An extra note about French in Canada; In the Maritime provinces, you have the Acadians, and Acadian culture. It's a completely separate culture from Quebec, with a different history, and even a different dialect and accent. About a third of people in the Maritimes are francophones, most of whom are Acadian.
An Acadian Probably an interesting point for our American neighbours is that the word "Cajun" describes people who came from Acadia (ie. the Maritimes in Canada). Basically Cajuns = Acadians. English varies just as much as French does. Friend of mine is from Quebec and claims he can't understand francophones from New Brunswick or Cajuns. I didn't realize French varied that much as well.
And, french is spoken in the US, in Louisiana Cajun is actually french (just very bastardized with the accent), but, if you listen very closely you can hear french.
One major reason why restaurant food is a lot more expensive in Canada is more expensive because servers Canada get paid minimum wage and tips, in the US many restaurant servers don't get paid minimum wage and they are expected to earn the rest through tips. On the other hand everything is more expensive in Canada, except for health care and higher education.
Utter bullshit... They get paid the federal minimum. If they are not making the federal minimum (regardless of the state minimum) then the employer is breaking the law.
I don't live in Canada so I can't really comment about the situation there but... in the US minimum wage means the lowest total hourly amount you can legal *earn* from your job. If you work in a state that has a server minimal wage of, lets say, $2.50 hr and your total earnings an hour with tips do not meet the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, than your employer MUST LEGALLY make up the difference to meet the federal minimum. In my opinion this is rather sick once you start to think about it. Under this system the employer doesn't have to pay you a fair direct wage while also getting to lie (essentially) about the true cost of food in their establishment. This is supposedly justified because they give you a position that lets you guilt customers into over-paying for the food? This deceptive AF. I have worked in a couple restaurants and (so far) I have had the same experienced every time; The servers are ALWAYS the best paid employees, doing the LEAST amount of work, while simultaneously having the most spoiled entitled attitude of all the employees there. To tip is to essentially SUPPORT this flawed system. To work as a server *and* accept tips (in such states) is supporting this system. To tell people to *always* tip 15% while also complaining about servers direct "hourly" pay rate is perhaps the worst thing you can do, It is deceptive as fuck and is DIRECTLY ENABLING THIS SYSTEM. IMNO, Tips should be illegal! ...servers will never support that, they would suddenly be earning a much fairer, much lower amount of money. So ya, I do in fact tip but I NEVER automatically tip 15%, that is unless they truly deserving of it. (Also, the servers in my current state have the same minimum wage as everyone else, so telling people to automatically tip 15% here is even more fucked up.)
@Killwize Your federal minimum is much lower than our provincial minimums. I honestly don't know how someone moving out for the first time getting an entry level job can afford to live let alone save for school in the US.
I don't agree with 'more expensive in Canada', mostly because of exchange rates. I am Canadian - when I travel and calculate exchange rates vs the Canadian dollar, I find food and most purchases more expensive outside of Canada. That said - BE AWARE OF THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES!! In the rare times when CAD is close to USD, that's when costs can be higher in CAD.
No! People drive faster in Quebec, the "driving style" is more aggressive. The paths for passing must be respected. It's not like the USA where everyone drives at the same speed, on cruise control. But violent interactions between drivers are not frequent. I've seen more in the big American cities.
Love your videos. Especially hearing someone praise Canada and us Canadians so much. Thanks for the wonderful attitude you bring, and share with everyone :)
Flashing green is basically like a left-turn arrow. Keep in mind, that in BC flashing green means a completely different thing - it's a pedestrian-controlled intersection (i.e. no stop light, just stop signs on the cross street), and it can flash green for a very long time, but once a pedestrian hits the button, it will soon go to solid green (might skip this phase), then yellow, then red.
You made the point that I was going to make. Flashing green is either not used in a Province or is used differently. Manitoba it means you can turn safely. BC it means that the pedestrian can control the intersection light. I never saw a flashing green anywhere else in Canada.
He forgot to mention in America when someone shoots you the person just runs away, in Canada when someone shoots you he will say sorry eh than run away.
+Evan Stirling You guys actually have access to a lot of guns we (Americans) can't get. Chinese imports were banned decades ago, we can't import certain types of guns anymore, and we have to do special paperwork and pay huge taxes for shotguns and rifles with short barrels.
+12799MaDeuce " You guys actually have access to a lot of guns" Access is one thing. Actually owning one is a different thing! Arms dealers, which are usually just Sporting Stores that might also carry Guns. By Law they can NOT sell you a gun unless you can provide all of the necessary paperwork. The only people up here that can LEGALLY carry guns are people who require them in their line of work. You get caught as an everyday citizen carrying a gun by the Police, you are off to the Slammer. Real Quick! There is also no such thing as "Live Carry" up here. I'm a "Senior Citizen", born here and in all those years I Have NEVER seen ANYONE pull a gun! I lived in one of the Toughest areas of Toronto for about 15 Years. I've had my fair share of "Problems" that I had to "Attend" to. It was always Fists, maybe a Bat or whatever else you might find lying around. Quite Possibly that might also be the reason why I see on RUclips so many USA Police Shootings. Pull someone over and the Cop never knows what he might be up against! I can't blame them for that! Thanks YA'LL! ...LOL...
Little trick for the driving. When you see a sign for KPH at say 50, then multiply the 5 by 6 and you get 30 MPH. 100 KPH is actually closer to 60 MPH at 62 so 6x10=60. Works great. I used to drive an old beater just when KPH was adopted in Canada. The speedometer was in MPH, but the signs were in KPH.
For the money exchange, always check to see if your bank has a "partner bank" that they are associated with. I haven't been to Canada since 2006...but when I was last there in Toronto, my bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance and by going to Scotiabank, I was able to avoid the usual ATM fee. They will still hit you with a foreign transaction fee of 3% (usually) unless you are one of the bank's "preferred members" and they waive those for you.
Canadian here. The flashing green means different things in different provinces. In BC, it means the light is pedestrian controlled but does not imply right of way. In Ontario it means your lane has right of way. And yes, our poutine is awesome!
Just a couple of other things to consider: 1. Quebec isn't the only province that speaking primarily French; New Brunswick is also heavily francophone, and there will be chunks- mostly in Eastern Canada- that speak more French than English. If you're super worried about not knowing the language, stick to Western Canada. 2. This may only be in Western Canada, but every traffic light I've seen is the same as the ones I've seen in the US. 3. Although Canada may seem safer, don't let your guard down completely. We still have murderers and pickpockets and rapists. Don't leave valuables unattended, lock your doors, et cetra, et cetra. 4. If you bump into someone, apologize, even if you don't think it was your fault. The stereotype of Canadians apologizing a lot is definitely true, so when in doubt, apologize. 5. When talking to locals, don't make fun of how we say "about" or how we spell "neighbour" or "centre". Some people are good with poking fun at our language, but others aren't, and you don't want to offend people. Hope this helps anyone visiting Canada!
@EmoRainbow Speaking more French then English doesn't mean no English. In Québec more then 40% of the population can keep up a conversation in English even though French is native to most of the population. Also the tourist industry in Québec is important and in all touristic spots you can be sure services are both French and English. Also, even though language can be a barrier, people in Québec are known to be welcoming and polite. They will help you even if they don't speak English and you don't speak French. I know people are good at Québec bashing, but it's mostly false and racist. Don't stop yourself from visiting us because of our language.
If you're in the remote north of Quebec, & they detect you're a squarehead(slang for Anglo) they will hang up the phone on you, or if in person, be very rude & put-offish. In Montreal,I do well on the phone by asking, "Do you speak English, please?" & most do, or will find a colleague who does.
I'm Canadian living in a touristy area (see a lot of Americans visiting) and I think this is a good list of points to remember. I would add that we don't use pennies even though the prices and register totals still show the price down to the cent, so be prepared for the clerk to round to the nearest nickel when making change - I've encountered some people who were a bit thrown by this. Very good point about French in Québec - this is not a good place to come to practice your French since people aren't going to play along...they'll just smile and respond in English 99% of the time.
Canada is my dream place! I hope I can go there soon. But unfortunately, my application under the program Ecpress Entry is still pending. I hope a Canadian employer can help me offer a job with LMIA. In God's perfect time!
You forgot to mention in Ottawa (in the market) there is a pastry called a Beaver Tail. It's a flat deep fried pastry....Cinnamon and lemon is good flavor.
Here are some imperial to metric tips: -One litre is approximately one quart (or however you spell it) -Room temperature is about 20-24 degrees Celsius -Water freezes at 0, and boils at 100 -Some ovens use Fahrenheit, but pretty much everything else is Celsius -Most cars have kilometers per hour on their speedometer on the inside/outside of miles per hour
I'm Canadian and this video was well put together, I like how you gave both the pros and cons about traveling in Canada. I'm glad you didn't really experience much road rage while driving because it is out there and it's (by a Canadians perspective) pretty bad, and speeding does happen (though speeding for me is fifteen plus km over the speed limit while in the city).
i'm a french who is learning english and it's pretty cool to watch your videos around the world and listen to you. i'm a bus driver in europe and it's also very interesting to discover what you think of each european place. thank you
British Columbia rocks if you like scenery, ride a motorcycle, boating, skiing etc. If your more into eating, drinking, history the east has more. We don't carry guns and we don't look down on people. Under our kindness is a fierceness for wrongdoers and arrogance. Welcome all 😊
Wayne from Ottawa, I wanted to let you know that you did a fantastic job with your presentation! So good infact I'm saring it with several of my American friends to save me from saying the very sames things you just said. Again I thank you for this great service.
