Canada

Despite close ties to the United States, Canadians emphasize they are not Americans living in a northern country. To be bilingual in Canada means to be able to speak both English and French. An anglophone is someone whose mother tongue is English. A francophone is a French speaker. There are regional variations in the language. English speakers in some areas punctuate their sentences with the word Quebec slang, which uses many English words, called joual. Newfoundlanders use many words that are unique to their province. Success is measured by personal achievement. Canadians tend to be self-confident and open to discussions on general topics; however, they hold their personal privacy off limits to all but their closest friends.

There is tension between the French province of Quebec and other Canadian provinces. Citizens of Quebec tend to be more private and reserved. Generally, Canadians admire educated and skilled people.

Cultural trends in modern Canada reveal a commitment to peace and acceptance of all people. The government exercises considerable authority to ensure that such remains the case, as can be seen by the fact that the government provides not only education but also health care and other social systems for its citizens. While some debate the effectiveness of the national control of social issues, the underlying principle is the desire to ensure that all Canadians have equal opportunity to speak openly, think independently, and receive equal opportunity.

Perhaps in no other national issue can this commitment be better observed than in the long-running challenge of the country's roots coming from two major world powers at the time of European settlement: England and France. The province of Quebec is firmly rooted in the French language and culture, as are large portions of several other provinces, while the rest of the country claims a more British-centered heritage. In order to preserve peace, tolerance and acceptance have become the watchwords of the more successful political powers.

One consequence of this attitude of tolerance has been that Canada is seen as a safe landing place by immigrants from subcultures from around the world. This has led to a population of great diversity, not only in the country of origin but more importantly in basic belief systems.

Another area where the commitment to peace is manifest is in Canadian military operations and commitments. Although it is a very large country with a relatively small population, the Canadian armed forces have played critical roles in world conflicts over the past century. These roles have changed over time, from a more active stance in the great World Wars to their current service as peacekeeping forces in various hot spots around the world.

Peace, tolerance, and a commitment to the equal acceptance of all - are values that reflect Canada's history, is their present approach to life as a nation, and a road map that they hope will lead them through an uncertain future.

When greeting someone, a handshake is often exchanged by both men and women. Look directly at the person whose hand you are shaking, and maintain eye contact as long as you shake hands. Men need not wait for a woman to extend her hand first but can initiate a handshake without concern. In Quebec, adults might also exchange a polite kiss on each cheek. Although Canadians tend toward informality, wait until your host addresses you by your first name before you do the same. Similarly, if in Quebec, use the more formal pronoun (you) until invited to do otherwise. Women who are also good friends might also enjoy a brief hug, and family members who have not seen each other for a while are often expected to hug each other both in greeting and farewell.

Because Canadians tend towards informality, you will generally not need to address people by their formal title (such as Mister, Chancellor, or Your Honor), unless you are in Quebec, that is. The French think very highly of academic degrees, so please be conscious of referring to people by any appropriate degrees or honors they may have attained. If you are uncertain what to do when meeting someone formally, ask a trusted host or colleague in advance. More than likely, he or she will be happy to give you the help you seek without taking offense.

Many citizens of Canada speak both English and French, and all products are required to be printed with labels in both languages. Those who speak English primarily tend to be a bit more formal in their discussions, prefer direct language, and prefer polite discussions without interrupting the speaker; on the other hand, French speakers tend more towards emotion and excitement, and may talk around their subject a bit more without addressing the issues directly, and could interrupt something you are saying rather vigorously without fear of offense. While not as passionate as the French, they have inherited something of their style of conversation.

Although Canadians tend to act more informally, there are a few guidelines that are good to keep in mind when visiting their homeland. For instance, although not all men will stand when a woman enters the room, you will be thought of as being courteous if you adopt this habit. It is acceptable to point at a place or a thing, but avoid pointing directly at people. Instead, point by gesturing slightly with your head in the direction of the person and looking quickly in that direction. A thumbs-down gesture is offensive in Quebec.

When speaking with another, slightly nodding your head up and down on occasion to show agreement can indicate that you are paying attention. Similarly, a slight movement of the head back and forth in a horizontal direction indicates non-agreement.

Most Canadians tend to like personal space. It's a big country, so do not feel like you have to crowd a Canadian when having a conversation. Simply shake hands in greeting - usually with the right hand if possible - and then stand no less than an arm's length away after the greeting while continuing to chat.

