Pizza Hut

Pizza Hut once comfortably sat between fast-food prices and a casual dining experience. When you pay full price on the regular menu, that value can be hard to find these days, especially when there are fast-casual or carryout alternatives that undercut Pizza Hut’s prices

The real red flag is sales. Pizza Hut’s U. S. comparable-store sales have fallen for 10 straight quarters. In the first half of 2026 alone, roughly 250 poor-performing U. S. locations were shut down. That’s far beyond anecdotal complaints about pricey pepperoni.

Papa Johns

Papa Johns has long tried to set itself apart from discount pizza, focusing on ingredients and quality. It’s tough to do that when people need to stretch their dollar menu. Comparable sales in North America fell 6.4% in the first quarter of 2026 as inflation-fatigued customers traded down to smaller pizzas and skipped add-ons like sides and desserts.

Improving value perception was part of management’s plan to turn things around. Basically, customers still want pizza; they’re just less interested in ordering a pricey meal around it.

MOD Pizza

MOD Pizza elevated personalized pizzas to something that felt like an inexpensive substitution for dining out. However, fast-casual chains have experienced the same swelling labor costs and food and operating expenses as everyone else.

Consumers have also grown savvier about what they pay for. MOD’s troubles started turning heads: 70 locations shuttered throughout 2024, leaving the brand with 482 stores in the U.S. at the end of last year.

Blaze Pizza

Blaze Pizza has encountered very similar problems as MOD. The chain has built its business on made- to-order pizzas with highly customized toppings. But customers now have to determine if that’s worth spending more than a traditional carryout pizza price. Blaze Pizza’s revenue dropped 9.6% last year. The chain closed down 43 restaurants in 2024 and had almost 60 fewer locations lesser than it had at the end of 2020.

Papa Murphy

While Papa Murphy’s is different in that it sells uncooked pizzas for customers to bake at home, that uniqueness hasn’t shielded it from the pizza slowdown. Sales at Papa Murphy’s U.S. locations fell 3% in 2025.

It was one of six of the nation’s 10 largest fast-casual pizza brands to report a sales decline in 2025. The issue is glaring when diners can compare the price of a carry-out pizza to what they can get at the grocery store or a discounted hot pizza at another chain.

Pieology

Pieology has suffered even worse. The build-your-own pizza chain finds itself in direct competition with MOD and Blaze in the overcrowded fast-casual restaurant segment, where diners are spending money on customization and convenience instead of just trying to get the biggest slice of pizza for their dollar. Pieology’s sales have plunged by a massive 26.5% in 2025.

Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese was struggling before the pandemic hit, but closures during COVID-19 forced its parent company into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2020.

It emerged from bankruptcy later that year after shedding about $705 million in debt and has pumped money into remodeling its restaurants since. The chain can also still be an expensive pizza option because you’re also paying for an entertainment experience.

Marco’s Pizza

Marco’s Pizza has grown quickly in recent years, but it hasn’t been completely immune to the slowdown plaguing the industry. Sales at Marco’s slipped 2.4% in 2025. This isn’t necessarily due to customers suddenly developing distaste for the chain’s pizza. Americans have just become more savvy shoppers when it comes to judging what they perceive as a worthwhile deal.

When Domino’s is consistently bombarding customers with heavily discounted pizza offers and other competitors are offering value bundles left and right, there’s no reason to buy something at full menu price when there’s likely a nice coupon just a few mouse clicks away.

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen doesn’t compete with a $7 carryout pizza. It sells a dining-room experience and pricier food. However, it also leaves the chain susceptible should consumers become convinced restaurant pizza isn’t worth restaurant prices.

CPK has been through its share of drama lately, including its 2020 bankruptcy, closed locations, and a new owner announced in 2025. Its next challenge is persuading customers that a higher-end pizza experience is worth paying extra for when independent restaurants, fast casual, and inexpensive carryout are also vying for share of the dinner budget.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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The disappearing Canadian dream

It’s increasingly difficult for Canadians to find a stable job, buy an affordable home, and work their way into financial security. Home prices and rents have spiked in recent years, especially in Canada’s largest cities. But housing supply is struggling to keep pace.

First-time homebuyers are not the only Canadians affected. Adult children are staying in their family homes longer, couples delay purchasing homes and starting families, and renters may struggle to afford the rising costs associated with their current home.

Some Canadians have moved further away from large employment hubs in search of lower housing costs. This, however, often results in increased transportation costs and lengthy commutes.

The everyday squeeze

Even Canadian families who aren’t stretching to buy a home can still feel stretched. Housing costs, including rent if you’re renting, eat up a big chunk of the typical household budget. So do groceries, transportation, utilities, insurance, and other essentials. There’s less left over for dining out, vacations, entertainment, and savings. And that leaves Canadians very little room to absorb an unexpected car repair or dental work.

The paradox is that while Canada is a rich country, some middle-income Canadians don’t feel very wealthy. Once they pay their monthly bills, they have few assets left over.

Waiting for care

Canada has universal healthcare coverage, meaning most medically necessary hospital and physician services aren’t something Canadians receive a bill for after receiving treatment. Accessing that front door can prove difficult, though.

Roughly 5.7 million Canadian adults lacked a regular healthcare provider in 2024, CIHI (Canadian Institute for Health Information) reported. Without a family doctor or nurse practitioner, Canadians may turn to walk-in clinics, virtual care services, or emergency departments to receive care for issues that would otherwise be addressed by a primary care provider.

It’s not that universal health care has fallen off the face of the earth. It’s that having health care doesn’t always mean you can see the right person at the right time.

Immigration concerns

Canada has an international identity as one of the most immigration-friendly nations among Western countries. While that certainly hasn’t disappeared and plenty of Canadians appreciate the economic and social contributions of immigration, there’s been an increasing debate around whether our population growth has been supported by proportionate investment in housing, doctors, schools, transit and other infrastructure.

