Just this week, I received my Permanent Resident Status (aka. my Green Card🙌) and it has led me to reflect on the adjustment of moving to a different country.
Most people assume that Canada and America are pretty similar and while in general they are, (compared to other parts of the world), there are still differences big and small that take adjusting to. Prior to moving here I had visited the states many times for different reasons such as soccer tournaments or class trips, but when I was just visiting I was more focused on the experience as a whole rather than the little details.
The longer I have been here the more little things I have found in day to day life that are different from when I was growing up in Canada. I hope to amuse you with these differences and challenges I have come across in my time being here.
The longer I have been here the more little things I have found in day to day life that are different from when I was growing up in Canada. I hope to amuse you with these differences and challenges I have come across in my time being here.
I don't intend for my blog to be political or one that is hating on either country. To be honest, I love both countries and consider them both my home! I have family and friends all over both regions and can't imagine living anywhere else in the world. We are all truly blessed to live in North America!
Anyways, enough Patriotism (if I can even say that while bragging about two different countries😜). Let's get more to the point of this blog!
One of the first things I came to encounter that was different in America, as silly as it may seem, was wearing shoes in the house. Growing up in Canada, if I wore my shoes through my home, my mom would see the trail of dirt leading straight to me and I would have to clean it up. If I did this at a family friend's house, I would be known as very rude and most likely not invited back. In Canada, with rain and snow galore, a mess would be made for sure. This is why us friendly Canadians always removed our shoes at the front door and put them right in a front closet.
As simple of a concept as it may seem to just keep your shoes on when going to an American friend's house, it wasn't easy for me! It genuinely stressed me out whenever I went over to a new home at first.
Should I take my shoes off at the door?
Should I leave them on?
What if I get their carpets dirty?
Should I just ask?
All these questions would race through my mind up to the moment when I would walk in. The first few times the polite Canadian in me won out and I ended up taking them off. This led to slightly confused looks at my sock feet, my face becoming slightly flushed and an explanation of how I was from Canada.
Since those first few times I have learned to feel out what everyone else is doing before making my decision and just going with the majority. Not that it doesn't feel weird, wearing shoes through the house and hoping they're not dirty, but it's better than getting strange looks of confusion.
Now that I have my own house, and am the one responsible for cleaning the floors, I have brought with me the Canadian tradition. When family comes to visit they already know to take their shoes off and for people that haven't been over before, I'm quick to explain the concept. After all, it is a half Canadian home 😉
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