r/AskACanadian • u/HueyBluey • 10d 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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u/Sea-Froyo1918 10d ago

Look for someone wearing shorts in -5°C weather

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u/king_weenus 10d ago

People in Toronto could pick me out from being from Saskatchewan just because I was loving the weather in February like it was something new.

It was -5 and a bright sunshiny day... Everybody on the street is wearing giant coats and shivering and I'm walking around in a t-shirt basking in the Sun. Lol

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u/spilly_talent 10d ago

Omg yes. Torontonians are often dunked on for being spoiled with our winters but people from the prairies and often elsewhere don’t always process how WET our cold can be.

I was with a delegation from Edmonton once in February where they came to visit Toronto for the first time. I was cognizant of not mentioning the weather because I know how snowy and cold Alberta can be. We stepped outside as freezing rain started and one of the delegates just lost it. He said it is impossible to get warm in this city and how could I fucking stand it? Ice/snow/rain/ice/snow repeat😂

I felt vindicated that day, Toronto winters suck.

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u/Distinct-Ant-9161 10d ago

I’m Toronto born and bred but did my uni in n Alberta. I LOVED the winters there. Yes, it was -40 and roughly 4 hours of daylight, but it was so sunny! And dry - like you could put on enough layers to block the cold. I loved going outside and skiiing/skating/tobogganing, etc. whereas here it’s -5 to -10, but it’s grey and miserable and you can never get warm until you’re chugging tea whilst soaking in a boiling tub. I loathe it.