For example, in a Canadian survey in November 2025, 47% of Canadians thought there were too many immigrants coming to Canada, up from 22% in March 2023. In August 2025, 63% thought immigration had caused too much pressure on public services, and 56% thought it had caused too much pressure on local housing prices.

For ordinary residents, these concerns may feel painfully tangible: if their city is adding thousands of new residents without building enough apartments, clinics or transit capacity, there isn’t enough to go around and everyone is competing with each other.

An economy losing momentum

Canada is a wealthy country, but it has weak productivity growth. Productivity, broadly speaking, measures how much value workers create for every hour worked. Growth in productivity allows businesses, at least in theory, to pay workers more without raising prices and allows living standards to increase over time. Without it, living standards are more difficult to improve.

According to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development), Canada’s performance on labour productivity has been lacklustre. Weak investment is part of the reason. Canada also faces a host of other structural challenges.

Weak productivity can translate into wages that feel like they don’t go as far, fewer sectors with highly productive industries where you can land a good-paying job, and frustration that working harder doesn’t seem to increase your standard of living as it did for your parents.

The debt underneath

A family can own a million-dollar home and feel like they’re living paycheck to paycheck. Owning a valuable asset isn’t the same as having cash to spend in day-to-day living. If that million-dollar home still has a six-figure mortgage attached to it, higher interest rates will eat into budgets.

Canada’s inflated housing market has fueled generations of Canadians to rack up debt. Those higher interest rates will become glaringly obvious when those mortgages renew.

Nature is fighting back

Canada’s forests, lakes and majestic wilderness are cited as many of the country’s top attractions. But living so close to nature comes with risks. Wildfires can cause entire towns to evacuate, create haze hundreds of kilometres away, and disrupt transportation, tourism and businesses.

Floods and other severe weather can damage property and infrastructure. Repeated fires also raise questions about the future of rebuilding and insurance.

Climate risk isn’t just an environmental concern. It affects where Canadians can live safely, what governments should spend on infrastructure, and how communities plan for emergencies.

Addiction crisis on the streets

Canada’s toxic drug and overdose crisis is one of the country’s most painful social problems. Drugs like opioids, especially an unpredictable illicit supply involving fentanyl, have driven tens of thousands of deaths nationwide over the last decade. While visible on parts of city streets like those in Vancouver, the crisis is neither isolated nor provincial.

Families have lost kids, parents and siblings. Emergency services, hospitals and community groups are stretched to the limit. Public drug use and related disorder have overwhelmed some downtown communities, too, sparking intense debate over how to address treatment, harm reduction, policing and public safety.

Getting around

Canada’s enormous size is part of its identity. Getting between Canadian cities, however, can be expensive and sometimes unexpectedly difficult. Passenger rail service is sparse outside major corridors, and many communities are cut off without cars or airplane access.

Long commutes and crowded buses or trains are daily annoyances even in Canada’s expanding metro areas. Visitors might be surprised that two major Canadian cities can be geographically close yet have so few fast transit options between them.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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Conditional love

Love, compliments, and hugs were earned, not given. They were doled out when you made your parent look good, got straight A’s on your report card, or simply kept their delicate ego happy. But the second you fell behind, challenged them, or failed to execute some minuscule detail to their exacting standards, you were cut off.

Withholding love and replacing it with ice, shame, or periods of silent treatment taught you your worth as a human being was measured by your usefulness and performance.

Rigid roles

Much of the energy in a narcissistic household centers around division. Children are often split into rigid, unnatural roles to better enable the parent to dictate interactions with them.

You were likely framed as the Golden Child who could do no wrong if they bowed to the parent’s ego, the Scapegoat through whom all blame was placed, or the Lost Child who survived through complete emotional disappearances. Attempting to break out of your assigned role was usually met with fierce familial backlash.

Role reversal

Rather than being parented and protected, you were placed in the position of having to protect your parent from his fragile ego, volatile rages or personal crises. You became your parent’s therapist, confidant, or emotional punching bag as you internalized their adult worries long before you were emotionally equipped to handle them.

Learning at such an early age to take care of their needs, you denied your own and created a life pattern of putting everyone else’s needs ahead of your own.

Hijacked success

When you reached a significant accomplishment, your parent rushed into the spotlight to take all the credit, loudly praising how they made it happen. However, if your accomplishments gained too much attention or provided you with true financial/emotional freedom, they undermined your success, belittled your efforts, or tried to outshine you.

To a narcissistic parent, a child’s success is either all about them or something to tear down.

Chronic gaslighting

Every time you tried to confront old abusive behavior or hold a boundary, your parent denied it or gaslit you into silence by saying things like “That didn’t happen” or “You are lying.”

Gaslighting became such a frequent emotional abuse tactic from your parent that you learned to distrust your brain, memory, and emotions. You became an adult who always fact-checks yourself, questions your instincts, and looks for outside validation before believing your own experiences.

Boundary erasure

Whenever you tried to set basic boundaries for yourself (asking for physical privacy, locking your door, saying no to a request, making your own decisions), it was perceived as a personal attack inflicted directly upon them.

Narcissistic parents see their children as property, not as separate people with their own rights. Limit-setting resulted in volcanic rage, being made to feel guilty, or continued subtle intrusions into your life.

Polished facade

Your family ran on a stark double standard in which appearances were paramount and inner wellbeing irrelevant. To grandparents, community members, and relatives, your mother or father portrayed a wholesome image of a loving, accepting, and ideal family life.

Inside, it was ruthless, judgmental, and chaotic, and you were strongly conditioned to keep these damaging family dynamics private no matter what to maintain your parent’s reputation.

Inner critic

Your parent’s approval was unstable/unpredictable, so you took on their harsh voice as your own inner voice. As an adult, you have a very strong inner critic that lectures you to be a perfectionist in all aspects: your work, relationships, and how you look.

You probably struggle with chronic people-pleasing, fear of disappointing others, and feel like you’re never enough.

Triangulated drama

Open, honest, and authentic communication didn’t happen in your family. Your parent communicated with other family members about you behind your back, relayed messages when it suited them or triangulated between siblings to play one against another.

