Tomorrow is Canada Day, so let’s ask a very Canadian question: are we actually that polite, or have we just made a habit of saying sorry when we really aren’t?
This week, Sean Kelly, Mariam Serkal and Dr Julie Gowthorpe RSW talk about the difference between being polite and being passive.
Canadians really do have a reputation around the world for being polite. We hold doors. We say “sorry” when someone bumps into us.
But we have to be careful with stereotypes. Canada is regional, multicultural, and diverse. Someone in downtown Toronto, rural Nova Scotia, northern Ontario, and Vancouver may all communicate differently.
But as a national habit, we do seem to value friendliness, modesty, and not making a scene. That can be a strength. It can also become a problem when being “nice” means never saying what we actually think or need.
