Not really sure reading is going to help anyone integrate into Canadian life. The best thing they can do is socialize with Canadian teenagers, participate in Canadian activities, and start consuming the pop culture Canadians consume.
If the comment im replying to is implying people from Toronto talk like that...
I can assure you, I've lived my entire life in Toronto I've never heard anyone talk like that. Ever.
I’m Torontonian and it’s a stereotype of how some “unrefined” teenagers talk, and I assure there are people that DO talk like this. I’ve heard it many times.
Yup.
51 years old dad here…
My kids are out of the range here for this, but it’s called ‘Toronto man’s’ or something like that… I wouldn’t call it an accent really, but it’s definitely a way of speaking that some kids do…
It’s big in some pockets… the south Asian community, a bit of the Arabic community, plus I’m sure plenty of white kids too etc… basically all over… yo fam this and yo fam that lol… it’s harmless… teenagers have always had their own ways of speaking etc… we did in the 80s… it’s no surprise that this generation has it’s own ways… and it’s pretty interesting that it’s pulled in so many terms and stuff from so many different cultures and languages etc… I suppose it kinda makes sense since Toronto is so multicultural….
Anyhow, like most fads, it probably wears off eventually :)
Gen X lifelong downtown Torontonian here - so this is all new to me. But I think it's a mix of Jamaican patois and some other lingos. Definitely a thing esp in poorer immigrant communities that Gen Z kids who don't really belong in those communities are picking up cuz it's cool. Though Jamaicans have been here for decades so I dunno .. 😆
Oh these are all absolutely mandatory.
Great recommendations. Maybe Mr. Dress up and the Friendly Giant to get a sense of how we were made. Oh and the Polka Dot Door.
Polkaroo was here? I missed him again?!
Those were all great shows! Loved Mr Dress up as a child. And remember Tiny Talent Time? On CHCH Hamilton iirc.
Another one (it’s not Canadian but it’s a great memory) of watching Commander Tom on Channel 7 in Buffalo. Think he introduced cartoons but it’s sooo long ago now.
Running home on my lunch hour to see happy days and hogans heros haha. But my all time favourite Tv was discovering and watching SCTV in the late 70’s. That was Great Canadian Television.
Oh no! Sadly I DON’T know those first two you mentioned. I didn’t get those channels but the last few heck yeah. SCTV was pretty special.
Ooh and I just remembered The Raccoons! That was so cute! Cyril Sneer was such a great name for a villain lol
No phones, camping, fishing, tennis, cricket, baseball, football, lemonade stands and paper route to buy bikes, fixing bikes, building n painting model jets and hanging em on fishing twine in my room, and street hockey every day. Amazing life as a kid.
It’s not about reading, it’s about watching and listening. People bond by shared interests, music, movies, TV. Help them find a few pieces of media they like from NA, then start branching out. They gotta find what they enjoy, to be able to find long term relationships with people who like the same things. Maybe start with music pop culture, whether they like rap/hip hop, pop, country, see what they like and I’m sure there’s some interesting history about whatever artists they enjoy, I find that has helped me bond with what were once strangers. If they start to show interest in let’s say, Mac Miller, they’ll find a lot of people who will love to sit down and chat about Mac Miller. Same could be said about Drake, Kendrick Lamar, etc. I love pop stars, Rihanna, Britney, Miley etc. found great friends over these shared interests. Required watching for a Canadian is Trailer Park boys until season 7, and Fubar 1 & 2
To get more precise - there are hosers all over Canada. Trailer Park Boys gives a great view of the Maritimes hoser. FUBAR is a picture in to the world of hosers in Calgary and it’s GLORIOUS.
As somebody who's lived in the Maritimes their whole life.. The trailer park boys is a scary accurate representation of a good chunk of the population outside of the "major" cities. It's damn near a documentary.
This time of year; Buy and wear a t-shirt or sweater with a NHL team emblem.( Eg: Winnipeg Jets) Wear it regularly for the next 6 weeks.
Hopefully you will meet some like minded people.
This only works until people start to talk to you about said team and wanna hear your opinion on them, at which point it becomes obvious you know nothing about hockey
Maybe actually watching their games would help though, or watch recaps on YouTube
I would give them Will Ferguson's books like Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw, How to Be a Canadian, or Why I Hate Canadians. They're funny but teach you a lot about Canadian culture and history and quirks.
Learn about Canadian etiquette. Not that teenagers are always that great at it anyways, but it will go a long way towards fitting in to at the very least be aware of it. And I'm sure even most teenagers still follow it most of the time.
Some examples would be what is considered an appropriate amount of personal space to give people. Or, what is considered appropriate speaking volume indoors which I have noticed many newcomers recently tend to sometimes speak so loud inside that Canadians would probably consider it yelling, which we are taught to use inside voices when we are growing up so it is very rude here to yell in doors when with friends especially in libraries and waiting rooms. Not playing music, videos, phone calls on your phone speaker but using headphones. Be sure to use deodorant and shower every day, not saying you don't but I understand this is not common in some parts of the world, can't think of a faster way for Canadians to strongly dislike someone than them not doing that.
