大象传媒

While it's difficult to describe all Canadians, there are a few common values that Canadians tend to share as a whole:

• Freedom and individuality: Canadians tend to see themselves as individuals first, rather than as members of a group. Decisions about career, education, and social activities are often made based on personal interest.

• Politeness and fairness: Canadians value politeness, saying 鈥減lease鈥� and 鈥渢hank you鈥� in many social situations; they are often apologetic, and may even say 鈥淓xcuse me鈥� or 鈥淚鈥檓 sorry鈥欌�� if someone else has bumped into them. Generally speaking, Canadians tend to feel uncomfortable in situations where another person is acting aggressively or rudely; they try to avoid conflict/confrontation.
  
  Lining up for services is something that most Canadians feel strongly about, following the idea that the first person who arrived should be served first; Canadians tend to feel quite uncomfortable or frustrated when people 鈥渏ump the queue鈥� (jump ahead in line) or do not line up at all.

• Personal space/Privacy: Canadians value their personal space. When speaking to each other or lining up, they typically feel most comfortable allowing an arm鈥檚 length between people. Similarly, they prefer to respect each other鈥檚 privacy; polite conversation between strangers will typically be about something light, such as the weather, steering away from sensitive topics like money, politics, status, etc.
  
  Canadians' need for personal space and privacy goes hand in hand with their sense of individuality, that everyone is entitled to personal space and privacy.
  
  
• Tolerance, sensitivity and political correctness: As Canada is a multicultural country with citizens with a variety of different beliefs, Canadians try to avoid expressions or actions that can be insulting to others. As a whole, Canadians take a more liberal approach to social and political issues.
  
  
• Eye contact is a sign of honesty/sincerity: While eye contact at all times isn鈥檛 required, Canadians appreciate a certain level of eye contact during conversation, as it implies a level of trust and honesty.
  
  
• Being on time: Canadians value their time, and expect others to be on schedule. Whether for a class, meeting, work or other scheduled event, it is best to arrive on time or even a few minutes early.
  
  
• Curiosity about other cultures: Many Canadians travel abroad, and tend to be curious about other countries. It is not uncommon to ask 鈥淲here are you from?鈥� or 鈥淲hat is your background/heritage?鈥� Canadians even ask each other these questions, as family heritage and community culture are a large part of what defines Canada鈥檚 multicultural society.
  
  
• Informality: Canadians tend to interact more informally with each other. In a university setting, some professors will ask you to refer to them by their first (given) name; they may also encourage you to ask questions or provide opinions in class, to create a more discussion-oriented lesson.