Etiquette in Canada
Everyday customs that visitors and newcomers often find useful in Canada.
- Greeting A handshake and a friendly, polite tone. 'Sorry' and 'thank you' are used a lot.
- Dining Tipping at 15 to 20% is customary in restaurants.
- Talk Show respect for Indigenous peoples, and for English and French in Quebec. Avoid assuming Canadians and Americans are the same.
- Time Be punctual for work and social events.
- Public Queue patiently and keep personal space.
These are general customs, not rules or legal advice. They differ between regions, generations and families, and they change over time. For visas, residency and legal requirements always use the destination country's official government sources.