I have been living in Canada for quite a few years now and I believe it is an incredible country.
It is a huge country too and is the second largest state on earth. A place that still feels like a frontier, sparsely populated and very young, less than two centuries old indeed.
After a long time spent here I feel I have understood something of the inhabitants of this country too and I want to share it with you.
Here is a semi-serious list of my personal truths/stereotypes about Canadians.
I have had a friend read it and he said it’s pretty accurate and not offensive so I don’t think I’m offending anyone also because it’s semi-serious as I said and we just need a good laugh, don’t we?
Let’s remember also that Canada is a land of immigrants par excellence so it’s a place full of differences and variety.
Many Canadians are second generations coming from other countries, bringing in different religions, cultures and traditions.
All these Canadians are different, but deep down ...
The first thing to mention is that Canadians are as friendly as they are resistant to deepening a long-lasting friendly relationship.
It’s part of a suspicious mentality I think so it’s very easy to have a small chat here and make acquaintances but sometimes it is difficult to really make friends and especially long-lasting relationships.
Something else worth mentioning is that Canadians all get vaccinated against the flu every year (not to talk about Covid because that’s another story) but don't wear hats when it's cold and don't use umbrellas when it rains.
This is weird for me coming from Italy where people are very attentive to what they wear and they are always wearing loads of protective clothing.
Canadians also often apologize and they really mean it.
It was weird for me when I first moved here because people would apologize to me for no apparent reason.
This is part of Canadians being very polite and attentive to others.
A Canadian may even be apologizing if you by mistake bump into him/her!
Canadians always ask how you are, but they have no interest in knowing the answer! It's just the North American (also in the US) way of saying hello ... I discovered it after months (and I still fall for it LOL).
Canadians perhaps don't tell you to your face if they don't like you, quite the opposite! But if you have a boss or a mom/wife they will go directly to talk to him/her.
I guess it’s part of their kindness, not wanting to hurt your feelings but..oh, well…I don’t like it much.
Canadians are the ones that think everything is great (awesome!) and they speak enthusiastically about most aspects of life.
Really trivial things sometimes like having found fresh eggs at the market. I will never get used to it and it always seems to me that they are pulling my legs.
They are just very enthusiastic about life. And positive too.
I think it’s great! I wish Italians were that way but we are more on the complaining all-the-time side.
Canadians go around in shorts when the winter is harsh but they have to drink coffee at a lava temperature even in summer.
Temperatures are an opinion, I guess.
Canadians are very proud of their country and their traditions but they struggle to call themselves Canadians and seek their own national identity and background in the next of kin who most recently emigrated.
I think this is a fantastic way to keep your origins alive and honour them.
In Canada there are many holidays and event dedicated to other countries’ traditions and customs.
Once again, fellow Canadians (because I feel part of it now), no offense intended!