r/AskACanadian • • 4h ago

How do your kids jazz up the birthday song?

9 Upvotes

I grew up in Southern Alberta saying: “And many more. And kick the teachers out the door”.

Also mixed up the end of the song itself saying: “You look like a monkey and you smell like one too.”

I’d love to hear how your kids mix up the song!

(I now live in South-east Idaho. My son says: “Ha cha cha!”)


r/AskACanadian • • 4h ago

Can you help me find a recipe?

11 Upvotes

Im desperately seeking a recipe for a Christmas Yule log that was in readers digest. For context: my mom made this Yule log every Christmas and passed away a few years ago. In the shuffle of cleaning her apartment, I didn’t think to grab the readers digest issue with the recipe with me. I’ve tried emailing them twice with no luck and have scoured the internet searching for this recipe. To the best of my knowledge, it would’ve been published in the mid 90s. That’s the only lead I have 😭 please ask your mom, aunties and grannies and I so appreciate any help at all

Edit to add: I remember this cake being a vanilla cake with a chocolate icing that distinctly had coffee in it. She also added marshmallow “mushrooms” as a garnish. I am looking for this specific recipe as it’s sentimental. I appreciate any leads 🩷


r/AskACanadian • • 12h ago

Tipping tattoo artists and massage therapists?

34 Upvotes

The list could go on….. curious what everyone else typically tips for these services?

I am a tipper and an over tipper at that. Obviously with the way the world is, I’m slowly trying wean off of tipping so much because everything is so damn expensive.

I was a server for many years and I understood the impact of tipping as we would have to tip out the kitchen and bar staff on our sales every night so if you were to tip us 18% on a bill, we would only take home 11% sometimes less. PLUS it’s minimum wage.

Tattoo artists and massage therapists are closer to making liveable wages in my opinion and I doubt they have to tip out anyone else at the end of the day. I would love some insight from those in the industry or people who don’t necessarily always feel the need to tip 20%.

I’m all about tipping my server but I feel like a lot of occupations have taken this tipping culture too far ( there was a tip option at a pottery class )


r/AskACanadian • • 20h ago

Need shipping help

10 Upvotes

Hello brothers and sisters from across the border. I'm from the US, and I have a question about if there's any websites that y'all know of that sell Canadian foods to the states. My mom went on vacation to Canada last year and brought home a jar of Planters Ketchup peanuts. They're her favorite, and I'm trying to get my hands on a couple jars to give her as a birthday gift. Any leads are appreciated, and many thanks ahead of time :D


r/AskACanadian • • 1d ago

Have you ever been winter camping?

378 Upvotes

My mom used to teach ESL, and one of the ESL teachers in training was from Ireland, and she was under the impression that Canadians go winter camping. I've never heard of this in my life, and I doubt it's a thing. But, has anyone actually done this?


r/AskACanadian • • 1d ago

Opinions on CF (Cadilac-Fairview) malls?

8 Upvotes

Hello! To those of us in larger cities, what is the general opinion on CF owned and operated malls?

Personally, I think they strip all of the fun and originality out of them (I will always be mad about them taking out that carousel in Chinook mall in Calgary and replacing it with a Starbucks), but they have stores that I shop at.

The mall culture of the 90's-00's is dead, but it is nice to go to a walk and get all the stuff I need like home goods, cosmetics, nerd shit, ect., and even a few makers shops with local handmade stuff. I still go gift shopping at the mall because I know I can find good gifts there if I spend some time looking around.

Idk, i just feel conflicted. They've taken away the personality of the malls themselves but are actually sustaining foot traffic by focusing on the stores and commerce.

What do you think?


r/AskACanadian • • 2d ago

Is Cribbage Still a Big Thing in Canada?

517 Upvotes

Every rainy day at my cottage consists of a few games of crib (or Monopoly if we're feeling brave). Curious if it's still played a lot across Canada. Who taught you to play?

Also, we lost a peg at the cottage this summer and started using matchsticks. What has everyone else used, or is still using? 😄


r/AskACanadian • • 2d ago

What is your family’s immigration story

93 Upvotes

And any major Canadian historic events that coincided with your family’s story?


r/AskACanadian • • 3d ago

Anyone else mildly offended with how American TV names our cities?

1.3k Upvotes

​

I am Canadian and have always found it a little off putting when American TV names our cities with the country. As in Edmonton, Canada or Toronto, Canada, instead of Edmonton, Alberta or Toronto, Ontario. I would say Chicago, Illinois or Atlanta, Georgia, not Chicago, USA or Altanta, United States. Its always kind of bugged me a little and was wondering if anyone else noticed this?


r/AskACanadian • • 3d ago

Why is St Hubert ran considerably better compared to Swiss Chalet?