When visiting a Canadian home or family, trust your instincts and remain open and friendly in their home. They will sense your desire to do the right thing and help you along if they believe you are genuinely interested in them and their culture. Nonetheless, here are a few tips that might help you get along for that first Canadian visit.

Impromptu visits may be acceptable, but it is best to call in advance to ensure that the family will be home and in a position to receive guests. When a visit has been arranged, try to arrive on time, although arriving 15-30 minutes late is quite proper for larger social events. A Canadian family might not expect you to bring a gift when you arrive. If you want to bring some small gift to the adults of the family, bring a small bouquet of flowers or a light dessert to eat later together (though avoid white lilies, which are reserved for funerals, and red roses, which imply romance). While you are visiting, your hosts may offer you some light refreshments; you may join in the refreshments, or, if you are not in the mood, simply politely decline. Doing so is not considered offensive.

Avoid wearing strong perfumes or colognes when attending a business meeting. Strong scents are taboo under such circumstances and are actually prohibited when visiting a medical office.

French Canadians will shake hands more frequently, even with a subsequent encounter the same day. Others may just nod or smile at a subsequent encounter on the same day. French Canadians may use their first name when talking to you on the telephone, but will generally use their full name when meeting you in person.

Some people think of Canada as a place where snow and cold weather are present year-round, which can severely restrict flexibility and creativity in the fashion design world. Although the weather can certainly play a role in daily wear for most people, larger cities boast all of the fashion trends of Paris or New York, and the wealthy and fashion-conscious youth follow those trends just as they would in Europe.

In general, Canadians wear more informal, casual dress, particularly in areas outside the larger cities. Of course, business settings anywhere in the country may require anything from suits, white shirts, and ties for men and equivalent business attire for women to dress slacks and polo shirts or casual blouses. Away from formal settings, blue jeans and T-shirts are the most popular clothing worn by people of all ages, with children and younger people tending to dress more casually than adults.

It is difficult to identify a clothing style that is distinctively unique to Canada. The country is home to large population centers of most cultures of the world, which centers may wear traditional dress at holiday or celebration times, based on their homeland. If any culture can be called uniquely Canadian, it might be that of the Inuit peoples who live in the northern territories and wear outer clothing made of furs that keep them warm during the long Arctic winters.

Jewelry is often worn casually by women and increasingly by men in the form of a bracelet or gold necklace. Earrings may be worn by both genders, although men from conservative parts of the country are unlikely to wear either necklaces or earrings. Fine jewelry is often worn by women of wealthier means, often as a sort of status symbol. Young children do not typically wear jewelry for everyday use until perhaps their early teenage years.

Most Canadians eat

three times a day. Breakfast can be a small meal of cereal, toast,

yogurt or some fruit. On the weekends, Canadians may eat a more

substantial cooked breakfast of eggs, bacon or omelets, according to

preference. People in Canada usually eat a light lunch – soup,

sandwiches or a salad are the most common foods chosen for a weekday

lunch. This is normally eaten between 12 and 2pm. </p

Canada, the

evening meal is usually eaten between 5:30pm and 7:30pm. This is

usually called ‘supper’ or ‘dinner.’ It is normally a large meal,

consisting of meat or fish and vegetables, a dish made with eggs, pasta

or pizza. When someone invites you to his or her home for dinner or the

evening it is common to take an inexpensive gift such as flowers,

chocolates, or a bottle of wine. Ask the host or hostess what time to

arrive and whether to dress casually or formally. For casual events,

dinner guests often ask if they may prepare something for the meal,

such as a dessert. The hostess customarily begins her meal before

anyone else. Always offer main dishes to others before serving

yourself.

Most Canadians appreciate directness. If you prefer not to

eat something, simply say , "No, thank you". If you want something

which is passed to you, accept it by saying "Thank you".

Toward the end

of the evening be alert for lulls in the conversation or signs of

fatigue from your host and hostess, indicating that it is time to

leave. A few days after a dinner party, a telephone call or note to

thank the host of hostess is much appreciated. It is good manners to

reciprocate with a dinner invitation to your hosts in a few weeks.

In

Canada, it is considered very bad manners to put your elbows on the

table and to speak with your mouth full. It is also not polite to make

a lot of noise when you eat; chewing noisily and slurping are bad

manners in Canada.