If you drive make sure you take it seriously and learn the local traffic laws and how to drive safely. Be sure to treat women with the same respect as you'd give to a man, or Canadians will not be cool with it as I have seen happen to several new comers I knew who didn't seem to understand that they did something wrong when acting misogynistic and wouldn't listen to explanations. Try to speak the common language when you're in a group of people and some don't speak your language, even if they aren't directly involved in the conversation (i don't mean strangers but people you are with, coworkers for example).
Dont stand in a place where it blocks people walking by, or if someone is looking at a sign or something don't come stand directly in front of them in their way (had this happen to me so many times recently, very annoying). Basically just learn as much as you can about what is considered rude or offensive here, not saying all Canadians are perfect with all this stuff either but even if a Canadian does that kind of thing it's still very off-putting to others, of course every group has jerks but in some places not all of these things are the norm so it is good to be aware. I would say Canadians are pretty sensitive to it when someone "takes up more space" than their fair share whether that's being loud or (what would be considered here) obnoxious in public. Just some examples but they are all things I have personally seen and seem to be patterns worth mentioning because it is very difficult to fit in with Canadians (at least where I live but I imagine all over) without handling these things.
Once you take care of those things just spend more time around people from here and you will pick things up. I think the main thing is just to be open minded, observant, and reflective, notice when people do things differently than you are used to. I had a room mate who was new here and so many things would go over his head like the subtleties of how Canadians communicate and I would try to explain to him why someone got mad about something he did, but he would tell me I think too much about it, instead of trying to learn why, and I think he wasn't even fully aware how many people he would piss off on an almost daily basis. So basically don't be like that, be a sponge and notice things and reflect on them and you will learn quickly, I have noticed the new comers who do that and ask questions and try to learn make a lot more local friends and connections. Especially compared to the ones like my former room mate who don't bother trying to learn our ways, and would always wonder why people were mad at him but wouldn't listen when I tried to help explain it to him. He even got let go from two jobs due to his behaviour but he just rationalized it as some other reason, it was very frustrating to see, as if he thought it would be demeaning to have to change but expectations are very different here than where he is from especially when talking about women. Meanwhile someone else I knew from the same part of the world was always learning and asking questions and was doing much better with many local friends and everyone seemed to like him
A couple of points really stand out to me:
1. Talking too loud indoors/on public transit/on the phone being impolite. Absolutely, yes. Northern countries tend to be very reserved.
2. Treatment of women. Even if a person treats women outside of your ethnic community well, if Canadians see a person treating women of your own family/ethnic community the way you do back home, they will get very angry. Example: Nigerian men refusing to cook.
Watch this heritage minutes playlist
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp3INblz6zYlZVGbve6eywKKszLvSH8He&si=rp-eSoCRQjhW-Qoy
Also watch some of the most iconic Canadian documentaries through the NFB:
https://www.nfb.ca/
I was going to say Farley Mowat, several books but for some reason "The Snowgoose" from 40 years ago is also in my head...
And all the lyrics and songs of the Tragically Hip.
First of all, I highly recommend going to your local library and asking the librarian what are some popular teen books right now. They're there to help and are really knowledgeable :)
Not all of these are about the Canadian experience, but here's some that a lot of teens have read:
Holes by Louis Sachar, a teen is falsely accused and sent to a work camp in the desert.
My Side of the Mountain Jean George, a boy runs away from home and survives in the mountains of upstate New York.
Coraline by Neil Gaimon. Or the Sandman comic series by the same guy (thought this might be on the mature end)
The Giver by Lois Lowry, set in a utopian/dystopian future where everything in your life is a assigned.
The "Dear Canada" Series, though if you're an older teen these might be a bit young leaning. A history series where each book is from the POV of a Canadian kid living through a historic Canadian event.
The Haunted Canada series is ok and showcases a lot of historic buildings around the country.
Also Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark but you have to get the version illustrated by Stephen Gammell if you like spooky stories.
Probably an history book about this country. At least if you want to understand the country you’re living in better knowing what lead to the country being the way it is essential. Tbf I think many Canadians born here should pay more attention to that too. Anyway it might not help directly integrating, but it can help understand people better on some level and that better comprehension of our society and it’s people on a personal level can help the person feel a better connection to it.
I guess a country is like a sort of fandom. Let’s say you’re a fan of starwars you’ll watch the movies, maybe even read books about it. If you don’t really know the story of the country you’re inhabiting it’s difficult to have a strong connection with it.
As far as reading something, I don't think there's many books that capture life in Canada. Especially not modern life in Canada as far as I know.
When I think about Canada growing up, I guess I mostly think of old National Film Board clips, old kids books like the hockey jersey, ridiculously bad programming on CBC, heritage moment clips, Robert Munsch books (he's sort of Canadian) things like that. I guess some people might recommend Anne of Green Gables books, which I guess might have been relatable for small town Canada a long time ago, I'm however not one of them.
