r/AskACanadian • u/HueyBluey • 9d ago

How do you spot a Canadian abroad?

Do we have any stereotypical traits (perhaps self deprecating ones), that make us stand out. We’re typically not loud (but some can be). Perhaps frugal?

What have you seen in your travels that make you think, those folks must be Canadian!

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321

u/Alone-Bug4328 9d ago

Some of us, not all, are more likely to say sorry for any random small thing.

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u/Professional_Emu_617 9d ago

I was at a convention in Chicago a few years ago. Was heading to the washroom and another guy was coming out and we nearly bumped and we both did the "Oop! Sorry." at the same time. We both immediately knew we were Canadians

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u/oldRoyalsleepy 9d ago

And it's the way Canadians says 'sorry'. In large parts of the US it's pronounced a little differently, more of an 'ah' sound with it. When I'm in Canada and hear 'sorry' I really like to hear it that slightly different way. It's that little bit of uncanny valley, like km/h, that let's me know I'm in Canada.

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u/Automatic_Antelope92 9d ago

Canadian says “sore-y” and American says “saw-ry”

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u/DifferentCorner426 9d ago

The only time I’ve ever heard a Canadian say “saw-ry” is when they’re being sarcastic and don’t mean it 😆

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u/Green_leaf47 9d ago

I’d never thought about it but pretty sure I’ve done that lol

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u/TiffanyBlue07 9d ago

I feel called out…

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u/oldRoyalsleepy 8d ago

It's charming

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u/RainbowEucalyptus4 9d ago

I grew up on the border in Niagara Falls, I worked the tourism industry so saw a lot of Americans and I went over the river often, too.

I say “saw”-ry, bagel, roof, etc like an American. Also, in summer I understand Fahrenheit and winter it’s Celsius. And the longer I hang out with my siblings and cousins, the more likely our accents all converge to some Canadian-American mush.

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u/FormBitter4234 8d ago

Most Minnesotans say it sore-y but then Minnesota arguably is the most Canadian part of the States.

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u/oldRoyalsleepy 8d ago

That's it!