About Canadians. Contains jokes. In English

I’d like to share with you some information, facts and jokes about Canadian Culture and Canadians. 

Let’s start with Physical Rules.

In Canada, looking someone in the eye is a sign of friendliness and sincerity. But when people are in an elevator, they don’t look at one another but at the floor numbers as they change. Canadians also do not touch each other very often when they are talking in the workplace. They value their physical space. The general rule is to maintain two arms’ lengths between people. Violating this rule at work might cause a person to back away during a conversation. Men in Canada generally give a firm handshake, women give a medium handshake. Soft handshakes may be interpreted as a weakness.

 

Communication

Some cultures consider quietness as a sign of respect. In Canada, being quiet to show you are listening is positive, but sharing your ideas is a sign of interest and involvement. Another sign of respect in some countries is nodding your head even when you don’t understand. But in Canada, supervisors want to know if you don’t understand.

Maintain a friendly but polite attitude. In general terms, Canadians are slightly reserved.

Canadians do not appreciate the habit of confusing them with Americans. Although they share an extensive border with America and enjoy warm diplomatic, social and trade relations with the country, they are keen to stress their own national identity. Avoid making any statement that tell the idea that Canadians are just like Americans.

And now it’s time to cheer you up with a joke.

God creating the world in 6 days, and resting on the 7th....well on the 8th day, God and the angel Gabriel were looking down on the world and God says to Gabriel "I am so happy with my creating that today I will create the best land in the world and I will call this land Canada. I will give it tall majestic mountains, and wide open prairies...I will give it not 1, not even 2, but 3 oceans...I will cover this land in rich green forests, deep blue lakes, crystal clear rivers and beautiful wild life for them to enjoy..I will let them experience all 4 seasons and I will populate this land with all different types of people...nothing but the kindest, gentlest people in the world...They shall be known as Canadians around the world for their friendliness, and compassion for others, and will be well respected by all”. Angel Gabriel has become quite worried and he says "God, don't you think that you may be giving these Canadians a little too much?"...God looks upon Gabriel and smiles...then says "Don't worry ...wait until you see the neighbors I am giving them!"

Canadians are good listeners but also welcome discussion and debate. They will not interrupt, but they are also not afraid to say `no'. Children are taught from an early age to speak up for themselves and to question anything, and to voice their opinions in a modest, but confident manner.

Be prepared to meet objective, unemotional thinkers and people who are calm and tolerant but who are competitive and who believe in achievement gained through merit. A well-prepared people, Canadians will not be afraid to involve in energetic arguments. Canadian business people generally focus on facts and figures when doing business. Objective information is preferred over subjective feelings.

Time

Canadians are pragmatic and do not like to waste time. Although they will appreciate someone who takes the time to get to know them, they will expect meetings and negotiations to lead somewhere and to achieve something. If a meeting is called, it is expected that this has a definite purpose and the agenda is followed through. They are expected to stick to the point in discussion.

Canadians are punctual themselves and expect this of others. Being on time is especially important. They would expect a visitor to inform them and apologize for a delay of anything more than about 10 minutes.

Canadians on the whole work to live and not vice versa. They maintain a fairly strict separation of work and social life. They are prepared to work hard and long hours, but will not generally take work home and work at weekends. They would consider phone calls outside normal working hours an intrusion.

Canadians are great sports fans. The most famed national game is hockey. The Canadian team is expected to win regularly medals at every great competition. Other sports include soccer, curling, skiing, cycling, hiking and fishing. One more joke about a true Canadian.

It is the Game of the Stanley Cup Final. A man makes his way to his seat. He sits down, noticing that the seat next to him is empty. He asks his neighbor if someone will be sitting there. "No," says the neighbor. "This is incredible", said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for final game of the Stanley Cup playoffs and not use it?" The neighbor says "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first Stanley Cup we haven't been to together since we got married 40 years ago" "Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbor to take the seat?" The man shakes his head "No, they're all at the funeral."

Canadians are well-informed about international affairs and will expect visitors to have some knowledge of their country - its physical characteristics, history and politics. In the Internet I’ve found some sarcastic comments concern it.

When Vancouver won the chance to host the 2010 Winter Olympics, there were some questions that people from around the world were asking: 

Q from Germany: "Do you have perfume in Canada?"  
A: "No, WE don't stink." 

Q from England: "Are there any ATM's (cash machines) in Canada? Can you send me a list of them in Toronto, Vancouver, Edmonton and Halifax?"   A: "What, did your last slave die?"  Q : What does a Canadian say when you step on his foot? A : Sorry!

Comment to that last notice I got on Monday from American. Relationships between people in Canada remains him the United States 30 years ago. Now, in big American cities, nobody opens the door for each other, because nobody says “thank you”.