Good to know
Good to Know
- Canadians value their privacy, so if you ask someone you are not close with a lot of personal questions, it may be seen as rude or prying.
- Cannabis is legal for adults 18+ in Alberta, but consumption is restricted to private residences in most provinces. Don't smoke in public spaces, near children, or while driving.
- The legal drinking age in Alberta is 18 years of age.
- Alberta and much of Western Canada tends to favor a more relaxed, direct style. Locals are friendly and outgoing, with conversation often flowing easily, even with strangers. A firm handshake and a casual "Hi" are the norm.
Greetings
- Style
- Casual and friendly
- Description
- In Western Canada (including Alberta), people tend to favor casual greetings like a simple "Hi" or a handshake. For English Canadians, greeting someone new can be done with a firm handshake while looking them in the eye.
Punctuality
- Description
- Punctuality is valued but not always strictly enforced in Western Canada. Canadians generally value punctuality and expect others to be on time for appointments, meetings, and social gatherings. Arriving a few minutes early is considered polite and shows respect for others' time.
Topics To Avoid
- Sensitive Topics
- The most taboo subjects of conversation in Canada are politics, religion, and sex. It is often considered impolite to ask a direct question about someone's salary, wealth, weight or age. Asking personal questions about one's marriage or relationship can also be seen as an invasion of privacy. Similarly, some people become very uncomfortable when asked about their political affiliations or who they voted for.
Dining Etiquette
- Tipping
- It is customary to leave a tip or gratuity for your server at a restaurant (with the exception of most fast-food restaurants). An appropriate tip is approximately 15% of your total bill.
Communication Style
- Politeness
- Canadians are famously polite and use "please" and "thank you" constantly.
- Eye Contact
- Direct but not aggressive eye contact during conversation is normal and expected. Avoiding eye contact can be misinterpreted as dishonesty.
- Personal Space
- Most Canadians, especially Albertans, are not accustomed to being tightly packed together on public transit. Leave a comfortable amount of distance between you and the people around you—arm's length is a good rule.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this culture & etiquette research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
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Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.