NEVER Do This in Canada! Worst Mistakes Immigrants Will Make in 2024

Summary

This video script offers insights into the cultural norms and societal behaviors that newcomers should be aware of in Canada. It discusses the importance of understanding Canadian values such as collectivism and politeness, the necessity of adjusting to the tax system, and the uniqueness of Canadian culture compared to its American counterpart. The script also touches on the significance of soft skills, the etiquette of personal space, and the challenges of Canada's vast distances and harsh winters. It concludes with advice on how to navigate these cultural nuances and the benefits of embracing Canadian societal norms.

Takeaways

• 💼 Taxes in Canada are calculated before income, meaning you should add sales tax to prices and subtract income tax from salaries to get the actual take-home amount.
• 🤝 Canadians value collectivism and teamwork, so being humble and collaborative is more appreciated than being overly competitive or a know-it-all.
• 🇨🇦 Canadians are distinct from Americans, with different cultures and histories, so it's important not to conflate the two nations.
• 🌟 Canadians are known for their politeness and apologetic nature, so adopting these behaviors can help integrate into Canadian society.
• 🤔 Avoid controversial topics like religion, politics, and race in discussions unless you have a close relationship with the person.
• 🙅‍♂️ Personal matters are private in Canada, so it's not common to discuss such topics with someone you've just met.
• 🚶‍♂️ Maintaining a respectful social distance is important in Canada, as too much physical closeness can be seen as invasive.
• 🌍 Canada is vast with large distances between cities, which can be a shock to newcomers from more densely populated areas.
• ❄️ Canadian winters are harsh and unpredictable, so always check the weather forecast and dress appropriately to stay warm.
• 🚴‍♀️ Cycling is popular in Canada, and cyclists follow the same traffic rules as drivers, so be mindful of them on the roads.
• 🛣️ Public transit in Canada can be unreliable, with frequent delays and breakdowns, especially during harsh weather conditions.

Q & A

Why is it important to be aware of Canadian cultural and societal norms as a newcomer?

Being aware of Canadian cultural and societal norms is important because it can significantly improve the newcomer's life in Canada by helping them integrate more smoothly and avoid potential misunderstandings.

What should one consider when looking at prices or salaries in Canada?

One should consider that prices and salaries in Canada are typically listed before tax. It's necessary to add sales tax to the listed price when budgeting, and subtract income tax from the salary to get the actual take-home amount.

How can one quickly calculate their take-home salary after taxes in Canada?

One can use tax calculators available online where they can input their salary, select the province, and get an estimate of how much they will actually receive after all deductions.

Why might having two jobs in Canada to make more money be problematic?

Having two jobs in Canada to make more money can be problematic because the more money one makes, the higher the tax bracket they fall into. This could result in a higher overall tax rate, so it's advisable to consult with an accountant before doing so.

What is the general attitude towards 'know-it-alls' in Canadian society?

Canadian society, which values collectivism and teamwork, tends not to appreciate 'know-it-alls'. Being knowledgeable while also being helpful, supportive, and collaborative is more valued than being overly competitive or arrogantly displaying one's knowledge.

How are Canadians generally described in terms of their demeanor and politeness?

Canadians are generally described as some of the nicest people, being welcoming, friendly, polite, and often apologizing even when it's not their fault.

What topics should be avoided in discussions with Canadians unless there is a close relationship?

Topics like religion, politics, and race should be avoided in discussions with Canadians unless there is a close relationship, as these can be controversial and Canadians tend to avoid saying anything that might be offensive.

Why is it important to be aware of personal space and social distance when interacting with Canadians?

It's important to be aware of personal space and social distance in Canada because standing too close or touching someone while talking is not appreciated. Canadians value personal space and consider direct physical contact as potentially intrusive.

How do the cultural differences between the United States and Canada manifest?

The cultural differences between the United States and Canada manifest in various ways, including different political systems, histories, languages, and attitudes towards competition and individualism versus collectivism.

What are some challenges one might face when traveling within Canada due to its vast size?

Challenges when traveling within Canada due to its vast size include long distances between cities, potential traffic in larger cities, unreliable public transit, and unpredictable weather conditions that can affect travel times.