Thank you! I'm moving to Canada for a job and I was wondering about these things. (And, just so you know, you are the most helpful guy on RUclips about this that I've found. Thanks again!)
I'm a sophomore in high school and my parents want to move to Canada so I'm wondering if I'd fit in?... Would it be a big change for me? ( I live in Texas ) I'd appreciate it if you answered my questions... Thanks :)
I live in central Alberta, 1.5 hour drive, north or south, gets me to Edmonton or Calgary. 2 hour drive to the west gets me to the rockies. This province has so many things to look at. Want/need to go back down to Drumheller, so many things to see, and do around the Badland.
Mark, I'm truly impressed with the depth of your knowledge, not only regarding my country (Canada) but also of all of the other places you've visited. Thank-you for doing such a great job showcasing Canada. I have a couple of corrections/additions if you will allow me. FIrst, almost all provinces charge HST as the tax usually 13% Very few have separate Provincial & Federal taxes. Poutine originated in Quebec and if authentic is simply french fires with gravy and white cheese curds melted on top - very yummy. Many different varieties have popped up since. You should know, when driving in Montreal (Quebec) it is illegal to turn right on a red light. Also as somebody else mentioned British Columbia has spectacular mountain and ocean scenery. One thing I get asked a lot about by Americans is whats up with this "eh" thing? Well we say "eh" where Americans say "huh". It's a British thing I guess eh?
I've watched several of your posts and am impressed with the information you impart. I am also very jealous that you travel to so many places. You have great information for viewers. thanks Wolters World
Just a heads up about the road rage thing and just driving in general, In major cities like Toronto and Montreal road rage can be very apparent in the mornings and the evenings. Driving around Toronto can be a nightmare due to over congestion, it has been compared to L.A. traffic at times. Great vid!
Language: Quebec is mostly French outside of tourist and corporate hubs in cities. If you go into towns or parts of cities that are far from downtown, wealthy areas, then you have mostly French again. Atlantic Provinces are a mix--you WILL find towns that are bilingual, mostly English, mostly French, and some trilingual with some form of Gaelic (those towns were a fun discovery on my road trip). Funny enough, my western Canada family genuinely thought east Canada was all English and that Quebec was fully versed in both languages. Nope. But it provided a "foreign" experience for me, so I thought it was neat that English was far less pervasive than we thought. It's also neat how "American" western Canada is (minus a few super British districts, like government buildings) and as you travel east it becomes more "European," especially in small towns in Ontario and eastward. -dual U.S./Canada citizen that loves road trips in both countries.
Nice video. Thanks for visiting! Although, I think you made a mistake at your caption around 1:00, as road signs across the country are typically English AND French, except in Quebec where the the signs are ONLY in French, which can be confusing for US (and even anglo Canadian) drivers. I definitely agree about Americans being better and (ironically?) more courteous drivers. I always found driving in America to be a treat. The police here are also a lot more strict about what Americans would call 'moving violations', although they are pretty forgiving when it comes to visiting Americans. "If I had Canadian Soldiers, American technology and British officers I would rule the world." -Winston Churchill
No Actually Driving in Canada is best.. My friends were caught by cops in USA for turning on high beam lights and also the cops were friendly because my friends are Indians like me...I have heard similar thing happened to Africans driving in US but instead, they were shot by a gun in their head for the same mistake...
The differences are more apparent on the eastern side of the continent. That's been my experience. Some of those bridges across the Seaway in Montreal will force you to keep both hands on the steeling wheel and eyes focused straight ahead.
Wolter I would like to add something regarding driving: It varies for every province. In BC, we have a vertical rectangular traffic light with all 3 colours (green, yellow, and red) and each colour has its own circle. We often have blinking single red lights at a 4 way intersections to signal "stop" (it's basically a blinking stop sign). When there are blinking greens, it means that this traffic light is pedestrian controlled (so when the pedestrian presses the crossing button, the light will change within seconds or minutes after it's pressed. If it is a solid green, it is computer controlled or it is a timed light). That's also for you folks who want to visit BC. Any more questions and I can answer, just reply to this comment and hopefully I'll reply ASAP.
The road rules are different in each province. It's not a good idea to give advice about specific traffic signs/signals in Canada. Make sure you read up on the road rules of the particular province you will be driving in.
Hey Walter, there's an enormous expanse of the country west of Toronto. Central Ontario and Quebec - most of it, in fact. Likewise, there's a large section of the country east of Quebec, the Maritime provinces, that you don't even mention. Canada is NOT just Toronto, Quebec, and Ottawa, whatever the local residents there say :-). If you've going to visit, spend some time looking at things like the Rocky Mountains (including Banff and Jasper National Parks), Vancouver Island, Atlantic Canada, the eastern and western Arctic (which is made up of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon), and everything that's outside of the places you mention. One thing, though - if you're visiting and planning to drive, distances between some major centres are very, very long. And, unless you're from Scandinavia, Siberia, or are addicted to skiing, skating or curling, think about visiting during the summer. There is more to Canada than you've mentioned, and lots of it worth a visit. Do some research, look at Google Maps, and see how much this great land has to offer to visitors.
Tim Hortons is far superior to Dunkin Donuts. We're lucky enough here in Buffalo to have Tims at practically every street corner. It's the most Canadian influenced city in the US.
We're from Toronto and when travelling south we always hit Tim's in Buffalo because we know we won't encounter good coffee again untill our return trip gets us back to the border..the ice tea sucks in the US as well.
DO NOT DRIVE TO/IN CANADA DURING WINTER MONTHS WITHOUT SNOW TIRES!!! Please, please, please PLEASE rent a car with WINTER tires, none of this all season BS. All season is only good till 7 degrees Celsius .
It's true that all-season tires in Canada are for all 3 seasons, except Winter. I am from Nova Scotia originally and had driven in SW Ontario at one time up to 60,000 km per year on the road. I would not be without Winter tires.
The flashing green traffic lights can mean different things in different provinces. For example, here in BC, it means that you have the right of way to go at the intersection, but traffic from either side street is facing a stop sign (or equivalent flashing red) instead of a steady red light. So expect traffic from the left or right street to cross the intersection if they judge themselves to have enough time.
+Karol Bała Not sure what you mean?? We have the same lights, the difference is in his flashing green explanation. Flashing green at an intersection means that side of the intersection can go straight, turn left, or turn right depending which lane you are in. You only see those at complex intersections where there are also specific turn signals. For example traffic incoming from the left can go through while at the same time traffic on your side in the right lane can turn right. It's just logical.
+Karol Bała To be fair, I live in Gatineau, on the other side of the Ottawa River... I have never seen the difference when I did drive in Ottawa ( And I'm going there about 3-4 times a week... ) and if there is a major difference ( 2 red lights instead of 1 ? ) you'll still be able to understand, since the colour mean the same thing province from province... To be fair, I'm trying to understand where could the problem be.
+Karol Bała You have to understand that the French have ALWAYS liked to be "different" so their traffic lights are horizontal (as opposed to vertical). France had to drive on the right as opposed to the English on the left. England, USA and New Zealand flags are Red, White and Blue. France? well it's Blue, White and Red! Sigh....whatcha gonna do? lol (btw I thumbs up'd your comment)
Living on the Ontario-Michigan boarder, and visiting our neighbours to the South quite frequently, I can say TEN things this man missed out that are major differences: 1) pump then pay for gas in Canada (not the other way around), 2) we use debit not credit (most times Americans think I am paying credit when it's really debit), 3) we can legally turn right on a red light, 4) hamburger is always well done (we're not asked if we want it rare, medium or well done), 5) Tim Horton's is everywhere, 6) Beer and Liquor is sold at The Beer Store or LCBO (In the US it's sold everywhere), 7) gas is way more money here, 8) hardily any rest stops on Canadian hiways (Michigan has lots), 9) US grocery stores have INSANE variety, and 10) Canada's love for hockey is basically seen everywhere and the US only had pockets like that!
Most important thing that I don't know if Wolter covered it in the video is that the laws are a bit different. I live in NYC and it's not required to wear a seatbelt in the backseat of the car. In canada, it's mandatory and you can be fined if you're stopped. SOURCE: Happened to me in Toronto. Super upset.
@@ukisbeggar8462 it's not that worrying ,,... I certainly not mean that its issue that we should not worry about , but our governments and authorities are doing a exceptional job and we are safe ANYway I am temporary resident in Canada yet
Another thing about driving and distances, don't be surprised when you ask how far away a place is, the answer will be in time not distance measurement. I don't have any idea how many kilometers I am from my daughter's college but I know it's about an hour and 20 min away!