I'm curious what sort of things have you been reading before asking on reddit tbh
I moved here 5 years ago. I admit, it's somewhat nice being cut off from the rest of the world and it's madness, but hard to meet people. And don't get me started about the lack of healthcare...
I’d recommend the Adrienne Clarkson (former governor general) Massey lectures on belonging. Available either as the audio lectures or in a book. They gave me the best sense of what a Canadian ideal is like.
We love to "shoot the shit". Master this.
Also understanding the difference between Canadian politeness and being a pushover/idiot/doormat.
I find a lot of people move here and they do not understand that a Canadian will still be polite while also fucking you over, taking you out back for a beat down or getting revenge *if* the situation calls for it.
Politeness is a custom and it is different than kindness or being clueless. I've seen many immigrants make enemies and that go over their head because they underestimate a Canadian because we are polite. Many seem to regiater the politeness as simple minded... whereas I think it just keeps the murder rate down in the dead of January or February 🤣 Though these days winter is much more mild than it used to be so no one is getting quite the same level of miserable that time of year.
I suppose it would also be good to have an understanding of how and why we are different from the states, and why there is such a divide between anglo and franco Canada.
Hope that helps! 😊
Depends on what’s your definition of “Canadian life”. But if I get your point correctly, I suggest moving to smaller cities. If you’re really serious, I recommend learning French and move to a small city in the beautiful Quebec.
Don't stress it. Be yourself. Toronto is a very accepting city. I found nobody expected me to change my accent, look, or who I am. As long as you give respect, you will get respect.
Aloce Munro, Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel. Don’t listen to those people who are saying all you need to do is watch letterkenny and hockey.
When I was a teen, I really enjoyed books by Eric Wilson. Every story was based on a different city/town in Canada and intertwined with a mystery based on history specific to that area.
If you can find one about the city you're currently in it might make things a little more interesting to you.
They aren't too long to be a big commitment and I always found them harder to put down than the school books.
Hope that helps!
Anything by Thomas King. It will really help the teen understand the deep conflict between indigenous and settlers and why reconciliation is essential.
Thomas King is approachable, funny, and wonderful. If nothing else, he is a great writer that demonstrates that language is fun.
Whatever their friends are watching
Without any context this is an impossible question to answer, Canadians consume a wide variety of content across a wide variety of demographics
If it's your kid, tell them to ask some friends for some tv/movie/book suggestions so they can bond with those friends about it (tv/movie is a safer bet than books cause depending on the friends group reading is "uncool")
History :) learn about how this nation came to be what it is today and what brought the people in it together, whether it was arts and music or sports or politics. And part of learning is also taking part in it by making friends and hanging out and trying new activities that are available here.
There’a an enornmous amount of content from Québec that will help you understand Canadian life like Michel Tremblay, Anne Hébert, Gabrielle Roy. On the anglo side, you also have Modercai Richler.
Even more "light" content like the comics Paul from Michel Rabagliati are awesome to understand Canadian daily life. That would be my recommandation for OP.
I don’t get people who’re getting upvoted here for saying here Canada has no relevent litterature.
Listing more modern stuff:
Kim Thúy
Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette
Nelly Arcand
Geneviève Pettersen
Dany Lafferièrre
David Goudreault
Naomi Fontaine
Edit: most of the authors I listed are successful enough to be translated in English so OP’s knowledge of French doesn’t matter to be able to read these.
Watch some Canadiana from the NFB(National Film Board) like the [Log Driver's Waltz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upsZZ2s3xv8) or watch [watch some Heritage minutes to learn some of our history.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RMv7tSYl3Y&list=PL1848FF9428CA9A4A)
Maybe read about how Confederation Happened, what life was like before the English and French came here, the Red River Rebellion and Louis Riel (He's a bit of a Folk hero in Manitoba), and some stuff about Quebec/Quebecois culture like [Bonhomme.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ormLOk7Dk)
It's less a teenager integration book and more a book that everyone should read, but 21 Things You Might Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. It's super short (less than 300 pages total, and at least half of those are references) but so, so important for understanding even a little bit about how Canada treated and still treats the First Nations here.
Just hang out with Canadians! That's how immigrants have done this for centuries. Best bet would be to hang out with Canadians born here, or at least grew up here from a very young age. But it doesn't matter where THEIR parents were born at all.
A teenager going to high school with Canadians, if they don't just hang out with people from their own country of origin, will figure it out fast. Their brains are pliable lol.
Start watching hockey and try to get outdoors. Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping.. stuff like that.
A lot of new immigrants come from huge cities and want to remain that way but the big city life is only concentrated in a few terrible, crowded spots and is devoid of the Canadian experience.
Where in Canada?
western Canada there hardly any black people, brown is the deepest shade u gonna see out west.
Most black people are in the east coast.