Why is it crucial to be prepared for Canadian winters, especially if you come from a warmer climate?

It's crucial to be prepared for Canadian winters because they are notoriously icy, snowy, and windy. Proper clothing, checking weather forecasts, and understanding the impact of winter on daily life and transportation are essential to stay warm and safe.

What precautions should drivers and pedestrians take when encountering cyclists in Canada?

Drivers and pedestrians should be aware that cyclists in Canada must follow the same traffic rules as drivers but can sometimes behave unpredictably. Checking blind spots before turning or opening car doors, and being vigilant as a pedestrian are important precautions.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Adapting to Canadian Culture and Norms

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of adapting to Canadian cultural and societal norms for a better newcomer experience, without suppressing one's own cultural identity. It introduces a list of eight things to avoid in Canada, categorized into behaviors that Canadians dislike and actions that could complicate life in the country. The paragraph also explains the tax system, including sales tax on purchases and income tax on salaries, and the necessity of using tax calculators for budgeting. It advises consulting with an accountant before taking on multiple jobs to avoid unexpected tax implications. The cultural aspect of collectiveness and teamwork in Canadian society is highlighted, suggesting that being knowledgeable and collaborative is more valued than individual competition. The paragraph concludes by distinguishing between Canadian and American cultures, using historical context to emphasize the differences.

05:02

🤔 Navigating Social Etiquette in Canada

The second paragraph delves into Canadian social etiquette, advising to avoid controversial topics such as religion, politics, and race unless in a close relationship. It touches on the Canadian propensity for apologizing and the importance of friendliness and politeness in social interactions. The workplace culture is discussed, highlighting the value of collaboration and mutual support over individualistic behavior. The paragraph also addresses the indirect communication style of Canadians, who prefer to hint rather than be direct to avoid hurting feelings. Personal space and privacy are emphasized, with a suggestion to let the other person initiate discussions about personal matters. The paragraph concludes with a discussion on the vast distances in Canada, the challenges of transportation, and the high cost of flights due to market oligopolies in the airline industry.

10:04

❄️ Surviving Canadian Winters and Transportation

The final paragraph focuses on the harsh realities of Canadian winters, advising to always check the weather forecast and dress appropriately for the unpredictable and often severe conditions. It discusses the impact of winter on public transport and the additional time required for tasks such as de-icing cars and shoveling snow. The paragraph also mentions the higher utility bills during winter and the importance of avoiding poorly insulated apartments. It touches on the popularity of cycling in Canada, even in winter, and the need for all road users to be aware of and respect cyclists following traffic rules. The paragraph concludes with a reminder to be polite and considerate, especially towards service providers, and an invitation for viewers to share their experiences and thoughts in the comments.

Keywords

💡Multiculturalism

Multiculturalism refers to the coexistence of diverse cultures within a society, where each culture is respected and valued. In the context of the video, it is emphasized that while newcomers should be proud of their heritage, they should also be aware of Canadian cultural norms to better integrate into Canadian society. The script mentions that being aware of these norms will make life in Canada better for newcomers, highlighting the importance of understanding and respecting the cultural diversity of Canada.

💡Cultural Identity

Cultural identity is the sense of belonging to a cultural group, which is defined by shared traditions, beliefs, and practices. The video script clarifies that advocating for awareness of Canadian societal norms does not mean suppressing one's cultural identity. Instead, it encourages newcomers to be proud of their heritage while also learning about Canadian ways of life, suggesting a balance between preserving one's culture and adapting to a new environment.

💡Collectivism

Collectivism is a social concept where the needs and goals of the group are emphasized over those of the individual. The script points out that Canadian society is raised with collectivist values, where teamwork and collaboration are highly valued over individual competition. This is exemplified in the education system, where teachers focus on students who are behind or average, rather than just those who excel, reflecting the societal preference for collective progress over individual success.

💡Income Tax

Income tax is a government levy on an individual's or entity's earnings. The video script explains that in Canada, all income is considered before tax, meaning that when negotiating salaries or looking at prices, one must account for the additional sales tax and income tax that will be deducted. The script advises using tax calculators to estimate the actual take-home pay after taxes and deductions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the tax system for financial planning.

