Everyone knows that Canada is the country of maple syrup, lush forests, crystal lakes, gorgeous mountains, but not everyone knows these fun facts about it:
•Free Fruit Canadians can benefit from some free fruit corners at the local supermarkets. In some supermarkets in fact I have seen large baskets full of fruits available for free to children visiting the shop when accompanied by an adult obviously and limited to one piece per child (so everyone can have a share).
I think it is a great way to encourage healthy nutrition from childhood!
In order to attract the kids to this corner of the shop, some supermarkets even use a mascot-like stuffed animal or other props of this kind to get the children’s attention. A sort of happy meal but a healthy one!
•Dinner Time Canadians love to dine very early, at least if I compare it to my Italian standards where – back home – people have dinner somewhat between 8 pm and 9 pm.
In Canada, people start sitting at the table already at 5:30 pm - 6 pm, which is why restaurants tend to close well before nightfall, usually around 8 pm. I have seen very few diners serving dinner after that time.
•Alcohol Alcohol consumption in Canada is well regulated although jurisdiction varies from province to province. In general, we can say that in Canada it is forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages outdoors, in fact they are allowed only in private homes or in premises with a regular license. You will not find alcohol in the supermarkets but you will have to go to the dedicated liquor shops.
•Taxes In Canada, the prices displayed in both shops and restaurants are always excluding taxes and this is really a nuisance, in my opinion. We Italians are used to seeing the final price everywhere and when we pay we already know what we will owe. In Canada, however, this is not the case and the curious thing is that even in the presence of special offers, the price is never the final one. The amount of taxes varies from 5% to 15% depending on the province you are in.
•Tipping Just like in neighbouring USA, tipping is basically mandatory in Canada. For us Italians it is a bit strange, but in Canada the tip is always given, except in places where table service is not carried out, such as in fast food chains. You'll always find a tip jar in which you may or may not leave a tip but, if you are served by the staff, you will have no choice. The minimum tip is 10% of the total amount. In some places the lowest percentage is 15%, or you can specify a precise amount.
•Tim Hortons Tim Hortons is the most popular fast food chain in all of Canada. There are over 3000 restaurants across the country. They serve coffee, milkshakes, donuts, muffins, cakes but also sandwiches of various kinds. The prices are low and the wi-fi is always free there so they attract many students and remote workers.
•Prefabricated houses Another curiosity about Canada is that the houses are almost all prefabricated. They are beautiful houses with a garden, a patio and a barbecue.
•Glamping Canadians love camping very much and with the amazing nature they have it would be a shame not to take advantage of it. It must be said, however, that Canadians also love comfort and for them camping means only one thing: large caravans. I've never seen motorhomes as big as in this country, they look like buses and in all honesty, I don't know how they manage to park them around.