In the last 8 months that I'm here, I've observed quite a bit of Canadian social customs and language use, and wanted to share for the benefit of newcomers.
Social Customs:
Always let ladies to get out/go-in first when getting into elevators, lifts, bus/trains. Ladies first really happens everywhere and if we are not observant and jump ahead of a lady, others might think we're being rude and expect some kinda 'sorry'
In places such as above, if two people come at the same time and if there is only space for one, say "after you" and let the other person hop on first. If you have to rush, say sorry.
Take people out for coffee or lunch. This is the way people do business or network.. (PS: We can go out to bars with friends or after becoming close colleagues but stop with 2 beers. Coffee or lunch is still the way to network.)
Supper happens at 6 to 7 pm. Beyond that is considered late. So make dinner plans for this time.
Suffix any request with "please", even in cases if the sentence itself looks like a request. For example, in Britain, "Can I take this" might pass of as being polite, but in here a please seems to be expected. "Can I take this book please"
If your voice or accent sounds rude, try to make conversations more friendly such as using words like friend, buddy, mate etc. (For example with taxi drivers, handymen or other labor folks, but please don't do this in official surroundings)
English Language:
The words used to refer to common day-to-day stuff could be different from where you come from, and if we don't use the Canadian word, people don't understand and ask us to repeat, which could be a bit awkward for someone who comes from an English speaking country. I'll try to make a growing list here.
Line instead of queue, as in "Is there a line here", or "are you in a line"
Trash instead of bin or dustbin, as in "where is the trash here"
'What's that' instead of Pardon me, to request someone to repeat themselves
Supper instead of Dinner
Savage, wicked, awesome instead of 'very good'. Just different ways to say something is cool, rather than a boring 'very good'
Social Customs:
Always let ladies to get out/go-in first when getting into elevators, lifts, bus/trains. Ladies first really happens everywhere and if we are not observant and jump ahead of a lady, others might think we're being rude and expect some kinda 'sorry'
In places such as above, if two people come at the same time and if there is only space for one, say "after you" and let the other person hop on first. If you have to rush, say sorry.
Take people out for coffee or lunch. This is the way people do business or network.. (PS: We can go out to bars with friends or after becoming close colleagues but stop with 2 beers. Coffee or lunch is still the way to network.)
Supper happens at 6 to 7 pm. Beyond that is considered late. So make dinner plans for this time.
Suffix any request with "please", even in cases if the sentence itself looks like a request. For example, in Britain, "Can I take this" might pass of as being polite, but in here a please seems to be expected. "Can I take this book please"
If your voice or accent sounds rude, try to make conversations more friendly such as using words like friend, buddy, mate etc. (For example with taxi drivers, handymen or other labor folks, but please don't do this in official surroundings)
English Language:
The words used to refer to common day-to-day stuff could be different from where you come from, and if we don't use the Canadian word, people don't understand and ask us to repeat, which could be a bit awkward for someone who comes from an English speaking country. I'll try to make a growing list here.
Line instead of queue, as in "Is there a line here", or "are you in a line"
Trash instead of bin or dustbin, as in "where is the trash here"
'What's that' instead of Pardon me, to request someone to repeat themselves
Supper instead of Dinner
Savage, wicked, awesome instead of 'very good'. Just different ways to say something is cool, rather than a boring 'very good'
