Canadian Culture

Introduction to Canadian Culture

Sudeshna Chatterjee , 2009

Contents

Canadian culture: A snapshot

Cultural differences between Canadians and Indians

Similarities and differences between Americans and Canadians

Social and business etiquette in Canada

Useful information


What you should know before you go


Canadian Geography

Canada is the second largest country by land area

Canada is flanked by:

• The Pacific Ocean in the west

• The Atlantic Ocean in the east

• The Arctic Ocean in the north

• The USA in the south

Canada occupies 41% of the North American Continent

Pacific Ocean

Atlantic Ocean

Arctic Ocean


Geographical Regions

Canada consists of five main regions.

The five regions are further broken into 10 provinces and 3 territories.


Provinces Ab. Audio

Ontario ON

Quebec QC

Nova Scotia NS

New Brunswick NB

Manitoba MB

British Columbia BC

Prince Edward Island PE

Saskatchewan SK

Alberta AB

Newfoundland & Labrador NL

Provinces and Territories in Canada

Territories Ab. Audio

Northwest Territories NT

Yukon YT

Nunavut NU


Provincial Capitals

Province Capitals Audio

Ontario Toronto

Quebec Quebec city

Nova Scotia Halifax

New Brunswick Fredericton

Manitoba Winnipeg

British Columbia Victoria

Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown

Saskatchewan Regina

Alberta Edmonton

Newfoundland & Labrador

St John’s

Territories Capital Audio

Northwest Territories Yellowknife

Yukon Whitehorse

Nunavut Iqaluit


Demography – Mixed Bag

Canada is often described as a multicultural nation. 80% of the total population are Caucasians. Canada can easily be termed as a land of

“Mixed Origin.”


Canadian Time Zones

1.Newfoundland Time Zone

2. Atlantic Time Zone

3. Eastern Time Zone

4. Central Time Zone

5. Mountain Time Zone

6. Pacific Time Zone

All international time is kept using Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and a 24-hour clock. UTC is also known as GMT, or Greenwich Mean Time. The time difference between

Canada and GMT is 3 hours 30 minutes in summer

Canada has 6 time zones


http://www.iris.edu/seismon/html/gmt.html

Canadian Time Zones


Canadian Culture


Canadian Culture: A Snapshot

Canadian culture is a diverse fusion ofindigenous, French, and British traditions

Immigration from Europe and Asia in the late 19th and early 20th centuries have made it multicultural and multilingual

People are generally polite and community oriented

People bear strong allegiance to their province or region, sometimes more than they do to their country

Differences exist between Anglophone and Francophone parts of the country


Cultural Comparisons: India & Canada

MAS – Masculinity

UAI – Uncertainty Avoidance Index


PDI – Power Distance Index

IDV - Individualism

When Dealing With Canadians…

Don't expect to be treated with the respect or deference you may be used to in India. Get used to informal gestures with little protocol or etiquette. Be more inclusive in your management or leadership style. Do not base judgments of people on appearance, demeanor, privileges, or status symbols.

Don’t depend on the group for answers. As an individual you are expected to work on your own and take initiative. Prepare for a business environment that may be less reliant on relationships and personal contacts. Keep business and personal life separate. Allow employees or subordinates to take initiative. Be prepared for individuals asserting themselves.


When Dealing With Canadians…

Recognize that people value their personal time. Working overtime is not the norm. Small talk at social (or business) functions will focus on an individual's life and interests rather than just business. In business dealings, trust weighs more than projected profit margins and the like.

Don't expect new ideas, ways, or methods to be readily embraced. Allow time for understanding to develop. Be prepared for decision making to take more time, as compared to the US. Expect proposals and presentations to be examined in fine detail. Back up everything with facts and statistics.


Provincial DifferencesRegion Characteristics

Atlantic Provinces (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland)

People tend to be reserved and provincial. May seem old-fashioned. Newfoundland is unique, with a dialect and culture that draws from Ireland and western England.