You grew up with everyone whispering and competing for their approval.

Dismissed feelings

Whenever you cried or showed emotion because you were sad, mad, or scared, someone shut you down or made fun of you. You were constantly told you were “too sensitive”, “dramatic,” or seeking attention just for feeling normal emotions.

Years of having your feelings invalidated trained you to suppress your emotions. As an adult, you may have trouble regulating your emotions or feeling numb and not knowing what you feel.

Constant hyper-vigilance

Living in fear that your parent could explode at any moment trained your nervous system to be on high alert at all times.

You watched their voice, feet pacing at the door, and twitch of their eyebrows to see when you would be in the line of fire. Now, as an adult, you find yourself scanning every room, text message, and coworker’s mood.

Traditional goldfish bowls

Despite being iconic, keeping goldfish in small fishbowls is illegal throughout Rome, Italy. Authorities outlawed them based on animal welfare laws that focus on the round bowl’s insufficient surface area. The bowls cause fish to essentially suffocate from lack of oxygen over time, and swim around blindly from unnatural refraction.

In Canada: Canada has no national prohibition against traditional goldfish bowls. However, fish kept in distressing conditions may still be subjected to animal-welfare laws.

Infant walkers with wheels

Widely used in nurseries around the world, wheeled baby walkers were banned entirely in Canada back in 2004. Regulators determined that walkers led to severe injuries, primarily when babies rolled themselves down stairs or over to kitchen ranges, and prohibited sales, imports, or resales of walkers.

Incandescent light bulbs

If you still have that old box of 40- to 100-watt general service incandescent light bulbs in your garage, they’re now banned for sale and manufacturing throughout the United States (along with the rest of the EU and UK). New federal energy efficiency standards require bulbs to produce a minimum of 45 lumens per watt, effectively eliminating standard incandescent bulbs in favor of LEDs.

In Canada: Canada too has federal energy-efficiency regulations that cover general-service incandescent bulbs. General-service incandescent lamps made on or after January 1, 2026 will need to have efficacies of at least 45 lumens per watt.

Kinder Surprise chocolate eggs

This classic European chocolate, a hard chocolate shell filled with a plastic capsule toy inside, is illegal in America. The 1938 Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act bans embedding “non-nutritive objects” entirely inside food due to choking hazards. The Kinder Joy eggs sold in America contain two separated halves in order to circumvent this law.

In Canada: The Kinder Surprise eggs with a toy capsule encased in chocolate can be legally sold in Canada.

Synthetic lacy lingerie

Pure synthetic lace underwear may not be manufactured, sold or imported into Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan per Eurasian Customs Union rules. Underwear which touches skin must contain at least 6% natural cotton fibers to allow breathability and hygiene. 100% synthetic lace is therefore considered illegal.

In Canada: Canada does not have a national standard banning any percentage of synthetic fibres for underwear. Clothing items must still meet Canada’s labelling and product-safety regulations.

Mercury fever thermometers

Vintage glass thermometers hiding in your parents’ medicine cabinet are filled with elemental mercury. Sales of these thermometers have been prohibited in many states within the U.S. and throughout the EU because of the risk they pose to the environment and their toxicological effects if broken.

In Canada: Canada’s stance on mercury fever thermometers is equally strict. Mercury fever thermometers cannot be manufactured or imported.

Rainwater harvesting barrels (without permits)

Did you know collecting rainwater runoff from your roof into large homemade barrels is illegal in some U.S.  states? The western U.S. takes water rights very seriously.

Colorado and Utah claim rainwater belongs to designated watersheds. Homemade small barrel catchments are becoming permissible, but large barrel catchments without permits are still illegal.

In Canada: There is no national Canadian ban on residential rain barrels. Restrictions may vary provincially or municipally regarding larger-scale collection, plumbing integration, and usage of collected water.

Certain unpasteurized (raw) milk cheeses

That tasty wheel of French raw milk cheese (like young camembert, Reblochon or Brie de Meaux) you may have purchased during your travels through Europe is illegal for import/sale in the US unless it is aged a minimum of 60 days at above 35° F, according to FDA guidelines on dangerous bacteria.

In Canada: Canada regulates the sale of raw-milk cheeses as well. Cheeses made with raw milk must typically be aged at least 60 days.

Antique ivory trinkets or jewelry

Ownership of heirloom jewelry, scrimshaw, carved statues or musical instruments that contain elephant ivory may be restricted worldwide by CITES laws (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

Within the U. S. and Britain, trading ivory internationally or transporting it through customs without very specific legal documentation showing it was acquired before environmental laws is a federal offense.

In Canada: Canada tightly controls the import, export, and trade of elephant ivory. Exceptions are limited and require permits.

Large commercial lawn fertilizer (high-phosphorus)

Many states across the U.S. (such as New York, Michigan, and Florida) prohibit homeowners from purchasing or using lawn fertilizers with phosphorus in them unless they are laying down a new lawn. Phosphorus washes into lakes and rivers where it can cause deadly algae blooms.

In Canada: Canada has no overarching federal ban on lawn fertilizer containing phosphorus, but provinces and municipalities may have restrictions due to concerns over phosphorus running off into lakes and streams.

Old refrigerators using Freon (R-12 Refrigerant)

Refrigerators made before the mid-1990s utilize chlorofluorocarbon compounds such as R-12 for refrigeration. It is not illegal to own a working vintage refrigerator. However, the sale, purchase, or release (such as during repair) of R-12 to the atmosphere is illegal throughout the world under international environmental agreements.

In Canada: Canada has strict controls on ozone-depleting refrigerants like CFCs, and it is against the law to release refrigerant while servicing equipment or disposing of units.

Heavy windshield accessories (hanging ornaments)

It’s illegal to hang items such as oversized air fresheners, fuzzy dice, or graduation tassels from your rear-view mirror in several U. S. states (like Minnesota, California, Illinois) under strict “Vision must not be obstructed” vehicle codes.

