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Key Cultural Differences Between the USA and Canada
Although they share a common border, and a common language, there are lots of key cultural differences between Canada and its southern neighbour the United States of America. Here Hamiltons Removals, experts at business and home removals to Canada, outline some of the key differences between the two if you are thinking of moving to either country.
Holidays
Many public holidays such as Christmas, New Year, Easter are celebrated in both the US and Canada in the same way that we celebrate them here in the UK. Both countries also celebrate Labor Day (or Labour Day, as both the UK and Canada would say) on the first Monday in September. And while both countries celebrate Thanksgiving, they are celebrated at slightly different times – the holiday is celebrated in October in Canada and November in the USA.
Despite all the similarities, there are several differences. The US celebrate:
- Martin Luther King Day in January (after the famous civil rights leader, whose statue in Washington DC is pictured)
- President’s Day in February (originally to commemorate George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, but since extended to all presidents)
- Memorial Day in May (honouring war dead) Independence Day on July 4th
- And Columbus Day in October (to celebrate the explorer’s arrival in the continent in 1492).
The Canadians, in contrast, mark:
- Victoria Day in May (originally to mark Queen Victoria’s birthday, but now to recognise the Canadian monarch’s official birthday)
- Canada Day on July 1st (to mark the day the country became a dominion independent of the USA in 1857)
- August 1st is also a civic holiday to mark the end of slavery in the British Empire in the 1830s
- The Canadians also mark the November 11th as Remembrance Day instead of Memorial Day.
The English Influence Lives On
The Canadian holidays are more in line with English or UK ones – not just because of the timing but also the spelling (as mentioned above with Labour/Labor Day).
Canada was part of the British Empire and remains part of the Commonwealth today. Some say Canadians take after the English and are more reserved/less brash than their US counterparts, who they humourously regard as ‘noisy neighbours’.
Certainly, some Canadian expressions have more in common with the UK than the US – they still use ‘petrol stations’ and not ‘gas stations’, ‘flat’ rather than ‘apartment,’ and they ‘go on holiday’ rather than ‘take a vacation’.
In the Workplace
On the subject of holidays, in Canada there is a sliding scale of entitlement for employment leave – usually two weeks of paid leave after you have been with the company for a year, three weeks after you’ve been with them for five years, and four weeks after 10 years’ service (this can vary slightly from province to province).
In the USA, there is no federal or national stipulation – it’s all down to the individual employer how much paid leave they offer. Although, in reality, it may not differ much from the Canadian model (and many US businesses operate a similar sliding scale based on years’ service) it is underpinned by a free enterprise culture where workers’ rights are not at the forefront.
On a micro level, Canadian employees are legally entitled to a 30-minute break every five hours. No such stipulation exists in the US where workers have the (probably undeserved) reputation of being ‘chained to their desks’. Some studies have suggested that Americans don’t use all their annual leave for fear of being replaced or giving the impression of laziness.
Sport and Leisure
In America, it’s the big four sports which dominate; American football (some of you may have just caught the Superbowl, which took place early Monday morning), baseball, basketball and ice hockey.
In Canada, only ice hockey (above) has the same place in the national psyche, with every city, school and college having its own rink. Lacrosse is the country’s summer sport, but ice hockey is comfortably the country’s most popular sport almost all year round (the NHL season typically wraps up in June and starts up again in early October).
They do play the other top three sports in America but either not to the same standard or the same rules (for instance, Canadian football rather than its US equivalent).
Away from that, both Americans and Canadians list watching TV and reading as their favourite pastimes (although reading may count as looking at a tablet, laptop or Kindle rather than an actual book or publication).
However, in terms of overall health, Canada has higher life expectancy (around 80 years old for men, and 84 for women, compared to 73 and 79 in the USA). This may reflect a sportier lifestyle (certainly Canada has more of a flourishing winter sports industry) or a healthier diet.