In British Columbia (primarily the lower mainland - Vancouver region)flashing green means that the cross traffic has a stop sign and they may go if they think it’s clear but you have the right of way. Pedestrians also can request to cross in which case the light will change to yellow and red like normal.
guys neither country is perfect both have there flaws and Canada is better at stuff that america isn't better at but america also has things better there then in Canada
+Mohamed Siddig some of those "things" that Canada is better than the USA are healthcare and education. Yes you may end up paying a bit more on taxes but its worth it, that is if you care for health insurance and education coverage. But apparently most americans believe those are unreachable and unnecessary fairytales
6:20 flashing green can be different in each province. Ontario means you can make a left and the oncoming traffic has a red. In BC flashing green means the intersection doesn't have lights on the intersecting street and cars may cross or turn either way at any time(making a left on a flashing green and assuming oncoming traffic will stop can lead to a head-on collision.)
The whole "smile and oh brother your french is bad" made laugh so hard because that is exactly what I do at work. I'm a cashier in Montreal and we usually go "Bonjours, Hi". Most Americans will try "bonjour" and i would smile and and continue in english. Ps: Canadians can be super rude. As a cashier, I love most american clients way more than canadians because they are so happy to be here so I can't help but be SUPER friendly back no matter how tired and sick of rude clients I am. Maybe that is why tourists think canadians are so friendly and have amazing service.
+GeriEspinal My bf works retail and I think clerks can get treated like crap anywhere. It's classism, and Americans made a movie called, well, "Clerks", pretty sure. I still find Cdns much friendly, and we do tend to love foreigners and tourists, which some countries are pretty indifferent about. I found Americans ruder overall. Just switching from Canadian Airlines to American there was a sudden difference in service. I couldn't get over how abrupt the stewardesses/stewards were. It just threw me for a loop. I once had a British lady say that's exactly why she loved Americans though because she thought Canadians were too much like Brits and therefore boring. She thought Americans were more spicey and interesting because of their abrupt/rude-ish edge. Mind you, she was the blacksheep of her own British family - just sayin.
+GeriEspinal My bf works retail and I think clerks can get treated like crap anywhere. It's classism, and Americans made a movie called, well, "Clerks", pretty sure. I still find Cdns much friendly, and we do tend to love foreigners and tourists, which some countries are pretty indifferent about. I found Americans ruder overall. Just switching from Canadian Airlines to American there was a sudden difference in service. I couldn't get over how abrupt the stewardesses/stewards were. It just threw me for a loop. I once had a British lady say that's exactly why she loved Americans though because she thought Canadians were too much like Brits and therefore boring. She thought Americans were more spicey and interesting because of their abrupt/rude-ish edge. Mind you, she was the blacksheep of her own British family - just sayin.
I'm a Canadian living in ottawa and I agree with that you said! Depending on when you were down, I hope you got to see the mosaika light show at the parliament and the firework competitions :) Its pretty cool to see!
Well spoken. I hope you had time to visit Quebec City. It is one of the oldest cities in North America and i shows. It will remind you of an old European town.
David Huber we have a top 10 quebec and a 5 love and hates of quebec city coming in early September or late august :) LOVED quebec city, my favorite place we visited
As a Canadian I want to share my own tips in response to the vid: Don't worry about speaking French, esp if you've learned Paris French & not Quebec. Some Quebecans will be offended or not even understand you if you speak Paris French. The languages are that different to them culturally-wise. It can be the same if you're speaking Quebecan in Paris. Do NOT eat a poutine every day if you want to stay light on your feet & alert as a traveller. They are salty, heavy & not ideal for everyday eating. Poutines out West are MUCH more different, usually just bland straight-cut fries with salty gravy & shredded mozz or cheddar. Eastern Poutines will more likely be made from real potatoes, with a wide variety of gravies which do not rely on salt to impart flavour. Smokes & other Poutineries are good places to go for poutine variety. Concerning change: Count it before you give it to the cashier so you know how much you should get back. A lot of stores in the East have gone digital via debit/CC. Cashiers usually assume you've counted your money & given the exact price you owe - therefore you may not get change back. Not always, but it happens.
Orangeblossom I've never heard anybody refer to themselves as a Quebecan. Ever. And I've been around a looooong time. lol Quebecker it is. Perhaps those people you know were immigrants who landed in Quebec whose mother tongue was something other than English. Immigrants are expected to immerse themselves in the French language, so they might never have learned the correct English term.
Flashing green is different in British Columbia. A flashing green light on a traffic signal means the signal is pedestrian activated. So, when you approach a flashing green light, use caution, because the signal could be activated by a pedestrian at any time and you might have to stop and let the pedestrian to cross. The light is flashing in both directions so do not turn left if there is traffic coming at you, it will end badly for both of you.
I’m from Canada but came here anyways lol. Go to Edmonton. The largest mall of the country is there, plus a water park in the mall, ice rink in the mall, rides in the mall (I think it’s called Galaxy Land) There is a huge park in the middle of downtown,( I forgot the name of that park. During he winter, you can ski there.) Calgary: has trains and Calgary Zoo, skyline luge, amusement park, a bunch of museums ,etc. Drumheller: There’s a dinosaur museum there. Toronto: CN Tower, Niagra Falls, Marine Land, amusement park, etc.. Banff: Lakes, nice place for riding horses, skiing, hiking, taking pictures, plus there is a hotel there, and I think a campsite? Regina: The Legislative Building. (Queen Elizabeth II visited Regina..Well, basically the Royal Family visited.) Hotel Saskatchewan, amusement park called Queen City Ex which only occurs during during the beginning days of August), Mackenzie Art Gallery, Government House, Wascana park and other parks, science Center, etc. Saskatoon: Saskatoon Zoo, amusement park, etc. (All of the above except for drumheller has trampoline places) :)
the northwest US (i.e Oregon and Washington state) have accents which are similar, to every Canadian living from Ontario west to BC. east of Quebec the accents are likely about 1 per province, except 2 in Nova Scotia. And in the outports of Newfoundland, no one is quite sure it is still English. Kidding aside, it is still quite possible to distinguish between then. I ma not a big fan of the younger generation's acquisition of Los Angeles accents spoken in high-pitched tones. But it is still amusing to see second generation South Asian immigrants speaking in LA accents so perfect you would never know they were South Asian.
In Ontario a flashing green traffic light indicates advanced green. In other provinces it varies. For instance, in British Columbia a flashing green light indicates a crosswalk or a drawbridge.
@@jaym-bu3cr I've have been to both cities. They have a lot diversity, bunch of restaurants, bars, entertainment etc. Toronto is cleaner, safer and cheaper for vacations compared to NYC overall.
In British Columbia, a flashing green means the intersection is partially uncontrolled. Two sides have flashing greens, and the sides perpendicular have stop signs. Cars at stop signs can go when safe, and cars facing the flashing greens can pass when the intersection is clear. Just to let you know so that you won't get into a wreck thinking you had the right of way, if you ever visit BC :)
The reason the traffic lights were sideways... was simply because the wind in the prairies is crazy. They have installed the lighting this way purely because of human safety.
Thank you so much. This video was really helpful. Even though I am young, i've been thinking of studying in Canada and this video gave me the chance to see how Canada generally is.
I was thinking the same but I can only guess he doesn't mean literally throwing the coins away so much as being careless with them or tossing a coin in a fountain or whatever. :)
One thing similar between Canada and the US is the size. You're not flying into Toronto, driving to see St. John's, then to go skiing in Whistler. Better to pick regions of Canada to visit. Go see Newfoundland, or Southern Ontario, or Alberta, ect.
+General Zoland BC is the equivalent of California for the US, but a lot more humid. Progressive and liberal. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is farmers, oil, and cowboy country. Nothing but plains as far as the eye can see. I guess you could compare it to Wyoming.
Beware: Flashing green lights do NOT mean your lane is the only one that can go in all of Canada. In BC it simply means the light won't turn red until a pedestrian presses the walk button. So don't go turning left on a flashing green in BC unless it's clear. Flashing greens are used in Ontario for left turn lanes.
Duh that's the only real Canada the West is a bunch of Texas wannabes or California wannabe . We dont tell you because we still wanna use your mountains and retire I'm bc
Prices might be higher here in Canada but at the moment the U.S. dollar goes a lot further, since the exchange rate is roughly $1.25 CAD for every $1.00 USD. Also, it's not cold right across Canada during the winter. Vancouver has just gone an entire year without any snow (a pant-load of rain though, but I don't mind because I don't have to shovel it). :)
U have not driven enough in Montreal. Montreal has been voted the worst driving city in North America. Take it from a guy who lives here, no one knows how to fkn drive here lmao
***** this is true i was there watching a TKO fight before UFC in canada and witnessed a lady driving down the road with her e-brake on... lol i opened her door and released it for her.... another thing you cant do in america safely is open a strangers door...
I really appreciated the border crossing into New Brunswick. The officer greets you with a friendly, 'Bonjour, Good Day'. Her followup conversation is done in the language of your response. This makes a traveler feel most welcome. Let me know if you start accepting Floridian refugees!
What I find about the differences in street lights. Canada gives you a lot more freedom to go when you feel it is safe. In the US it seems every intersection has a dedicated left turn light and there are so many places where you can't turn right on red.