💡Sales Tax

Sales tax is a percentage of the price of a good or service that is paid to the government when making a purchase. The video script mentions that sales tax in Canada ranges from 7% to 20% depending on the province, which is an additional cost that must be considered when budgeting for purchases. This highlights the need for newcomers to be aware of the tax implications when shopping or negotiating salaries.

💡Tipping

Tipping is the practice of giving a gratuity to service workers, such as waitstaff, in recognition of good service. Although not explicitly mentioned in the script, the mention of not being rude to service workers implies the cultural norm of tipping in Canada. It suggests that recognizing and respecting service workers by tipping is part of the social etiquette in Canada.

💡Personal Space

Personal space refers to the physical distance that individuals prefer to maintain between themselves and others. The video script advises keeping a respectful distance when interacting with others in Canada, as standing too close or touching others while talking is not appreciated. This reflects the cultural value placed on personal space and the importance of respecting others' comfort levels.

💡Public Transit

Public transit refers to the system of transport services available for use by the general public, such as buses, trains, and subways. The script discusses the challenges of public transit in Canada, including delays, breakdowns, and the impact of weather conditions like snowfall. It highlights the need for newcomers to be aware of the potential unreliability of public transit and to plan their travel accordingly.

💡Winter

Winter is the coldest season of the year, characterized by low temperatures, snow, and ice. The video script emphasizes the harshness of Canadian winters and the importance of being prepared for unpredictable weather. It advises checking the weather forecast daily, dressing appropriately, and allowing extra time for defrosting cars and shoveling snow, illustrating the significant impact of winter on daily life in Canada.

💡Cycling

Cycling refers to the activity of riding a bicycle. The script mentions that cycling is widely popular in Canada, even in winter, and that cyclists must follow the same traffic rules as drivers. It warns pedestrians and drivers to be aware of cyclists, who can sometimes be unpredictable, and highlights the need for all road users to be cautious and respectful of each other's presence.

Highlights

Embracing Canadian cultural norms can enhance the newcomer experience without suppressing one's cultural identity.

In Canada, prices and salaries are typically listed before tax, with additional sales tax varying by province.

Income tax must be considered when negotiating salaries, with significant deductions affecting take-home pay.

Tax calculators can be used to estimate post-deduction income, which is crucial for budgeting.

Canadian society values collectivism and teamwork over individual competition and outstanding behaviors.

The Canadian education system prioritizes students who are behind or average, discouraging elitism.

Soft skills are highly valued in Canada, often more so than being the smartest person in the room.

Canadians and Americans have distinct cultures, histories, and political systems despite economic interdependence.

Canadians are known for their politeness, often apologizing even when not at fault.

Smiling and positive facial expressions are the norm in Canada, contributing to a friendly atmosphere.

In the workplace, collaboration and mutual support are more important than individual expertise.

Personal matters should be approached with caution, as Canadians may not open up quickly about their private lives.

Canadians often use indirect communication to avoid hurting feelings, expecting others to pick up on subtle hints.

Canada's vast distances can be surprising, especially for those from more densely populated areas.

Canadian winters are notoriously harsh, requiring appropriate attire and preparation for unpredictable weather.

Cycling is popular in Canada, with cyclists expected to follow the same traffic rules as drivers.

Cyclists can be unpredictable, behaving sometimes like cars and sometimes like pedestrians, requiring vigilance from drivers and pedestrians.

Transcripts

when in Canada behave like Canadian and

before you start saying but what about

multiculturalism we're not advocating

for suppressing your own cultural

identity for the sake of Canada no we

would never do that in fact you should

be proud of your heritage

what we are saying is that being aware

of Canadian cultural and societal Norms

is guaranteed to make the newcomer life

in Canada better today we would like to

discuss 8 things you should avoid doing

when in Canada and these two things will

fall under two categories think that

Canadian people don't like and things

you can do that will make your life in

Canada significantly harder let's dive

right into it

[Music]

