A Canadian Told His Coworker “Toque” Was A Canadian Word — Calling It A “Canadianism” Offended Him
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A simple trip to get coffee somehow turned into an argument about sunglasses, winter hats, and Canadian vocabulary.
One man was enjoying a sunny break from the office with three coworkers when a colleague questioned why he was wearing sunglasses outside. Yup. Believe it or not.
The conversation could have ended there, but somehow it moved on to the word “toque,” which his coworker insisted wasn’t real.
The man tried explaining that it was simply a Canadian term for a winter hat.
His coworker disagreed.
See how things transpired below.
AITAH for using the word “Canadianism” with a coworker?
I (36M) went to get coffee with 3 coworkers, we’ll call them Jill (~45F), Jane (~45F), and Jack (~50M). We left the office to go get coffees on a sunny day and I put on sunglasses.
I have sensitive eyes and had laser eye surgery last year, so I generally protect my eyes going out.
Jack commented it was weird that I had on sunglasses.
I said that I have sensitive eyes. Jack replied that it wasn’t workplace appropriate.
I said we’re outside going to get coffee, I’m not wearing them in the office, I don’t see the problem?
To Jack, there was a problem, it seems.
Jack continued saying he just thought it was weird I even brought them to work.
So I made a joke that I’m a crazy kind of guy, I wear sunglasses in the summer and he might even catch me wearing a toque in the winter. Jill and Jane gave a small laugh.
Jack then asked me what a toque is.
Jack is an immigrant, but has been here (Canada) for at least 20+ years I believe from previous conversation.
So I was a bit surprised he never heard of a toque. I said, like a beanie, a winter hat.
Oh no, he’s being a weirdo again!
He said he’s never heard someone call it a toque before. I said oh, it’s a word used in Canada for it.
Jack again said that he never heard it referred to as a toque and then said I must be making it up or that they call it that where I’m from.
I said, no it’s just a Canadian word for a winter hat basically. He said no one here calls it that, he’s never heard it before in his life.
Jill chimed in and said that yes, people call it a toque but in the US it’s a beanie usually. Jane didn’t really say anything.
Then, things got more tense when he said the C-word.
Jack continued to say how that’s not true and no one calls it a toque. We kind of let the issue go, but Jack wouldn’t and just kept saying how he never heard of it.
I eventually said toque is just like a Canadianism, I guess.
He said that wasn’t true and just kept going on and on, which I ignored at that point. We got our coffees, walked back to the office and I didn’t think much of it.
Apparently Jack is mad and telling people that I was a real ******* about it using the word ‘Canadianism’.
I asked Jill and Jane both and they said I just tried to explain what it was, I didn’t really say anything about him, but he must not know what Canadianism means.
AITA?
Is Jack okay?
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What did Reddit think about this?
Yup.
Bet he wouldn’t know what that means either.
Don’t let him go to a Stevie Wonder concert.
Same.
Weird interaction all around.
Jack, apparently.
Some people just seem to enjoy creating awkward situations for no reason.
I personally can’t even bother to explain myself anymore. You think I’m weird? Okay! 😎
Hit the road, Jack!
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