As a Canadian, this is incorrect. We measure distance by travel time.

@tombacons

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SoundTikTok sound · original sound - tombacons

Why it worked

The video humorously plays on a common stereotype about Canadian culture and their unique way of measuring distances, making it relatable and shareable for a broad audience.

Summary

A Canadian explains that in Canada, distance is measured by travel time rather than kilometers. They illustrate this by stating distances in terms of how long it takes to get somewhere, emphasizing that this can change with traffic and weather conditions, particularly in winter.

Structure

1Introduction to Canadian distance measurement
2Explanation of using travel time over kilometers
3Examples of distances in minutes and hours
4Impact of traffic and winter on travel time
5Conclusion on the subjective nature of distance

On-screen text

Canada measuring distance UH, CANADA YOU TOLD ME DISTANCE WAS KILOMETERS. WELL, YEAH, THAT'S WHAT THE SIGNS SAY. NOBODY USES THE SIGNS. YOU MEASURE DISTANCE IN TIME? YEAH. THE STORE IS 10 MINUTES AWAY. GRANDMA IS TWO HOURS AWAY. HOW FAR IS OTTAWA FROM TORONTO? FOUR AND A HALF HOURS. AND IN KILOMETRES, NOBODY KNOWS. SO IF THERE'S TRAFFIC... THEN IT'S FURTHER AWAY. THE DISTANCE CHANGES ESPECIALLY IN WINTER. EVERYTHING'S FURTHER AWAY IN WINTER. THINGS ARE FURTHER AWAY WHEN IT'S COLDER. HAVE YOU DRIVEN IN SASKATCHEWAN IN JANUARY? SO HOW FAR IS CALGARY TO VANCOUVER? IN WINTER? TEN HOURS. YOU DON'T DO THAT DRIVE IN WINTER.

Original caption

Replying to @becstorm6 Canada measuring distance

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Transcript

As a Canadian, this is incorrect. We measure distance by travel time. Uh, Canada? Huh? You told me distance was kilometers. Well, yeah, that's what the signs say. Nobody uses the signs. You measure distance in time? Yeah. The store is 10 minutes away. Grandma is two hours away. How far is Ottawa from Toronto? Four and a half hours. And in kilometers, nobody knows. So if there's traffic... then it's further away. The distance changes, especially in winter. Everything's further away in winter. Things are further away when it's colder. Have you driven in Saskatchewan in January? So how far is Calgary to Vancouver? In winter? Ten hours. You don't do that drive in winter.