Canadian Immigration: Understanding common knowledge about life in Canada:
1. Being cheeky or making physical contact with police officers
In China, if you are pulled over for a traffic violation, you can freely get out of the car, pat the officer on the shoulder, joke around, or try to build rapport by saying: "Hey buddy, let's talk this over, please go easy on me, I'll treat you to a drink tomorrow."
In North America, this is illegal and could lead to imprisonment or even life-threatening situations. U.S. law grants police the authority to enforce the law on the spot and protect themselves. If you do not follow police instructions, they have the right to take emergency measures, including immediate arrest or using lethal force. Any attempt to bribe an officer will be severely punished by law.
2. Making jokes or remarks that threaten public safety
In China, if you are waiting in line at a train station and get angry because you couldn't buy a ticket, you might say something aggressive like: "How are you selling these tickets? Do you believe I'll blow up your train station!" The ticket agent might just roll her eyes at you and continue with her work.
Additionally, a friendly reminder: if you have a friend named Jack, never greet him loudly at the airport by saying: "Hi, Jack." You might be overheard by police and arrested, as the phrase sounds exactly like the word "hijack."
In North America, you cannot make jokes that endanger public safety. At the security checkpoints of Los Angeles International Airport, there are signs that read "Please do not joke."
3. Making threats
In China, you can casually threaten people, saying things like: "Do you believe I'll hack you to death in a minute?", "If you don't pay me back, I'll slaughter you!", or "I'll destroy you sooner or later!" and likely face no consequences.
In North America, you could be breaking the law. The other party can sue you for making threats, and a judge may issue a restraining order, prohibiting you from approaching the defendant or appearing near their home or workplace.
If you violate a court order, you will be arrested. If your threatening remarks are particularly malicious and the other party claims to have suffered harm, they may hire a high-profile lawyer, which could lead to jail time and financial losses for you.
4. Cursing someone's ancestors
In China, there are many classic "national curses" that are widely used. Sometimes these insults do not necessarily carry deep malice; they are just habitual expressions that everyone is accustomed to. Even when people argue and curse each other's ancestors, the police are often helpless, as Chinese people often say: "It's not illegal to curse, is it?"
However, in North America, cursing can be illegal. You cannot use language that insults others and provokes conflict. So-called "fighting words" refer to abusive language that is highly insulting and provocative toward any individual, causing harm to others or inciting retaliatory violence, including vulgar, obscene, or defamatory speech.
5. Hawking goods loudly
In China, people can freely hawk goods in streets and residential areas, shouting things like: "Sharpening scissors and knives!", "Selling peanuts!", "Selling watermelons!", or "Recycling scrap! Bring out your old furniture and appliances!" Rarely does anyone intervene.
In North America, this is illegal. Many city ordinances prohibit the use of loudspeakers, noisy instruments, or loud shouting in streets and alleys for commercial promotion, as it disturbs the public peace.
6. Hitting or scolding children
In China, hitting and scolding one's own children is commonplace. In the United States and Canada, any form of child abuse is illegal. For example, if a child is crying and a parent slaps them or scolds them severely, it violates the law. Even in public places, arguing, pulling, pushing, or harshly reprimanding a child is illegal.
If people around you see parents abusing a child, they are likely to call the police immediately, and you could lose custody or even face jail time for serious offenses. If a child tells a teacher at school, "My dad hit me yesterday," and the teacher hears it, the teacher is required to report it to the police, and you will be investigated. If the teacher fails to report it, the teacher is also breaking the law.
7. Prying into others' privacy
In China, the definition and protection of privacy do not seem very strict. For example, when a company recruits employees, it may ask applicants to provide their ID numbers, age, medical history, marital status, birthday, criminal record, etc.
In North America, this information is considered personal privacy. If a company asks an applicant to provide these details, it is illegal.
8. Discriminating against overweight or disabled people
In China, if you call a stranger "little fatty," they might find it friendly. In Canada, if you call someone "fat," you are very likely to get into legal trouble and be sued for "discrimination."
Many TV shows in Canada and the United States are uninhibited, with satire and mockery happening every day. However, even top-tier hosts would never dare to make fun of the following groups: overweight people, disabled people, Black people, or women.