In Canada: There is no federal prohibition against hanging fuzzy dice or air fresheners from rear-view mirrors in Canada, as traffic regulations are provincial. However, provincial traffic laws prohibit obstruction of the driver’s clear view through the windshield, so an excessively large hanging object could still get you in trouble.

Haggis containing sheep lungs

Did you know that if you imported the Scottish delicacy of traditional haggis, you now have a banned food item in the United States? The USDA made it illegal to sell or import animal lungs used for human consumption back in 1971 due to fear that fluids from the stomach or pathogens could come into contact with the organ meat during preparation.

In Canada: Traditional imported Scottish haggis cannot be brought into Canada. The CFIA and Health Canada do not allow importation or sale of lungs from mammals for human consumption.

Single-use plastic grocery bags

Single-use plastic grocery bags or thin plastic checkout bags are banned for distribution in retail stores throughout Canada, New Zealand, and some states in the United States (such as New York and California), where consumers use reusable bags or paper bags instead.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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Nothing seems too small

You briefly mentioned what your favorite dessert was three months ago, and they remember. The same thing goes for your childhood pet’s name or a place you’d want to visit or something you hate. Some people have great memories, but someone remembering small, pointless details means they are listening.

If those little, seemingly inconsequential things you mention stick in their memory, chances are your conversations really resonate with them.

There’s always a reason

A meme arrives because “this reminded me of you.” Then it’s a picture, hilarious video, or random thing they saw that day. None of these texts necessarily warrant a discussion, but they always find something to text you about.

It’s not what they say that’s fascinating. It’s that something made them think of you when you were gone, and they took the time to send it. If that starts happening frequently, you’re most likely on their mind a decent amount.

Your world becomes interesting

They randomly find that show you told them about on their watchlist. They listen to that band you were talking about or develop an interest in a hobby you’ve mentioned.

They may not be purposely trying to mirror you. When we think about someone a lot, items related to them are going to stand out more to us. Showing interest in things you like might just be their way of being close to you when you’re not around.

They catch what others miss

Maybe you’ve only changed hairstyles slightly, you’re wearing new clothes, or maybe you’re just less talkative. They pick up on it before most people do.

To notice small differences, you have to know what someone normally looks and acts like. One glance doesn’t count, but if you start noticing small changes, you are getting way more attention from that person than others.

Conversations keep finding you

They ask you something they could have googled themselves or your opinion on something trivial. A conversation that was only meant to be two messages turns into three more topics of discussion.

Oftentimes, people don’t need information; they just need an excuse to talk to you. If someone frequently makes tiny excuses to speak to you, they may have just wanted to talk to you.

Your reaction counts

They ask for your opinion on their new haircut, an article of clothing, something they want to do or something they have done. More significantly, what you think seems to matter. They recall your words, or they beam when you say you like it.

This behavior doesn’t necessarily mean they like you in a romantic way. Friends’ opinions matter to people as well. However, if your opinion always seems to mean something extra, you have likely secured a special position in their mind.

Your messages matter

Whether you message during the day or late at night, their responses often feel affectionate and interested instead of forced or perfunctory.

We all get caught up sometimes, so an occasional late response isn’t anything. The real tell is they don’t usually leave you on read and will typically circle back when they’re able.

The mood suddenly shifts

Someone may suddenly shift their body language when the person they care about walks into the room. They might become more energetic, stand up straighter, smile or fake smile when you show up, or even become very self-conscious out of nowhere.

No single one of these is conclusive evidence. However, if someone noticeably shifts their demeanor when you are around, it may mean that you mean more to them than they let on.

Their friends already know

You meet one of their friends for the first time, and they already know who you are. Maybe they heard where you work or know a story that involves you. Or they just say, “I’ve heard so much about you.”

Unless you’re a celebrity, information about you trickled down because someone has been talking about you.

They know what’s coming

Before you even respond, they already know how you will answer. They guess correctly what food you order or which joke you will find funny, or where you wanted to travel.

Occasionally you’ll get a text that says, “I knew you would like this.” And they are spot on. Getting to know someone that well typically occurs over time. They’ve remembered small details enough to have formed an eerily accurate portrait of you.

You appear in tomorrow

“You would love that restaurant.” “We should do that sometime.” “I’ll show you when we go there.” Statements like these can feel casual, but there’s a subtle nugget of intrigue hidden in them: you are showing up organically in their future.

It doesn’t automatically mean they picture a future with you in the serious sense. But if someone continues to involuntarily include you in their future, you’re pretty ingrained in how they view their life.

Your absence is noticed

They’re the ones who inquire where you are if you skip a weekly hangout. They text you if you go radio silent for more than a day to see if everything’s alright.

Not everyone in your life notices when you skip their weekly hangout. If someone notices within a day that you’re missing, you were providing them a comfortable routine.

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Country of cafés and châteaux

France

France continues to be the world’s leading travel destination, welcoming approximately 102 million international tourists in 2024. Paris is home to world-famous attractions like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame Cathedral; however, there’s much more to see in France than its capital.

From the French Riviera and Provence to the Loire Valley, ski resorts in the Alps and world-renowned wine regions, travelers can experience vastly different destinations all in the same country. France’s central location in Europe also makes it easy for millions of travelers to take short cross-border day trips.

Sunshine meets history

Spain

Spain came in second by hosting approximately 94 million international visitors in 2024. Barcelona and Madrid are favorite tourist cities due to their incredible architecture, museums, food, and nightlife. However, visitors can also travel to Spain’s sunshine-filled Mediterranean coastline and islands for a completely different experience.

European travelers flock to the Balearic and Canary Islands for warm-weather escapes. Most of Spain’s beaches, cities, and regions see high visitor turnout year-round due to its enjoyable weather.

From skyscrapers to national parks

The U.S.

The US welcomed around 72 million international visitors in 2024. No country can match America’s diversity, with everything from NYC and Walt Disney World to Hawaii, Vegas, and the beaches of California. National landmarks like the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone are another huge draw. Visitors from abroad also spend a lot of money while in the U. S., making it important to the global tourism economy.