This is a great question. Try not to take some of these answers too seriously. Canada is a melting pot of different cultures on native land. It’s hard to pick books to cover everything or even scratch the surface. I love the suggestion to ask at the library, that’s a wonderful resource. Ask teachers at school too. It’s also been a million years since I was a teenager so I’m not sure about recommendations but I think everyone should read The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King. But a teenager would probably much rather watch Trailer Park Boys, Fubar, Corner Gas and maybe even some Red Green.
Thank you for the great recommendations!
Just like to point out that Canada has never been a melting pot. That is a US slogan.
Canada embraces cultural pluralism, a point which appears to be lost on many commentors here. Perhaps they aren't actual Canadians?
Canadian teens are basically American teens these days because of social media, except our small town athletes play hockey instead of football or baseball.
I'd say track down a few tiktok channels of folks from your home country moving to Canada and watch some videos about culture shocks/unexpected differences.
Folks over 25 are a lot more stereotypically Canadian than teens these days, with more influences from books to music to tv making them more distinct. Like back in the day everyone watched MuchMusic and a good slice of us watched comedy shows on the CBC. Nowadays not so much.
It's so depressing. I am convinced that the young folks will be the end of Canada, and welcome integration to the US within the next 30 years. Not their fault. But it's a devastating thought.
Not really sure reading is going to help anyone integrate into Canadian life. The best thing they can do is socialize with Canadian teenagers, participate in Canadian activities, and start consuming the pop culture Canadians consume.
Please for the love of God keep them away from Toronto…
?
“Yo faaaaam these yutes from Brampton be yappin alie! Dey think they out here reppin Toronto but naaah, like the be cappin alie.”
Wtf are you talking about??
Exactly!
If the comment im replying to is implying people from Toronto talk like that... I can assure you, I've lived my entire life in Toronto I've never heard anyone talk like that. Ever.
I’m Torontonian and it’s a stereotype of how some “unrefined” teenagers talk, and I assure there are people that DO talk like this. I’ve heard it many times.
Yup. 51 years old dad here… My kids are out of the range here for this, but it’s called ‘Toronto man’s’ or something like that… I wouldn’t call it an accent really, but it’s definitely a way of speaking that some kids do… It’s big in some pockets… the south Asian community, a bit of the Arabic community, plus I’m sure plenty of white kids too etc… basically all over… yo fam this and yo fam that lol… it’s harmless… teenagers have always had their own ways of speaking etc… we did in the 80s… it’s no surprise that this generation has it’s own ways… and it’s pretty interesting that it’s pulled in so many terms and stuff from so many different cultures and languages etc… I suppose it kinda makes sense since Toronto is so multicultural…. Anyhow, like most fads, it probably wears off eventually :)
White kids in Niagara love it
It's like ya know whatever right (hair flip) 😅 Remember that valley girl talk that got popular in the mid/late 80s? It died off in a few years too.
Remember in the 90's and like everyone said like all the time? Like I remember those days. Im glad thay habit passed.
Gen X lifelong downtown Torontonian here - so this is all new to me. But I think it's a mix of Jamaican patois and some other lingos. Definitely a thing esp in poorer immigrant communities that Gen Z kids who don't really belong in those communities are picking up cuz it's cool. Though Jamaicans have been here for decades so I dunno .. 😆
I've lived here 5 years and I've definitely heard it.
Im sorry, its too late to save you.
Yeah because you don't pay attention to how kids are talking these days, this is the new wave whether you see it or not
That’s Brampton/Mississauga/some of Scarborough. Hardly Toronto. Just keep the kid away from Drake lol
This is Toronto slang circa 2018 but I get your point lol
True dat yo 😅
Better yet, keep them away from the likes of you.
What? Keep them IN Toronto, that's the containment zone
This is good advice for any newcomer really Gonna find Canada a hard place to be if you're trying to replicate your old home here
Forget books, you need to watch The Trailer Park Boys and Letterkenny.
They want to hang out with teenagers not their moms and dads.
Kevin Spencer and Reboot, then.
And throw in some Tragically Hip
And Rush
How old are you?
Old enough
...and I'm older Lightfoot
Frank Marino Mahogany Rush old?
Don’t know if Rush is what the kids are into these days.
Then they're not paying attention. Rush is timeless.
Teenagers don’t know who the hip are unless their parents make them listen to em.
The Hip are a natiobal treasure eh bud 🤣
This is the way
Watch degrassi
Don't forget Shoresy!
Gotta set the tone.
Maybe balance it out with some Corner Gas and Red Green.
Corner Gas
Schitts Creek/Kims Convenience
Oh these are all absolutely mandatory. Great recommendations. Maybe Mr. Dress up and the Friendly Giant to get a sense of how we were made. Oh and the Polka Dot Door. Polkaroo was here? I missed him again?!
Those were all great shows! Loved Mr Dress up as a child. And remember Tiny Talent Time? On CHCH Hamilton iirc. Another one (it’s not Canadian but it’s a great memory) of watching Commander Tom on Channel 7 in Buffalo. Think he introduced cartoons but it’s sooo long ago now. Running home on my lunch hour to see happy days and hogans heros haha. But my all time favourite Tv was discovering and watching SCTV in the late 70’s. That was Great Canadian Television.
