• United States!

    United States: Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Go Now!

    United States
    Explore the vast openness and wildlife found roaming in the western United States, including Theodore Roosevelt National Park (pictured) in North Dakota. Begin Your Journey!

  • Trinidad & Tobago!

    Trinidad & Tobago: Beautiful Coastline. Go Now!

    Trinidad & Tobago
    These Caribbean islands mix Indian, African, and European cultures alongside beautiful beaches. Go Now!

  • St. Kitts & Nevis!

    St. Kitts & Nevis: Nevis Island. Go Now!

    St. Kitts & Nevis
    This island nation mixes aspects of European, African, and Caribbean culture... not to mention incredible beaches. Go Now!

  • Honduras!

    Honduras: Children. Go Now!

    Honduras
    The original banana republic, Honduras has made a name for itself with the banana trade; however foreign influences have also vastly altered the culture. Go Now!

  • Mexico!

    Mexico: Sunrise over the mountains in Puerto Vallarta. Go Now!

    Mexico
    Although many people just go for the beaches, Mexico offers impressive mountain vistas (pictured in Puerto Vallarta), great food, and historic ruins that compete with the best in the world. Begin Your Journey!

  • Barbados!

    Barbados: Pier on the beach. Go Now!

    Barbados
    This Caribbean island has hints of British culture, but is wholly Caribbean as well. Explore Barbados!

Social Life in Canada

Behavior

There are few behavioral restrictions in Canada as the country is filled with immigrants and all cities are used to great ethnic, religious, and behavioral diversity. Just try to avoid sensitive conversation topics, such as politics, finances, religion, and business unless initiated by your local counterpart. Also try to avoid being loud, rude, showing off wealth, or getting noticeably drunk in public.

Dress

The traditional dress in Canada is quite varied. Prior to the arrival of the Europeans the First Nations Peoples generally wore animal furs and other natural clothes that could be found with varying degrees of warmth due to the vast differences seasonally. With the arrival of the Europeans, and since, the traditional dress of an individual tended to reflect their individual ethnic heritage. Over time there were two general groups of people, the Brits and the French, and their dress reflected these pasts.

Today there is no single traditional dress or style, but many recognize the outfit of the Mounty (Royal Canadian Mountain Police) as a very recognizable outfit. This outfit consists of dark pants with a red tight-fitting collarless jacket, both of which are highlighted in yellow. The outfit also includes a simple, large-brimmed tan hat. However, no one in Canada (other than the Royal Canadian Mountain Police) actually wears this outfit; it is more of a stereotype than common wear, but it is also easily recognizable with Canada.

Today the people of Canada generally wear modern western-styled clothing popular throughout much of the world. The styles of these clothes vary drastically from individual to individual and from season to season. As a visitor to Canada there are few dress restrictions, although offensive shirts are looked down upon and some situations and places require more formality, such as any religious structure, in business settings, and in more formal restaurants. Additionally, be aware that nakedness and women going topless is restricted in most areas, even if you're only sunbathing face down; parts of Quebec are more liberal in this regard, but always follow local examples or ask.

This page was last updated: November, 2013