Where Europe meets Asia

Türkiye

Türkiye has cemented its place among the world’s top tourism economies, having welcomed approximately 61 million international travelers. Istanbul provides visitors with unmatched layers of Byzantine, Ottoman, and modern-day culture. From cruise ships in Istanbul to the beaches of Antalya and the Mediterranean, Türkiye offers variety for every type of traveler.

The whimsical landscapes of Cappadocia and its hot-air balloons have become one of the country’s most recognizable sites. Ancient ruins, unique food and inexpensive vacations round out what many travelers look for when visiting.

Home of Rome and the Renaissance

Italy

Italy has consistently ranked among the top tourist destinations in the world. Rome, Venice, Florence and Milan could each sustain thriving tourist industries independently. Tuscany, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Sicily and the Italian Alps are also hugely visited. Italy has few peers when it comes to internationally recognized art, architecture, history, landscapes and food packed into such a relatively small area.

Ancient ruins and Caribbean shores

Mexico

Mexico had approximately 45 million international tourist arrivals in 2024. Its location next to the United States and Canada allows Mexico access to huge markets, especially in the North American winter months. Cancún, Riviera Maya, Los Cabos, and Puerto Vallarta are heavily visited resort destinations, but Mexico has more than beaches. Ancient Maya and Aztec ruins, colonial cities, regional cuisines, and attractions in Mexico City are just some of the reasons travelers explore outside of the resort zones.

Royalty still draws crowds

The United Kingdom

United Kingdom attracted about 42 million overseas visitors. London consistently ranks among the world’s leading tourist cities. Popular attractions include Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London, Westminster and the British Museum. Outside of London, tourists visit Edinburgh, the Scottish Highlands, Oxford, Bath, the Lake District and numerous castles and historic towns.

More than castles and beer

Germany

Germany welcomed about 37.5 million international visitors in 2024. Berlin attracts tourists with its turbulent modern history and vibrant cultural scene, whereas Munich is known for its Bavarian culture and Oktoberfest. Other popular attractions include medieval towns, Christmas markets, castles, and natural scenery like the Black Forest and Bavarian Alps. As Germany is in Central Europe, it also sees significant border crossings.

Tradition meets the future

Japan

Japan saw one of the largest increases in international visitor arrivals, seeing nearly 37 million international visitors in 2024 alone. Modern Tokyo feels worlds away from Kyoto with its mixture of temples, shrines and traditional districts. Visitors also come to see Japanese cuisine, cherry blossoms and autumn colours, experience anime culture, ski and see the country’s renowned public transportation system.

Ancient ruins among Mediterranean islands

Greece

Greece welcomed around 36 million international visitors. This is a large number for a country which has a population of only about 10 million people. Athens is home to ancient attractions such as the Acropolis. Islands such as Santorini, Mykonos and Crete are popular for beaches and Mediterranean landscapes. With thousands of islands and one of the longest coastlines in the world, Greece has an abundance of summer destinations. For this reason, tourism is a very important industry for the Greek economy.

Asia’s enduring favorite

Thailand

Thailand saw around 35.5 million visitors in 2024, re-establishing itself as one of Asia’s top destinations. Known for its mix of temples, street markets, nightlife, and famous street food, Bangkok is a hugely popular destination, as are islands like Phuket, Krabi, and Koh Samui. North of Thailand in the mountain regions, you’ll find Chiang Mai. Friendly people, tropical landscapes, delicious cuisine, and low prices have made multiple trips very common.

Alpine peaks and imperial cities

Austria

Austria receives an impressive number of tourists for its population size, and estimates in 2024 show Austria welcomed around 30–32 million visitors. Austria’s capital, Vienna, is known for its imperial palaces and museums, and has strong ties to classical music. Salzburg is another popular city known for its association with Mozart, Baroque-style architecture, and The Sound of Music. During winter months, Austria is popular with European skiers looking to hit the Alpine slopes.

Sacred cities and desert landscapes

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia has fast become one of the world’s largest international tourism destinations, welcoming approximately 29 million international arrivals in 2024. Religious journeys to Mecca and Medina make up a large share of Saudi Arabia’s international arrivals. Saudi Arabia is also opening itself up to tourism through leisure travel, entertainment and events as part of an economic diversification plan.

Skyscrapers rising from the desert

United Arab Emirates

Dubai is the crown jewel of the nation’s tourism sector with the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa, massive malls, luxury accommodations, beaches and grand entertainment attractions. Abu Dhabi also offers visitors cultural attractions, resorts and landmarks. As a global aviation hub, millions of transit passengers also visit annually to enjoy a short vacation.

Atlantic shores and colorful old cities

Portugal

Portugal has received an estimated 28 million international tourists in 2024. Lisbon and Porto are popular for their historic districts, architecture, and cuisine, and the Algarve is one of Europe’s most famous beach destinations. The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores bring Portugal’s tourism opportunities far into the Atlantic Ocean. Its small size also makes it possible to enjoy cities, beaches, wine country, and historic towns all in one trip.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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The rent reality

For one, I really don’t miss spending such a large portion of my paycheque on rent. Toronto is now one of the most expensive rental markets in Canada. A run-of-the-mill apartment can take a monumental slice out of your monthly earnings. Desiring even basic amenities like an additional bedroom, closet space, or a balcony will drive up your costs even more.

It feels weird now that I don’t live there, knowing that you don’t always have to spend half of your income on housing before making life decisions.

401 gamble

A journey that seems completely sensible on paper can become a completely different ordeal when faced with Toronto traffic. The 401 is legendary for being congested, and rush “hour” can feel considerably longer than its name suggests. An accident, construction, or poor weather can make an already lengthy commute unbearable.

I don’t miss having to leave absurdly early just because there was no dependable way to know how long it would take to get across the city.

