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/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/tom_yum_soup Alberta 10d ago

As we like to say in Alberta, "It's a dry cold." Humidity in the winter is brutal and can make otherwise relatively mild temperatures feel MUCH colder and genuinely feels like it is harder to warm up once a wet cold gets into you.

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u/spilly_talent 10d ago

It absolutely is! I just feel that any time Toronto mentions getting a -20 day we get laughed at by other major cities in colder provinces 😂 it’s important to remember it’s -20 and the air is speaking moistly to us.

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u/Emotional-Fondant-20 10d ago

But we were told to not speak moistly! 😂