Canadians have a reputation for being polite. It turns out that such a stereotype isn’t entirely unfounded, as we have a few habits that apparently make us seem rather polite to those around us.
Here are the results from our survey about the polite habits Canadians are known for in daily life. We got loads of answers and opinions. Which one do you notice happening the most often?
Saying sorry even when someone else bumps you
Some survey participants said they always apologize when someone else bumps into them, and the other person usually does the same. It’s something that we Canadians do without thinking, especially when we’re somewhere crowded, and we often do it out of habit rather than guilt.
“Sorry” is just a word that comes out faster for us than for other people.
Lining up quietly at transit stops, even in bad weather
You may have noticed that everyone tends to get into a tidy line at bus stops, even when the wind seems to be doing its best to ruin the morning. There’s no announcement of rules or anything, but rather, we all line up quietly at the transit stops.
It’s something that people in other countries sometimes have to be told to do, yet we do it automatically because it’s almost like an instinct for us.
Apologizing when walking in front of someone’s view
It doesn’t matter that people aren’t paying attention when we walk past them at hockey games or concerts because, as Canadians, we’ll always apologize for doing so, since we feel like we’ve disturbed them somehow.
It’s just the norm for us to say “sorry” instead of trying to sneak by silently.
Giving up priority seats without being asked
You probably always pay attention to priority seating whenever you ride transit, and you might make sure to watch the doors as new riders get on.
Many Canadians stand up as soon as they notice someone who needs the spot, without the other person needing to ask for it. Apparently, we’re simply built that way.
Returning shopping carts properly
It’s muscle memory to return shopping carts at the grocery store, and don’t be surprised when you walk a little extra, just to get the cart back where it belongs. We’ll do so even when the weather’s bad.
One survey participant actually told us they’ll take any loose carts with them because they know that it makes things easier for every shopper when the carts are back there.
Clearing trays and sorting waste at food courts
A few participants said that they’ll clean up after themselves at food courts and don’t really think much about making sure the trash goes where it belongs.
Lots of Canadians take a moment to sort through all the garbage & wipe the table because nobody wants to be left dealing with someone else’s messes. We’re just that polite.
Merging politely
Road rage happens to all of us, but quite a few of us make an effort to merge politely, even when there’s a lot of traffic, because we know it pays to be considerate. We’ll let a single car go ahead before us & then move forward.
Sure, it doesn’t always work perfectly, but it’s better to try and keep things steady.
Starting requests with a quick apology
“Sorry” is a phrase that comes naturally to us, and our survey showed us that Canadians use it before we make any request, no matter if it’s something important.
Participants said they’re not usually even trying to soften anything, but rather, the word has become a sort of habit. “Sorry, could I just…” is a normal part of our daily conversations.
Thanking service workers during busy rushes
The crowds might be huge, but many participants told us that they make a point of thanking the workers who help them because they feel it’s just the right thing to do.
They’ve seen the morning rush & they’re grateful that the barista is helping them through it all. A few even said they’ll thank the crews working outside in winter, just because it feels polite.
Bringing a small gift when visiting
You might be surprised at how many Canadians say they make it a habit to bring a small gift when going to a friend’s place, regardless of whether it’s a quick trip.
Our survey shows that people will pick up pastries or a drink pack, perhaps with a card, because it feels natural. Some go the extra mile to send a short thank-you message as a sign of true politeness.