If it has not already been mentioned, we have gun laws in Canada. A lot of Americans won't come to Canada because they can't bring their firearms with them. Part of the reason that is safe to travel in Canada has a lot to do with lack of firearms.
aT 6:03, you mentioned the shapes of traffic lights in the newer lights. this is a safety provision., It allows colour blind drivers to know which light is in front of them by those shapes. also, at some intersetions the traffic signals make sounds! this is for the blind pedestrians to be aware of the state of the signals. when you encounter this, expect a high probability that there may be blind pedestrians around, and not all of them will have seeing eye dogs (AKA Service dogs). This is apt to appear in neoighbourhoods where there are a lot of older people.
Very nice and upbeat video - methinks I shall subscribe. I drove a motorcycle across western Canada many years ago and had a fantastic time drinking in the outrageous scenery, the crystal-clear air and the hospitality that went with it. In 2014 finally experienced Ontario (by car) and Niagara Falls, so magnificent that the surrounding tourist hustle made barely a dent in our enjoyment of it. We only wish we had time for Montreal and Quebec, but there's always next year!
In Quebec, they speak Quebec-qua, not classic Parisian French. I learned the classic Parisian French they teach in English Canadian schools, and found it frustrating when Quebecers couldn't understand me, and vice versa. I'm not blaming the Quebec people, but the English school system for not being aware of this. I had no problems being understood in France though. Great video.
A couple of interesting facts: The US is arguably the 3rd largest country in the world by area. While Canada is the 2nd largest of all countries. But Canada has many large bodies of water that make up much that area. So in terms of actual land, the US actually has more land than Canada makinging it bigger in reality since you can't actually walk on water. (But if you can, you may gain a few followers. ^_~ ) 20% of the world's freshwater is in Canada. Gas in Canada is sold by the liter just like it is in Europe. But in the US, it's sold by the gallon. There are 3.78 liters to a gallon. As of right now 7/22/2015, the average price for a gallon of gas in the US is $2.75 a gallon. That's $0.94 a liter in Canadian currency. However the average price of gas in Canada is $1.18 per liter right now. Or $3.44 in US currency per gallon. So gas is 80% cheaper in America compared to Canada. 77% of all Maple syrup is made in Quebec. And Macaroni and Cheese is the number 1 most purchased packaged grocery item in Canada. Canada did not officially become it's own country until 1982 when it basically declared independence from Great Britain. However Canada was founded in 1867. So the country isn't as old as the United States which declared independence and was officially founded in 1776.
Heather Spoonheim No I havent. But then again, it doesn't really matter too much I guess. Our lakes freeze in the winter too. And I have been on those. (It's crazy to me to see cars and trucks on lakes held up only by frozen water.) Plus the US is actually ranked as having more habitable land as well.
If you're watching a travel channel, hopefully you have a passport already. However, in the interest of fair warning, you will need a passport to enter Canada or Mexico and return to the U.S. Twenty years ago, USAers could more or less freely travel the continent, but unfortunately that's no longer the case. You'll need to get those applications in the mail three months before your trip, or be prepared to pay a ton in expediting fees.
Just like japan tryna take over china for land same for germany to russia but accept American are friends with Canada so they are working on some thing together
The flashing light does not mean priority to turn left in all provinces; in BC, for example, a green flashing means that the light can be manually activated for pedestrians.
+Gabriel Spanish is still a valued skill to have in the US. Parts of the US, especially towards the Southwest, primarily speak Spanish in Latino-heavy communities. I live near Detroit and there are areas there where residences speak mostly Spanish as well.
there's more spanish speakers in the u.s than there is people in canada dude lol. french speakers in canada: about 8 million spanish speakers in u.s over 35 million. it's pretty ignorant to think that people here only speak english. hell there's pockets of louisiana where they speak french at home.
Regarding languages in The USA: Yes, English is the MAIN language. But, there are pockets of many different languages spoken in The USA, with Spanish being the big second language.
An extra note about French in Canada; In the Maritime provinces, you have the Acadians, and Acadian culture. It's a completely separate culture from Quebec, with a different history, and even a different dialect and accent.
About a third of people in the Maritimes are francophones, most of whom are Acadian.
An Acadian so true. same some really fantastic documentaries on PBS about the Acadians
My grandfather is Acadian and we always tease him about the way he says three he prounounces it tree!
An Acadian
Vous vous sentez Canadien ? Français ? Américain ?
An Acadian Probably an interesting point for our American neighbours is that the word "Cajun" describes people who came from Acadia (ie. the Maritimes in Canada). Basically Cajuns = Acadians. English varies just as much as French does. Friend of mine is from Quebec and claims he can't understand francophones from New Brunswick or Cajuns. I didn't realize French varied that much as well.
And, french is spoken in the US, in Louisiana Cajun is actually french (just very bastardized with the accent), but, if you listen very closely you can hear french.
One major reason why restaurant food is a lot more expensive in Canada is more expensive because servers Canada get paid minimum wage and tips, in the US many restaurant servers don't get paid minimum wage and they are expected to earn the rest through tips.
On the other hand everything is more expensive in Canada, except for health care and higher education.
Utter bullshit... They get paid the federal minimum. If they are not making the federal minimum (regardless of the state minimum) then the employer is breaking the law.
Most servers in Canada don't make minimum wage because the tips compensate for the difference.. usually a few dollars less an hour
I don't live in Canada so I can't really comment about the situation there but... in the US minimum wage means the lowest total hourly amount you can legal *earn* from your job. If you work in a state that has a server minimal wage of, lets say, $2.50 hr and your total earnings an hour with tips do not meet the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, than your employer MUST LEGALLY make up the difference to meet the federal minimum.
In my opinion this is rather sick once you start to think about it. Under this system the employer doesn't have to pay you a fair direct wage while also getting to lie (essentially) about the true cost of food in their establishment. This is supposedly justified because they give you a position that lets you guilt customers into over-paying for the food? This deceptive AF.
I have worked in a couple restaurants and (so far) I have had the same experienced every time; The servers are ALWAYS the best paid employees, doing the LEAST amount of work, while simultaneously having the most spoiled entitled attitude of all the employees there.
To tip is to essentially SUPPORT this flawed system. To work as a server *and* accept tips (in such states) is supporting this system. To tell people to *always* tip 15% while also complaining about servers direct "hourly" pay rate is perhaps the worst thing you can do, It is deceptive as fuck and is DIRECTLY ENABLING THIS SYSTEM.
IMNO, Tips should be illegal! ...servers will never support that, they would suddenly be earning a much fairer, much lower amount of money.
So ya, I do in fact tip but I NEVER automatically tip 15%, that is unless they truly deserving of it.
(Also, the servers in my current state have the same minimum wage as everyone else, so telling people to automatically tip 15% here is even more fucked up.)
@Killwize Your federal minimum is much lower than our provincial minimums. I honestly don't know how someone moving out for the first time getting an entry level job can afford to live let alone save for school in the US.
I don't agree with 'more expensive in Canada', mostly because of exchange rates. I am Canadian - when I travel and calculate exchange rates vs the Canadian dollar, I find food and most purchases more expensive outside of Canada. That said - BE AWARE OF THE CURRENT EXCHANGE RATES!! In the rare times when CAD is close to USD, that's when costs can be higher in CAD.
"I see less road rage in Canada" Are you sure you've been to Quebec? lol
I know Canadians afraid to drive in Quebec lol.
i live in montreal and i noticed that in toronto, they have wayyyyyy more road rage than us.
ARTHURS FIST . they probably just noticed your Quebec license plate.
No! People drive faster in Quebec, the "driving style" is more aggressive. The paths for passing must be respected. It's not like the USA where everyone drives at the same speed, on cruise control.
But violent interactions between drivers are not frequent. I've seen more in the big American cities.
haha Alberta
Love your videos. Especially hearing someone praise Canada and us Canadians so much. Thanks for the wonderful attitude you bring, and share with everyone :)
I would say a place like Vancouver is a lot closer to Seattle in culture then say Huntsville Alabama.
In Seattle and Vancouver, siblings aren't married, unlike Huntsville 😂 (jk)
Brendon Morehouse the funny thing is all the jokes they make about Alabama are actually happening in Mississippi. Huntsvilles really nice though.
Vancouver is like north Seattle. But more relaxed.
@@brendonmorehouse4896 but that doesn’t actually happen in Alabama
@@williambarnett5000 ik that, I lived near birmingham for a year and i said it was a joke
Flashing green is basically like a left-turn arrow. Keep in mind, that in BC flashing green means a completely different thing - it's a pedestrian-controlled intersection (i.e. no stop light, just stop signs on the cross street), and it can flash green for a very long time, but once a pedestrian hits the button, it will soon go to solid green (might skip this phase), then yellow, then red.
You made the point that I was going to make. Flashing green is either not used in a Province or is used differently. Manitoba it means you can turn safely.
BC it means that the pedestrian can control the intersection light. I never saw a flashing green anywhere else in Canada.
He forgot to mention in America when someone shoots you the person just runs away, in Canada when someone shoots you he will say sorry eh than run away.
lol
+Evan Stirling You guys actually have access to a lot of guns we (Americans) can't get. Chinese imports were banned decades ago, we can't import certain types of guns anymore, and we have to do special paperwork and pay huge taxes for shotguns and rifles with short barrels.
