Americans and Canadians might share a long border and certain cultural similarities, but there are vast differences between their ways of life. Canadians are considered more reserved than their outspoken American neighbors, but they’re prepared to tolerate much less. Let’s look at a few examples of things the Canadians just aren't prepared to stand for, even if the Americans will.
Tipping Culture
Tipping is ingrained in American service culture, and residents view it as a reward for good service. It’s fair enough, they go above and beyond with their customer service. Canadians tend to prefer fair wages included in the bill and consider the US’ mandatory tipping percentages to be excessive. They have a point.
Healthcare Costs
High healthcare costs are easily justified by Americans as part of a system offering choice and high-quality care. It doesn’t make it right by everyone’s standards, but they don’t have a great deal of choice. Canadians are used to their single-payer healthcare system where basic medical services are covered by taxes. It’s one of the reasons why so many immigrants move to Canada each year. Paying exorbitant amounts for healthcare is a no-go.
Sales Tax Exclusions
In a system that Americans are unable to question, sales taxes are added at the checkout, and it’s nothing but a norm to them. Taxes do vary by state but the principle remains the same. Canadians have grown accustomed to seeing the final price upfront, including taxes. They don’t want any unpleasant surprises at the register.
Inconsistent Measurement Systems
The U.S. has stuck to the imperial system due to tradition and widespread usage. It’s quite peculiar considering the rest of the world uses metric, but we won’t judge. Similarly, Canada uses the metric system for consistency and compatibility with global standards, and they have no desire to go backward. It’s too confusing.
Political Polarization
Americans love to engage in heated political debates that can quickly become a national protest. It seems that there isn’t an American without a view when it comes to Trump versus Biden. But it’s their democratic right, right? In their softly spoken way, Canadians favor polite conversation and consensus-building over heavy-handed approaches. They find the intense polarization of the US unappealing. Maybe they’re just in a better political situation.
School Shootings
Few would trade places with Americans when it comes to the real dangers of school shootings. There’s a complex cultural and legal debate around gun rights in the US, and it's been going on for years. While many Americans fight for stricter gun laws, the government just isn't listening. Canadians have stricter gun control laws and a zero-tolerance attitude toward school shootings. It’s a different world entirely.
Unpaid Maternity Leave
The US has minimal legal requirements for maternity leave, leaving it to employers' discretion. For expectant mothers, it can go awry quickly, forcing them to reconsider their careers. Canadian law mandates pay maternity leave as a means of supporting new parents financially. They want to retain their staff and treat them respectfully and fairly. They wouldn’t accept any less.
Poor Work-Life Balance
A culture of hard work and long hours is celebrated in the US, and it’s been ingrained into every resident that anything is possible with a strong working ethic. It’s a lot of pressure. Laid-back Canadians value a healthy work-life balance, advocating for reasonable work hours and plenty of vacation time.
Electoral College System
The Electoral College is an established aspect of the American electoral process, and it doesn’t go down well for many. In the land of the free, a lack of freedom to vote has caused great controversy. Canadians favor a straightforward popular vote system. They deem the Electoral College unnecessarily complex and undemocratic.
Healthcare Insurance
Choosing from the various health insurance plans is seen as part of the system in the US. It’s usually dictated by socioeconomic status, income, and level of health. Canadians are grateful for their simple, government-funded healthcare system without the need for complicated insurance plans. Those who live there wouldn’t welcome rigid US protocols for managing health.
High Prescription Drug Prices
Americans are used to high prices which they attribute to the cost of innovation and research. They’re made to believe that high costs are serving them in the long run. There’s some truth in it, but it can be extortionate for complex issues. Canadians enjoy regulated prescription drug prices that are half the price of the US, viewing the high costs in the U.S. as nothing short of exploitative.
Private Prisons
Private prisons are seen as a cost-effective solution to overcrowding in the US, though it is widely believed to be for-profit incarceration. This adds to the problem and takes the focus away from rehabilitation. Canada opposes the idea of profiting from incarceration, fully supporting a more rehabilitative approach.
State Drinking Laws
The minimum drinking age for the US is 21, though different states have different drinking ages and regulations, viewed as a state's right issue. Canadians like to stick with uniformity and embrace consistent regulations across the country. It makes life easier for everyone.
Lack of Public Transport
The vast majority of Americans rely on cars due to bustling cities and underdeveloped public transport systems. Traffic jams are a real thing. Canadians value efficient public transportation and often find the lack of it in American cities inconvenient. They wouldn’t tolerate a government that fails to offer transport choices.
High College Tuition
High tuition fees are accepted in the US as part of the investment in quality education. The US does have many prestigious institutions, but the Canadians wouldn’t pay the high costs. Instead, they benefit from more affordable higher education and view American tuition costs as excessive. It could be why international and American students are bypassing US studies and heading to Canada.
Lax Environmental Policies
Economic growth tends to take precedence over stringent environmental regulations in the US. Often, it’s more important to generate profit than protect the climate. Canada is well known for being a clean country and its prioritizing of environmental protection. It’s one of the main reasons residents Canadians embrace their country.
Lack of Universal Childcare
Childcare is viewed as a personal responsibility in the US, and there’s limited government support. Sadly, it’s something Americans tolerate. Canadians believe in and support universal childcare and government assistance to help working parents. There’s a much greater sense of community support.
Overemphasis on Sports
Americans have long had to tolerate high school and college sports that are deeply embedded in American culture. Even if you’re not a fan, there’s little you can do to avoid it. Canadians enjoy their fair share of sports but find the intense emphasis on athletics in U.S. schools disproportionate to the academia. There’s also far less pressure to engage in sport, it’s more of a personal choice.
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