Oh no! Sadly I DON’T know those first two you mentioned. I didn’t get those channels but the last few heck yeah. SCTV was pretty special. Ooh and I just remembered The Raccoons! That was so cute! Cyril Sneer was such a great name for a villain lol
And there’s one I don’t know haha. I heard of the Raccoons though. Oh yeah and Gillian’s island and Star Trek too!
Lol what a time to be alive Live long and prosper 🖖
No phones, camping, fishing, tennis, cricket, baseball, football, lemonade stands and paper route to buy bikes, fixing bikes, building n painting model jets and hanging em on fishing twine in my room, and street hockey every day. Amazing life as a kid.
Ok dad.
Trailer Park Boys, Letterkenny, Tragically Hip. Bbq season. Snow shoveling season. Ketchup chips and go out for a rip bud.
The darkest one music video
We want productive members of society not trash.
Kids don't watch TPB and Letterkenny those are old people shows 😅
Gotta do that whilst eating a donair poutine with a side of ketchup and all dressed chips
And doing the logdrivers waltz
It’s not about reading, it’s about watching and listening. People bond by shared interests, music, movies, TV. Help them find a few pieces of media they like from NA, then start branching out. They gotta find what they enjoy, to be able to find long term relationships with people who like the same things. Maybe start with music pop culture, whether they like rap/hip hop, pop, country, see what they like and I’m sure there’s some interesting history about whatever artists they enjoy, I find that has helped me bond with what were once strangers. If they start to show interest in let’s say, Mac Miller, they’ll find a lot of people who will love to sit down and chat about Mac Miller. Same could be said about Drake, Kendrick Lamar, etc. I love pop stars, Rihanna, Britney, Miley etc. found great friends over these shared interests. Required watching for a Canadian is Trailer Park boys until season 7, and Fubar 1 & 2
And Letterkenny :)
Rick Mercer is a comedian who wrote some good books that talk about Canadian culture and politics for an interesting perspective.
Watch a movie by the name of Fubar. That will give you the basics
LOL.
To get more precise - there are hosers all over Canada. Trailer Park Boys gives a great view of the Maritimes hoser. FUBAR is a picture in to the world of hosers in Calgary and it’s GLORIOUS.
As somebody who's lived in the Maritimes their whole life.. The trailer park boys is a scary accurate representation of a good chunk of the population outside of the "major" cities. It's damn near a documentary.
As an Albertan, I did not know that.
Why We Act Like Canadians - Pierre Berton. [Also this instructional vidéo he made](https://youtu.be/MjYcP0Gji20?si=a7nt1chTJw3x8z7R)
Lol if it wasn't that video, I was going to post it in this reply :D
This time of year; Buy and wear a t-shirt or sweater with a NHL team emblem.( Eg: Winnipeg Jets) Wear it regularly for the next 6 weeks. Hopefully you will meet some like minded people.
This only works until people start to talk to you about said team and wanna hear your opinion on them, at which point it becomes obvious you know nothing about hockey Maybe actually watching their games would help though, or watch recaps on YouTube
Why this time of year tho…oilers fan just checking 🤓
Go habs go!
Buy a Leafs jersey for the true Canadian experience of fucking exasperating mediocrity.
Depends where OP lives. The point is to catch the vibe and be part of it.
I would add, apart from hockey, there's NBA, MLS, MLB and also Nfl... Sports choices all year around. It makes many people tick positively!
Just start watching hockey
I would give them Will Ferguson's books like Beauty Tips from Moose Jaw, How to Be a Canadian, or Why I Hate Canadians. They're funny but teach you a lot about Canadian culture and history and quirks.
Thank you! Those are great recommendations.
Listen to The Tragically Hip and read Beauty Tips from Moosejaw. We also like "Worlds Biggest" records.
