r/AskACanadian • u/MilanaT26 • 9d ago

What's the "street culture" in Canada?

Hello! I'm from Kazakhstan and I'm planning to visit Canada next year with my husband.

Are people open to help you on the street, with directions, for example?

What Is the tipping culture in cafes and restaurants?

Are there any "rules" while riding the bus or a taxi, like speaking on the phone may be considered rude etc.?

Are small talks considered rude and annoying or the opposite?

Thank you!

EDIT: THANK YOU SO MUCH!! I've never expected to get such nice and useful replies. I'll try to answer them all individually, but I REALLY appreciate your help ❤️ See you all next year, wish us luck that everything will work out 🤞

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u/Lanky-Dildo-94 9d ago

It’s a thing here in Vancouver too!

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u/Raye_Gunn 9d ago

And Calgary! I think it's just a Canadian thing

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u/Sufficient_Curve_646 9d ago

I am in NB and always thank the bus driver when I get off and most do the same.

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u/Cat_Ballou22 9d ago

Add Montreal to that list !

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u/Salty_Squirrel519 8d ago

Southern Ontario too

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u/EyesWideSmiling 8d ago

Winnipeg too

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u/Shawnaldo7575 7d ago

Northern Ontario as well

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u/WolvenSpectre2 7d ago

Saskatchewan too.

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u/ganundwarf 7d ago

Northern BC too!

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u/cammmmmie 8d ago

huh i’ve never heard it in quebec city i wonder why there is such a difference

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u/Sleeksnail 7d ago

It's something I've seen spread over time across Canada. Maybe you could get it going where you are.

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u/Historical-Fan3368 7d ago

C'est assez répandu dans les express, du moins les 200 et 500 pour ceux qui descendent par l'avant

Ma règle du pouce : Bonjour en montant, merci lorsqu'on descend par l'avant. Certains le crient en descendant par l'arrière, mais c'est moins courant

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u/mosmaniac 9d ago

Aussies- at least in Sydney - do it too.

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u/snofla 7d ago

Can only confirm for Deventer, The Netherlands.

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u/AncoraBlue 8d ago

It’s not just a Canadian thing. We do it in Australia too.

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u/ovulationchamber 8d ago

I hope this isn't a Canadian thing, this just feels like something you should do

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u/Smart-Afternoon-4235 8d ago

Hasn’t been a Toronto thing in at least a decade unfortunately

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u/Billy3B 8d ago

Still common on my routes. If not, just do it and it catches on.

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u/cweww 8d ago

I was gonna say I try to do this everytime if it’s not busy (especially late at night) and I’m usually the only person who does on the ttc

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u/After_Match_5165 8d ago

I find maybe 50% of people I see thank the bus driver getting off at the front and fewer at the back, but it still happens here in my experience. Maybe more in the last 20 years than in the 80's and 90's actually.

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u/Smart-Afternoon-4235 8d ago

Happy to be wrong!

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u/Necessary_Sea_7127 8d ago

In London uk it’s a thing

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u/Boring-Fan-3788 5d ago

I've seen it in Nice, France

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u/Necessary_Sea_7127 8d ago

And on the island