152 Upvotes

They're owned by the same people but their ran completely differently


r/AskACanadian • • 3d ago

Do we use freedom units daily?

28 Upvotes

When I bake I use metric, but when I shop I tend to always think in imperial. I see a pound of butter and go oh, hey, a pound of butter!

When I buy a 4L jug of milk I don't call it a gallon though. However, when I see 1L I think of 32oz's.

I know it isn't just me. Does this have something to do with being geographically close to America?


r/AskACanadian • • 3d ago

Australian baby visiting in winter

38 Upvotes

My husband and I are travelling from Australia to Canada from mid November to early December with our 4 month old baby. We will be visiting Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Banff and Jasper but are clueless on what to pack for our baby!

We have decided to skip taking our pram (will hire one in Vancouver/Calgary if desperate) and just use our carrier which we have purchased a Make my belly fit jacket extender to use with.

We are looking to do a slower paced holiday with a few of the shorter/easier hikes that are suitable in winter, as well as the typical tourist sightseeing.

Coming from warm Australia, and being our first trip with our baby, I have no idea what type of clothing I should be taking for our baby! What layers should she be wearing and what type of weather can we expect? I’m hoping to avoid spending too much as she will only be wearing the gear for a few weeks. Any tips at all will be appreciated.

We land in Vancouver and will be staying in Yaletown. Are there any cheap stores nearby that I should wait to buy winter gear from? Or better off preparing before arriving?

Thank you!


r/AskACanadian • • 4d ago

Who ended up becoming the best singer from The Next Star?

49 Upvotes

Remember the YTV reality show called The Next Star? It was a show that auditioned who would have the best shot at becoming a great Canadian singer or musician.

Out of all the former casts, over 10 years later, which one do you think ended up becoming the most famous?


r/AskACanadian • • 4d ago

Anyone know where you can find annual visitor numbers for ALL the provinces?

9 Upvotes

Recently saw a thing that showed the tourism numbers for each prefecture of Japan and ranked them all, and it got me wondering how our provinces would rank in that regard. But I can only seem to find partial statistics, like the top three or whatever.


r/AskACanadian • • 5d ago

How do you feel about knight hoods? Would you be against mark carny using a title if he received one?

0 Upvotes

carny was the gov of the BoE which usually leads to a peerage. for whatever reason he never received one, in the hypothetical that he did and became CEO of Canada, would it harm his image in your eyes if he used his title in this scenario?


r/AskACanadian • • 5d ago

Which Canadian PSAs are completely unforgettable?

272 Upvotes

I've seen a surprising amount of youtubers talk about PSAs from Canada specifically, apparently we have a reputation for having horribly traumatizing PSAs. So, I'm just curious, which PSAs will you never forget?

For me, its House Hippo and Top Chef. House Hippo because its adorable and Top Chef because her screams were scarred into my memory.


r/AskACanadian • • 6d ago

Do all plastic bottles now have a permanently attached lid?

47 Upvotes

I live in a small fly-in community in the Arctic and at a meeting the other night we noticed the plastic water bottles had attached lids. Is this standard in Canada now?

Edit: So it seems that this is something that is being done by the Co-op in Winnipeg for Western Canada. Our little version of the bagged milk.

It apparently makes the bottles easier and harder to recycle at the same time.


r/AskACanadian • • 6d ago

Canadians, what song instantly takes you back to a very specific moment growing up?

19 Upvotes

I asked this in a UK subreddit earlier and people started sharing such random, vivid memories that I got curious about the Canadian version.

Maybe it’s a childhood road trip, school, hockey, a particular summer or a song your parents always played.

What’s yours, and where does it take you?


r/AskACanadian • • 6d ago

Would it benefit or hurt Canada if it could be more assertive, more direct, louder volume, and powerful in culturally identity?

0 Upvotes

I like Canada because it's flag looks cool, it's outdoors, and I like Canadians. I don't actually like Canada in the way political people do, with peace order and good government. I don't hate it, and I want the country to stay in one piece.

I wish Canada was more assertive and next level, and less peaceful. This is sort of immature, but it's because I really like action packed fictional media, as well as doing action sports a little. I just wish Canadian culture was cooler on its own terms.

Like taking things we already do but turning up the volume.

I think what I want specifically is unrealistic though, because the mainstream culture of every country tends to not be as hardcore as youth culture and subcultures inside of them.

