Most Canadians entering America notice the small things before any big cultural differences. Some of these are on receipts, others are on TV, but either way, they recognize how different America is.
Here are twelve small cultural differences Canadians notice almost immediately when they go to the United States. Which one do you recognize first?
Prescription drug ads fill American TV breaks
Many Canadians notice the sheer number of pill advertisements first when they get to the United States. American law allows drug brands to talk directly to viewers, and that’s why channels carry so many side-effect warnings.
But Health Canada has stricter rules on what pharmaceutical companies can show on TV. It makes the contrast between American & Canadian television quite clear.
Pennies still appear in U.S. cash change
Canada stopped distributing pennies in 2013. The U.S. Mint only recently stopped minting them, though, so whenever you buy gum in the United States, you might notice that there’s copper on the counter again.
The majority of Canadians are used to rounding payments & they’ll realize how weird it feels to return to exact change.
Banknotes are different
That’s not all for money. Canadians have bright polymer bills that they use to pay for goods, and they’re so bright that they make American cash look rather muted. The Bank of Canada uses features like transparent windows & raised ink.
But the American Bureau of Engraving & Printing relies on the traditional cotton paper feel of cash. All that soft green stands out whenever you’re juggling American change.
Milk packaging in jugs
We’re quite used to bagged milk as Canadians, especially those living in Ontario or Quebec. Around 75 to 80% of milk in Ontario is sold in bags. That makes it a little strange when we see milk in American stores in big plastic jugs. But it’s the standard over there.
It may feel like a small change, yet it’s quite noticeable when you reach into the dairy case and come out with something completely different.
Highway billboards crowd the drive differently
Lots of Canadian highways are quite open, visually speaking, and especially the ones in provinces with stricter rules. But most American interstates have long rows of billboards. These advertise diners, gas, hotels, practically whatever’s coming up next.
The regulations are different in each state. However, many Canadians are able to notice the difference in advertising before they’ve even turned on their GPS.
Gas station signs switch from litres to gallons
One fill-up is all it takes for most Canadians to notice the difference in measurements. They’re used to seeing “¢/L” measures at home, while American gas boards only list dollars per gallon.
Those who are used to tracking litres will have to mentally flip between systems. Or failing that, they simply have to shrug & hope the math will make sense later on.
Sales tax stacks up in a new way
The majority of Canadians know what their provincial sales tax rates are without even thinking about them. It’s not the same in the United States. There’s no federal sales tax & local jurisdictions have the right to set their own sales tax rates.
The numbers can be quite different across different states because of these rules. Many Canadians notice that the total at checkouts is quite different from what they originally expected.
Wine and spirits sold everywhere
It can be quite unusual for Canadians to see liquor being sold in regular American grocery stores. It’s legal for big retailers to stock alcohol in the majority of states.
But several Canadian provinces have liquor boards that restrict where it can be sold. Visitors to America recognize the change almost immediately as they buy their weekend groceries.
Flags on homes appear everywhere
You’ll see quite a few flags on porches & lawns in the United States. The U.S. Flag Code has specific suggestions on how people can display their flags, and quite a few Americans do so.
Some Canadians proudly wave their flags as well. But it’s not to the same extent as in America, where around 62% of Americans have their flags at home.
Servers introduce themselves and check in often
Dinner in the United States is a rather chatty affair. The servers stop by early & share their name, then they keep coming back to check how everything is going. It’s something that many server training guides state is standard practice.
But not in Canada. We’re more familiar with a server coming over to take our order and leaving, mostly because they’re not relying solely on tips like many American servers are.
Restaurant card payments get handled differently
One thing that throws off many Canadians in America is how they pay for meals. The server normally walks away with the card to run it. It’s mostly because America has taken longer to switch over to EMV (Europay, Mastercard & Visa).
Interac and big processors encouraged chip-and-PIN with portable terminals across Canada. It means that most Canadians pick up on how odd having your card taken away is.
Religious media and signage stand out more
There are so many church boards & religious billboards across America. There are also plenty of Christian radio options, and many Americans think that religion is important in their daily lives, according to surveys.
It’s not the same in Canada, where religion isn’t as important for most people. You’re not as likely to see so many religious advertisements over here.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
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