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Because I grew up in Ottawa, I’d like to think I know the city pretty well. And even though I was happy to leave a few things behind when I moved abroad<\/a>, Ottawa definitely has an unforgettable personality.<\/p>\n If you live in the capital \u2014 or it’s your hometown like mine \u2014 there are some day-to-day experiences you’ll probably recognize right away\u2026 and maybe even crack a smile at.<\/p>\n Here are eight very specific Ottawa quirks that only locals can relate to.<\/p>\n People will be in shorts in the middle of winter<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n We all know Canada gets cold<\/a>. Like, really cold.<\/p>\n I love winter when I’m cozy and warm inside, and I’ll happily do a few fun winter activities too. If it’s freezing, though, I’m bundled from head to toe. Others? Not so much.<\/p>\n Every single winter, no matter the year, there’s always someone out in shorts by choice \u2014 running errands, walking around, or just doing their thing \u2014 even in the snow.<\/p>\n Do I respect the commitment? Absolutely. Do I get it? Absolutely not.<\/p>\n It always gives me a little laugh whenever I see it, though, so if you’re one of those people, please never stop.<\/p>\n Road trips to Montreal and Toronto for most concerts are a must<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n I’m not saying Ottawa’s boring, but hear me out: seeing the artists I actually want to see live usually means a trip to Montreal or Toronto.<\/p>\n Whether it was Gorillaz a few years ago, A$AP Rocky and Ariana Grande this year, or SZA and Kendrick Lamar last year (which I sadly didn’t make it to), there’s almost always a road trip involved.<\/p>\n To be fair, it could just be how tour routes work or the size of Ottawa venues, and trust me, I’m all for a weekend getaway. That said, it would be nice if Ottawa got to host more of these shows too\u2026 and, you know, save me a little travel money.<\/p>\n OC Transpo trauma is real<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n I’m sure anyone who’s taken public transit <\/a>in Ottawa can relate.<\/p>\n Either the bus is 30+ minutes late, it just doesn’t show up, it drives past you while you’re standing right there, or the LRT decides to stop working in the winter \u2014 because why would we need it to be functional year-round?<\/p>\n There have been so many times when I leave extra early and still end up late. Or where walking genuinely took less time than the bus.<\/p>\n When I eventually spend time in Ottawa<\/a> again, here’s hoping the buses and LRT actually work. And that they treat all the locals well in the meantime, too.<\/p>\n Winter will last half the year<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n Maybe I’m exaggerating, but it really does feel like half the year is spent in winter.<\/p>\n I never love when it starts getting dark early or when the cold, freezing rain, snowstorms, and parking bans all hit at once.<\/p>\n Sure, there are fun days skating on the Rideau Canal, grabbing a BeaverTail, and doing other winter activities, but I’m just not a big winter person.<\/p>\n That’s part of why I left Ottawa to begin with. I didn’t want to go through a snowy winter for the millionth time, so I skipped it this year by moving to Japan, and I have absolutely no regrets.<\/p>\n Truthfully, I probably won’t come back until winter is really over. Not “it’s technically spring” over, but when it’s actually over \u2014 call me in the summertime.<\/p>\n You’ll run into people you know everywhere<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n Ottawa definitely isn’t a small city. To me, it feels pretty big. If you want to get from one end to the other, you probably need a car \u2014 and even then, it’s going to take a while (traffic not included).<\/p>\n But somehow, some way, no matter where I am, in Barrhaven, Orleans, or downtown, I almost always run into someone I know. Not every time, but often enough that it’s noticeable.<\/p>\n It’s like Ottawa has its own little web: people from your past, friends of friends, and random acquaintances all somehow appear in the same caf\u00e9s, streets, and grocery stores.<\/p>\n And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. It can actually be really nice to see familiar faces around.<\/p>\n But when I’ve just rolled out of bed, wearing sweats, tired, and only want a steeped tea and a bagel from Timmy’s\u2026 It’s probably not my favourite time to run into an old coworker or classmate.<\/p>\n Your car is never safe in the snow<\/p>\n www.instagram.com<\/a><\/p>\n Piggybacking on Ottawa’s seemingly endless winter, car owners will definitely understand this one.<\/p>\n Luckily, I didn’t drive for most of the time I lived in Ottawa, but when I did, I easily spent hours digging my car out of the snow throughout the winter.<\/p>\n And just when you’ve finally cleared a path out of your parking spot, battled through the ice, and are ready to call it a day\u2026 a snowplow comes by and erases all your hard work.<\/p>\n Even better if the snowstorm refuses to stop, or you’re racing the clock before a spontaneous parking ban.<\/p>\n There are endless shawarma options<\/p>\n