toques, runners and washrooms

I don't feel like a foreigner.

But I am one.

It's so weird.

Canada and the U.S. are like twin sisters separated at birth. They look basically the same, but had different upbringings.

So, even though, on a typical day, I don't think "Hey! I'm an alien! This isn't my country!" there are certain things that make me different from Americans.

People can tell I'm not from around here when I use the words...

1) toque
2) runners
3) washroom

Toque vs. Beanie...   Runners vs. Running Shoes/Sneakers...   Washroom vs. Restroom

The third one, "washroom", has given me the most trouble. Especially during the first couple weeks here.

This was a way too-common occurrence: 

me: "Excuse me, where is the washroom?"

store employee: "Sorry ma'am... what are you looking for?"

me: "I'm just wondering where the washroom is..."

store employee: [blank stare]

me: "oh wait... you don't call it that here... where is the restroom?"

store employee: "right over there ma'am"

I haven't had the privilege of using the other two all that much, and therefore, they haven't caused too much alarm. But winter's a-coming, and I will surely put "toque" to good use, even if no one but my husband knows what I'm talking about. 

People can also detect that I'm not from this neck of the woods because of my accent... let's just say that I get a lot of people asking me where I'm from. 

The first few times people asked, I was shocked...

In my head, I was thinking "What gave it away?! I thought I sounded just like everyone else!"

Now I know it's how I say "about" and "oh" and "house"... people say I sound like I'm from Minnesota. 

I even had one person ask me if I was from Ireland or Scotland. 

Very strange indeed...