+12799MaDeuce " You guys actually have access to a lot of guns" Access is one thing. Actually owning one is a different thing! Arms dealers, which are usually just Sporting Stores that might also carry Guns. By Law they can NOT sell you a gun unless you can provide all of the necessary paperwork.
The only people up here that can LEGALLY carry guns are people who require them in their line of work. You get caught as an everyday citizen carrying a gun by the Police, you are off to the Slammer. Real Quick! There is also no such thing as "Live Carry" up here.
I'm a "Senior Citizen", born here and in all those years I Have NEVER seen ANYONE pull a gun! I lived in one of the Toughest areas of Toronto for about 15 Years. I've had my fair share of "Problems" that I had to "Attend" to. It was always Fists, maybe a Bat or whatever else you might find lying around.
Quite Possibly that might also be the reason why I see on RUclips so many USA Police Shootings. Pull someone over and the Cop never knows what he might be up against! I can't blame them for that! Thanks YA'LL! ...LOL...
Actually, we apologize first and then shoot. What would be the point of apologizing to a dead person?
Alex because we are Canadian and that's what we do sorry eh!!!
Little trick for the driving. When you see a sign for KPH at say 50, then multiply the 5 by 6 and you get 30 MPH. 100 KPH is actually closer to 60 MPH at 62 so 6x10=60. Works great. I used to drive an old beater just when KPH was adopted in Canada. The speedometer was in MPH, but the signs were in KPH.
For the money exchange, always check to see if your bank has a "partner bank" that they are associated with.
I haven't been to Canada since 2006...but when I was last there in Toronto, my bank is part of the Global ATM Alliance and by going to Scotiabank, I was able to avoid the usual ATM fee. They will still hit you with a foreign transaction fee of 3% (usually) unless you are one of the bank's "preferred members" and they waive those for you.
Canadian here. The flashing green means different things in different provinces. In BC, it means the light is pedestrian controlled but does not imply right of way. In Ontario it means your lane has right of way.
And yes, our poutine is awesome!
Yeah, I kept getting different versions of what the flashing green meant. Thanks for the heads up for BC
theflashing fgreen arrow means exactly as he says it, here in BC; the blinking green circle, however, is as you say it. . .
I recently returned from Saskatoon Canada as my son was married there. The sights are lovely, and the people could not have been more friendly.
Cool, and congrats on your son's nuptials.
but I heard Saskatoon has the highest Murders in Canada...So I am afraid to visit there as a tourist...
Just a couple of other things to consider:
1. Quebec isn't the only province that speaking primarily French; New Brunswick is also heavily francophone, and there will be chunks- mostly in Eastern Canada- that speak more French than English. If you're super worried about not knowing the language, stick to Western Canada.
2. This may only be in Western Canada, but every traffic light I've seen is the same as the ones I've seen in the US.
3. Although Canada may seem safer, don't let your guard down completely. We still have murderers and pickpockets and rapists. Don't leave valuables unattended, lock your doors, et cetra, et cetra.
4. If you bump into someone, apologize, even if you don't think it was your fault. The stereotype of Canadians apologizing a lot is definitely true, so when in doubt, apologize.
5. When talking to locals, don't make fun of how we say "about" or how we spell "neighbour" or "centre". Some people are good with poking fun at our language, but others aren't, and you don't want to offend people.
Hope this helps anyone visiting Canada!
@EmoRainbow Speaking more French then English doesn't mean no English. In Québec more then 40% of the population can keep up a conversation in English even though French is native to most of the population. Also the tourist industry in Québec is important and in all touristic spots you can be sure services are both French and English. Also, even though language can be a barrier, people in Québec are known to be welcoming and polite. They will help you even if they don't speak English and you don't speak French. I know people are good at Québec bashing, but it's mostly false and racist. Don't stop yourself from visiting us because of our language.
If you're in the remote north of Quebec, & they detect you're a squarehead(slang for Anglo) they will hang up the phone on you, or if in person, be very rude & put-offish. In Montreal,I do well on the phone by asking, "Do you speak English, please?" & most do, or will find a colleague who does.
So the language police and distinct society which move anglos to third class citizens is not racist
Maritime Acadian culture is pretty cool; The Cajun from the states are actually ethnically descended from them.
the western traffic one is so true
I'm Canadian living in a touristy area (see a lot of Americans visiting) and I think this is a good list of points to remember.
I would add that we don't use pennies even though the prices and register totals still show the price down to the cent, so be prepared for the clerk to round to the nearest nickel when making change - I've encountered some people who were a bit thrown by this.
Very good point about French in Québec - this is not a good place to come to practice your French since people aren't going to play along...they'll just smile and respond in English 99% of the time.
Heather Spoonheim true but that is still a new thing here, getting rid of the penny I mean.
Canada is my dream place! I hope I can go there soon. But unfortunately, my application under the program Ecpress Entry is still pending. I hope a Canadian employer can help me offer a job with LMIA. In God's perfect time!
really enjoy these videos, moving from Ireland to Toronto myself in under 3 weeks - some useful tips here even though it was a comparison to the US
You forgot to mention in Ottawa (in the market) there is a pastry called a Beaver Tail. It's a flat deep fried pastry....Cinnamon and lemon is good flavor.
They are the best, especially during Winterlude on the Rideau Canal.
Canada’s Wonderland has a ton of those
They have them in PEI, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick too 😊
They are country wide
Here are some imperial to metric tips:
-One litre is approximately one quart (or however you spell it)
-Room temperature is about 20-24 degrees Celsius
-Water freezes at 0, and boils at 100
-Some ovens use Fahrenheit, but pretty much everything else is Celsius
-Most cars have kilometers per hour on their speedometer on the inside/outside of miles per hour
I'm Canadian and this video was well put together, I like how you gave both the pros and cons about traveling in Canada. I'm glad you didn't really experience much road rage while driving because it is out there and it's (by a Canadians perspective) pretty bad, and speeding does happen (though speeding for me is fifteen plus km over the speed limit while in the city).
i'm a french who is learning english and it's pretty cool to watch your videos around the world and listen to you. i'm a bus driver in europe and it's also very interesting to discover what you think of each european place. thank you
Keep in mind west Canada is not not east Canada. There not the same.
Hydragyrum I agree. West is so much more majestic nature
West is more Americanized.
LMFAO! I went on google maps, and went to street view in Eastern Canada. The first thing I see is a fast-food joint. xD
Truly Canada. xD
Winter154 Nonesense.
Winter154 I doubt that very much.
British Columbia rocks if you like scenery, ride a motorcycle, boating, skiing etc. If your more into eating, drinking, history the east has more. We don't carry guns and we don't look down on people. Under our kindness is a fierceness for wrongdoers and arrogance. Welcome all 😊
Kenny Mars we are going to try to visit BC this summer :)
I love BC. Beautiful and friendly.
SHOUTOUT FROM PARKSVILLE BC!
British Columbia has aLOT of weed.
hell yea!
Wayne from Ottawa, I wanted to let you know that you did a fantastic job with your presentation! So good infact I'm saring it with several of my American friends to save me from saying the very sames things you just said. Again I thank you for this great service.
***** thanks Wayne! much appreciated!
Thank you! I'm moving to Canada for a job and I was wondering about these things. (And, just so you know, you are the most helpful guy on RUclips about this that I've found. Thanks again!)
The metric system...the weird metric system. You know, like the whole world uses the metric system.
Agreed 👍
Thumbs up for this guy! It was the most helpful and accurate info I got from ANYWHERE I looked before my trip.
what all americans should know is they're welcome here.
***** but if trump becomes pres that might not be true lol if he becomes pres a lot of things will go to shit. good luck US
I'm a sophomore in high school and my parents want to move to Canada so I'm wondering if I'd fit in?... Would it be a big change for me? ( I live in Texas ) I'd appreciate it if you answered my questions... Thanks :)
All things Wrestling i have a friend from texas, you'll fit in promis me. but if u say y'all you'll get some weird looks tho lol
+j kub I don't haha. Thanks.
lol you'll be fine here then
I live in central Alberta, 1.5 hour drive, north or south, gets me to Edmonton or Calgary. 2 hour drive to the west gets me to the rockies. This province has so many things to look at. Want/need to go back down to Drumheller, so many things to see, and do around the Badland.
this guy will move to Canada after retirement. welcome anytime
He won't be missed in the US.
James Vaught you won’t be missed when I move to Canada
Killer: I didn't think I would be!!!
James Vaught Canada is so much better, at least I won’t have to deal with blind trump supporters like you
But you will have to pay high taxes to support all the bums who come to Canada to suck up your welfare.
Mark, I'm truly impressed with the depth of your knowledge, not only regarding my country (Canada) but also of all of the other places you've visited. Thank-you for doing such a great job showcasing Canada.
I have a couple of corrections/additions if you will allow me. FIrst, almost all provinces charge HST as the tax usually 13% Very few have separate Provincial & Federal taxes. Poutine originated in Quebec and if authentic is simply french fires with gravy and white cheese curds melted on top - very yummy. Many different varieties have popped up since. You should know, when driving in Montreal (Quebec) it is illegal to turn right on a red light. Also as somebody else mentioned British Columbia has spectacular mountain and ocean scenery. One thing I get asked a lot about by Americans is whats up with this "eh" thing? Well we say "eh" where Americans say "huh". It's a British thing I guess eh?