all the numbers you see in Canada either

prices in stores or salaries on the job

search side it's always before tax if

you're looking at the prices don't

forget to add sales tax to it when

you're doing budgeting for buying things

in Canada it will be extra seven to

twenty percent depending on the province

you're in when you're negotiating your

salary don't forget to subtract income

tax depending on which province you are

in and how much your salary is you will

have to subtract anywhere between 11 to

whooping 53 to get the actual cash you

will receive on hand as salary the

easiest way to do quick calculations

would be to use one of tax calculators

where you can input your salary choose

the province and get the idea of how

much you will actually get after all of

the deductions when it comes to income

tax you should certainly not forget to

file your own income taxes everyone must

do it on their own each year

Pro tip for you since the more money

you're making the more tax you pay

having two jobs in Canada for the

purpose of making more money sometimes

can bite you in the ass too make sure

you consult with an accountant before

you do that by the way if you're

enjoying our content want to support our

work and join our community check out

our patreon for ways you can get

involved we will leave the link in the

description box below foreign

nobody likes to know it all especially

Canadians Canadian Society is raised in

collectivism and teamwork competition

and outstanding behaviors are not always

appreciated the education system in

Canada is a bright example for that

teachers spend more time on students who

are behind or average rather than time

on students who are excelling in the

subject many parents choose to keep

their gift to children in regular

schools rather than sending them to a

school for gifted students cost of such

school is one of the reasons but another

big reason might surprise you parents

are afraid that their children would

turn into snobs and the child won't

learn communication skills or be able to

integrate well into the rest of the

average society and we all know how

important soft skills are to Canadians

plus soft skills are harder to learn

than hard skills the same works in the

workplace being knowledgeable while

helpful supportive and collaborative is

a lot more important than being the

smartest person in the room and shoving

it into everybody's face being able to

communicate tasks brainstorm and discuss

ways to solve issues is more important

than being an arrogant know-it-all and

trying to do everything yourself just

because you know better instead you

should bring a multiplier effect to your

team

Canadians are not Americans big shocker

right but really these are two very

different nations with a different

culture and history it's not the same

thing the same way as Russia and Ukraine

are not the same thing or China and

Taiwan you get the point both countries

have a very close relationship and have

their economies interconnected in fact a

solid chunk of Canadian economy depends

on the U.S Import and Export and vice

versa but when it comes to culture and

the society Canadians and Americans

differ a lot they have a different

political system different history speak

different languages not to mention the

climate two weeks ago we made a video

outlining major differences between the

two countries so if you're not convinced

that the US and Canada are different go

and check out that video we will leave

the link in the description box below by

the way we did you know that the U.S

tried to invade and Conquer Canada twice

but lost both Wars I wonder if they

teach that in the U.S course or they

prefer to forget that

[Music]

Canadians are some of the nicest people

they're utterly welcoming friendly and

polite and they will never say anything

controversial so topics like religion

politics and race should be avoided in

discussions unless you have a close

relationship with the person of course

you probably heard already how much

Canadians love to apologize even if it's

not their fault they will always begin

with sorry so when in Canada get used to

saying sorry a lot more if you don't

smile or don't say hello you can also be

considered rude because people here are

used to smiling and positive facial

expressions by default when in the work

environment asking your colleague to do

something for you before even asking

them how they're doing or if they have

time can also be considered group

collaboration and mutual support are

important remember and last but not

least if you are ever in a line for any

service be it in a bank or you're

getting your driver's license or at the

hospital never be rude to the people

working there believe me being impatient

rude or demanding won't make anything

better you'll just disrupt people's

workflow and may end up being escorted

out by a security guard and if you

really enjoy this video please gently

tap the like button below because you

don't want to be you're rude right

[Music]

