A Guide to Canadian Social Norms and Customs

Learning about local customs is a great way to feel more comfortable in your new community.

Daily Interactions 🤝

You will notice certain unwritten rules in how people interact with each other in public.

• Eye Contact and Smiling: Making brief eye contact and offering a small smile to strangers is common and seen as friendly. However, staring for a long time can make people feel uncomfortable.
• Personal Space: Canadians value their personal space, sometimes called a "personal bubble." Try to keep about an arm's length of distance between you and another person when you are talking. 🧍
• Greetings: A simple "hello" is a standard greeting. In more formal or business settings, a firm handshake is common when you meet someone.

Core Canadian Values

Certain values guide how people interact and build trust in the community.

• Politeness: Saying "please," "thank you," and "excuse me" is very important. You might also hear people say "sorry" often, sometimes even when it is not their fault. It is a way to be polite.
• Honesty and Punctuality: Being on time for meetings and appointments shows respect for other people's time. ⏰ Honesty in your interactions is highly valued.

Understanding Tipping

Tipping is giving extra money to service workers to show you appreciate their work. It is an expected custom in many situations.

You generally tip for services at restaurants, bars, hair salons, and spas, and for taxi drivers or food delivery. A standard tip is 15-20% of the bill before tax. When you pay with a card, the machine will usually give you options to add a tip. 💳