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Comment by paulsutter | Hacker News Reader

I was visiting friends in Canada and I asked “is it true that Canadians don’t lock their doors?” And they responded “oh no, Steve right? Yeah we know a guy, he locks his door”. Always polite, trying to make me feel OK for being from a place where everyone locks their door.

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Reality is a bit different in Canada than the one manufactured in Michael Moore films.

Torontonians generally lock their doors, as do Vancouverites; so, definitely not all Canadians.

Even in Ottawa, folks generally lock their doors. It is a rural vs urban thing, just like it is in the US.

I live in Montreal and I only make sure the doors are locked at night. In some Montreal neighborhoods, it's common for people just leave their front door open to let the air in, even at street level.

I think he meant when you're leaving the house.

I don't think people in the US lock their doors when they're home during the day.

Well, I don't know. Not locking the door when you are away is a bit odd, and the insurance just won't pay if you are burglarized.. My understanding of the 'Canadian are not locking the door' thing was always about when you are at home. no?

I did not realize people locked their door when they're at home during the day.

I'm Canadian. I don't lock my door when I'm at home. I always assumed this question implied "when not at home", and I always answered that Canadians do lock their doors.

I grew up in a town of around 25,000 people. My family never locked its doors. When I moved to Calgary (pop ~1.2mm), I still rarely locked them.

I pay for home insurance for a reason.

I don't know if home insurance covers theft if you don't take basic steps to protect your property (ie locking your door).

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