:)
It sounds a lot like Minnesota; I really couldn’t live any other place. I also couldn’t live anywhere with numbered movie theaters. What if you sat behind someone tall? Where would you move?
awww, i’m so happy that you’re having a good time here. “Cold-proof”, eh? I wouldn’t go as far as saying that, but it IS probably a little cooler in general than where you’re from. It’s also a little cooler right now than it usually is at this time of year. It’s kind of weird actually. I can still wear a long-sleeve t-shirt comfortably. Usually by now I’m at the beach getting a killer tan :)
Enjoy the rest of your stay!
Glad to see that you are lapping in all the new experiences with gusto. It’s interesting that the Westerners have a more relaxed lifestyle compared to the Asians. Their traffic actually stop for pedestrians and they actually smile at you when you cross the road. In Jakarta, Manila, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, God forbid! The cars probably don’t even stop after knocking you down!
There are many good habits and ways of life that we can learn from the West.
I think in Canada many speak French but then again, the country is getting quite cosmopolitan and other languages are spoken as well.
People usually on say Hi to perfect strangers in smaller towns, not really in the cities..
Like another commenter said, come to Alberta! Everyone speaks english hehe.
Movie theaters in other places have numbered seats? But what if you arrive before your friend.. can’t hold a seat for em?
People often tame the squirrels here by bribing them with peanuts, camping is great as they are fab entertainment for kids
Depends what part of canada you are in for the ‘eh’ thing, up here in my little town it’s quite common, but it’s said so simply and casually that unless you’re listening for it you don’t notice.
we’re not cold proof lol, we just enjoy any warm weather after it’s been so cold. But I suppose it would feel freeeezing to someone like you from a warm place.
Hope you enjoy your stay in Canada!
Well, in Latvia (where I live ;), it is a great surprise when someone lets you cross the street, because the driving culture in our coutry is disgusting. By the way, did ya’ know, that Latvia takes the first place in Europe and is in the first ten due to killed people in can accidents on 100’000 people? :( Then, you can’t complain about any problems on the road in any other country…
and, the time is not 02:39 AM. For me, it’s 10:40 PM :PPP
Oh, Firda, watch out on the railroad tracks! I saw two trains in 11 days the last time I was in Kitchener-Waterloo. But they go reeeeeal slow and blow their whistle beautifully loud.
I don’t know about others but I say, “Mornin’” to almost every guy I meet in the morning, whether I know them or not. It’s polite and a good ice breaker. Of course, there are some grumpy responses but I believe in spreading cheer!
come to Melbourne. we do most of the things you wrote there. but you’ll find more culture here. jasmine tea can be found everywhere (westerner prefer to drink puh-er and oloong tea btw) and, yeah, we speak indonesians. 30% of melbourne residence is indonesian =)
ha ha ha.….nice observation…
Hey, you just described United States! :-)
Yeach.. that’s doesn’t sound like home to me either.. Well i guess, different langitude resulting in different culture and different background wouldn’t it? happy travelling firda..!!!
Canadian squirrels are less shy than their British cousins;
NOT TRUE!
It is entirely dependant on where you go. You probably stayed in the hellhole of the UK (thats London). If you visited Bournemouth (thats where I’m at) you’dd have surely have visited the park. The squirrels actually come right up close to you and stare at you.
They’re asking you — Have you got food? Are you gonna feed me? If you feed them, they’ll eat it right out of your hand without a care in the world.
This Firda-in-Canada is the best blog thing I’ve seen in ages :)
Your public demands pictures…
- For some reason I was compelled to write this:
- People say ‘hey, how are you doing?’ to each other, even strangers they pass on the street (like yours truly) Sometimes… seems kinda small townish to me.
- People have their car headlights on, even on bright, sunny days Really? I never do that. Maybe on the freeway.
- If you’re an eavesdropper and English is the only language you know, you’d be frustrated because a lot of people here talk to each other in languages other than English That’s true, fun, huh? :)
- You don’t get seat number with your movie ticket Numbered seats at the movies? Gahhh!!! Fascism!!!
- If you go for a walk, cars actually stop to let you cross the street (that always makes me feel important, heh) I wouldn’t count on that in DC…
- Parking lots are huge Yes.
- Canadian squirrels are less shy than their British cousins Dunno about Brit & Canuck squirrels, I will say that East Coast squirrels are way better than West Coast squirrels, which are scrawny, shifty little gremlins.
- Contrary to popular belief, Canadians don’t say ‘eh’ a lot (at least Troy doesn’t I still have yet to hear him say ‘eh’) The woman on “As it Happens” never says that, so I’m not surprised…
- Gas stations (and supposedly parking lots) are the place where drivers go wild and abandon all driving rules Gas stations are tiny, how can you go wild there?
- You can’t commit suicide on railway tracks in Waterloo because no train will ever pass Eheh, ironic, considering there’s that song “Waterloo Station.”
- Sunny days don’t necessarily mean warm days This is definitely true.
- I could pass for Canadian, if only I didn’t wear a thick sweatshirt all the time (because real Canadians are cold-proof). I wonder if I could pass for Canadian.
When people greet each other with, “Hey, how are you doing?” it sounds more friendly than my “Mornin’”. The greeting differs from place to place and that’s how they know that you’re from out of town. But I kinda like this Canadian greeting for its small town flavour-type of greeting. It makes you feel closer to each other and creates a closer bond.
{This discussion is closed. Thanks to all who participated.}