Overseas Removals to the USA and Canada with Hamiltons Removals
If you are considering removals to Canada or the USA, then Hamiltons Removals can help you. We offer deep sea removals to both the two countries, so you can be assured that all your belongings will make it over safely and swiftly.
We offer dedicated shipping containers, groupage (meaning your belongings are shared with others en-route) and air freight, giving you lots of options for your international move.
Any questions, call Hamiltons on 01379 855203.
International Removals to Durban, South Africa
Durban is the third-largest city in South Africa, after Johannesburg and Cape Town, and one of the fastest growing too. Here Hamiltons Removals, who offer high-quality international removals to Durban, look at the history of the city, its current facilities, and why we can help you (or your business) move there.
The History and Heritage
The Durban area was populated for hundreds of thousands of years by hunters and farmers before it became a modern, thriving city. It was part of the Zulu Nation before it was colonised by Europeans in the early 19th Century; its name comes from Sir Benjamin D’Urban, who was the governor of the surrounding Cape Colony at the time.
The city, which is on the country’s east coast, is the main seaport of South Africa, and is the main point of entry for its raw materials and industrial equipment. Minerals, coal, grain and sugar are all major exports (Durban is the home of the South Africa’s sugar refining industry).
Perhaps not surprisingly, the port is the city’s major employer; not just directly, but also through ancillary industries such as haulage, shipping logistics and transportation. Tourism is also an important contributor to the city’s economy, as there are several game reserves surrounding the city as well as plenty of beaches.
Getting There and Getting Around
Durban’s main airport, King Shaka, is now located at La Mercy, just over 20 miles to the north of the city; this was completed in 2010, just in time for the FIFA World Cup which was held in the country (it replaced Durban International Airport). Domestic and international airlines operate from here.
The best way to get into the city centre is via a shuttle bus or taxi. Three main bus companies operate in the city – People Mover, Mynah and Aqualine; weekly coupons are usually better value for money than an individual ticket. Minibus taxis are cheaper than their metered equivalents, but they are noisier and rowdier (the drivers on most play loud music).
You can hire a car, but it’s not recommended if you are travelling in or near the central business district – there are a lot of traffic jams during the day, and it can be unsafe at night. The general advice is to keep your doors locked if you are driving after dark.
The Main Attractions
Durban is famous for The Golden Mile, a series of beaches which stretch along its Indian Ocean coastline – if you can, visit them off-season as they can get very busy, particularly at Christmas.
As well as the aforementioned nature reserves, the city also has a 37-acre Botanic Garden, an oasis of calm in a thriving city. As well as being home to hundreds of sub-tropical plant species, it also hosts plant fairs and musical concerts. And if you prefer your nature to be of the winged variety, visit the Umgemi River Bird Park.
History-lovers should check out the Phansi Museum, which boasts one of the most extensive collections of South African art collections in the world. If you are a sports fan, then the Kingsmead cricket ground regularly hosts Test matches and one-day internationals.
Eating Out and Shopping Around
There’s plenty of seafood on restaurant menus – sardines are a particular speciality from May to July. Another favourite dish, which is often enjoyed as a takeaway, is the bunny chow or kota. This is a quarter loaf of bread which has been hollowed out and filled with a curry mixture (although vegetarian options are also available).
Durban is quite a cosmopolitan city (many residents have English or Indian ancestry, reflecting the migration from these two countries) so you should be able to find the cuisine of your choice.
If you are looking for somewhere to shop, then there are plenty of shopping malls with all the big names; the Musgrave Centre in the Berea district of the city, the Pavilion in Westville and The Gateway in Umhlanga are probably the biggest and best known. For something a bit different, try the Indian Quarter on the western side of the city centre; the Victoria Street Market is full of artisan goods.
International Removals to Durban with Hamiltons Removals
If you are considering domestic or commercial removals to Durban, then Hamiltons Removals can help. We offer either a dedicated shipping service, where you have sole use of your own container; a groupage option, where you share the container with other people; and air freight, for smaller and valuable items. We also help with overseas moves to all parts of South Africa, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and the other major cities. For more information follow this link.