5 Things Every Canadian Should Know About America

I’ve been living in the US for two months now.  Despite the fact that I can still lounge by the pool in October, weeks will pass before I remember I’m in a different country.  Canada and the US are very similar but there are some common misunderstandings that I need to put to rest once and for all.

5.  They say 'out' here like OWT – apparently we say it like – OAT.  Conclusion: we’re both saying it wrong.

4.  Don’t be fooled by all the outlet malls near the Canadian border, America is actually expensive as hell.  This especially applies to rent, phone bills (yes, your cell phone), income tax, and anything blended and marketed as ‘juice’.

3. Their healthcare system is even worse than we think it is.  The next time you see a $76.00 bill in the mail for your monthly MSP payment – count your blessings and stop complaining. 

2.  We may get an unbelievable amount of snow and rain north of the border – but we’ve somehow figured out a way to keep our roads beautiful. This is not the case here where roads and sidewalks are well, bananas to say the least.  (This does not apply to Quebec)

1.  Americans are awesome.  They're direct, forward and always down for a good time. Canucks may have the longstanding reputation as the friendliest people on earth but Americans have a disposition as sunny as their forecasts.  And when it comes down to it, it’s really all about the people anyway.