Toronto Local Custom Tips by Arial_27

I was suprised at how many people abroad asked me if it was true that Canadians celebrated Hallowe'en by wearing costumes and going door to door "trick-or-treating" the way seen in most American movies.
The North American tradition of "trick-or-treat" comes from the idea that you must be kind to dead ancestors or they will play a trick on you. Although this is where the tradition of Hallowe'en originated from, it is rarely talked about as being about that. The holiday is celebrated on October 31st every year. To children, it means they get to dress up in whatever costume they want, and go door to door in the evening with a pillow case that will be filled up with candy. It also means the costume parties, dances, and pumpkin-carving that will take place the week before Hallowe'en night. On the porch of many houses on October 31st, you will see a pumpkin with a face or some sort of a desing carved in it, with a candle inside so it lights up.
Hallowe'en is exciting, and meant to be "spooky" in a fun way but be careful as there could also be some danger out there. Even in the small town I come from there have been egging incidents, and people doing things thay think they can get away with because it's Hallowe'en. There are usually cops watching everywhere too.
Only children normally go door to door for candy (I could probably go if I wore a mask) It's common for them all to go together in a group with their friends, but the younger ones are guided by their parents.

Leave a Comment

Around the world obviously people have different ways of greeting each other and interacting in conversations. In France for example it's common to kiss the person on both cheeks.
In Canada we don't normally kiss eachother when we greet (unless we're close friends or family) but a firm handshake will do if you've just met the person. Unlike some nations in the Middle East or Asia where it's common to stand very close to a person while engaging in a conversation, in Toronto most people would feel as if you were invading their personal space or intimidating them if you stand too close to them. I usually get realy uncomfortable when people, men or women, stand right in my face when they're talking to me. A couple feet away is normal for an average conversation.

Leave a Comment

The bagel originated in the 1600s by a Jewish baker, who created them as a gift for king Jan Sobieski of Poland to triumph over the Turks that year. The bagel was brought to New York City in the 1800s, and since then has actually found more use all over North America than in Europe... I actually never saw any bagels any time I was in Europe...

But in Canada bagels are widely available in several different flavours: plain, chocolate chip, whole wheat, sesame seed, onion (my favourite) cinnamon and raison, etc. They can be bought in bulk at any grocery store, or a Tim Hortons coffee shop (which you shouldn't have trouble finding because Tim Hortons locations are quite abundant.)

Leave a Comment

It's a funny thing in North America.. we ask eachother all the time "How are you" without really caring what the answer is, or expecting an honest answer. Sales clerks, cashiers, strangers on the street and aquaintences will all ask you how you are, as a greeting but the expected answer is always "I'm good, fine, thank you." Sometimes if a close friend or family member asks how you are, it is sincere and you can give them an honest answer: "Actually I'm feeling sick, I'm stressed out," etc. But strangers and acquaintences rarely want to know about what is going on in your life - the polite thing to do is usually say "I'm fine," and return the question, "And how are you?"

Leave a Comment