Canada: Culture, Society, Language and Customs

There are 196 independent countries in the world, among them 193 are the members of the United Nations but three are not. Those three countries which are not member of UN are Vatican City, Kosovo and Taiwan (China claims that Taiwan is simply a province of China). Every independent country on the face of globe has its own rules & Regulations, Language, Culture, Customs & Etiquette and same is the case with Canada. Here in this post I would give you details about Canada Statistic Language, Culture, Customs & Etiquette of Canada.

Facts and Statistics of Canada

Location

Canada is located in Northern North of America, in the east side of Canada there is the North Atlantic Ocean, on the west there is North Pacific Ocean, and the Arctic Ocean is on the north side of the Canada, north of the conterminous US.

Capital of the Canada is Ottawa. The Climate of Canada varies from temperate in south to subarctic and arctic in north and the country total Population is 35,344,962 on the basis of January 2014 estimation.

Ethnic Make-up of Canada

British Isles origin masses are 28%, French masses are 23%, other European are 15%, Amerindian are 2%, Asian, African, Arab collectively are 6%, mixed background are 26%.

Religions

According to recent statistics, the majority of Canadians (42.6%) are Christians, with the Roman Catholic beliefs, other religions include Protestant 23.3%, other Christian 4.4%, and Muslim community is almost 1.9%, other and unspecified 11.8%, none 16%.

Government of Canada

According to the Constitutional Act of 1867, Canada is a Constitutional monarchy state that is also a parliamentary democracy and a federation.

Languages in Canada

There are different languages spoken in Canada. English and French are the most preferred language. These two are the home language and spoken most often in the home. 67.1% people spoke English and 21.5% people spoke French in Canada. Both these languages are declared by the Constitution of Canada as “official languages, of the country. All laws of the federal government are also enacted in these two languages and federal government services are required to be available in both languages. The five most non-official and widely-spoken languages in Canada are Chinese as it is the home language of 2.6% of Canadians, Punjabi a  regional language of Pakistan (0.8%), Spanish (0.7%), Italian (0.6%),and Arabic (0.5%). 

Canadian Society & Culture

Cultural Diversity in Canada

Canada is culturally diverse country. Actually in 1890s when Canada began to inviting people from all over the world to come and settle in the country to help it develop and grow. Canadian believe in the principle that all people in the world are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities so, immigration policy of Canada was historically open and welcoming. This has also a proven characteristic of Canadian nation that people are encouraged and to retain their cultural identities, languages, traditions, and customs.

Individuals concerned with the group

the people of the Canada are generally tolerant and polite as well as they are extremely community-oriented people. Although Canadians are individualistic in respect of their basic cultural traits, but when it come to community matter they place a great deal of emphasis on them. So there is a balance and a good quality of life in Canada.

Regionalism in Canada

The Canadian mostly have a strong loyalty to their region or province, sometimes more so than to the country. There are some major differences between different Canadian regions, many of them are summed up as below:

1. Atlantic Provinces people of Canada are somewhat reserved and provincial, to the point that they are seen as old-fashioned.
2. Ontario is a business hub and the people of Ontario tend to be business-like and conservative.
3. Western Canada people are open, friendly and relaxed.
4. In British Colombia people are less conventional and this province is often viewed as the Canada of the future.
5. Quebec province is totally French region and it has a distinct cultural identity. The people of this region are extremely independent.
6. In North Canada people have a strong pioneer spirit.

Customs & Etiquette in Canada

Meeting and Greeting in Canada

1. The most common greeting of Canada is the handshake.
2. Handshake should be firm and it should be accompanied by direct eye contact and a sincere smile.
3. French Canadian friends usually greet by a light kiss on the both cheeks
4. If using French in Quebec the formal pronoun “vous” (you) is used while speaking to someone and the informal “tu” is considered very bad unless invited to do so.

Gift Giving in Canada

1. Canadians mostly give gifts for birthdays and Christmas.
2. If someone s invited to for a dinner at home, take a box of chocolates, flowers or a bottle of wine.
3. In Quebec the proper protocol is to send flowers in advance before dinner party.
4. In Quebec, if you offer wine to your friend, make sure it should be the highest quality you can afford.
5. Do not give white lilies as a present as they are used at funerals in Canada.
6. Never give money or cash as a present.

Dining Etiquette in Canada

1. Table manners are informal relatively relaxed in Canada.
2. Quebec people have a bit more formality.
3. Table manners are mainly Continental, in which the fork is hold by left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
4. Do not begin eating until your hostess starts.
5. Resting elbows on the table is considered informal.
6. Anyone can freely refuse individual foods or drink without any explanation.
7. In formal situations, the host gives the first toast to the invited person. An honored guest should usually return the toast later in the meal.

Business Etiquette & Protocol in Canada

1. Canadian businessmen often begin relationships in a reserved manner. Once they get to know one another then they become friendly and informal.
2. Canadians businesspeople appreciate politeness and they expect others to adhere to the proper protocol for any given situation.
3. Canadian businesspeople Shake hands with everyone at the meeting upon arrival and departure.
4. They always maintain eye contact while shaking hands with each other.
5. Men may offer their hand to a business or colleagues without waiting for her to extend hers first.
6. Honorific addressing titles and surnames are usually not used in business communities.
7. Academic titles are important and mostly used in Quebec and are used with the honorific Monsieur or Madame.
8. Business cards are usually exchanged by businesspeople after the initial introduction.
9. In Quebec, businesspeople have one side of their business card translated into French. And the French side should face the recipient while exchanging card.
10. Businesspeople examine any card after receive before putting it in their card case.