No road rage in Canada? I'm guessing you didn't drive the 400s in southern Ontario
I mean. What's 30-40 km over the limit anyways? 🤷♂️ 😂
Most accurate description I've seen on RUclips on the differences & similarities of Canada / U.S.!
Canada is a great place to visit, it's full of hidden gems!
I've watched several of your posts and am impressed with the information you impart. I am also very jealous that you travel to so many places. You have great information for viewers. thanks Wolters World
Just a heads up about the road rage thing and just driving in general, In major cities like Toronto and Montreal road rage can be very apparent in the mornings and the evenings. Driving around Toronto can be a nightmare due to over congestion, it has been compared to L.A. traffic at times. Great vid!
Language: Quebec is mostly French outside of tourist and corporate hubs in cities. If you go into towns or parts of cities that are far from downtown, wealthy areas, then you have mostly French again. Atlantic Provinces are a mix--you WILL find towns that are bilingual, mostly English, mostly French, and some trilingual with some form of Gaelic (those towns were a fun discovery on my road trip). Funny enough, my western Canada family genuinely thought east Canada was all English and that Quebec was fully versed in both languages. Nope. But it provided a "foreign" experience for me, so I thought it was neat that English was far less pervasive than we thought. It's also neat how "American" western Canada is (minus a few super British districts, like government buildings) and as you travel east it becomes more "European," especially in small towns in Ontario and eastward.
-dual U.S./Canada citizen that loves road trips in both countries.
You should visit British Columbia
Born and raised Victoria baby
@@jameson1239 I also was born and raised in Victoria!!
hummingbird currently live in Victoria and have since I was 7
Delta!!
Vancouver is the drug capita of Canada, why is this so?
As an American, I've been to four provinces. The GST Tax is hell.
Nice video. Thanks for visiting! Although, I think you made a mistake at your caption around 1:00, as road signs across the country are typically English AND French, except in Quebec where the the signs are ONLY in French, which can be confusing for US (and even anglo Canadian) drivers. I definitely agree about Americans being better and (ironically?) more courteous drivers. I always found driving in America to be a treat. The police here are also a lot more strict about what Americans would call 'moving violations', although they are pretty forgiving when it comes to visiting Americans.
"If I had Canadian Soldiers, American technology and British officers I would rule the world."
-Winston Churchill
No Actually Driving in Canada is best.. My friends were caught by cops in USA for turning on high beam lights and also the cops were friendly because my friends are Indians like me...I have heard similar thing happened to Africans driving in US but instead, they were shot by a gun in their head for the same mistake...
The differences are more apparent on the eastern side of the continent. That's been my experience. Some of those bridges across the Seaway in Montreal will force you to keep both hands on the steeling wheel and eyes focused straight ahead.
If it's the ATM from your bank they don't charge
Wolter I would like to add something regarding driving:
It varies for every province. In BC, we have a vertical rectangular traffic light with all 3 colours (green, yellow, and red) and each colour has its own circle. We often have blinking single red lights at a 4 way intersections to signal "stop" (it's basically a blinking stop sign). When there are blinking greens, it means that this traffic light is pedestrian controlled (so when the pedestrian presses the crossing button, the light will change within seconds or minutes after it's pressed. If it is a solid green, it is computer controlled or it is a timed light).
That's also for you folks who want to visit BC. Any more questions and I can answer, just reply to this comment and hopefully I'll reply ASAP.
The road rules are different in each province. It's not a good idea to give advice about specific traffic signs/signals in Canada. Make sure you read up on the road rules of the particular province you will be driving in.
Areus White yeah like in some places in ontario the traffic signals are the same as America (toronto, gta, etc basically if you're down south)
Hey Walter, there's an enormous expanse of the country west of Toronto. Central Ontario and Quebec - most of it, in fact. Likewise, there's a large section of the country east of Quebec, the Maritime provinces, that you don't even mention. Canada is NOT just Toronto, Quebec, and Ottawa, whatever the local residents there say :-). If you've going to visit, spend some time looking at things like the Rocky Mountains (including Banff and Jasper National Parks), Vancouver Island, Atlantic Canada, the eastern and western Arctic (which is made up of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon), and everything that's outside of the places you mention. One thing, though - if you're visiting and planning to drive, distances between some major centres are very, very long. And, unless you're from Scandinavia, Siberia, or are addicted to skiing, skating or curling, think about visiting during the summer. There is more to Canada than you've mentioned, and lots of it worth a visit. Do some research, look at Google Maps, and see how much this great land has to offer to visitors.
Tim Hortons is far superior to Dunkin Donuts. We're lucky enough here in Buffalo to have Tims at practically every street corner. It's the most Canadian influenced city in the US.
Captain Brandon Mr. Rockabilly nope.
I also love Tim Hortons... Specially the Donuts and Tim Bits
We're from Toronto and when travelling south we always hit Tim's in Buffalo because we know we won't encounter good coffee again untill our return trip gets us back to the border..the ice tea sucks in the US as well.
As a Minnesotan its nice to know a little bit about our neighbor to the north
DO NOT DRIVE TO/IN CANADA DURING WINTER MONTHS WITHOUT SNOW TIRES!!!
Please, please, please PLEASE rent a car with WINTER tires, none of this all season BS. All season is only good till 7 degrees Celsius .
It's true that all-season tires in Canada are for all 3 seasons, except Winter. I am from Nova Scotia originally and had driven in SW Ontario at one time up to 60,000 km per year on the road. I would not be without Winter tires.
Also be warned that it's illegal to drive without winter tires from December to April in Quebec. You could be fined and towed.
Colin Knight and I wouldn’t recommend driving a vehicle that has 2 wheel drive, you need extra traction for the roads out there if you get stuck.
You can drive in Vancouver no problem without snow tires in the winter.
The flashing green traffic lights can mean different things in different provinces. For example, here in BC, it means that you have the right of way to go at the intersection, but traffic from either side street is facing a stop sign (or equivalent flashing red) instead of a steady red light. So expect traffic from the left or right street to cross the intersection if they judge themselves to have enough time.
In Ottawa the traffic lights are normal, not like the stupid ones in Quebec, those things piss me off
+Karol Bała Live in canada. Never knew those lights existed.
+Karol Bała Not sure what you mean?? We have the same lights, the difference is in his flashing green explanation. Flashing green at an intersection means that side of the intersection can go straight, turn left, or turn right depending which lane you are in. You only see those at complex intersections where there are also specific turn signals. For example traffic incoming from the left can go through while at the same time traffic on your side in the right lane can turn right. It's just logical.
HMan2828 there sideways with 2 reds on each side, like wtf?!?!?
+Karol Bała To be fair, I live in Gatineau, on the other side of the Ottawa River... I have never seen the difference when I did drive in Ottawa ( And I'm going there about 3-4 times a week... ) and if there is a major difference ( 2 red lights instead of 1 ? ) you'll still be able to understand, since the colour mean the same thing province from province...
To be fair, I'm trying to understand where could the problem be.
+Karol Bała You have to understand that the French have ALWAYS liked to be "different" so their traffic lights are horizontal (as opposed to vertical). France had to drive on the right as opposed to the English on the left. England, USA and New Zealand flags are Red, White and Blue. France? well it's Blue, White and Red! Sigh....whatcha gonna do? lol (btw I thumbs up'd your comment)
Living on the Ontario-Michigan boarder, and visiting our neighbours to the South quite frequently, I can say TEN things this man missed out that are major differences: 1) pump then pay for gas in Canada (not the other way around), 2) we use debit not credit (most times Americans think I am paying credit when it's really debit), 3) we can legally turn right on a red light, 4) hamburger is always well done (we're not asked if we want it rare, medium or well done), 5) Tim Horton's is everywhere, 6) Beer and Liquor is sold at The Beer Store or LCBO (In the US it's sold everywhere), 7) gas is way more money here, 8) hardily any rest stops on Canadian hiways (Michigan has lots), 9) US grocery stores have INSANE variety, and 10) Canada's love for hockey is basically seen everywhere and the US only had pockets like that!
Most important thing that I don't know if Wolter covered it in the video is that the laws are a bit different. I live in NYC and it's not required to wear a seatbelt in the backseat of the car. In canada, it's mandatory and you can be fined if you're stopped.
SOURCE: Happened to me in Toronto. Super upset.
Well that is strange about NYC then. In the uk and ireland everyone in the vehicle must always were a seatbelt. Rule not an option.
Glad you enjoy our Canada! Thanks for speaking about us in such an informative, positive way! -A lifelong Canadian
is gun violence on the rise in Canada??
@@ukisbeggar8462 it's not that worrying ,,... I certainly not mean that its issue that we should not worry about , but our governments and authorities are doing a exceptional job and we are safe
ANYway I am temporary resident in Canada yet
Very nicely done and I'm Canadian :)
thanks!
***** Did someone amputate your funny bone? Lighten up!
Another thing about driving and distances, don't be surprised when you ask how far away a place is, the answer will be in time not distance measurement. I don't have any idea how many kilometers I am from my daughter's college but I know it's about an hour and 20 min away!
If you go to Ottawa you should try Beaver Tail. Its the cooked tail of a beaver. Its very tasty.
