Top 12 faux pas to avoid when visiting or living in Canada

Canadians have a reputation for being nice. While it is true for the most part, there are still some common faux pas you’ll want to avoid when in Canada. In no specific order, here are the top ones, as written and validated by Canadians Jackson (from British Columbia) and Meghan (from Québec).

1. Sending inappropriate emojis

It should be known that in Canada, certain emojis have a romantic or flirty connotation, most notably ones involving a wink, kissy face, or monkey covering its eyes (as opposed to France, for example, where the first one has no such connotation). Keep this in mind when you’re texting friends or colleagues, lest you experience an awkward misunderstanding.

2. Going empty handed to a potluck

Not every country has this concept, but a potluck is a gathering of friends where each guest brings a dish to share. It is common for Canadians to organise potlucks in their home. If you’re invited to one, cook up your favourite recipe or buy something at the store. If you’re not sure, you can always ask the host if they have any preferences (or allergies!). In terms of quantity, you should aim to bring enough to feed one or two people. If every guest does this, then there will be enough food and not too many leftovers. Also note that instead of a dish, a couple of guests might be on the hook for desserts or drinks.

3. Taking someone else’s alcohol at a BYOB

Young Canadians sometimes host parties where you BYOB (bring your own beer/booze). Like the name indicates, each guest brings alcohol for their own consumption. Since it might not always be explicitly called a BYOB, you should ask before taking someone’s alcohol (if you didn’t bring any yourself).

4. Not leaving a tip

In most countries, tipping is optional. Unfortunately in Canada, it is not. At the end of a meal, you must leave at least 15% of the total (not subtotal) as a tip for the waiter. The tip should be given in the same payment method as the bill. If you pay for the meal by card, the tip should be by card as well as a part of the same transaction. If the service or food was truly horrible and you decide not to leave a tip, you run the risk of being followed out of the restaurant by an upset waiter. In bars, the custom is to give $1 per drink.

Note, however, that almost all POS systems now present tipping as an option (e.g., cafés, fast food restaurants, food trucks). Where there is no table service, go ahead and select $0.

5. Talking about politics or money

Canadians are a people that generally avoid conflicts and debates, as much with new acquaintances as with friends and family. As such, it’s recommended to steer clear of delicate topics such as politics or money. If you do bring it up, it is very likely that your Canadian listener will give you a very vague response or redirect the conversation altogether without revealing their opinion. This is their way of indicating that they would like to move on to something else in order to maintain the harmony between you.

6. Using overly sarcastic humour

Compared to their British and Australian counterparts, Canadians tend to use less dry sarcasm and swear words in their humour. It’s not necessarily a faux pas to be funny in a sarcastic way, but just beware that some listeners might take your words literally, especially if you don’t make it clear that you are being sarcastic (say, with a chuckle or a cheeky smile).

7. Petting a dog without asking its owner

Canadians love dogs and so wherever you are in the country, you are sure to see them. However cute or friendly a dog might appear, you should always ask its owner first before petting it. This is standard courtesy in Canada. It is also just common sense for your own safety, as you can never be certain of, by appearance alone, which dogs bite.

8. Refusing a hug or doing it wrong

The culture of greetings can be nuanced in Canada. Upon meeting someone new, you typically have a few options for the greeting: 1) a hand wave, 2) a handshake, 3) a side hug, or 4) a full hug. Cheek kisses are virtually never done.

The first option, the hand wave, is most common when there’s a medium to large group of people around you. If you’re all standing in a circle as a couple of new people are introduced to you, a friendly hand wave is often enough, as hugging across the circle in front of a group can be a bit cumbersome. The second and third options, respectively the handshake and side hug (i.e. with one arm), are lower-contact options more popular among men.

Lastly, the full hug (with both arms) is used when meeting friends of friends, both men and women. While hugs can feel immensely intimate for people from other cultures, know that in Canada they are very common and there is no connotation of exceptional intimacy, and certainly not of romance. When in doubt, simply wait for the cue from the Canadian and just be ready for all four possibilities.

9. Asking someone where they’re from

Canadian cities are very cosmopolitan and multicultural. There are people from all backgrounds and they can all proudly identify as Canadians. As a result, be careful when asking people you just met “Where are you from?”, as certain individuals might take it to mean that you assumed by their appearance that they are a foreigner in this country. The topic can absolutely arise more naturally later, once you’ve established at least a basic level of rapport and made your intentions clear.

10. Calling Canadians Americans

Yes, Canada is located in North America. For some Europeans and Latin Americans, this means that Canadians are by definition “Americans”. In Canada and the US, however, the term is used to designate exclusively people from the United States of America. Canadians don’t like being confused or lumped together with their southern neighbours, even if they appreciate them. So when talking about the inhabitants of this vast continent, use “North Americans”. That way there is no ambiguity about whom you are referring to.

11. Mocking the Canadian accent

Canadians have all heard this joke a million times, cue Americans who ask if Canadians really pronounce “about” like a-boot or the French who imitate the Québec accent by saying tabarnak every other word. Every country and even region has its own speech. Out of simple respect, don’t say to locals that theirs is weird or not standard. After all, who gets to decide what the standard is if not the locals?

12. Bashing Tim Hortons

The Tim Hortons coffee chain is Canada’s answer to Starbucks for all things coffee and donuts, and it has become somewhat of a national institution. It is the one thing that unites Canadians from sea to sea to sea (the third in the north). Love it or hate it, be careful if you bash it! A Canadian who overhears you may dutifully jump to dear Tim’s defence.