Local customs & etiquette

People in British Columbia keep manners simple and outdoors-minded. The coast and the mountains shape how they act with one another. A visitor is welcomed, then expected to help and to leave things tidy.

Greeting people

• A smile and a hello are enough for most meetings.
• A handshake is used with someone new. Friends often just wave.
• People use first names quickly. Titles are rare outside of work.
• “How are you?” is a greeting, not a real question. A short answer is fine.
• In a group, everyone is introduced. No one is left standing alone for long.

Visiting a home

• Shoes come off at the door. Most houses keep a mat or a basket for them.
• The host offers a drink soon after you arrive. Water, coffee, or beer is usual.
• Guests bring a small gift if they stay for a meal. Flowers or a dessert work.
• Help is expected. Clearing plates or drying dishes is normal.
• A thank-you message the next day is polite. A phone call or a short text is enough.

Outdoors and the land

• Trails, beaches, and parks stay clean. Rubbish is carried out.
• Fires are only lit where signs allow them. They are put out fully.
• Wildlife is watched from a distance. Food is kept sealed.
• Trails are shared. Hikers step aside for people coming uphill.
• Cabins and campsites are left as they were found. Nothing is taken that does not belong to you.

Eating and drinking

• Restaurants expect a tip of about 15 to 20 percent for good service.
• At a barbecue or a cabin, everyone brings something or helps cook.
• Food is shared. People wait until everyone is served before they start.
• Wine or beer is offered. No one is pressed to drink.
• Leftovers are often sent home with guests. The host insists.

In public

• People queue. Cutting in line is noticed and disliked.
• On buses and ferries, seats are given to older people or those with children.
• Talking on a phone is kept quiet in shared spaces.
• Doors are held. A simple “thanks” is the reply.
• Drivers are generally patient. Horns are used only when needed.

Work and time

• Meetings start on time. Arriving a few minutes early is fine.
• Casual clothes are common outside of formal offices.
• People leave work at a reasonable hour. Evenings are for family or the outdoors.
• Small talk about the weather or the weekend is normal before business starts.
• A direct “no” is accepted. Long explanations are not required.