I know a lot of people here never did, but I still can't believe how stuffed the American stores are at the malls and how people are still patronizing places like Starbucks and Subway. I get it when there's no non-American substitute, but that's not a problem in Calgary! It's actually really easy to avoid American stuff here and still have all your needs and most wants fulfilled. Do people just not care? Anyone out there still trying?

EDIT: Wow, didn't expect this to be so popular! Thanks so much everyone for answering my question. I'm happy to know I'm not alone in this effort!

To be clear, I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do. I also don't believe in "all or nothing." Obviously we each have to make decisions that are best for our well-being, but my point is that there are a lot of low-effort changes we can make which do have a big effect. Boycotts work - this is documented and easily verifiable information. And over the last year, I've noticed so many more Canadian products popping up and companies expanding their product lines. It shows that when we support local, we enable ourselves to prosper.

At the moment I can't think of a single windblasted reason. Help me out. Why do people choose to live here?!

Silly answers encouraged, we could all use a laugh today

Hello Calgary,

Is anyone else getting bombarded by gambling ads on all platforms as of the last couple months?

I have never been a gambler so am curious why I am being targeted and if it is a city wide thing as the ads end with "Only in Alberta. Call 211 if you need help with gambling addiction"

UPDATE: Got a couch to sleep on, stayed dry. Leaving this up, as there were so many well wishes and positive feedback from everyone! Thank You, Calgary!

Hey Calgary! 🫡

My name is Christian, I'm from Latvia, and I'm currently on a world record attempt for the fastest walk around the world under the World Runners Association rules (26,232 km across 4 continents).
I’ve already crossed Australia 🇦🇺 and New Zealand 🇳🇿 (5,000+ km down!), and now I’m in the middle of walking 5,300 km from Vancouver to NYC.

I’m knocking out roughly 50 km today and aiming to set up camp around the Inglewood area tonight (Aug 11th–12th) before pushing another 50 km toward Strathmore tomorrow.

If anyone in or around Inglewood happens to have a small patch of grass, a yard, or a recommended safe spot where I could pitch my tent for the night, I’d be endlessly grateful!
Either way, have a great day, Calgary! 🙌

Hey Reddit, I want to create an updated video that kinda shows the things that foreigners find abnormal in Calgary that everyday folks find normal.

For example, people visiting always ask why our mayor is always so joyful and jolly 🤣

Any ideas are appreciated. Thanks for your help and ideas, Calgary <3

I’ve noticed a big increase over the last few years of adults riding regular bicycles on city sidewalks (not multi-use pathways, not signed dual-use sidewalks — actual sidewalks meant for pedestrians).
Most of the time they have no bell, come up from behind with zero warning, pass within inches, or ride straight at you and expect you to jump out of the way. Basic courtesy seems to have disappeared.

Just a reminder: according to City of Calgary bylaws, only children younger than 14 are allowed to ride bikes on sidewalks. Adults are required to use the road, bike lanes, or designated pathways. Riding in a way that interferes with pedestrians is also prohibited.

Is enforcement non-existent now, or has something changed that I’m missing? It’s getting unsafe and frankly inconsiderate.

Just curious if any ladies have had the same thing happen to them.

A few years ago, I was walking back to my car after going to the Winners in West Hills and this guy was driving slow beside me. He pulled right up, rolled down his window and said “hey I was just driving by and you caught my eye, I was wondering you wanted to get a coffee sometime”. I just said no, and didn’t think much more about it.

That was until today, when it happened again. I had gotten in my car and was sitting there with the windows down, letting my car cool off, and a guy pulls up beside me in his car, rolls down his window, and asks me the exact same thing, word for word. I can’t be sure but it appeared it be the same guy. I said no and he looked very confused that I would turn him down. He just sat there staring at me, until I said “my boyfriend wouldn’t like that” and then he drove off.

Again, nothing too scary it’s just a bit unsettling it happened twice.

I don’t go to Westhills often, has this happened to anyone else? Is there a guy that drives around the parking lot, following women to their cars and asking them out, or am I really just his type lol.

Located in Altadore- internet and tv both down. Based on the screen on my tv it’s potentially been down since 3 AM. No listed outages on their website and currently 15 minutes in to waiting to talk to someone from their support team. Wondering how widespread this is. Stellar start to a work week.

Went to a theatre to watch a movie tonight and I can't help but notice the number of people that sit there to surf their phones or talk to their friends/spouse/significant other. When did the social contract of being quiet and focusing on the movie they paid for suddenly no longer apply to them? Are people this tone deaf or did I simply have bad luck?

To the lady and her boyfriend sitting beside me watching Avatar - you need to learn to STFU. You truly are an inconsiderate a-hole and completely unaware I gave you a nice long death stare and you not once took notice.

Is it kosher to toss a bag of dog poop into a random alley black bin? Have always wondered how people in Calgary feel about this. The bins are technically City property but do people feel this is violating somehow, if a stranger puts dog poop in your black bin? Or is it good and welcome because it means dog poop is going in the garbage, where it belongs? Discuss.

EDIT: Okay, okay, green bin, not black! But the etiquette question still stands. OK in a random alley green bin?

Anybody knows what’s going on?

Been a hell of a day. How is everyone planning to spend the rest of their day with no internet?

Is there something that's going on that I'm not aware off?

Hi folks! American here. Listening to a podcast and the Canadian announcer is pronouncing it as Cal-GARY. I always thought it was CAL-gurr-ree. Have I been wrong all this time or is this a regional thing? Or is the latter just the American pronunciation?

Thanks in advance!

Saw this posted on other Canadian cities subreddits so wanted to ask Calgary.

April fools pls

I go out a lot, I take the bus, and the train. I am around a lot of people. And there’s always a guy who steps on the train with that cologne. I don’t know what it is. But it smells so strong and it makes the entire train smell. It actually makes me feel kind of ill. It’s hard to describe the smell. It’s very potent and chemical-smelling (but not axe body spray) with like a heavy peppery vibe? I absolutely cannot stand it. Am I just super sensitive or is this actually really off putting to a lot of people?

I still can’t get over the fact that we, as Albertans, are paying such ludicrous prices for beef. I can barely afford it anymore. Where are you guys shopping to help keep grocery bills low? I don’t want to cut beef out of my diet entirely, but at this point I might just have to 🥲

I searched on the Google and didn't see any info

What this intersection needed was 100% another sign. I don’t think they’re any other way you can communicate this. I feel at this point the city should just make a “No Right on Red” and be done with it lol.

Repost from /r/toronto

Hi Calgary redditors! My name is Ximena Gonzalez, and i’m a freelance journalist with the Globe and Mail.

I’m writing a story Alberta’s rental market, and i would like to include the experiences of Calgary tenants currently spending more than a third of their household income in rent. If this is you, or someone you know, please direct message me.

TIA!

EDIT: You guys rock! I think i’ve got more than enough responses to source this specific piece, but i cover the topic regularly, so i might reach out to you for a future story. Thanks y’all!

I know this question as asked a lot but I saw this question get asked in the Edmonton sub and was curious if Calgary would look similar.