personal business is everyone's personal

business so if you're curious whether

someone is single how old someone is or

what habits they have slowed down

Canadians don't open up quickly and is

generally not okay to talk about

personal matters with someone you've

just met that is one of the reasons why

immigrants who may have different

culture and upbringing sometimes find it

hard to make new friends here a general

rule of thumb here is let the other

person bring some personal subjects up

and then you can follow up with a

question if you're so curious if you

feel like you are ready to start

discussing more personal topics make

sure to ask something like may I ask you

something personal or

I have something I'd like to share with

you and pay attention to the person's

reaction and Body Language it's all

about communication and soft skills

remember reading between the lines is

also important of course Canadians are

often indirect because being direct is

considered rude and they don't like

hurting people's feelings they try to

give you a hint here and there hoping

you understand for instance they will

never say something like look you suck

at soccer so stop asking me about the

next game the team doesn't want you to

participate because you're not good

enough

instead they would say something like I

can ask the team about our next game and

get back to you in the meantime what do

you think about practicing more

the same goes for keeping social

distance when talking to someone in some

cultures it's normal to stand rather

closely to someone and even touch them

as you talk in Canada on the other hand

things like that will not be appreciated

so keep your hands to yourself

thank you

[Music]

Canada is huge so distances are enormous

as well if you come from overpopulated

areas of the world well actually any

other area of the world you will be

shocked by how far apart everything is

cities are far from each other they're

all very spread out and they occupy a

lot of space and if you live in the

three largest cities in Canada traffic

can be a real Downer too for example

driving from one end of Toronto to the

other one may take up to three hours and

if you decide to opt in for public

transit well you may be out of luck too

it breaks down or gets delayed all the

time never-ending road construction rain

and winter continuously impact travel

times in Canada and yes in a cold

country like Canada people still don't

know how to cope with sudden snowfall

and it can block public transit and if

you want to go to another city getting

from Toronto to Montreal will take an

hour flight or six hours drive or train

trip and getting from honor to Vancouver

is a whole five hour flight a separate

note should be made about international

travel in Canada since Canada is so up

North traveling anywhere nice will take

hours if not days I've heard that people

living in Vancouver feel as distant from

the rest of the world as people in

Australia or New Zealand and the cost of

flights in Canada is high mainly because

of oligopolis in Airlines business in

Canada but that's a separate topic which

we've actually already discussed here if

you're interested in that just check out

the link in the description box below or

just up top

[Music]

foreign the previous Point don't

underestimate Canadian winter it is

notoriously called icy snowy and windy

even one of the warmest winter cities

like Vancouver will meet you with chilly

humid and rainy weather in Winter

whether in Canada is unpredictable and

harsh so when you leave home in the

morning always make sure to check the

weather forecast looking outside the

window will not be enough otherwise you

will end up in situations like this

or this

or this

crazy right winter affects public

transport travel times and situations

like these happen all the time because

some provinces don't even make it

mandatory to wear winter tires there are

also too many immigrants from a warmer

climate who often don't know what to do

in situations like this cleaning Rose

takes time too and if you park outdoors

and need to go to work in the morning

give yourself extra 15 minutes just to

defrost your car and shovel your way out

from your parking spot your utility bill

will be significantly higher during

winter times and your apartments poor

insulation might make it even worse so

watch out for poorly insulated old

apartments if you are from a warmer

climate country you must not forget to

dress appropriately in Winter we made a

very detailed video talking about what

to wear in winter and where you can buy

it so you can stay warm in Winter and

actually enjoy it so make sure to watch

it next if you have ever under estimated

Canadian winter let me know in the

comments below so others can learn from

your experience and if you have nothing

to share hit the like button below to

send us some warm vibes

[Music]

cycling is widely popular in Canada it's

even not uncommon to encounter people

cycling in winter in cities like

Montreal or Toronto there are plenty of

biking trails all around the cities and

the cyclists are the force to be

reckoned with according to Canadian Road

Rules cyclists have to follow the same

traffic rules as drivers and therefore

will oftentimes behave like a car I've

seen police stop cyclists who pass

through the red light or skip the stop

sign so don't ever do that cyclists can

be unpredictable sometimes for both

drivers and pedestrians see while

cyclists must follow Road Rules for

drivers they often choose the rules of

convenience sometimes they choose to

behave like a car and sometimes like a

pedestrian and the worst part is you

never know so if you're a pedestrian in

Canada watch out for cyclists and if

you're a driver always check your blind

spot before turning or opening the car

door otherwise something bad that can

happen someone might be heard and the

worst case scenario some lawsuits may be

filed let us know if you missed

something in the comments below we might

even do a follow-up video with your

commentary and in the meantime please

don't forget to be polite and like this

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care guys