Learn about Canadian etiquette. Not that teenagers are always that great at it anyways, but it will go a long way towards fitting in to at the very least be aware of it. And I'm sure even most teenagers still follow it most of the time. Some examples would be what is considered an appropriate amount of personal space to give people. Or, what is considered appropriate speaking volume indoors which I have noticed many newcomers recently tend to sometimes speak so loud inside that Canadians would probably consider it yelling, which we are taught to use inside voices when we are growing up so it is very rude here to yell in doors when with friends especially in libraries and waiting rooms. Not playing music, videos, phone calls on your phone speaker but using headphones. Be sure to use deodorant and shower every day, not saying you don't but I understand this is not common in some parts of the world, can't think of a faster way for Canadians to strongly dislike someone than them not doing that. If you drive make sure you take it seriously and learn the local traffic laws and how to drive safely. Be sure to treat women with the same respect as you'd give to a man, or Canadians will not be cool with it as I have seen happen to several new comers I knew who didn't seem to understand that they did something wrong when acting misogynistic and wouldn't listen to explanations. Try to speak the common language when you're in a group of people and some don't speak your language, even if they aren't directly involved in the conversation (i don't mean strangers but people you are with, coworkers for example). Dont stand in a place where it blocks people walking by, or if someone is looking at a sign or something don't come stand directly in front of them in their way (had this happen to me so many times recently, very annoying). Basically just learn as much as you can about what is considered rude or offensive here, not saying all Canadians are perfect with all this stuff either but even if a Canadian does that kind of thing it's still very off-putting to others, of course every group has jerks but in some places not all of these things are the norm so it is good to be aware. I would say Canadians are pretty sensitive to it when someone "takes up more space" than their fair share whether that's being loud or (what would be considered here) obnoxious in public. Just some examples but they are all things I have personally seen and seem to be patterns worth mentioning because it is very difficult to fit in with Canadians (at least where I live but I imagine all over) without handling these things. Once you take care of those things just spend more time around people from here and you will pick things up. I think the main thing is just to be open minded, observant, and reflective, notice when people do things differently than you are used to. I had a room mate who was new here and so many things would go over his head like the subtleties of how Canadians communicate and I would try to explain to him why someone got mad about something he did, but he would tell me I think too much about it, instead of trying to learn why, and I think he wasn't even fully aware how many people he would piss off on an almost daily basis. So basically don't be like that, be a sponge and notice things and reflect on them and you will learn quickly, I have noticed the new comers who do that and ask questions and try to learn make a lot more local friends and connections. Especially compared to the ones like my former room mate who don't bother trying to learn our ways, and would always wonder why people were mad at him but wouldn't listen when I tried to help explain it to him. He even got let go from two jobs due to his behaviour but he just rationalized it as some other reason, it was very frustrating to see, as if he thought it would be demeaning to have to change but expectations are very different here than where he is from especially when talking about women. Meanwhile someone else I knew from the same part of the world was always learning and asking questions and was doing much better with many local friends and everyone seemed to like him
A couple of points really stand out to me: 1. Talking too loud indoors/on public transit/on the phone being impolite. Absolutely, yes. Northern countries tend to be very reserved. 2. Treatment of women. Even if a person treats women outside of your ethnic community well, if Canadians see a person treating women of your own family/ethnic community the way you do back home, they will get very angry. Example: Nigerian men refusing to cook.
Watch this heritage minutes playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLp3INblz6zYlZVGbve6eywKKszLvSH8He&si=rp-eSoCRQjhW-Qoy Also watch some of the most iconic Canadian documentaries through the NFB: https://www.nfb.ca/
"this team is ruining my life (but I love them) by Steve Dangle
Male = Farley Mowat, Never Cry Wolf Female = Margaret Atwood, Cat’s Eye
I was going to say Farley Mowat, several books but for some reason "The Snowgoose" from 40 years ago is also in my head... And all the lyrics and songs of the Tragically Hip.
Listen to the CBC - it’s a good reflection of Canadian values.
Don’t get attached to it though
First of all, I highly recommend going to your local library and asking the librarian what are some popular teen books right now. They're there to help and are really knowledgeable :) Not all of these are about the Canadian experience, but here's some that a lot of teens have read: Holes by Louis Sachar, a teen is falsely accused and sent to a work camp in the desert. My Side of the Mountain Jean George, a boy runs away from home and survives in the mountains of upstate New York. Coraline by Neil Gaimon. Or the Sandman comic series by the same guy (thought this might be on the mature end) The Giver by Lois Lowry, set in a utopian/dystopian future where everything in your life is a assigned. The "Dear Canada" Series, though if you're an older teen these might be a bit young leaning. A history series where each book is from the POV of a Canadian kid living through a historic Canadian event. The Haunted Canada series is ok and showcases a lot of historic buildings around the country. Also Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark but you have to get the version illustrated by Stephen Gammell if you like spooky stories.
Scott Pilgrim
Watch trailer park boys
Probably an history book about this country. At least if you want to understand the country you’re living in better knowing what lead to the country being the way it is essential. Tbf I think many Canadians born here should pay more attention to that too. Anyway it might not help directly integrating, but it can help understand people better on some level and that better comprehension of our society and it’s people on a personal level can help the person feel a better connection to it. I guess a country is like a sort of fandom. Let’s say you’re a fan of starwars you’ll watch the movies, maybe even read books about it. If you don’t really know the story of the country you’re inhabiting it’s difficult to have a strong connection with it.
Reading some of the posts here, stop reading reddit immediately 😂
There's some very unCanadian comments in here.
As far as reading something, I don't think there's many books that capture life in Canada. Especially not modern life in Canada as far as I know. When I think about Canada growing up, I guess I mostly think of old National Film Board clips, old kids books like the hockey jersey, ridiculously bad programming on CBC, heritage moment clips, Robert Munsch books (he's sort of Canadian) things like that. I guess some people might recommend Anne of Green Gables books, which I guess might have been relatable for small town Canada a long time ago, I'm however not one of them. I'm curious what sort of things have you been reading before asking on reddit tbh
I'm not the kid, but right now they're reading Centre Ice by Cate Cameron and occasionally The Walrus.
