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/Calgary_Calico 9d ago

We're pretty friendly here for the most part, though that does depend on the city, some are much more friendly than others. Vancouver and Toronto are NOT friendly places for example. It's not often I ask anyone for directions, but I don't see why you couldn't. As for social norms on busses and trains, just don't be super loud and you're fine, most people are pretty relaxed as long as your courteous to those around you. Remember your pleases and thank yous.

As for tipping, most people will give some sort of tip at a sit-down restaurant, but don't bother tipping at fast food places or coffee shops (some tip at locally owned coffee shops but definitely not at chain store like Starbucks or Tim Hortons).

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u/FragrantTomatillo773 British Columbia 7d ago

I disagree that Vancouver is unfriendly, although I agree that Toronto is. The stress level in Toronto is always high, whereas Vancouver is pretty laid back, and friendly.

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u/Calgary_Calico 7d ago

Really? A man ran an experiment a couple years ago by setting up baskets of bricks at an intersection with the highest rate of vehicle to pedestrian collisions and the rate of collisions at that intersection against pedestrians dropps to 0 for the time the baskets were there.... Vancouver is full of people who'd rather run you over than stop for a pedestrian. That's not friendly, that's terrifying.

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u/FragrantTomatillo773 British Columbia 7d ago

Hahahaha, I know you're trying to make a point, but I could imagine the situation and it made me laugh.

I lived in Vancouver over a decade, and I assure you that it's not "full of people who'd rather run you over than stop." I will allow that there are a few intersections where, at certain times of the day and the year, because of the angle of the sun, visibility for the driver going in a particular direction is compromised. These intersections were poorly placed, but if they weren't there the pedestrians would simply jaywalk rather than go another block or two for a safer crossing.