It's a pastry.
gturner38 noooo
***** Man you Canadians really lack sense of humor.
Well I wouldn't say we that exactly it's just a bit hard to tell sarcasm over text.
Adore Hannah that was the whole point. When I joke around, I make a rude face, not a stupid Canadian face.
In British Columbia (primarily the lower mainland - Vancouver region)flashing green means that the cross traffic has a stop sign and they may go if they think it’s clear but you have the right of way. Pedestrians also can request to cross in which case the light will change to yellow and red like normal.
guys neither country is perfect both have there flaws and Canada is better at stuff that america isn't better at but america also has things better there then in Canada
+Mohamed Siddig some of those "things" that Canada is better than the USA are healthcare and education. Yes you may end up paying a bit more on taxes but its worth it, that is if you care for health insurance and education coverage. But apparently most americans believe those are unreachable and unnecessary fairytales
THX1188 8855 you clearly have some unresolved anger issues lol settle down
6:20 flashing green can be different in each province.
Ontario means you can make a left and the oncoming traffic has a red. In BC flashing green means the intersection doesn't have lights on the intersecting street and cars may cross or turn either way at any time(making a left on a flashing green and assuming oncoming traffic will stop can lead to a head-on collision.)
The whole "smile and oh brother your french is bad" made laugh so hard because that is exactly what I do at work. I'm a cashier in Montreal and we usually go "Bonjours, Hi". Most Americans will try "bonjour" and i would smile and and continue in english.
Ps: Canadians can be super rude. As a cashier, I love most american clients way more than canadians because they are so happy to be here so I can't help but be SUPER friendly back no matter how tired and sick of rude clients I am. Maybe that is why tourists think canadians are so friendly and have amazing service.
+GeriEspinal My bf works retail and I think clerks can get treated like crap anywhere. It's classism, and Americans made a movie called, well, "Clerks", pretty sure. I still find Cdns much friendly, and we do tend to love foreigners and tourists, which some countries are pretty indifferent about. I found Americans ruder overall. Just switching from Canadian Airlines to American there was a sudden difference in service. I couldn't get over how abrupt the stewardesses/stewards were. It just threw me for a loop.
I once had a British lady say that's exactly why she loved Americans though because she thought Canadians were too much like Brits and therefore boring. She thought Americans were more spicey and interesting because of their abrupt/rude-ish edge. Mind you, she was the blacksheep of her own British family - just sayin.
+GeriEspinal My bf works retail and I think clerks can get treated like crap anywhere. It's classism, and Americans made a movie called, well, "Clerks", pretty sure. I still find Cdns much friendly, and we do tend to love foreigners and tourists, which some countries are pretty indifferent about. I found Americans ruder overall. Just switching from Canadian Airlines to American there was a sudden difference in service. I couldn't get over how abrupt the stewardesses/stewards were. It just threw me for a loop.
I once had a British lady say that's exactly why she loved Americans though because she thought Canadians were too much like Brits and therefore boring. She thought Americans were more spicey and interesting because of their abrupt/rude-ish edge. Mind you, she was the blacksheep of her own British family - just sayin.
I'm a Canadian living in ottawa and I agree with that you said! Depending on when you were down, I hope you got to see the mosaika light show at the parliament and the firework competitions :) Its pretty cool to see!
Had the firework show and mosaika right afterwards and then the busker fest during the day. It was a nice visit in Ottawa.
Perfect! I'm glad you enjoyed it :)
Well spoken. I hope you had time to visit Quebec City. It is one of the oldest cities in North America and i shows. It will remind you of an old European town.
David Huber we have a top 10 quebec and a 5 love and hates of quebec city coming in early September or late august :) LOVED quebec city, my favorite place we visited
woltersworld
How about showing some love for Victoria and a video about that little hidden gem in BC?
Quebec city is the first city founded in Quebec if i remember well. xD
Good, practical tips. Thank you for taking the time to learn about Canada and Canadians!
As a Canadian I want to share my own tips in response to the vid:
Don't worry about speaking French, esp if you've learned Paris French & not Quebec. Some Quebecans will be offended or not even understand you if you speak Paris French. The languages are that different to them culturally-wise. It can be the same if you're speaking Quebecan in Paris.
Do NOT eat a poutine every day if you want to stay light on your feet & alert as a traveller. They are salty, heavy & not ideal for everyday eating. Poutines out West are MUCH more different, usually just bland straight-cut fries with salty gravy & shredded mozz or cheddar. Eastern Poutines will more likely be made from real potatoes, with a wide variety of gravies which do not rely on salt to impart flavour. Smokes & other Poutineries are good places to go for poutine variety.
Concerning change: Count it before you give it to the cashier so you know how much you should get back. A lot of stores in the East have gone digital via debit/CC. Cashiers usually assume you've counted your money & given the exact price you owe - therefore you may not get change back. Not always, but it happens.
Orangeblossom Thanks Orange Blossom! Great help here
Pablo Escobar I know people from Quebec who refer to themselves by either. Personal choice I guess, eh.
Pablo Escobar -_-'
Orangeblossom
I've never heard anybody refer to themselves as a Quebecan. Ever. And I've been around a looooong time. lol Quebecker it is.
Perhaps those people you know were immigrants who landed in Quebec whose mother tongue was something other than English. Immigrants are expected to immerse themselves in the French language, so they might never have learned the correct English term.
Orangeblossom It's either Quebecker or Quebecois.
Flashing green is different in British Columbia. A flashing green light on a traffic signal means the signal is pedestrian activated. So, when you approach a flashing green light, use caution, because the signal could be activated by a pedestrian at any time and you might have to stop and let the pedestrian to cross. The light is flashing in both directions so do not turn left if there is traffic coming at you, it will end badly for both of you.
I'm Brazilian and planning to visit Canada! Thanks for your videos! =)
Johnathan Meira you are very welcome. have a great trip!
I’m from Canada but came here anyways lol. Go to Edmonton. The largest mall of the country is there, plus a water park in the mall, ice rink in the mall, rides in the mall (I think it’s called Galaxy Land) There is a huge park in the middle of downtown,( I forgot the name of that park. During he winter, you can ski there.) Calgary: has trains and Calgary Zoo, skyline luge, amusement park, a bunch of museums ,etc. Drumheller: There’s a dinosaur museum there. Toronto: CN Tower, Niagra Falls, Marine Land, amusement park, etc..
Banff: Lakes, nice place for riding horses, skiing, hiking, taking pictures, plus there is a hotel there, and I think a campsite? Regina: The Legislative Building. (Queen Elizabeth II visited Regina..Well, basically the Royal Family visited.) Hotel Saskatchewan, amusement park called Queen City Ex which only occurs during during the beginning days of August), Mackenzie Art Gallery, Government House, Wascana park and other parks, science Center, etc. Saskatoon: Saskatoon Zoo, amusement park, etc. (All of the above except for drumheller has trampoline places) :)
This is interesting. I'm in Europe,and can usually tell a Canadian accent to an American one.
the northwest US (i.e Oregon and Washington state) have accents which are similar, to every Canadian living from Ontario west to BC. east of Quebec the accents are likely about 1 per province, except 2 in Nova Scotia. And in the outports of Newfoundland, no one is quite sure it is still English. Kidding aside, it is still quite possible to distinguish between then. I ma not a big fan of the younger generation's acquisition of Los Angeles accents spoken in high-pitched tones. But it is still amusing to see second generation South Asian immigrants speaking in LA accents so perfect you would never know they were South Asian.
In Ontario a flashing green traffic light indicates advanced green. In other provinces it varies. For instance, in British Columbia a flashing green light indicates a crosswalk or a drawbridge.
With the traffic lights you are correct but for example in the greater Toronto area or GTA the traffic lights are the exact same as in the states
scratch co very true
scratch co similar to NYC? Is it true that Toronto is a cleaner city than NYC?
@@jaym-bu3cr I've have been to both cities. They have a lot diversity, bunch of restaurants, bars, entertainment etc. Toronto is cleaner, safer and cheaper for vacations compared to NYC overall.
In British Columbia, a flashing green means the intersection is partially uncontrolled. Two sides have flashing greens, and the sides perpendicular have stop signs. Cars at stop signs can go when safe, and cars facing the flashing greens can pass when the intersection is clear.
Just to let you know so that you won't get into a wreck thinking you had the right of way, if you ever visit BC :)
cANADA do not even country, you bunch of freaks, fucking beasts
Why do people make fun of us saying eh? If you took every time this guy said "ok" and replaced it with "eh" he would be talking like a Canadian.
TheGreatMoonFrog I hear you
TheGreatMoonFrog I know, eh?
+TheGreatMoonFrog You made my day.
I was up in Toronto and I didn't really hear "Eh" that much! That is an exaggeration!
I have never been to Canada, but I imagine that it is so beautiful.
The reason the traffic lights were sideways... was simply because the wind in the prairies is crazy. They have installed the lighting this way purely because of human safety.
Out of all the places you have traveled to, what has been you're favorite, and least favorite place to visit?
Hard to say. Some of my favorites... Brazil, Rome, Paris... Some places I was disappointed with... Any place overhyped in a guidebook
Definitely London England! :)
Thank you so much. This video was really helpful. Even though I am young, i've been thinking of studying in Canada and this video gave me the chance to see how Canada generally is.
