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Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Old Feb 5th 2009, 3:49 am
  #46  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Surprised at.....
The Power (electricity) companies wanting big deposits from new customers before connecting a power supply. In some cases it may just be coz the bills were in someone else's name previously.

Some provinces....having to pay a whole year of property tax in one go.

Admin fees for direct debits on other monthly payments.

Having to buy school basics like paper....although the 'free' school bus makes up for that.

Last edited by BristolUK; Feb 5th 2009 at 3:52 am.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:19 am
  #47  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Being told by the agency I'm working for that I am going to be paid by cheque! And not only that, but I have to collect it between Wednesday and Friday although it can't be cashed till the Friday! Means I have to go to the agency to collect it, and also have to go line up in the bloody bank!

I knew cheques are used more here but it's still surprising, surely it costs them more to pay by cheque than direct deposit?

I worked for agencies in Vancouver when I was here 5 years ago and was paid by direct deposit then...
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 11:00 am
  #48  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

cinnamon, peanut butter or maple syrup

even the toilets in timmies smell of apples or cinnamon or something!
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 1:21 pm
  #49  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by AmyDavid
Rather than in their...?

20 odd years ago when I left England Brits had a thing about their feet.

I remember feeling slightly embarassed if I didn't have my shoes on.

Or was that just me?
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 1:23 pm
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by kate holt
cinnamon, peanut butter or maple syrup

even the toilets in timmies smell of apples or cinnamon or something!
Hardly surprising...think about it...
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 1:32 pm
  #51  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by triumphguy
20 odd years ago when I left England Brits had a thing about their feet.

I remember feeling slightly embarassed if I didn't have my shoes on.

Or was that just me?
Since I moved back I've been making everyone take off there shoes when they come into my house, they all think Canada's made me a little weird
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 3:22 pm
  #52  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Even in school (elementary school anyway) you are expected to bring an indoor pair of shoes.

But then if I was the guy cleaning up all the mud, I'd be happy about that.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 3:26 pm
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Hardly surprising...think about it...


yeah but why cinnamon smell - should be something fresh... like lemon or pine!!
arent you lot sick of the smell of cinnamon by now...
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 3:38 pm
  #54  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Lots of old codgers on Harleys, and on that subject the acceptance/ influence of the Hells Angels in many small towns.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 3:43 pm
  #55  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by Danny B
The hot summers, I had no idea that parts of Canada could reach into the 40's
That surprised me the first year too - even in lil ol' Calgree. I couldn't believe I was commenting to people in the UK that it was just too hot and humid. Last summer we decamped to sleep in the basement. Lovely and cool. The fierce heat only lasted for about three or four weeks but at least I feel like I get a summer here
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:04 pm
  #56  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by Refugee from Happyland
Lots of old codgers on Harleys, and on that subject the acceptance/ influence of the Hells Angels in many small towns.
I think Canadian Hells Angels are a lot more scary than the british ones.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:06 pm
  #57  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by Elaine B.
Since I moved back I've been making everyone take off there shoes when they come into my house, they all think Canada's made me a little weird
Everyone takes their shoes off in my house in the UK!! Gosh am I weird? It seems the logical thing to do to me, I don't want all your yucky muck on my floors!! AND we had indoor pumps at school when I was little but I work in a school now but they don't do it and I can't understand why?? The parents etc all walk across the carpet area in the little ones classrooms in the mornings with wet, dirty shoes on and then their little mites have to sit in it.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:15 pm
  #58  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by riosangel
Everyone takes their shoes off in my house in the UK!! Gosh am I weird? It seems the logical thing to do to me, I don't want all your yucky muck on my floors!! AND we had indoor pumps at school when I was little but I work in a school now but they don't do it and I can't understand why?? The parents etc all walk across the carpet area in the little ones classrooms in the mornings with wet, dirty shoes on and then their little mites have to sit in it.
I totally agree with you. Just seems some people here take it as a personal insult. My uncle for example told his own son to f*** off when he asked him to take his shoes off before coming in to the house.
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:18 pm
  #59  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by Elaine B.
My uncle for example told his own son to f*** off when he asked him to take his shoes off before coming in to the house.
Are your family on 'Shameless'
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Old Feb 5th 2009, 4:20 pm
  #60  
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Default Re: Expats - what surprised you about Canada?

Originally Posted by Elaine B.
I totally agree with you. Just seems some people here take it as a personal insult. My uncle for example told his own son to f*** off when he asked him to take his shoes off before coming in to the house.
I know what you mean, my own mother makes a point that 'she is taking her shoes off' even though as I have reminded her I had to her in her house as a child!!!
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