Lisa O
Canadians are famous for their politeness and friendliness, but there are certain things you shouldn’t say to them. Knowing these will help you avoid awkward situations and show respect. Some of these phrases are seen as insults and can make any Canuck feel embarrassed or upset. So here are 15 things you should never say to a Canadian.
“Are you Canadian? You’re pretty much like Americans, aren’t you?”
Thinking a Canadian is just like an American is a common mix-up, but saying things like they’re “basically American” or “America Lite” isn’t cool. Like every other country, Canada has its own distinct culture, customs, and values. Canada and the USA are different countries with proud identities, so it’s important not to diminish their uniqueness.
“Your free healthcare sucks.”
Canadians appreciate their free healthcare and are okay with paying higher taxes to support it. Some people think the quality isn’t as good—and it’s true that waiting times for specialists can be long. However, Canucks are happy that they don’t have to pay thousands for things like blood work or doctor visits. They believe the benefits of their healthcare system outweigh the downsides.
“I thought Canadians were known for being nice.”
Most of the time, Canadians are nice and very polite, but that doesn’t mean they can’t have bad days or that they’ll tolerate rude behavior with a smile. Nobody is perfect, and everyone has the right to express their feelings without being judged. Plus, like every country, Canada has a few bad apples that don’t represent the majority.
“Since you’re from Canada, you must like cold weather.”
Many people think Canada is always super cold, but that’s not true. Only the far north experiences extreme cold. Major cities like Toronto and Vancouver usually have milder winters. Even when winters are harsh, they’re balanced by amazing summers with 30-degree temperatures and lots of sunshine. We hope it’s clear now that Canada is not the Arctic Circle!
“I’ve been to Canada! I went to Toronto.”
Canada is an unbelievably huge and incredibly diverse country. You can’t compare Newfoundland and Labrador to Quebec or British Columbia and vice versa. They’re almost like their own countries. So, if you judge all of Canada based on just a tiny part of it—you’re showing that you don’t really understand the whole picture. It shows your ignorance.
“Where are you originally from?”
If someone says they’re Canadian, that’s how they identify or what they consider themselves to be. Canada has a strong immigrant population that contributes to its diversity, and many Canucks proudly identify as first, second, third, or even further generations.
“How do you keep track of the puck during a hockey game?”
We get that hockey can seem tricky at first, especially keeping track of both the puck and the action. But the more you watch, the easier it gets! Hockey moves fast, but if you pay attention to the players and how they handle their sticks and start to pick up on the flow of the game—you’ll soon find yourself knowing where the puck is without even trying.
“Are you living in Toronto?”
Actually, only about 8% of Canadians live in Toronto. The rest are spread out across over 5,000 cities, towns, and villages. As the second-largest country in the world, Canada has plenty of space and it doesn’t all revolve around Toronto. While Canada has a low overall population density, some southern regions like the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor, have densities higher than several European countries.
“Poutine? That sounds gross.”
But have you tried it? If not, you’re missing out. Real poutine is incredibly delicious, and you shouldn’t judge it based on preconceived notions about gravy and cheese curds on fries. It was Quebec’s beloved comfort food long before it became popular across the rest of Canada and the United States. Give it a try—you might be surprised!
“Your currency looks fake.”
The different colors and shapes of their coins make them easy to tell apart quickly, and the same goes for their bills. Those visual elements you find unusual? They’re actually security features to prevent counterfeiting, and the durable, plasticky texture helps, too. They feature important Canadians from history and elements of their culture on various bills and coins because Canadians are proud of their heritage.
“Why do Canadians apologize so much?”
Because Canadians like to be polite, is that a bad thing? When they say sorry, it doesn’t always mean they’re apologizing. Sometimes it means ‘excuse me’, it’s a reflex when they’re uncomfortable or startled, or a way to diffuse any situation. It’s also the default response when someone apologizes to them—they’ll say it back to acknowledge the apology.
“ROB FORD was the only interesting person in Canadian politics!”
Actually, there’s much more to Canadian politics. For instance, many Canadians strongly disliked Stephen Harper—even though he won the election despite being the first prime minister to have his government found in contempt of Parliament. Plus, the entire province of Quebec almost declared independence from Canada. Politics here can get quite intense.
“I find bagged milk disgusting.”
Not sure why it’s such a fuss for some, but it’s simply a plastic bag. Like boxed wine, which has a bag of wine inside—it’s an efficient way to store more liquid. It’s cheaper to buy and package, uses less material, and is recyclable.
“American beer is far superior.”
Canadian beer goes beyond Molson and Labatt Blue. They have an impressive craft beer scene, with breweries that can compete globally. Don’t judge Canadian beer by the cheapest stuff alone. Canadian beers aren’t the best because they taste better than American ones—but because they represent the country’s spirit. They represent diversity and exploration.
“Do you live in an igloo?”
This stereotype isn’t accurate and overlooks the variety of homes Canadians live in. It also undermines the significance of igloos, which were temporary shelters for Inuit communities. So now we hope it’s clear that most Canadians live in houses, condos, apartments, RVs, or trailers—not igloos. The country’s housing reflects diverse lifestyles beyond this misconception.