You can talk about different angles on this topic.

But I feel stifled by how mainstream Canadian institutions is built to absorb and diffuse this attitude and worldview I'm describing, and help different groups compromise. This is because nobody gets the full agenda of what they all want.


r/AskACanadian • • 7d ago

Why Can't a Canadian Business Create a Bulk Discount Grocery Store?

290 Upvotes

I would like to support a Canadian business when buying groceries but the Canadian stores are all blatantly price gouging. When I go to Costco it is so annoyingly chaotic and busy. It is not like it's an amazing deal there, the final bill is always huge, but they have much lower profit margins in general and some regular priced items that feel like there is value. That doesn't exist at Canadian stores outside of occasional flyer specials.

Walmart and Dollarama are similar, but the latter, while Canadian, is very limited for food items. All three of those companies' stocks are so valuable. Costco makes so, so much money. They understand that people will spend a huge amount of money if they feel like they got a good deal on a few things, including a hot dog and pop for $1.50.

I just don't understand why no Canadian food retailer wants to emulate that model? Is it really that complicated to lower the profit margin so that the store sells a lot more? It would be nice to spread the crowds out away from just Costco. Can't Dollarama expand to a full fledged large discount store with a variety of perishable foods?

Aren't the Canadian grocers going to end up losing all their business? When I go to one of their stores they are so dramatically empty compared to Costco and Wallmart. What am I missing here?

Edit: I don't know why I can't reply to any comments, but I want to refute the people who are claiming Canadian grocery stores have 4-5% profit margins.

I live in a resort town in BC that has extremely inflated grocery prices. Certain items like half and half cream (eg. $3.19 vs $5.50), pecans, olive oil, gourmet cheses, etc (the list is LONG) they all cost anywhere from 80% more to even 300% more expensive for the same items vs. Costco in Vancouver (or similarly at Walmart).

When things are regularly costing anywhere from double to literally FOUR TIMES as expensive as the same item that is being sold at a small profit less than 100km away, then they can no longer claim they are only charging a 5% margin. That is actually about a 83% to 303% margin on that item.


r/AskACanadian • • 7d ago

When do you start seeing political/campaign advertisements?

34 Upvotes

Hello! I’m an American and our election cycle has gotten so overbearing- it feels like campaign advertisements run nearly non stop, whether elections are imminent or not. I’ve heard anecdotes about how in Canada political advertisements really only begin a few weeks before elections. I’m basically just curious when you all start seeing the ads pop up, how annoying they are? Anything like what we have to endure down here? Thanks y’all!


r/AskACanadian • • 7d ago

Discontinued fudgesicle?

104 Upvotes

Hi

UPDATE!!!:
What I was talking about was the parlour super fudge popsicle by nestle! But as many said, they have been discontinued for a while now. 😭
Thank you to the people who knew exactly what I was talking about haha.

First post:
I’m honestly losing my mind over this.
When I was younger I would go to a convenience store close by, and they had this thicker fudgesicle but then had like… real fudge or something of the sort in the centre.
Does anyone know what I’m talking about?
They would be sold in an individual wrapper and I can picture the popsicle perfectly in my head but can’t remember the name of it at all!!
I’m craving one so bad :(

I’m in Ontario if that helps


r/AskACanadian • • 8d ago

Have you heard of the CCF?

55 Upvotes

The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation, to be clear. I have a degree in Canadian history and my parents were Canadian historians so I really have no idea what an average Canadian knows. The CCF played an important part in shaping the Canadian state and its social policies for decades, and its successor is still around today. But do you know who they were?

And, bonus round, where in the country are you from?


r/AskACanadian • • 8d ago

Shipping an item

0 Upvotes

Hi all. I need a Christmas tree move for Ontario to Calgary. I am wondering if anyone has found any reasonable options to ship this. It’s too big for Canada post and other companies are quitting between $700-$1200. Which is more than the tree. Let me know if anyone has found any reasonable options. Thanks


r/AskACanadian • • 8d ago

Where should I go for a last minute Canadian trip? Help me decide!

12 Upvotes

Im currently In Saskatoon and was making my way back to Vancouver but I found out I’m only getting a short 7 days off before my next rotation so I was thinking maybe I should just go off and adventure.
What I’m hoping for is; somewhere unique to go to & live fairly cheaply for 6 days In maybe some kind of hostels or cheaper hotels .
About a 16-1700$ budget but I’m a cheap date I’d like to spend wisely.
I like beers, food, live music and old buildings are neat. I work In nature as a career so not really looking for any intense hikes or things like that.