The TTC announcement

Toronto has decent public transit, so it’s feasible to live without a car. This was something I liked about Toronto. What I didn’t like was how the train would stop randomly, and everyone would just stare at the PA speaker waiting for an explanation.

Signal failure, security matters, track obstruction, or any number of delays can derail your morning commute in minutes. Once you spend enough mornings cursing at the subway doors while doing mental gymnastics on how late you’ll be, the familiar TTC delay message no longer holds any charm.

Everything comes with a line

Trying to get into some of Toronto’s popular restaurants, brunch spots, festivals and attractions can leave you feeling like waiting in line is part of the attraction. A hot new restaurant gets buzzed about online, and suddenly there are people waiting on the street for a table.

Major events come with huge crowds before you’ve even walked in the door. Even getting something quick downtown can involve long waits during rush hour. I don’t miss having to coordinate regular leisure activities around whether or not hundreds of others have decided to do the same thing.

The construction never ends

Toronto often feels like a city under endless construction. Streets are torn up for repairs, condo towers sprout up everywhere, transit projects are launched, and sidewalks vanish behind white dividers.

Sure, a bustling metropolis needs development, and most of these projects are important. But living amongst it all is another story. Construction detours, drilling noises, lane closures, and never-ending developments can make a simple trip around the block feel like a hassle.

The tiny-apartment compromise

Expensive rent doesn’t just rob you of your hard-earned money. It robs you of square footage too. Living in a Toronto condo teaches you to improvise when it comes to storage solutions, furniture, and pretty much any spare inch you can find.

That dining table is now your desk, your closet is doubling as your pantry, and you suddenly view your balcony as potential storage. When you move into a place that actually has space, you question how you ever thought cramming all of your worldly possessions into a shoebox was acceptable.

Winter’s ugly phase

Fresh fallen snow in Toronto can be pretty, usually for about five minutes. Soon cars, pedestrians, and salt turn it into brown-grey ice slush piled up against curbs and sidewalks. Walking across a street becomes an Olympic sport in puddle dodging, and your boots are perpetually stained with salt.

Toronto’s definitely not Canada’s northernmost city, but winter in the city has a unique brand of ugliness. I don’t miss slipping off a curb only to realize the solid-looking snow beneath you was actually brown water up to your ankles.

The noise you stop hearing

Street sirens, horns, construction, streetcars, delivery trucks, and people loitering outside late at night can become background noise if you live in a large city. I didn’t know how much noise I tuned out until I moved away from it.

Toronto can be exciting (especially downtown), but noise can also be exhausting when you just want to sleep or unwind at home. Silence almost felt unnatural to me at first. And then it became one of the things I loved most about it.

The raccoon battles

Toronto’s raccoons are notoriously brazen. They’ll tip over trash cans, sneak into backyards, and somehow access any food you think you’ve stored away safely. The issue escalated so much that the city released specially designed green bins with locking lids meant to deter the masked bandits.

They’re cute, sure, and undeniably part of Toronto’s charm. But constantly waking up to messy vandalism from your clever nocturnal neighbour gets old.

Parking nightmare

Having a car in Toronto is like having a really expensive child. Outside of gas and insurance, there’s always the stress of where you’re going to park. Paid parking downtown, buying or renting a parking spot with your condo, dramatically increases your living costs; then you have street parking rules and restrictions.

And don’t get me started on finding an open spot, only to see a sign that lists why you absolutely can’t park there. Thankfully, that’s one piece of city charm I won’t miss.

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Where strangers feel like friends

Costa Rica

Costa Rica consistently scores one of the highest marks on expat reviews when asked about the friendliness of the local population. The relaxed “pura vida” attitude is more than a catchphrase for tourists. Locals focus on enjoying life and valuing friendships and courtesy during their daily lives.

Costa Rican locals have often been described as open and easy to talk to. While this may seem like a small thing, it’s important. When you’re living in a foreign country, friendliness isn’t just having someone smile and say hello. It’s about whether or not you feel like you can belong there.

Hospitality comes naturally

Mexico

Mexico’s high ranking on worldwide hospitality lists is largely due to Mexicans having hospitality as a strong point of pride. Simple courtesies are expressed emphatically; there are offers to help, and a friendliness that greets many who visit the country, helping them feel at home right away.

From Mexico City’s vibrant central market to small plazas in a pueblo, people will bend over backwards to help you find your way, feed you, and show you around.

The welcome feels personal

Philippines

Philippines has always enjoyed having a positive global image when it comes to hospitality. English is commonly used, and that can already be a big factor for some foreigners visiting or living here. Social skills also focus on being gracious and generous to guests.

Familial ties also play a strong role in Filipino Society. Tourists often receive invitations to eat or to hang out or even be given assistance from people they just met. Making foreigners feel at home is one reason why the Philippines is often ranked among the friendliest countries in the world.

An island with a big welcome

Indonesia

Indonesia has a culture of gotong royong, which loosely translates into shared responsibility. With over 17,000 islands, people in Indonesia have been brought up with a strong belief in working together and helping each other.

Tourists will find themselves welcomed with wide smiling faces and eager curiosity. Indonesians regard interacting with different cultures as a pleasurable experience, not a hassle. Whether you find yourself in a small village on Bali or a crowded suburb of Java, you will feel welcomed by the amount of care from others.

Smiles aren’t just for tourists

Thailand

Although it may seem like something from a travel brochure, hospitality is one of the things travelers most commonly hear about when visiting Thailand. Often referred to as the “Land of Smiles,” friendliness and avoiding conflict are values that typically extend to everyday social conduct.

Many travelers also find that in smaller towns and cities, there can be significant interest and kindness from locals. Cultural and language barriers can prevent some foreigners from making close friends, but Thailand’s friendly atmosphere is still one reason so many expats choose to return.

Warmth beyond the beaches

Brazil

One thing that strikes visitors from more closed societies is how open Brazilian social culture can be. Talk, jokes, physical contact, and social events are often key elements of personal relations. Visitors will discover people are often willing to converse with, help, or invite someone new into their group without getting to know that person for months, as in some societies.

