Wintery sunset in Calgary

After staying in Canada for almost a month this year (Calgary, Edmonton) and for two weeks last year (Vancouver, Vancouver Island, Toronto), I attempt a bit of a description what I have observed so far.

There is no such description as a typical Canadian – at least I haven’t been able to find out what that would be, but everyone we have met and had dealings with have been very helpful and in good mood but not annoyingly so. As I have written before – all official proceedings go really fast and pleasantly. When I mentioned that to the chap who was helping us get our health cards, he said that Canadians are so spoilt and don’t realise how lucky they are that it truly is easy to get things done in Canada.

There seems to be some kind of a division between Albertans vs rest of Canada and Ontario vs rest of Canada. Albertans’ trust only fellow Albertans and the rest of Canada believes Albertans are full of themselves because of the oil and a bit crude as well. Here’s even an article outlining the main problems: http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2012/12/20/alberta-survey-what-canadians-think_n_2340496.html

Having read that before coming here, I was expecting snobbish Albertans showing their money, so far haven’t met any. When I compare to Atlanta, Georgia where I lived for 5 years, there the snobbishness and showing of money description fits better.

Most of the people drive big SUV or trucks. Big Dodge Ram and Ford F350 and Jeep’s in all forms are the most common ones in the traffic. My husband is so excited about them, of course, he cannot make up his mind what car he really wants – the only thing he knows is that it has to be big. Here driving a small car must feel like a handicap – you can’t even see the road when you are boxed by the trucks.

Most of the people seem to be sporty and fit. There are lots of skiing and other sports shops everywhere in town. All the gyms we have been to are also quite crowded – obviously it is the beginning of the year and lots of people have made their new year’s resolution to get fitter, but even if half of them drop off, it will still be a lot of people exercising.

When speaking to a Canadian or overhearing a conversation, you will hear for sure at least once or more either ‘awhsome’ or ‘perrfect’ or both of them. Yes, the ‘r’ is rolling – almost Scottish ‘r’ sometimes and ‘awhsome’ is definitely prolonged and in the back of your throat.

Another heartwarming observance – even if the weather is crap, people still smile. Here’s something at least Estonians could learn.