# Is this a Canadian thing? (Putting butter on both sides of sandwich bread) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2014, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271 "2014-12-27T08:49:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 9:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/41 "2014-12-27T21:35:40Z")
> [@amanset](#): > > If you are not buttering bread then you are doing it wrong. This is non-negotiable. It is a simple fact, provable with science, and you should just accept it. > [@Freudian\_Slit](#): > > I’ve never put butter on a sandwich. I can’t really imagine it–it just sounds really odd. Hahaha, I should have made this a poll. Vastly different answers would abound. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/42 "2014-12-27T21:37:38Z")
Another Canadian checking in. I butter both sides of every sandwich. I have never in my life buttered a hot dog or hamburger bun, assuming of coarse they were used for hamburgers or hot dogs. Why wouldn’t you butter sandwich bread? I thought that was the global default. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/43 "2014-12-27T21:40:02Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > I’m still confused: Butter in addition to mayo or some other spread -or- Butter instead of some other spread? > > It wouldn’t seem all that odd to me to use butter instead of another spread, but mainly if the bread was toasted. _In addition to_. As in, **no matter what else you have on the sandwich, butter also goes on**. every time. No exceptions. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/44 "2014-12-27T21:44:38Z")
These replies are so interesting. First we have… > [@Leaffan](#): > > I have never in my life buttered a hot dog or hamburger bun, assuming of coarse they were used for hamburgers or hot dogs. > [@CarnalK](#): > > Never in my life have I seen someone buttering a frigging hotdog bun. > [@Cyros](#): > > I have never seen anyone butter a hot dog or hamburger bun and I’ve lived in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and New Brunswick. But then there’s… > [@Idle\_Thoughts](#): > > …they would even butter both sides of a hot dog bun. > [@davidm](#): > > She even puts it on hamburger and hot dog rolls. > [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > Hamburger buns should be buttered before putting other stuff on them too. So many differing answers. I may have to remake this as a poll in a few days. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/45 "2014-12-27T21:57:21Z")
No, it is not a Canadian thing to put butter on hotdogs or hamburgers, or on both sides of a sandwich. Unless that sandwich has ONLY butter as a spread. If butter and some other condiment is used, butter goes on one side, the other condiment (mayo, mustard, whatever) goes on the other. This is not only my near-universal experience with friends and family making them at home (I know _one_ person who does a layer of butter, then whatever other condiment is used, on both sides), this is how I was taught to make sandwiches while working food service. It’s also common to do sandwiches with non-butter spreads on both sides. (My preference for anything with mustard and MOST things with mayo.) A sandwich consisting only of a spread, or mayo-containing ‘salad’, will generally not have butter (except for that one person who will eat peanut butter and butter sandwiches). ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/46 "2014-12-27T22:22:09Z")
> [@elbows](#): > > Cyros nailed it. > > Without butter/margarine as a moisture barrier, unless you’re going to eat it straight away, the bread will suck all the crispy out of the lettuce, or fall apart from absorbing juice from tomatoes, etc. Without a moisture barrier any mayo, mustard etc will get fully absorbed into the bread negatively affecting its yumminess! > > Of course both sides are buttered! As it should be. > > Now you know. Put the lettuce between the tomato and bread and no the bread will not suck the moisture out. There,I saved you a step. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/47 "2014-12-27T22:33:16Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > Put the lettuce between the tomato and bread and no the bread will not suck the moisture out. There,I saved you a step. That’s fine on top, but condiments go on the bottom of a sandwich (oh boy, I’ll bet that’s another controversy). ---
**Author:** ![Scathach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Scathach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scathach)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/48 "2014-12-27T22:36:55Z")
I was deeply surprised to learn at the age of about 13 or 14 that Americans used mayonnaise on their sandwiches instead of butter. I hated mayonnaise at the time which really added to the bewilderment (who would CHOOSE to put mayonnaise on a sandwich??) Sandwich default is butter here in Ireland (for everyone I know at least), although mayonnaise is an option at deli counters now too. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/49 "2014-12-27T23:16:57Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > That’s fine on top, but condiments go on the bottom of a sandwich (oh boy, I’ll bet that’s another controversy). In Canada we put lettuce on the top and bottom of the sandwich. You don’t? !? Just kidding. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/50 "2014-12-27T23:27:35Z")
Do any of the major sandwich chains (Subway, Togos, etc.) even offer butter as an option? Been a long time since I’ve been to Togo’s but don’t recall ever seeing it. But maybe I tune it out since I wouldn’t want it. > [@](#): > > Without butter/margarine as a moisture barrier, unless you’re going to eat it straight away, Maybe that is why I don’t need butter. I don’t think I’ve made a sandwich for anything other than immediate consumption since I was in elementary school. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [December 27, 2014, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/51 "2014-12-27T23:56:00Z")
Next thing you’re going to tell me is that America doesn’t have [sausage sizzles](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sausage_sizzle). Ridiculous! ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/52 "2014-12-28T00:31:25Z")
> [@Scathach](#): > > I was deeply surprised to learn at the age of about 13 or 14 that Americans used mayonnaise on their sandwiches instead of butter. NOT in Wisconsin, USA, America’s Dairyland we don’t! (Motto: Smell our Dairy Air). Butter on everything here! ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/53 "2014-12-28T00:33:24Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > NOT in Wisconsin, USA, America’s Dairyland we don’t! (Motto: Smell our Dairy Air). > > Butter on everything here! That motto’s hilarious! Is it real? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/54 "2014-12-28T03:05:19Z")
Both sides of my family, which are German, butter both sides of the sandwich bread. We buy a nice Polish unsalted butter in blocks, and it sits on the counter at all times. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/55 "2014-12-28T03:38:59Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > That motto’s hilarious! Is it real? It’s unofficial. But it is on T-shirts, so it’s real! ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/56 "2014-12-28T03:41:27Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > My father did this. He told me, in all seriousness, that the US army had an official manual for how to make sandwiches which said to do so. The reason is supposedly to prevent juices from soaking into the bread. > > Which just goes to show how much the US Army knows. The bread is supposed to soak up juices-- That’s what it’s there for. TM 10-412 Army recipies 1946 Section XVI Sandwiches (3) Spread butter evenly over all of one side of a slice of bread. If a moist sandwich filling is used, spread both slices of bread with butter to prevent the bread from becoming soggy. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/57 "2014-12-28T03:42:40Z")
I only butter leftover turkey sandwiches. I live in the US, though, and I always thought I was odd for doing even that much. ---
**Author:** ![actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/actualliberalnotoneofthose)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/58 "2014-12-28T03:44:30Z")
And the way I prevent soggy bread is not buttering, but buttering and then grilling- like how you prepare a hamburger bun you don’t want to fall apart from a lot of topping and grease. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/59 "2014-12-28T04:00:10Z")
> [@actualliberalnotoneofthose](#): > > And the way I prevent soggy bread is not buttering, but buttering and then grilling- like how you prepare a hamburger bun you don’t want to fall apart from a lot of topping and grease. Grilling with butter is perfectly acceptable and very American. ---
**Author:** ![davidm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidm/32/225_2.png) [@davidm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davidm)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271/60 "2014-12-28T04:17:54Z")
Regarding bread being soaked by juices: If I’m making a sandwich which includes juicy things like pickles or tomatoes, I put the juicy stuff between layers of meat or cheese so they never touch the bread. No need for butter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-this-a-canadian-thing-putting-butter-on-both-sides-of-sandwich-bread/708271.md?page=4)