Brazil is a vast country with great diversity, so this isn’t true for everyone. But exchanging pleasantries with friendly people around the country is something many tourists from abroad fondly recall.

Easy conversations everywhere

Colombia

Colombia’s reputation has shifted drastically in the past few decades. Friendliness has turned into one of Colombia’s greatest tourism draws. Whether in Medellín or more rural towns, travelers often comment on how people are friendly and helpful. Colombians can also be quite passionate about showing visitors Colombia’s cuisine, music, and heritage.

This doesn’t guarantee you’ll have nothing but wonderful experiences, but if you’re new to the country and trying to find friends, general day-to-day friendliness can help you feel at home in a foreign place.

A Mediterranean kind of welcome

Greece

Hospitality in Greece dates back thousands of years, and it remains important to Greeks to be hospitable to visitors. Away from main tourist areas, visitors may meet restaurant owners, neighbors, or those who host you when you arrive, who go out of their way to ensure you feel welcome. Food also has a central role in Greeks’ social lives, so offering food will often transform strangers into friends.

Small country, warm reception

Portugal

Thanks to its relatively cheap cost of living, gorgeous weather and friendly locals, Portugal has grown massively popular with tourists, expats and retirees in recent years. People in Portugal will often go about their day with friendly interactions that are polite but not too formal.

Expats often say they feel at home and safe while they get accustomed to life there. Though Portuguese citizens may not always be outwardly warm or affectionate like people are in some other countries on this list, you’ll feel their kindness through their patience and helpfulness.

Kindness without the fuss

Canada

Canada has achieved something of an international reputation as a land of politeness. This reputation isn’t entirely undeserved. Travelers to Canada quickly become aware of the common courtesies: holding doors for people, apologizing after slight bumps, and offering directions.

Canada’s diversity can also leave visitors from a wide variety of backgrounds feeling quite at home in many of its large cities. Canadians won’t necessarily take you home for dinner if you’re a stranger, but they will make you feel at home after the briefest encounter thanks to politeness in their everyday interactions.

Where conversation comes easily

Ireland

Ireland has gained a reputation as one of the friendliest places on earth, almost as well-known as its pubs are. In Ireland, pubs are usually places of socialisation first and foremost rather than just places to drink. As such, striking up a conversation with someone you don’t know isn’t too unusual. Friendly banter and a good story can easily disarm the local Irishman.

The welcome is part of the culture

New Zealand

New Zealanders, or Kiwis, have gained a reputation for being easy-going, friendly and relatively informal. As a result, you may feel as though interactions with strangers are more casual than what you may be used to in a more formal society.

Hospitality is another important part of Kiwi culture, though it’s often linked to the Māori value of manaakitanga, which encompasses hospitality, care, and respect towards others.

Swahili hospitality

Kenya

Kenya is known for safaris and awe-inspiring scenery, but visitors often recall the friendliness of its people as well. Hospitality and a sense of community are values many Kenyan cultures hold dear. Visitors may be greeted with conversation, food, or honest interest in their homeland.

“Karibu,” Swahili for “welcome,” is a phrase tourists hear often and embodies the easy feeling many encounter. With English and Swahili being commonly spoken, communication can also be seamless for travelers.

A welcome worth traveling for

Vietnam

Millions of visitors have had an opportunity to experience Vietnam’s everyday hospitality as its popularity as an international tourist destination booms. Visitors will often find curiosity, helpfulness, and generosity outside of crowded tourist traps.

Food sharing is common as part of social etiquette, and sharing a meal can make for easy camaraderie even if you don’t speak each other’s language. Vietnam’s youth are also increasingly more likely to know at least some English.

Hospitality with deep roots

Oman

One of the more subtle reasons people grow fond of Oman is its hospitality. Inviting guests for coffee, dates, and cool drinks is a serious tradition here, and many travelers experience gracious treatment away from tourist-centric areas as well.

Oman’s social culture is more conservative than Latin American countries. However, friendliness doesn’t always have to include boisterous conversation. Kindness, generosity, and making sure guests are comfortable can say just as much.

Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.

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Halloween had a second purpose

It wasn’t just Halloween candy we asked for at the door. For generations, Canadian children also rang doorbells carrying UNICEF boxes filled with coins to help children in need around the world.

Asking for donations became such a normal part of Canadian Halloween that many children didn’t realize how strange the tradition was. But UNICEF Canada discontinued their door-to-door box collection program in 2006.

The chocolate that came with a toy

When Canadian kids opened a Kinder Surprise, they got two gifts: chocolate and whatever little toy came sealed inside that plastic capsule. The original Kinder Surprise was illegal to import into the United States because U.S. law typically forbids candy with non-food objects inside.

Canada never knew such childhood tragedy. Gathering up the small toys and attempting to build them using impossibly small directions were part of the fun.

Our unique snacks

Canadian childhoods included plenty of treats American friends had either grown up without or saw much less frequently. Coffee Crisp, Hickory Sticks, ketchup chips, All-Dressed chips, and Canadian Smarties could appear in lunch boxes, convenience stores, and Halloween hauls.

Even familiar brand names could mean something completely different: Canadian Smarties are chocolate-covered candy, not the tablet candy Americans refer to as Smarties.

There’s just something satisfying about watching an American friend try a Coffee Crisp as an adult and having an everyday childhood snack feel exotic.

Pocket money actually jingled

We grew up speaking casually about loonies and toonies like they were sensible terms for currency. The $1 loonie came into circulation in 1987, and the $2 toonie followed in 1996. Birthday money, allowances, and the coins you received from the corner store could surprisingly add up and weigh down your pockets.

Kids south of the border were much more used to dealing with the $1 bill. As kids, we didn’t realize having coins valued at one and two dollars and giving them silly names we loved dearly was so Canadian.

History arrived between commercials

Heritage Minutes perhaps made national history memorable for many Canadians in ways they hadn’t expected. Bits of Canadian history were dramatized in these minute-long films, and ran frequently on television.

