Strange things you're not used to

[JoeCanuk 3]

I am finding some things very strange here that I am not used to. Things such as:

-drug tests for a job (only did this for the military in Canada)

-asking for SSN on a job application (I was raised in Canada to never put my SIN on an application and many of them don't even ask for it)

-job applications asking for your elementary school (what does that matter? I graduated 20 years ago)

-very low paying jobs (minimum wage in Canada would make me feel rich in comparison)

There has to be more but these are all I can think of right now. Anyone else feel a little homesick for Canada? Or other native country?

[Reba 2]

I recall having to put my race on our application for the marriage license, and many job applications also ask for race. In Canada, this is illegal. btw, I put "white" on the marriage license application, the lady behind the counter looked at my passport, scratched it out and put "Canadian" under the "Other" checkbox! We tried to explain the difference between nationality and race, and she would have none of it! *snarf*

Lots of labour laws (labor) in the US are a lot different than in Canada and take some getting used to.

[Jeraly 4]

OMG she did that?! You mean you can't be white if you are from Canada?!?! Sounds like she had a screw loose

[JoeCanuk 3]

I recall having to put my race on our application for the marriage license, and many job applications also ask for race. In Canada, this is illegal. btw, I put "white" on the marriage license application, the lady behind the counter looked at my passport, scratched it out and put "Canadian" under the "Other" checkbox! We tried to explain the difference between nationality and race, and she would have none of it! *snarf*

Lots of labour laws (labor) in the US are a lot different than in Canada and take some getting used to.

LOL I don't know how you didn't pass out laughing right in front of her.

Yeah, race is illegal in Canada. It should be here too. I think I better get up to snuff on labour laws here in the states. I want to start my own business.

I had a call about an application I put in somewhere the other day; they're going to do interviews. The lady says, "you're from Canada right?". So I said, "yes I am". She then asks, "how old are you?". I was thrown for a loop and responded, "I'm old ENOUGH". I don't know if that's illegal here but I know it is in Canada. I was just floored.

OMG she did that?! You mean you can't be white if you are from Canada?!?! Sounds like she had a screw loose

She probably thought only Eskimoes come from Canada.

Edited January 19, 2008 by JoeCanuk

[Reba 2]

yep, she did that. I'm quite obviously white, (the application doesn't even say "caucasian" it says "white") but she didn't understand the difference between race and nationality. So, according to our marriage license, we are an inter-racial couple.

[Marilyn. 340]

I am not used to paying for gas before you pump it...

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

not sure if any of those happen in Canada or not but I had never seen that before...

Edited January 19, 2008 by MarilynP

[Emancipation 2]

I am not used to paying for gas before you pump it...

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

not sure if any of those happen in Canada or not but I had never seen that before...

Marilyn... TOTALLY hear you here!! Hubby was totally amused with me being AMAZED that you can get refills at the fast food places.. He thinks it's hilarious how excited I got when i realized it was common place here.

And back home on PEI - after midnight you have to prepay for gas - but not during regular hours.. That way you don't have to go back in to the cashier for the $5.00 if you prepay for $40.00 and your car only takes $35.00 (which is annoying IMO)!!

[JoeCanuk 3]

I am not used to paying for gas before you pump it...

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

not sure if any of those happen in Canada or not but I had never seen that before...

LOL I'm glad you mentioned the pay before you pump gas thing. I am not used to it either but I thought I'd be the only one. Just last night I had a heck of a time with it. My wife and mother in law just laugh at me.

I am not used to mph on the speedometer either. I constantly want to look at the km/h instead.

[Marilyn. 340]

I am not used to paying for gas before you pump it...

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

not sure if any of those happen in Canada or not but I had never seen that before...

Marilyn... TOTALLY hear you here!! Hubby was totally amused with me being AMAZED that you can get refills at the fast food places.. He thinks it's hilarious how excited I got when i realized it was common place here.

And back home on PEI - after midnight you have to prepay for gas - but not during regular hours.. That way you don't have to go back in to the cashier for the $5.00 if you prepay for $40.00 and your car only takes $35.00 (which is annoying IMO)!!

yeah, the same thing where I was from in Canada...

I got kind of mad at hubby the first time I saw him get a refill... I thought he was stealing

[athena_ny 1]

I recall having to put my race on our application for the marriage license, and many job applications also ask for race. In Canada, this is illegal. btw, I put "white" on the marriage license application, the lady behind the counter looked at my passport, scratched it out and put "Canadian" under the "Other" checkbox! We tried to explain the difference between nationality and race, and she would have none of it! *snarf*

Lots of labour laws (labor) in the US are a lot different than in Canada and take some getting used to.

LOL I don't know how you didn't pass out laughing right in front of her.

Yeah, race is illegal in Canada. It should be here too. I think I better get up to snuff on labour laws here in the states. I want to start my own business.

I had a call about an application I put in somewhere the other day; they're going to do interviews. The lady says, "you're from Canada right?". So I said, "yes I am". She then asks, "how old are you?". I was thrown for a loop and responded, "I'm old ENOUGH". I don't know if that's illegal here but I know it is in Canada. I was just floored.

OMG she did that?! You mean you can't be white if you are from Canada?!?! Sounds like she had a screw loose

She probably thought only Eskimoes come from Canada.

You don't HAVE to answer what race you are on job applications - all applications I've filled out have said as much, it's due to the equal opportunity laws. I answer it anyway, because if they do call me in, they'll figure it out eventually.

[weedebz 0]

oooo I think I'm going to have such a headache getting used to wee differences.

Pay before you fill for petrol...hahahahaha mind you alot cheaper than here!!!!!!

free refills.....I discovered that when I was last over (also discovered cherry slushie)

race on job apps.....hahaha..what will they make of scottish (to one american I met, and nearly slapped!, scotland is a county in northern england!)

writing date backwards

[Jeraly 4]

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

Lol - yeah I kinda did a double take first time I saw Jeremy do that and he had to explain you can get free refills (not that I can even drink that much soda but there you go) I have to make him get it for me - I am too used to having people behind the counter fill my drink and I just feel like I am committing some kinda heinous crime by helping myself!!

I am not used to paying for gas before you pump it...

I am not used to refillable soda at a lot of the fast food type restaurants here... the first time I saw hubby do this, I was like what are you doing??

not sure if any of those happen in Canada or not but I had never seen that before...

LOL I'm glad you mentioned the pay before you pump gas thing. I am not used to it either but I thought I'd be the only one. Just last night I had a heck of a time with it. My wife and mother in law just laugh at me.

Hehe - yeah we get those here now as well - I always choose to go inside though - paying at the pump is wrong... Also I don't know if it is just Cali or the area of Cali my OH is from but he has to go in to show his credit card first at the gas station before filling up and paying at the pump - what is THAT about?!?!

[Marilyn. 340]

oh yeah the date thing too...

in Canada we write it day/month/year.... here they write it month/day/year... I still have to think about that one sometimes when I have to write the date...

[Jeraly 4]

Wow - Jeremy just got salaried and now he gets five weeks holiday a year - that's more than I get!!!!

[Marilyn. 340]

oh, I am used to the pay at the pump thing, they have that in Canada too...