Because of Canada's many immigrants, you can find

many exotic foods from around the world in Canada both in grocery

stores and in the many different restaurants. Canadians are very polite

to waiters in restaurants. If you want a waiter to come to your table,

you should raise your hand, but not snap your fingers. To attract their

attention when they are close by, you should say ‘excuse me.’ If you

put your knife and fork on your plate, a waiter will think that you

have finished eating. If you want to take a break but have not yet

finished, place your knife and fork by the side of your plate. A good

waiter will not clear your plate from the table until you have finished

eating.

Most restaurants in Canada have smoking and non-smoking

sections, except in cities where smoking in restaurants is not allowed.

Restaurants charge 7% Goods and Sales Tax (GST). Gratuities are not

included in the bill, but it is customary to tip 15% for good service.

When several people dine out together, each person usually pays his or

her own share. If unsure, you may ask politely after the bill is paid,

"How much do I owe you?" If you plan to dine out at a formal or very

popular restaurant, it is wise to call the restaurant ahead of time and

make reservations. Except in formal restaurants, people often ask the

waiter to put remaining food in a container (called a "doggie bag") so

that they can finish it at home. It is customary to leave a tip of 15%

of the bill at the end of the meal UNLESS the bill says Gratuity

Included.

Throughout Canada, salt and white vinegar is a popular condiment

for French fries. Most major Canadian fast-food outlets provide white

vinegar packets next to their ketchup packets in their stores, and all

restaurants keep white vinegar on their tables. Many Canadians also

enjoy gravy on their fries.

In Canada, it is not acceptable behavior to eat, and drink in the

street and on public transport. You should not eat in shops, banks,

offices or in post offices. It is illegal to consume alcohol in public

parks and beaches. It is illegal for young people under the age of 19

to consume alcohol. If you look younger than 30 you may be asked to

provide photo ID in the form of a passport or driver’s license. You

need to show photo ID to get into a nightclub, regardless of your age.

It is acceptable in Canadian culture for men and women to drink as a

form of social behavior.

Family life in Canada is as diverse as the country. In some areas, family size is small, and multigenerational families all live together in the same home. For others, families vary widely and may consist of one-parent families, two-parent families, or common-law marriages. Larger cities have many nontraditional family relationships, whereas rural settings or particular neighborhoods tend to consist of more conservative, traditional families. Multigenerational households are becoming less common. Men and women have fairly equal but different responsibilities in family life. Increasingly, women share in supporting the family financially, and men help more with household chores and child-rearing.

The typical family has three members, though some subcultures have a tradition of quite large families with several children and multigenerational relationships. In families with two parents, both parents typically work. Increasing numbers of couples are choosing to live together and rear families without being formally married, although it is worth noting that Canada is home to several very conservative cultures with traditional family relationships.

Children can begin attending kindergarten at age four or five, and grade one in federally funded elementary schools at age six or seven. Most children will attend twelve years of schooling, with school being mandatory until age sixteen in most provinces. Following their public school years, single adults are tending to marry later than former generations and often live at home until they do marry or until they are required to move because of their job location.

Families tend to enjoy recreation together, and many families will take a vacation somewhere away from their homes for a week every year or two. Canada has some of the most stunning scenery in the entire world and offers many beautiful and interesting places to visit throughout the entire country, from north to south and coast to coast.

Sports and recreation play a significant role in the social fabric of Canada. Popular national sports include Canadian football, basketball, and baseball, but by far the most popular sport is ice hockey, which is its official winter sport. Its official summer sport is lacrosse, and cricket is currently the fastest-growing sport in the country. Though not a professional sport in Canada, association football (called soccer in America) is also very popular among Canada&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;#8217;s youth. Canada is scheduled to host the 2010 Winter Olympic Games.

Individual sports such as hiking, camping, bicycling, running or jogging, and swimming are popular among all ages and are viewed more as recreational activities.

Canada is the second largest country in the world. With a wide variety of geographic features ranging from the Canadian Rockies to the sweeping plains, from the beautiful sea coasts to the frozen arctic, Canada offers something in the outdoors for nearly everyone. An important part of the national culture is vacationing and exploring some new aspect of this remarkable, incredibly diverse, and very beautiful country.

