Yup, if you guess it right, it is the location of Canada and also its national flag!
If you want to go study abroad, it is a must for you to know what kind of culture, places, or even habits that they have in their country. To make it simple, this text will provide you with some of the cultures in Canada, especially how to greet people and stuff, for it is a must known thing so that you won’t have any culture shock as soon as you arrive there.
So, what kind of language that Canada uses?
Due to its colonial background, Canada uses two languages, that is English and French. Mostly, Canadians use English, yet there is Quebec, where many French Canadians lived and speak in French. But don’t worry, because they actually speak English fluently, although they would like it more for you to speak French.
Are there any differences in their personalities?
Actually, there are some differences in their personalities, mainly because of their ancestors and also their environment. Here are some data that you can easily find in the internet:
Atlantic Canada, they are generally more reserved, stolid, provincial, and old-fashioned Canadians who spoke in English. It is also because they are primarily British.
Ontario, which is residents of Canada’s most populous province, holds people that generally more business-like and conservative.
Western Canada, they are more open, relaxed, friendly, and direct.
British Columbia, they are Canada’s unconventional western most province. They feel somewhat estranged from “easterners” (it is a general code word for those from Ontario and Quebec)
Quebec, they are French Canadians ~ they have a very strong sense of cultural identity and are very nationalistic. They are sometimes called the “Latin’s of the North”, due to their animated good nature.
Last but not least is The North part. Here, the people are seen as rugged embodiments of Canadian pioneer spirit.
What should I do when I meet a Canadian?
According to my research in the internet, the Canadian people are actually polite. But maybe, here are some back-ups for you so that you wouldn’t be too shock:
1. When you are introducing yourself, make sure to shake hands, this is important, especially if you just met for the first time. Don’t forget to make eye contact and also shake your hands once more before departing too.
2. When a woman enters or leaves a room, it is polite for men to rise, yet they also normally offer their hands to women.
3. In Quebec, kissing on the cheeks in French manner are also quite common
4. A foreign man shouldn’t kiss the hand of a French Canadian woman; although the older French Canadian man may kiss the hand of a woman.
5. Don’t forget to use their last names before they agreed or invited you to call them by their first name.
6. Because academic titles and degrees are important to most Canadians, don’t forget to know it and use it properly.
7. Take off your hat or sunglasses when speaking with someone.
8. In Quebec, sit straight with your legs crossed at the knee or with your knees together.
9. Don’t talk with your hand in your pockets, especially in Quebec.
10. The person who invites someone to eat is normally expected to pay, so don’t forget to check your wallet before you ask someone out to dinner.
11. For their way of dressing, Canadians dress more conservatively and more formally when going out. And when you are in business meetings, men should wear suits and ties, while women should wear conservative suits or dresses.
Maybe that is all? Haha. Oh yeah, some warnings here:
1. When in Quebec, don’t forget to learn French
2. Recognize that important regional differences exist in Canada, so prepare to adapt ~
3. Do not compare Canada with the United States
4. Don’t use the term “Native Americans”; it’s kind of offensive, so use “People of The First Nations” instead.
5. Don’t take sides in debates about contentious national issues.
And then, is there some common food or anything else that resembles Canada the most?
In my opinion, it is actually, MAPLE SYRUP! YEAY! But, in the other hand, there are various food, music, and even arts in Canada. There are some main lines, including Aboriginal.
Okay, in general, you might see that the British lines are mostly dominant in some of the arts, also French. It is again, because of their background :0 Then again, what is aboriginal? it is actually an original tribe in Australia. One of the example of Canada lining on Aboriginal is that they adapt The Dream Catcher, fully and not acculturated.
In Quebec and some other French Canadians environment, you may find some foods that are already acculturated with other Canadian residence. You can also find “Just for Laugh” gags here. It is actually a comedy show that is shown worldwide, especially in Montreal.
For music, there are some French in their music too. As I say before, almost all Canadian cultures are acculturated culture due to their nation’s background. As for their nationalist part of Music, the Canadian Content (CANCON) requires all of Canada’s radio station to play 36% of their music to Canadians own music. No wonder if Canada’s music is growing so fast in their nation, right?
And for food, as you know yourself, it varies over their own cultural ancestors. Such as Québécois Poutine that includes Fries, Curds, and Gravy:
Or maybe Montreal’s Smoked Meat that includes Coleslaw, Potato chips, and half pickle other than just its sandwich:
Either way, anything and everything is fine as long as it suits your taste, right?
Hmm, maybe that is it for Canadians Culture. For a big nation like that, there must be so many cultures, including of what I have said in this article. Yet, for more information, don’t forget to check out CESI or conduct your own search by the internet or your school libraries~ It’s important to know the background and cultures that a nation had before you go there, so keep up to date so that you won’t get any culture shock once you got there. Happy Searching ~
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