Bizarre Canadian Quirks That the Rest of the World Doesn’t Get
Welcome to our Canadian quirks article, eh? From their love of cold weather and how they literally embrace it to their national dish being made with cheese curds (yes, that means curdled milk), Canada is filled with bizarre quirks that leave everyone else absolutely baffled. So buckle up, grab yourself a Tim Hortons coffee (don’t worry, we’ll explain this), because we have some incredible Canadian quirks coming your way, eh?
1. Canadians Embrace the Cold
Not only does Canada get a good dose of cold, but they seem to actually like it. Canadians embrace gorgeous parkas (jackets), mittens, and boots and even have cold-weather sports like hockey and curling. Families gather to watch “Hockey Night in Canada” and wear their favourite jerseys. Canadians know the cold, and frankly, they do the freezing cold thing really well.
2. Canadians Use Cheese Curds in Their National Dish
Yes, you read that right. Canadians put cheese curds on their poutine. Poutine is their national dish and consists of three main ingredients. These are gravy, french fries, and cheese curds.
3. They Love Ketchup Crisps
When you picture this, don’t picture a bunch of ketchup on top of the of the chips. It’s more like ketchup seasoning with garlic and onion. They came out in the late 1970s and still remain one of Canadians’ favorite snacks.
4. Canadians Have a Love Affair with Tim Hortons
You may already know that Canadians love coffee, but did you know that it matters substantially where coffee comes from? Canadians love Tim Hortons coffee, and many cities have more than one hundred locations. (Toronto has 168, Calgary has 129, and Edmonton has 113.)
5. They Love their Mac & Cheese
Mac & cheese to a Canadian might look different than your version of mac & cheese. Canadians love one called Kraft Dinner, which comes in a box. There are even different kinds, like ones with spiral noodles, three cheese, or bold cheese.
6. Canadians Have their own English Language
Over the years, Canadians have developed their own English language, and there are many differences between theirs and the United Kingdom’s. For example, in Canadian English, a loonie is a pound coin, a jumper is the same as a sweater, running shoes are their way of saying trainers, and the basement is their word for the cellar.
7. Canadians Put their Milk in Bags
It’s not uncommon to open a Canadian refrigerator and see a bag of milk. A lot of milk comes in bags because of its affordability and because it is easier to make room for it. You can pour out one litre at a time because the bag is sectioned into four.
8. “I’m so sorry, eh.”
Canadians will hold the door open and then apologise for doing it; they’ll try to throw their coffee cup into the trash; miss and then apologise to the trash can; or sneeze and apologise for it. They apologise for every inconvenience, whether it’s their fault or not. In addition to their obsession with apologising and taking responsibility for everything, Canadians are known for adding “eh” to their sentences. Sometimes it’s a way of saying “isn’t it,” other times it’s a way of just finishing their sentence.
9. Canadians say “zed” instead of “zee.”.
When Canadians say their alphabet, they say “zed” instead of “zee.” “Zee” is a newer American flair, whereas “zed” is the original pronunciation reigning from the British.
10. Canadians Put Animals on their Money
Canadians feature their beloved animals on a lot of their pieces of money. For example, their 5-cent coin has a beaver, the 25-cent coin has a caribou, the 1-dollar coin has a loon, and the 2-dollar coin has a polar bear.
11. Canadians Call Carbonated Drinks “Pop.”
In Canada, you might order a “pop” at a restaurant or buy it at the store. Pop is the word Canadians use for carbonated drinks. While others call them sodas, Canadians love a good pop!
12. Canadians Can Go to the Doctor for Free
Canadian healthcare is funded mostly through the provincial and federal governments. This means that Canadians can go to the doctor any time of the day for free. Hospital visits, surgeries, and some prescription medications are also part of the nationwide healthcare plan.
13. Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving on the 2nd Monday of October
The root of Canadian Thanksgiving is different than American Thanksgiving, and therefore, when it’s celebrated, it’s also different. Canadian Thanksgiving is deeply ingrained in expressing gratitude and thanks and spending time with family.
14. Canadians Love “Lake Life”
Canadians and lakes go together like salt and pepper, or ice cream and cake, whatever floats your boat. From the magical Rocky Mountains with sharp, jagged peaks to the countless bodies of glistening waters, coast to coast, Canada has gorgeous lakes. Summers are spent relaxing in the warm sun, jumping off floating docks, playing in the sand, and having bonfires. Lake life in Canada is about more than just recreation. It’s a way of living. It’s a way of celebrating the beauty of the country and enjoying every part of what it has to offer.
More strange Canadian quirks:
- Most Canadians use the metric system, but some still use the imperial system for certain things.
- Canadians are obsessed with a sugary treat called Beaver Tails.
- We already told you about Canadians’ love of Tim Hortons, but they also have a small round donut called a Tim Bit that Canadians are obsessed with too.
- Canadians are die-hard sports fans. They often wear jerseys and even paint their faces their team colors. They’re even known for getting a bit rowdy at games.
- Canadians say “bless you” after someone sneezes, regardless of where it is and if they know the person or not.
Final Thoughts
Canadians have some strange quirks that the rest of the world doesn’t understand, but that’s part of what makes the nation unique, charming, and fantastic. Canadians do strange things like put money on their coins, call carbonated water “pop,” and thrive during their lake life. But amongst the strange and peculiar lies historical tradition and beautiful rituals that make visiting the country even more exciting.