Breakfast will vary by family preferences and culture. Most children will have a light breakfast before going to school which may include milk or fruit juice and a baked pastry, toast, or fresh fruit. A heavier breakfast might include one or more of the following: eggs, hash brown potatoes, hot cereal, muffins, pancakes (remember that eastern Canada is home to some of the best maple syrup in the world!), and juice or milk. It is interesting to note that Canada is one of the few developed countries in the world to not have a school breakfast program available, even for low-income or underprivileged families. Several national health organizations and children’s advocates are pursuing a change to that situation, but with the current economic challenges, it is difficult to predict the future of such a proposal.

Most children ride buses provided by the school, some ride bikes to school or walk, and yet others will ride in a carpool or with a parent. The method of transportation often depends on whether the school is in an urban or rural setting, the time of year, and the economic status of the parents.

Because Canadian schools are funded and overseen at the federal, provincial, and local government levels, the quality of the structures and classroom resources can vary somewhat. In general, schools are in good shape and are run well. Perhaps of more interest, schools can vary their curriculum significantly. For example, at Vimy Ridge Academy in Edmonton School District in Alberta, students learn hockey skills for half of the school day. Some schools are taught in French, others in English. Some have Christian agendas, others are Islamic, and at least one concentrates on both. Most schools require their students to bring their own lunches from home, and those who live close enough to the school sometimes will walk home for lunch and come back to school for the afternoon session. A few schools do have a cafeteria, mostly at the high school level. There is no national school lunch or breakfast program for Canadian schools.

Children are in school for an average of six or seven hours per day (depending on provincial and local regulations), Monday through Friday, for approximately 190 days per year. School usually begins on the first Monday in September and finishes in early June. There is a two-week break toward the end of December, and most also have a spring break in February or March of one week. Each school has its own dress code. A few require particular school uniforms, and some religious-based schools may require a particular dress code based on the sponsoring religion of that school. For example, a particular school may prohibit clothes that expose too much skin or undergarments, are gang-related, or are otherwise just not safe. Furthermore, given the cold temperatures in many parts of the country during the winter, students should dress appropriately to the weather conditions. There is no national board of education in Canada, so each province and territory establishes its own curriculum. However, nearly all elementary schools will teach mathematics, language arts (such as reading and writing), science, social studies (including history and geography), and physical education. Secondary schools will teach increasingly focused aspects of these general subject areas and often include additional elective courses such as drama, choral and instrumental music, life skills (such as cooking or personal finances), foreign languages, athletics, and technical skills. Schools provide their students (and parents) a report card either three or four times a year, depending on the province.  What the school actually teaches can vary widely between provinces.

Educational and other activities outside the bounds of the regular curriculum but under the direction or jurisdiction of the school can provide social and other developmental opportunities for student growth in Canadian schools. Examples of extracurricular activities include sports, hobbies, travel, leadership, arts, and similar interests. The number of activities offered varies from school to school.

Children in Canada enjoy sports (such as ice hockey, basketball, Canadian football, and bowling), going to movies, and, as they get into secondary schools, hanging out with their friends. As they get older, many work part-time jobs after school and on weekends. With school, extracurricular activities, jobs, and home responsibilities, some older students can lead very busy lives.

Many families unwind from the day’s events by watching television together in the evenings. Children often do their homework in the evenings after dinner, which is the major meal of the day for most families. Homework will often take from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the student’s academic load and the school. Because increasingly both parents work in a family, or a single parent must work two jobs, evenings and weekends are reserved for family time. Older children are often required to help with household chores such as cooking and cleaning in homes where parents are working long hours.

Canada does not have a national school system; however, all children have the right to receive at least a public-funded education between the ages of six and sixteen. These public schools are funded by local and state taxes and are under those jurisdictions. Each province is divided into districts. A school board directs each district, and the board is made of people who are elected from within the district to establish policies for how the schools are administered. In addition to public schools, families also have available a number of charter and private schools. For example, certain areas of Canada offer many faith-based private schools, but private schools require a fee from parents who send their children to attend there. Parents must also pay for certain expenses in a public school as well, but the basic books, teachers’ salaries, building maintenance, and the like are paid for from public funds. Kindergarten is usually available at age four or five for one year prior to entrance into elementary school, which begins at age six. School systems usually include grades one through six or eight in elementary school, and some provinces include grades seven through eight or nine in middle school. Grades nine or ten through twelve attend high school, often also called secondary school. In smaller, rural communities, it is not uncommon for elementary school to include grades one through eight, with high school covering the remaining grades through twelve.