As a Canadian, you have distinct traits that only long-term residents truly grasp.
Canadians often have extreme views about the weather, Canada geese, and Tim Hortons coffee. Only those who have endured many winters in Canada understand the significance of the cold wind when choosing their outfits.
So, when a Reddit user asked, “What is something you can only really understand after spending most of your life in Canada?”, many people had a lot to share.
From automatically saying “sorry” when someone steps on your foot to having deep opinions about bagged milk, here are six quirky traits that set us apart.
How We Adapt to the Weather
Fact: Canada is cold. But it’s also hot. And sometimes, you can experience both extremes in just 24 hours.
As Reddit user JokersLastLaugh mentioned, “You can use both the heater and air conditioning in your car on the same day, and if not, your car ride will be uncomfortable.”
The signs of changing seasons can vary depending on where you live.
“I was born and raised in Saskatchewan, but now I live in Southern Alberta,” LTZohar said. “The first sign of spring is seeing a dead gopher on the road.”
Additionally, as one commenter noted, you know you’ve lived most of your life in Canada when you “grill dinner in the yard wearing just a t-shirt and shorts while standing next to a six-foot snowbank.”
Only true Canadians know that dressing for winter isn’t just about the outside temperature.
The changing seasons sometimes make us forget the downsides of both winter and summer. “In summer, you forget about the cold of winter,” one commenter shared. “In winter, you forget about mosquitoes.”
How We Live for Summer
As one Redditor pointed out, Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in winter is real, so Canadians often savor the summer months, and everything else can wait.
One commenter mentioned that although businesses remain open in summer, “nothing really gets done in this country during July and August.”
“At any given time, people are either preparing for vacation, on vacation, or just back from vacation,” Stron_Letter_7667 said. Everything stops until after Labor Day. Canadians make the most of summer.”
The “Sorry” Reflex
Canadians are famous for saying sorry even when they’re not at fault.
Reddit user Rory-liz-bath shared: “When someone bumps into you, you’re the one who has to say sorry.”
Another user called it the “Canadian Waltz.”
“I was in a store, and I accidentally bumped into a guy,” Redditor Commanderfemmeshep recounted. “We both turned around, grabbed each other’s hands, and apologized profusely at the same time.”
And even if we wanted to stop saying sorry for everything, one person said it’s almost impossible.
Appreciation for the Country’s Size
One thing most non-Canadians probably don’t grasp is the vastness of the country.
A Redditor commented, “My German cousin thought he could take a day trip from Toronto to Winnipeg by car. That made me laugh.”
Therefore, locals are no strangers to long car rides.
“In the 70s, my brother and a friend decided to drive west—they took three days just to get out of Ontario,” ProperAd2063 shared.
Another commenter added that only those who have lived in Canada for many years understand that “it’s not a long drive unless you have to stop overnight somewhere before reaching your destination.”
Regional Differences in Language
In Canada, language can vary significantly depending on where you live.
As one Redditor pointed out: “Quebec French/Newfoundland English.”
Visitors may be confused by our way of speaking.
“Ya, no, right” is a complete sentence. Just like “eh” with many different interpretations,” ohcanadarulessorry noted.
Even our writing has its quirks.
“Canadian English is a mix of British and American English. There’s no uniquely Canadian spelling for any word,” brianmmf claimed.
Bagged Milk is as Traditional as Poutine
Bagged milk may seem strange to outsiders, but it’s a common sight for Canadians, especially those living in Ontario and Quebec. Besides being easy to store, it’s also an environmentally friendly option.
However, not everyone agrees with this idea just because it’s commonly seen in grocery stores.
One user mentioned, “Bagged milk tastes different from milk in cartons or jugs.”
One person recalled the hassle of trying to drink milk from small bags at school.
“There are small bagged milk options for individuals if you had that at school,” asnackonthego remembered. “Only certain students could master the skill of poking a straw in without piercing both sides.”