""now if you're just throwing your coins away... wait a minute..."
Dude... Really do you just throw your money literally away?
I was thinking the same but I can only guess he doesn't mean literally throwing the coins away so much as being careless with them or tossing a coin in a fountain or whatever. :)
One thing similar between Canada and the US is the size. You're not flying into Toronto, driving to see St. John's, then to go skiing in Whistler. Better to pick regions of Canada to visit. Go see Newfoundland, or Southern Ontario, or Alberta, ect.
You talk a lot about Eastern Canada but what about Western Canada? There are differences
+General Zoland BC is the equivalent of California for the US, but a lot more humid. Progressive and liberal. Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba is farmers, oil, and cowboy country. Nothing but plains as far as the eye can see. I guess you could compare it to Wyoming.
Alberta tends to think our oil makes it the most important place in the country and we get angry when we don't get what we want from the government.
Beware: Flashing green lights do NOT mean your lane is the only one that can go in all of Canada. In BC it simply means the light won't turn red until a pedestrian presses the walk button. So don't go turning left on a flashing green in BC unless it's clear. Flashing greens are used in Ontario for left turn lanes.
if you use a $100 bill to buy something that costs 2 $ we will give you back 97 loonies 3 quarters 2 dimes and a nickel
ryan nixon but I want 20 toonies 57 loonies 3 quarter 2 dimes and a nickel ;) got to love the toonies too! ;)
I am glad I found your video since it will be our first time to take a vacation to Canada soon. Thank you! Great video!
I get the feeling you went from the east to toronto and that was it.
Duh that's the only real Canada the West is a bunch of Texas wannabes or California wannabe . We dont tell you because we still wanna use your mountains and retire I'm bc
he took one look at TO & thought, "If the rest of Canada looks like this, I'm fooking done man!"
Prices might be higher here in Canada but at the moment the U.S. dollar goes a lot further, since the exchange rate is roughly $1.25 CAD for every $1.00 USD.
Also, it's not cold right across Canada during the winter. Vancouver has just gone an entire year without any snow (a pant-load of rain though, but I don't mind because I don't have to shovel it). :)
U have not driven enough in Montreal. Montreal has been voted the worst driving city in North America. Take it from a guy who lives here, no one knows how to fkn drive here lmao
***** coming across the bridge I will 100000000000000% agree with you :)
Altough the driving can be pretty bad, I think the vote is more about those craters in the streets we call potholes.
***** this is true i was there watching a TKO fight before UFC in canada and witnessed a lady driving down the road with her e-brake on... lol i opened her door and released it for her.... another thing you cant do in america safely is open a strangers door...
You can'tturn right on a ed light, but, TABERNAC, you can drive right through it!
It's not a state, but San Juan, Puerto Rico is a nightmare to drive in.
I really appreciated the border crossing into New Brunswick. The officer greets you with a friendly, 'Bonjour, Good Day'. Her followup conversation is done in the language of your response. This makes a traveler feel most welcome. Let me know if you start accepting Floridian refugees!
This video is the equivalent to a British man going to new york and talking about how Americans like big slices of pizza and that they all ride taxis.
they do though don't they?
What I find about the differences in street lights. Canada gives you a lot more freedom to go when you feel it is safe. In the US it seems every intersection has a dedicated left turn light and there are so many places where you can't turn right on red.
If it has not already been mentioned, we have gun laws in Canada. A lot of Americans won't come to Canada because they can't bring their firearms with them. Part of the reason that is safe to travel in Canada has a lot to do with lack of firearms.
That is true, but there a lot of Americans who believe that security is a warm gun and some would rather shoot first and then ask questions.
aT 6:03, you mentioned the shapes of traffic lights in the newer lights. this is a safety provision., It allows colour blind drivers to know which light is in front of them by those shapes.
also, at some intersetions the traffic signals make sounds! this is for the blind pedestrians to be aware of the state of the signals. when you encounter this, expect a high probability that there may be blind pedestrians around, and not all of them will have seeing eye dogs (AKA Service dogs). This is apt to appear in neoighbourhoods where there are a lot of older people.
Why can't the USA change to the metric system like Canada? 06:38.
They did try in the 70's, it was just to confusing.
Why was it too confusing?
Omar Crisante Ask them.
Omar we HAVE the metric system. It's a matter of choice. Greatness is not based on a measuring system.
Dennis Sphatt Actually I should have rephrased that from confusing to the cost of changing everything over.
Very nice and upbeat video - methinks I shall subscribe.
I drove a motorcycle across western Canada many years ago and had a fantastic time drinking in the outrageous scenery, the crystal-clear air and the hospitality that went with it. In 2014 finally experienced Ontario (by car) and Niagara Falls, so magnificent that the surrounding tourist hustle made barely a dent in our enjoyment of it. We only wish we had time for Montreal and Quebec, but there's always next year!
This is really an informative video :)
This was great, as a canadian, hearing a american, explain the differences. Good job again
Great video ! but... have you mentionned the poutine ?
In Quebec, they speak Quebec-qua, not classic Parisian French. I learned the classic Parisian French they teach in English Canadian schools, and found it frustrating when Quebecers couldn't understand me, and vice versa. I'm not blaming the Quebec people, but the English school system for not being aware of this. I had no problems being understood in France though.
Great video.
A couple of interesting facts:
The US is arguably the 3rd largest country in the world by area. While Canada is the 2nd largest of all countries. But Canada has many large bodies of water that make up much that area. So in terms of actual land, the US actually has more land than Canada makinging it bigger in reality since you can't actually walk on water. (But if you can, you may gain a few followers. ^_~ ) 20% of the world's freshwater is in Canada.
Gas in Canada is sold by the liter just like it is in Europe. But in the US, it's sold by the gallon. There are 3.78 liters to a gallon. As of right now 7/22/2015, the average price for a gallon of gas in the US is $2.75 a gallon. That's $0.94 a liter in Canadian currency. However the average price of gas in Canada is $1.18 per liter right now. Or $3.44 in US currency per gallon. So gas is 80% cheaper in America compared to Canada.
77% of all Maple syrup is made in Quebec. And Macaroni and Cheese is the number 1 most purchased packaged grocery item in Canada.
Canada did not officially become it's own country until 1982 when it basically declared independence from Great Britain. However Canada was founded in 1867. So the country isn't as old as the United States which declared independence and was officially founded in 1776.
Scootaloo Can't walk on water? You've obviously not visited many Canadian lakes in January, :D
Heather Spoonheim No I havent. But then again, it doesn't really matter too much I guess. Our lakes freeze in the winter too. And I have been on those. (It's crazy to me to see cars and trucks on lakes held up only by frozen water.) Plus the US is actually ranked as having more habitable land as well.
Scootaloo I can turn water into wine also, a bud taught me that trick, first letter in his name J
Mike Kingsbury Um....ok.
Scootaloo It was a joke but you don't want free wine?
If you're watching a travel channel, hopefully you have a passport already. However, in the interest of fair warning, you will need a passport to enter Canada or Mexico and return to the U.S. Twenty years ago, USAers could more or less freely travel the continent, but unfortunately that's no longer the case. You'll need to get those applications in the mail three months before your trip, or be prepared to pay a ton in expediting fees.
Why is it that Canadians know about Americans than Americans know about Canadians?
+Omar El'Daghestani fuck you
+Clyde Ng Because America has a powerful media industry that displays everything about our country to the rest of the world.
we are taught about American history, geography and politics early in school. you are never taught anything about canada
Just like japan tryna take over china for land same for germany to russia but accept American are friends with Canada so they are working on some thing together
+Omar El'Daghestani that's a generalization
The differences in shapes for traffic lights (square = red, diamond = yellow, circle = green) is super smart and helps those with color blindness.
I live in cleveland but i would rather live in canada cause im tryin not to get shot
+Aaron Honaker That's definitely one of our perks.
but Cleveland rocks, man! Or did according to Drew Carey!
AA43 Life the only place you possibly could get shot at is in École Polytechnique (Look it up)
i used to live in Cleveland (i live in new jersey now) and i never thought of getting shot?
I live near Cleveland in Stow OH.
The flashing light does not mean priority to turn left in all provinces; in BC, for example, a green flashing means that the light can be manually activated for pedestrians.
Languages:
US: English
Canada: English, French
USA: English, Spanish
+Gabriel Spanish is still a valued skill to have in the US. Parts of the US, especially towards the Southwest, primarily speak Spanish in Latino-heavy communities. I live near Detroit and there are areas there where residences speak mostly Spanish as well.
there's more spanish speakers in the u.s than there is people in canada dude lol. french speakers in canada: about 8 million spanish speakers in u.s over 35 million. it's pretty ignorant to think that people here only speak english. hell there's pockets of louisiana where they speak french at home.
The US is the third largest Spanish speaking country in the world... We have more native Spanish speaking people than Spain.
Parts of New England speak French near the Quebec border. The Dakotas and Minnesota there is a German speaking minority.
Regarding languages in The USA:
Yes, English is the MAIN language. But, there are pockets of many different languages spoken in The USA, with Spanish being the big second language.