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for instance, would i find the same products in the grocery stores and the same tv shows as in the us? i am contemplating a visit and i am just wondering how strong the cultural influence of the US really is, since a lot of people seem to complain about that on here?
Many American brands and stores can be found in Canada. Including Starbucks. American cultural influence is strong. Canada has its own TV shows, bands, musicians, etc., but it also has most of the American as well - so really you get the best of both worlds. Good luck.
Quote:
Originally Posted by skadi
for instance, would i find the same products in the grocery stores and the same tv shows as in the us? i am contemplating a visit and i am just wondering how strong the cultural influence of the US really is, since a lot of people seem to complain about that on here?
Last edited by sunshineleith; 01-03-2012 at 02:32 PM..
i figured my original post might come across the wrong or even as offensive or derogatory ("sloppy second"), which wasn't my intention at all, hence i changed it. and judging by your reply, indeed it DID come across in an offensive way .. *sigh*
anyway, thanks for your reply.
Yeah - always best to go with your first instinct LOL.
I will remove the part of my post that quoted your post as it looks like I responded and you edited simultaneously.
I think it is probably close enough. You have listed a lot of superficial things - and the vast majority of superficial things (TV, food, chain stores, consumer products, etc.) from the U.S. are available in most parts of Canada, and especially in Toronto.
There are subtle differences between life in the U.S. and life in Canada that will not be apparent immediately. Over time you will probably come to notice them more.
Many immigrants to Canada are actually people who wanted to go to the U.S., but could not get in and came to Canada instead because they were accepted here. Some of these people do end up moving to the U.S. from Canada eventually, but many (most even) end up liking Canada and putting down roots here, and so they give up on the option of moving to the U.S.
To respond to your question about items in grocery stores:
In general I've found Canadian stores to have far less diversity when it comes to consumer goods, and those equivalents that you do find in the states are significantly more expensive than south of the border. The diversity of products becomes apparent especially in American stores that open here. Go to any US Wal-Mart and compare it to what you find at a Wal-Mart here (as a side note, take note of the fact that the "greeter" will not actually greet you or anyone else for a reason I still haven't figured out). The US store will have a much better selection in virtually every department and much better prices for those items you actually do find in a Canadian Wal-Mart.
I spoke with a friend of a friend who works for an American company's Canadian headquarters and he explained that this is because American companies are extremely hesitant to put their products on the shelves in Canada. Apparently it's expensive for them, it's a relatively small market, they're unsure how their product will sell here, and there's more regulatory requirements.
When you consider the US population of approx. 350 million versus Canada's of approx. 29 million you will understand the differences.
Cell phone plans are much less expensive and usability is much greater in the US. In Canada you can't even call long distance within the same province without racking up fees.
Also, for the most part Canadian cities are much safer.
There are many other differences but overall it feels quite similar.
-Toronto has way worse traffic congestion than any American city I've been to, including NYC and Chicago
-Toronto has a lot less highways and there are too many narrow roads with too many traffic lights.
-Toronto has higher prices on just about anything
-Toronto has a very small amount of blacks and mexicans compared to US cities
-Toronto is very compact and has virtually no even sprawl unlike many of US cities
That's a lot of differences!
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