Ontario This is the business hub. People tend to be business-like and conservative than people in other region.

Western Canada (Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan)

People are open, friendly, and relaxed Many universities are located in this region


Provincial DifferencesRegion Characteristics

British Colombia People tend to be unconventional Province is often viewed as the Canada of the future

Quebec Distinct French identity People are extremely regionalistic ; European influence is strongly felt

North People are known for their pioneering spirit


Canadian and American Culture

American Culture Canadian CultureMelting potTend to have a narrow view of the world; e.g., very little international news on TV Generally informal; not overly concerned with etiquetteUse of first names is common

Style of negotiating is aggressive

Meetings are informal

Multi-culturalMore global in their mindset; travel abroad more

More reserved and polite; take matters of etiquette seriouslyUse of last names with appropriate titles unless otherwise indicatedStyle of negotiating is assertive; they are wary of hard-sellMeetings are more formal and structured than in USA

Canada and USA are both predominantly white and Christian. Both are capitalist. They have the same restaurants and

shops, and often, they watch the same television shows and play the same video games.


Doing Business in Canada


Canadian Communication StyleIn general, communication is” moderately indirect” perhaps

reflecting an amalgamation of both North American and British tendencies.

Canadians expect people to speak in a straightforward manner.

Disagreement is open only when necessary. Disagreement is displayed through tact and diplomacy.

Communication style is pragmatic and relies on common sense.

Communication is verbal rather than non-verbal.

Canadians like their space; stay at arms’ length when talking.

Canadians don’t usually discuss personal lives with associates.


Corporate CultureIn general, corporate culture is more

formal in Canada than in the USA.

Punctuality is demanded for business meetings and social occasions.

Meetings begin with minimal small talk, though pleasantries are exchanged by participants.

Business cards are exchanged after the initial introductions.

In Quebec, have one side of your business card translated into French. Hand the card so the French side faces the recipient.

While presenting information, facts and examples should be at hand to substantiate claims and promises.

Canadians expect everyone in a meeting to contribute to the discussion.


Dining EtiquetteGood table manners make a good impression

in Canada.

Table manners are generally Continental; i.e., the fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand when eating.

Do not start eating before the host does.

Business meetings are often held over lunch and even breakfast.

In Quebec, never summon a waiter by snapping your fingers or shouting. Say ‘Monsieur’ or ‘Mademoiselle’.

It’s acceptable to leave a little bit of food on your plate.


Meeting & Greeting

There are general guidelines around meeting and greeting people.

Canadians appreciate politeness and expect others to adhere to the defined protocol for any given situation.

Shake hands with everyone at the meeting upon arrival and upon departure.

Maintain eye contact while shaking hands.

It’s ok to offer your hand to a woman before she does.

In Quebec, people tend to be more informal and demonstrative than in Anglophone areas.


Useful Information


Canadian Pronunciation

Canadians speak with many different accents. The Atlantic Canada accent is similar to a US Pacific Northwest accent. The Newfoundland accent has an Irish/British inflection and a distinct intonation pattern. The Quebec accent is unique, with heavy French overtones.

Canadians pronounce their "ou“/’ow’ sound differently than Americans. So ‘house’ would sound like ‘huse’ They also tend to use the exclamation "eh’’. They say the last letter in the alphabet as "zed“, unlike the Americans who say "zee’’. Overall, they sound more "clipped" than Americans, with an almost British intonation pattern.


Canadianisms

Commonly Used Terms Meaning

Double-double A cup of coffee with two creams and two sugars

Two-six, twenty-sixer, twixer A 750 ml bottle of hard liquor (Ontario)

Cheesies Cheese puffs ‘Mind the gap’ Watch your step

Loonie One-dollar coin Toonie Two-dollar coin

Beer parlour Pub

Parkade Parking garage

Washroom Restroom (USA); bathroom Gasbar Filling station



Thank you!

Canadian Culture

Business

Transcript of Canadian Culture