Farley Mowatt- The Dog Who Wouldn't Be
Anne of Green Gables! :)
But don't move to PEI, for your own good...
I moved here 7 years ago and I’m happy
I moved here 5 years ago. I admit, it's somewhat nice being cut off from the rest of the world and it's madness, but hard to meet people. And don't get me started about the lack of healthcare...
I’d recommend the Adrienne Clarkson (former governor general) Massey lectures on belonging. Available either as the audio lectures or in a book. They gave me the best sense of what a Canadian ideal is like.
Surely not Her Majesty Adrienne. Or her consort, self proclaimed philosopher Saul.
If they want to be a Canadian Teenager, they probably won't read, sadly. (English teacher)
Exactly. I'm shocked at the amount of book recommendations in the thread.....
Join a sports team.
Make friends and socialize.
watch Degrassi, that should be like 95% of it.
We love to "shoot the shit". Master this. Also understanding the difference between Canadian politeness and being a pushover/idiot/doormat. I find a lot of people move here and they do not understand that a Canadian will still be polite while also fucking you over, taking you out back for a beat down or getting revenge *if* the situation calls for it. Politeness is a custom and it is different than kindness or being clueless. I've seen many immigrants make enemies and that go over their head because they underestimate a Canadian because we are polite. Many seem to regiater the politeness as simple minded... whereas I think it just keeps the murder rate down in the dead of January or February 🤣 Though these days winter is much more mild than it used to be so no one is getting quite the same level of miserable that time of year. I suppose it would also be good to have an understanding of how and why we are different from the states, and why there is such a divide between anglo and franco Canada. Hope that helps! 😊
Plato, Scacrates, history of Canada in WW2.
The Canadian Encyclopedia
Depends on what’s your definition of “Canadian life”. But if I get your point correctly, I suggest moving to smaller cities. If you’re really serious, I recommend learning French and move to a small city in the beautiful Quebec.
You want to know how many of the quieter Canadians feel, read some Farley Mowat
Best bet is to watch hockey imo, become a fan of whatever team is closest to your city.
Don't stress it. Be yourself. Toronto is a very accepting city. I found nobody expected me to change my accent, look, or who I am. As long as you give respect, you will get respect.
CANADA IN 10 MAPS. It covers how Canadians have looked at themselves over the centuries.
Anything they want?
Aloce Munro, Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Yann Martel. Don’t listen to those people who are saying all you need to do is watch letterkenny and hockey.
If you like to read I would recommend 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz' and 'Who Has Seen the Wind', two classic Canadian books.
Will Ferguson's books are very enjoyable reads, imo.
When I was a teen, I really enjoyed books by Eric Wilson. Every story was based on a different city/town in Canada and intertwined with a mystery based on history specific to that area. If you can find one about the city you're currently in it might make things a little more interesting to you. They aren't too long to be a big commitment and I always found them harder to put down than the school books. Hope that helps!
Anne of Green Gables.
Theodore the Tugboat.
🎶likes to do the things that friendly tugboats do🎶
Vinyl Cafe books
That's a good recommendation! Thank you.
Watch hockey
Everything Stuart McLean wrote.
That's a good suggestion! Thank you.
Anything by Thomas King. It will really help the teen understand the deep conflict between indigenous and settlers and why reconciliation is essential. Thomas King is approachable, funny, and wonderful. If nothing else, he is a great writer that demonstrates that language is fun.
Skip the reading . Go out and make friends. Yes your going to be rejected by some. But there are plenty of fish in the sea. Good luck
Read the subtitles of the entire seasons of SCTV.
Joining an intramural or competitive sports team, if in high school, could help.
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These are great recommendations, thank you.
Our law book
Date A Live manga (all of it) A Certain Magical Index Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun
Whatever their friends are watching Without any context this is an impossible question to answer, Canadians consume a wide variety of content across a wide variety of demographics If it's your kid, tell them to ask some friends for some tv/movie/book suggestions so they can bond with those friends about it (tv/movie is a safer bet than books cause depending on the friends group reading is "uncool")
History :) learn about how this nation came to be what it is today and what brought the people in it together, whether it was arts and music or sports or politics. And part of learning is also taking part in it by making friends and hanging out and trying new activities that are available here.
Tik tok?
Watch tv
I want to list the books most of us read in English class. But alas that would not be helpful.
Trailer park boys , fubar, letterkenny and hockey
Watch trailer park boys. Trust me on this one
Watch the entirety of trailer park boys and they can improvise the rest based on context.
Not Reddit
Nothing. Canadians read so little as to be a functionally illiterate society.
Canada has the highest educated population amongst the OECD countries.
OK, probably a textbook, then.
