When Americans go to Canada, they’re usually surprised by just how nice people are. But some Canadian social rules are so subtle, many outsiders never even realize they exist. To learn these invisible “etiquette” rules, we did a poll of Canadians, asking them about everyday behaviors they practice in public but often invisible to their American neighbors. So, here’s what they said.
Take your shoes off at the door
For Canadians, the home is a clean space and the easiest way to keep it clean is to leave the outside world at the door. They feel that when an American walks onto their carpet with sneakers on, they are bringing dirt, salt and germs inside.
Some Canadians we talked to said that you shouldn’t even have to ask them to take their shoes off; you just see the pile of shoes in the hallway, and add yours to it. It’s a sign that you appreciate the work they do to keep the house nice.
Say sorry for no reason
Canadians don’t view the word “sorry” as a huge confession of guilt. They use it instead to keep things friendly and run smoothly. The people we interviewed clarified that if two people almost bump into each other, they just say “sorry” to quickly make peace.
When Americans don’t reply, Canadians usually feel that the other person is being rude or looking for a fight. One Canadian explained, “sorry” just means, “I’m moving out of your way, and I hope you’ll do the same for me.”
Give each other personal space
Canadians really like to keep a little distance when they talk to someone. Most have noticed that Americans stand much closer to each other than they do. This can make them feel crowded or trapped.
In fact, many said that a little extra room between you and the person you’re talking to is a polite way to say you aren’t trying to be pushy. If a Canadian backs away from you while talking, it’s because their personal bubble feels popped.
Say thanks to the bus driver
In Canada, using public transit is a shared community experience. And the driver is seen more like a neighbor who is doing a job.
Canadians feel that it’s important to say “Thank you!” to the driver when they get off the bus, even if you have to yell it from the back door. They’ve observed that many Americans just walk off in silence. To them, ignoring the bus driver feels cold, like treating a human being like a robot.
Stand on the right side of the escalator
Canadians think of the escalator as a two-lane road. They have rules about how to use it. The right side is for standing, and the left side is for people in a hurry who want to walk up.
Most Canadians find it super-frustrating when Americans stand in the middle or on the left side, blocking the whole path. They probably won’t say anything to your face, but they will be standing behind you annoyed that the passing lane is blocked.
Take your hat off indoors
While the U.S. has become very relaxed about wearing hats anywhere, many Canadians still consider it a bit rude to wear a hat indoors, like in a house or a nice restaurant.
Many said they feel that taking your hat off is a sign that you are paying attention, and that you respect the person you are with. One person even said that keeping a baseball cap on while eating dinner makes it look like you’re about to bolt at any second, rather than enjoying the moment.
Don’t use the car horn
In most Canadian cities, the car horn is only for emergencies. For example, if someone is about to crash into you.
Canadians describe the sound of a horn as aggressive yelling. They’ve noticed that Americans, especially from large cities, use the horn to tell someone to hurry up. To a Canadian, honking just because you’re frustrated is like a bit of a temper tantrum that makes the whole street feel more stressful.
Be exactly on time
Many Canadians take their schedules seriously. They feel that if you make a plan to meet someone at 5: 00 PM, you should be walking through the door at 4:55 PM. They’ve noticed that Americans can be more relaxed about time, and some come 10 or 15 minutes late without thinking.
Many people we talked to admitted that being late is not just a mistake. It feels like you are saying that your time is more important than theirs.
Stay humble, and don’t brag
Canadians don’t really like it when people talk loudly about their own success. They prefer a low-key style, where you let your work speak for itself. Most said that they find the American practice of selling yourself or putting on a big “I’m confident” act to be a bit much.
In fact, many said, if you’re really good at something, you don’t need to tell everyone. People will find out on their own. They value someone who can be successful, without acting like a big shot.
Respect the line-up
The line-up (or queue) is a sacred rule in Canada. Most Canadians we talked to feel that everyone should wait their turn, fairly, no matter who they are.
They find it very rude when people try to skip ahead or have one person hold a spot for a group of ten friends. They told us, the line is a simple system that keeps things fair for everyone, and trying to cheat the line is just selfish.