Kids who wouldn’t willingly watch hours of a history channel found themselves knowing entire scenes and lines of dialogue just by having seen the same Minute so many times. Terry Fox, the Halifax Explosion, and countless other Canadian stories became part of the country’s collective memory.

The milk needed scissors

Raised in Ontario, bagged milk never seemed odd to me. You put one of the smaller bags into a reusable pitcher, cut a corner off with scissors, and pour directly onto your cereal.

It was so commonplace that I never realized kids in other places didn’t drink it that way. Bag milk is fairly commonplace in Ontario, but not everywhere in Canada, particularly odd to Americans.

The rink was part of growing up

For many Canadian kids growing up, their local arena wasn’t just somewhere they’d go to see professionals play hockey games. It’s where their brothers and sisters went to practice, where their friends gathered, and their parents watched from chilly stands with cups of coffee way too early in the morning.

Kids who didn’t play hockey regularly still grew up around skating lessons, school skating trips, or trips to outdoor neighbourhood rinks.

We had shows they never knew

Canadian children watched lots of American TV, but we also had our own entire library of shows. Generations of Canadians grew up watching Mr Dressup, The Big Comfy Couch, Fred Penner’s Place, The Raccoons and Degrassi.

What’s funny is years later when you quote something or mention something that you thought every kid knew, and your American friend has no clue what you are talking about.

The language oddity

Lots of Canadian kids learned French in school, and others went to French immersion programs where they would spend a big chunk of the school day being taught French.

Of course, not every Canadian child became bilingual. But having French integrated into the public schooling system gave many Canadian children consistent exposure to another language at a young age.

Canadian spelling

Canadian children were taught to spell colour, favourite, centre and neighbour but were bombarded with color, favorite, center and neighbor in American books and television and, later on, computers.

Canadian English was a mix of British and American English that created small gaps that children learn to straddle intuitively, without much conscious thought. Occasionally, it could cause the unsettling feeling of looking at two spellings that were both completely familiar to you and wondering which one your teacher would prefer.

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The tomato problem

Try not to store highly acidic foods like tomato sauce, sliced tomatoes, or foods with lots of lemon juice or vinegar in foil. Acid causes a reaction with the aluminum that can allow more aluminum to leach into the food while creating tiny pits in the foil.

It can also sometimes cause an unpleasant metallic flavor. Glass or other food-safe containers work much better for acidic leftovers, particularly if you plan to store them for a while.

Oven lining

You might think putting aluminum foil on the bottom of your oven would catch drips and make clean-up easy. But in most ovens, this can disrupt heat distribution and damage the interior finish. Reflected heat can also impact heating elements or cooking performance in some models.

If you must catch spills, check with your manufacturer for instructions. Many allow you to safely use a baking sheet placed on the floor of a lower rack.

Heated food

Wrapping steam-producing food (foods that are both very hot and very moist) too tightly in foil can trap steam and condensation. While this won’t suddenly make your food unsafe to eat, it will make crispy items soggy quickly and could even slow cooling if large quantities of hot food are wrapped tightly together. Instead, quickly cool and refrigerate perishable leftovers.

Don’t let your cooked food sit wrapped on the counter for hours. Divide large amounts of leftovers into shallow containers so they cool faster.

The wrong kind of storage

Tightly wrapping leftovers in foil and storing them in the refrigerator for days is not always ideal. Foil doesn’t magically become airtight when you loosely wrap it around a plate or bowl. Exposing food to air dries it out and decreases its quality.

Plus, perishable leftovers need to be refrigerated no matter how well they are wrapped. Use an airtight food-storage container for best results when storing food in the refrigerator for longer periods of time.

The microwave mistake

Never use regular aluminum foil in the microwave unless your microwave’s manufacturer specifically states that a small amount is acceptable and provides guidelines for how to use it.

Aluminum and other metals reflect microwaves. Wrinkled foil or foil near walls can cause electrical arcing: the sparks you see inside a microwave oven. This can damage your microwave oven and maybe even start a fire.

When salt causes trouble

Extremely salty foods can also react with aluminum when they’re wet and left on foil for extended periods of time. Brines, marinades or sauces with a lot of salt should be stored in glass or another nonreactive food-safe container.

However, this doesn’t mean that quickly cooking salt-seasoned food on foil will react. Prolonged contact is the real issue, especially salt that’s mixed with acidic ingredients.

The silver-polish shortcut

Another household use for aluminum foil is mixing baking soda and hot water to chemically polish tarnished silver. This does work with certain types of bare silver, but should not be considered an all-purpose silver cleaner.

It will harm silver pieces with intentionally oxidized finishes, antique silver, glued pieces, or stones in jewelry. Whenever possible, use the method of cleaning specified for that item rather than instinctively grabbing the foil.

The grill problem

Wrapping your entire grill grate with aluminum foil might seem like a good idea for easy cleanup, but it can negatively affect your grill’s functionality. Aluminum foil large enough to cover the entire grill will trap grease and limit airflow, and may cause your heat to be redirected to areas you don’t want it. It also increases your chances of flare-ups from grease buildup.

Foil packets work well with some foods, but encasing all of the cooking surface is another matter. So consult your grill’s manual before using foil extensively.

The expensive scrubbing mistake

A ball of aluminum foil can sometimes be used as an impromptu scrubber on some sturdy, uncoated metals. But do not use it on nonstick or ceramic-coated pans. Aluminum will scratch right through these coatings, especially when used aggressively.

If your nonstick surface becomes scratched or damaged, food will start sticking to it, and the coating will further degrade. Opt for a soft sponge or another recommended tool.

The air-fryer airflow problem

You can sometimes use foil in an air fryer, but don’t allow it to block airflow through the appliance. Air fryers work by blowing hot air around food quickly, so covering the basket hinders their performance.

Loose foil may even shift towards the heating element. If your air fryer allows foil, then keep it pushed down under the food and use only a small amount. Don’t assume all brands have the same rules.

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