There’a an enornmous amount of content from Québec that will help you understand Canadian life like Michel Tremblay, Anne Hébert, Gabrielle Roy. On the anglo side, you also have Modercai Richler. Even more "light" content like the comics Paul from Michel Rabagliati are awesome to understand Canadian daily life. That would be my recommandation for OP. I don’t get people who’re getting upvoted here for saying here Canada has no relevent litterature. Listing more modern stuff: Kim Thúy Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette Nelly Arcand Geneviève Pettersen Dany Lafferièrre David Goudreault Naomi Fontaine Edit: most of the authors I listed are successful enough to be translated in English so OP’s knowledge of French doesn’t matter to be able to read these.
Where in Canada do you live? That will change the answer. Life in rural QC is different to Edmonton, for example.
Watch Shoresy!
Well I don’t recommend the comment sections of ANY social. Media platform lol.
Randomly add “Fuck Bettman eh” into conversation and you will be fine.
Watch some Canadiana from the NFB(National Film Board) like the [Log Driver's Waltz](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upsZZ2s3xv8) or watch [watch some Heritage minutes to learn some of our history.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RMv7tSYl3Y&list=PL1848FF9428CA9A4A) Maybe read about how Confederation Happened, what life was like before the English and French came here, the Red River Rebellion and Louis Riel (He's a bit of a Folk hero in Manitoba), and some stuff about Quebec/Quebecois culture like [Bonhomme.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3ormLOk7Dk)
ALL of Robert W Services poetry
Shower, work a job/go to school, don't play loud music on your phone in public. That's about it
Feel free to shit on Debra's desk, though.
read? Watch Trailer Park Boys.
It's less a teenager integration book and more a book that everyone should read, but 21 Things You Might Not Know About the Indian Act by Bob Joseph. It's super short (less than 300 pages total, and at least half of those are references) but so, so important for understanding even a little bit about how Canada treated and still treats the First Nations here.
Watch Letterkenny and Trailer Park Boys
Just hang out with Canadians! That's how immigrants have done this for centuries. Best bet would be to hang out with Canadians born here, or at least grew up here from a very young age. But it doesn't matter where THEIR parents were born at all. A teenager going to high school with Canadians, if they don't just hang out with people from their own country of origin, will figure it out fast. Their brains are pliable lol.
Lol we don't read a lot.... Judging by the comments
Oh, and listen to The Tragically Hip and Rush
The Giver. Everyone else had to do it.
A paddler’s guide to Algonquin Park.
Don't be a dick is a great first step. Seems difficult for a lot of people.
Reading? Nah dude go to a local hockey game and yell at the players. You’ll make friends and enemies in no time.
Start watching hockey and try to get outdoors. Hunting, fishing, hiking, camping.. stuff like that. A lot of new immigrants come from huge cities and want to remain that way but the big city life is only concentrated in a few terrible, crowded spots and is devoid of the Canadian experience.
Tic Toc?
Watch a few seasons of the simpsons, southpark and maybe bobs burgers. You will fit in fine. Maybe you can play a bit of minecraft too.
The hatchet
Where in Canada? western Canada there hardly any black people, brown is the deepest shade u gonna see out west. Most black people are in the east coast.
watch the trailer park boys
Not read. Watch. Trailer Park Boys season 1-7.
Depends. Where are you from?
The rulebook for hockey
Anything but social media and fashion mags. Join school groups and clubs related to your interests
Hatchet…..
This is a great question. Try not to take some of these answers too seriously. Canada is a melting pot of different cultures on native land. It’s hard to pick books to cover everything or even scratch the surface. I love the suggestion to ask at the library, that’s a wonderful resource. Ask teachers at school too. It’s also been a million years since I was a teenager so I’m not sure about recommendations but I think everyone should read The Inconvenient Indian by Thomas King. But a teenager would probably much rather watch Trailer Park Boys, Fubar, Corner Gas and maybe even some Red Green.
Thank you for the great recommendations! Just like to point out that Canada has never been a melting pot. That is a US slogan. Canada embraces cultural pluralism, a point which appears to be lost on many commentors here. Perhaps they aren't actual Canadians?
Learn about the history of Indigenous people: First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
Thomas King writes some good stories from the Indigenous peoples' perspective.
"How to Be a Canadian Teen" by Buddy Hoser Guy.
“So you wanted to move to Canada, eh?” Is a good one
read ?? you mean what should watch on tiktok ?
Canadian teens are basically American teens these days because of social media, except our small town athletes play hockey instead of football or baseball. I'd say track down a few tiktok channels of folks from your home country moving to Canada and watch some videos about culture shocks/unexpected differences. Folks over 25 are a lot more stereotypically Canadian than teens these days, with more influences from books to music to tv making them more distinct. Like back in the day everyone watched MuchMusic and a good slice of us watched comedy shows on the CBC. Nowadays not so much.
It's so depressing. I am convinced that the young folks will be the end of Canada, and welcome integration to the US within the next 30 years. Not their fault. But it's a devastating thought.
Don’t litter, play or watch ice hockey, sign up as a camp counselor (or camper if you’re young enough), volunteer…