Expensive Phone Plans? Respect For Pedestrians? 12 Surprising Things People Notice When They Move to Canada

When a person moves from one place to another, they are bound to notice things that people who live locally take for granted. These are the surprising things people notice when they move to Canada.

Kindness and Expensive Phone Plans

One of the first things people notice when moving to Canada is the kindness of the people. As one commenter stated, “People are kind and phone plans are stupidly expensive.” Canadians are known for their politeness and willingness to help others. However, people also notice the high cost of phone plans in Canada compared to other countries.

The Size of the Country

The size of Canada is also a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “The shear size of the country. Driving 3 hrs in the UK was a mission. Driving 3 hrs from Moncton to Fredericton in my Uni days… doesn’t seem like a big deal.” The vastness of the country can make travel and transportation very different from other places.

Little Acts of Kindness

People also notice the little acts of kindness in Canada. As one commenter stated, “People in my area are overall very kind and seem to genuinely want to help. Seeing all the healthcare support signs when I first moved vs being told it was a hoax where I’m from. People leaving their own lawn chairs at bus stops for folks.” These small gestures can make a big difference in how people feel welcomed and supported in their new home.

Communication Styles

The communication styles in Canada can also be surprising for newcomers. As one commenter stated, “Navigating the world where people don’t say what they mean nor mean what they say has been a challenge.” Canadians are known for being polite and indirect in their communication, which can be different from other cultures.

Work/Life Balance

The importance of work/life balance is also a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “How much more important work/life balance is here and it is understood vs the USA grindset mentality.” Canadians prioritize their personal lives and well-being, which can be different from other countries where work is the top priority.

Business Hours

The business hours in Canada are also a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “Most businesses are open almost all day long. Where I come from in Europe, you’re out of luck if you need to do grocery shopping during the weekend or any weekday after 7pm.” The extended business hours can make life more convenient for many people.

Driving

Driving in Canada can also be a surprise for newcomers. As one commenter stated, “Driving is a lot easier. In Europe you have to learn to drive manual transmission cars and driving in narrow streets where parking is very nightmarish compared to Toronto.” The driving experience can vary greatly depending on where someone is from and what they are used to.

Customer Service

The customer service in Canada is also a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “Customer service is very friendly here, I feel like waiters pamper customers a lot, and this applies to sales and a bunch of different things. In Europe you mostly do your own thing, pay and leave with minimal interaction with the staff.” Canadians are known for their friendly and helpful customer service, which can make shopping and dining out a pleasant experience.

Fashion

The fashion in Canada is also a surprise for some newcomers. As one commenter stated, “I think Canadians in general don’t care too much for fashion. Last time I went to Europe, I visited London and Paris and most people looked like they were heading to a fashion week, almost like it’s the norm.” Canadians tend to prioritize comfort and practicality over fashion trends.

Pedestrian Safety

Pedestrian safety is also a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “Canadians stop for pedestrians. I like to walk everywhere I can, which isn’t as much as I’d like given the sheer size of cities here but whenever I have to cross a road Canadians will always stop and wave me across.” Canadians prioritize pedestrian safety and are known for stopping at crosswalks and other pedestrian areas.

Credit Ratings

Credit ratings can also be a surprise for newcomers. As one commenter stated, “My carefully-curated credit rating from the US didn’t mean a thing here, I basically had to start over building credit in Canada.” Building credit in Canada can be different from other countries and may require starting from scratch.

Weather

Finally, the weather in Canada can be a surprise for many newcomers. As one commenter stated, “The very first thing I noticed was how expensive food and alcohol were. Almost double. But what surprised me the most was the lack of cold and snow here on the South Shore–it was much snowier and colder in Northwest Indiana.” The weather can vary greatly depending on where someone is from and what they are used to.

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Source: Reddit