Differences between American and Canadian Culture?

Question

What are some major differences between American and Canadian culture? I am thinking about working abroad in Canada, and I would like to know what differences do the Canadians have with Americans. Many people in the U. S. assume Americans and Canadians hardly have any differences. I am asking this because I am thinking about working abroad in Canada, and I'd like to be well-prepared for my stay.

Answer 1

the big difference is their tollerance for illegal aliend; plus they have a Frence territory

Answer 2

In some ways it depends on the age of the people you mean. Leaving aside immigrants, because the question seems to imply you want to know about people who grew up in Canada from an early age, I'd say that younger Canadians are very Americanized because of their constant exposure to US media. We can see this in our politics where younger Canadians tend to assume our form of government and our laws are like those of the US. Or they really can’t tell the difference since their knowledge of law and politics comes from American TV and media. Older people, who grew up in the days before cable TV blurred the differences between Canada and the US have a much clearer sense of Canadian and American. There is also an educational difference. Civics and government are not covered very much in any province that I know of nowadays. The coverage of these topics was generally quite a bit more in depth back in the 1950s and 1960s. So once again younger Canadians live in a more ‘American’ world, less able to make important distinctions between our two countries. This is evidenced by, among other things, the fact that the Prime Minister can behave much more like a President and for the most part Canadians are fine with that. It’s what they’re used to. In the recent attempt by the Liberals and the NDP to form a coalition, the Conservatives were able to successfully convince a majority of Canadians that this was an un-Canadian ‘coup’. In truth, it was un-American. Coalitions are perfectly fine in our Westminster system of government; indeed the UK is currently governed by a coalition. Few younger Canadians know that and it makes sense as they are very Americanized for the reasons given above. It’s not their fault and they really don’t get it even if you try to explain it to them. God knows I’ve tried. As to part of your question, despite the Americanization of Canada you will find us to be close to Australians in mentality. Don’t be put off by the seemingly ‘American’ accents, eh.

Answer 3

Americans are more open and polite compared to Canadians. I have lived in both countries and I can say that I wouldn't move to Canada from the USA unless I had a VERY GOOD job offer.

Answer 4

Lot's of differences, Canadians are liberal, not as loud, we have the queen as head of state, like ice hockey, we like centralized health care, we have a distinct accent, and don't go around the world pissing people off. We also know that other nations and cultures exist. Amazing what the 49th paralell has done to make us a distinct people.

Answer 5

here in detroit ,, canadians have to go north to get to detroit from windsor, and detroiters go south to get to canada ,,, kinda ironic but true,,, Ambassador bridge from detroit to windsor goes nw to se,,, why you ask,, simple because detroit is located north of windsor,,, therefore it is the only bridge in the continental us that goes south to canada,,, all in all the mainstream city life seem similar and so does the country life,,, main difference is their respect and acknowlegement of queen elizabeth II , who has been for quite some time,,, we change presidents every four years or 8 yrs maximum,, no stability in this country, sometimes,, both like to party and enjoy their way of life , so major differences are also we use standard system , while they use metric,,, and that is a big difference,,,also you pay more tax on things in canada, because of an added province tax,, exchange rate is about 60% of american so you get about $1.40 canadian to $1 american

Answer 6

As long as you don't work for the govt. or live in Ottawa, Ont and Quebec, French is not necessary because the French language in Canada compared to the French in France is totally different. Neither one understands the other's French as ours sounds crappy. French was forced on us by the redundant Liberal govt. that should become extinct.
Also, our govt. does whatever they want and even after voting, the corruption and the credo, power, control and greed is embossed in the political emblem.
It is safer here than in the States though.

Answer 7

Canadians love hockey is like the Amercians love for baseball,
Canada uses the metric system USA does not,
their sports coverage is way better than Americans. (Hockey Night In Canada) and Canadians are much more friendlier than Americans.

Answer 8

They like a lot of the same kind of social things as we do. They are more liberal than the us. I believe their Health care System is different than the American. I believe Health care is Socialized. The tax rates are high in some places and overall higher than in America.

Answer 9

Well, if you like a lot of bleeding-heart liberalism, you'd fit right in (hopefully with the new government, things will change). We say there are two seasons in Canada, winter and construction. We are hockey crazy, beer crazy, hard working, taxed to the hilt. Shall I go on??

Answer 10

America is defenitly has more laws.. a whole lot of them are spanish or mexican.. Canada however(i love u canada) is more of a clean state.. but even if montreal is really beautifull u probly wont survive without knowing at least a bit french. mississauga!now there.. u can survive a whole day just speaking arabic. half the population of every country lives there.

Answer 11

Canadians from Ontario have been very rude to my family (maybe cause we are from MI) My canadian friend even travels miles and miles out of her way to stay out of Ontario. (Sorry if your canadian maybe it was just bad luck that they trashed our car, and wrote GO HOME in spray paint on the windows)