Preparing for Canadian Culture

Preparing for life in a new country can be both exciting and challenging, especially when it involves adapting to a different culture. As you embark on your journey to Canada, understanding and respecting the cultural norms and practices can significantly enhance your experience and ease your transition. This guide provides an overview of essential aspects of Canadian culture, including food and table manners, communication styles, etiquette, and everyday customs. By familiarizing yourself with these cultural nuances, you will be better prepared to engage with your host family, make new friends, and fully immerse yourself in the Canadian way of life. Welcome to Canada!

Canada is a multicultural country where individual freedom is important. Each host family will have different ideas about food and table manners. It’s essential to observe and listen carefully to learn Canadian customs.

Food

  • Breakfast: Typically cereal, toast, etc., made individually.
  • Lunch: Often a sandwich or leftovers, prepared by oneself.
  • Dinner: Usually the main meal, eaten together as a family around 5:30-6:30 PM. It often includes meat, starch, and vegetables.
  • Grocery Shopping: Typically done once a week.
  • Leftovers: Common and usually consumed within 2-3 days.

Bad Manners to Avoid:

  • Slurping Soup or Noodles: Although acceptable in some cultures, this is generally considered poor table manners in Canada.
  • Eating Off Your Knife or Licking It
  • Reaching Across the Table: Instead, ask someone to pass you items.
  • Speaking with Food in Your Mouth
  • Chewing with Your Mouth Open

Good Manners to Follow:

  • Wash Your Hands: Before sitting down to eat.
  • Remove Your Hat: Before eating.
  • Wait for Others: Start eating only after everyone else has begun.
  • Ask Politely: Use “please pass me the…” instead of reaching.
  • Wait to Leave: Stay at the table until everyone is finished eating.
  • Help with Cleanup: Remove your own dishes and offer to help.
  • Try New Foods: Be open to trying new dishes—you might like them!

Verbal Communication

  • Indirect Style: Canadians often communicate indirectly to avoid conflict, using hints to convey their message politely.
  • Politeness: Use “please” and “thank you” frequently.
  • Linguistics: Canadians often end sentences with “eh” (pronounced “ay”).
  • Interruptions: Generally considered rude and are not appreciated.

Non-Verbal Communication

  • Eye Contact: Maintain direct but intermittent eye contact to show sincerity without seeming scrutinizing.
  • Physical Contact: Limited during casual conversations, with more physical contact reserved for close friends.
  • Personal Space: Maintain about an arm’s length distance from others.

Basic Etiquette

  • Personal Questions: Avoid asking about salary, wealth, weight, age, marriage, political affiliations, or voting preferences.
  • Public Behavior: Spitting, loud throat clearing, yelling, and strong outbursts of emotion are considered rude.
  • Punctuality: Canadians value punctuality and expect you to be on time.

Bathroom Eiquitte

  • Showers: Limit to 10 minutes to conserve hot water.
  • Cleanliness: Keep water off the floor and around the sink to prevent damage.
  • Fan Use: Turn on the bathroom fan to prevent mold growth.
  • Toilet Use: Only flush toilet paper, using 5-6 squares at a time.

Visiting Etiquette

  • Arrange Visits: Always arrange visits beforehand and do not bring unannounced guests.
  • Shoes: Ask if you should remove your shoes before entering a home.
  • Meal Etiquette: It’s okay to accept or decline more food based on your hunger. Always offer to help clean up.

Tipping Etiquette

  • Restaurants: Tip 15-20% of the meal cost.
  • Other Services: Tip taxi drivers, hairdressers, and barbers similarly. Bellhops and valet parkers expect around $1.

Gifting Etiquette

  • Occasions: Gifts are usually given on special occasions with a card. Open them in front of the giver.
  • Value: A gift value of about $25 is acceptable unless you know the recipient well.
  • Honesty: Be open and honest about mistakes or problems.
  • Conflict Resolution: Discuss issues openly to resolve conflicts.
  • Gender Roles: Vary between families, but generally, both parents share responsibilities.
  • Pets: Treated as family members and abuse is not tolerated.
  • Attitudes Toward Sex: Canadians are generally open about sex education but private on an individual level.
  • Religion: Canadians are accepting of different religions and practices.
  • Household Responsibilities: Everyone is expected to clean up after themselves.
  • Smoking and Vaping: Prohibited in public buildings and near entrances. The legal age to purchase is 19.
  • Sarcasm: Canadians often use sarcasm in humor, which may not always translate well.
  • Shoes: Removed at the door in most homes.
  • Umbrellas: Not used frequently.
  • Weather: A common topic of small talk.
  • Walking: Canadians are accustomed to walking to get to school, bus stops, etc., and tend to walk fast.
  • Closed Doors: Indicate a desire for privacy.
  • Hockey: Popular but not universally followed.
  • Opposite Sex Sleepovers: Generally not acceptable.
  • Riding the Bus: Offer seats to elderly or pregnant individuals and thank the driver when exiting.
  • Laundry: Usually done in full batches, often once a week.

This comprehensive guide should help you navigate and adapt to Canadian culture smoothly. Enjoy your stay and embrace the new experiences!