Canada: Conversation
From ExecutivePlanet.com
Welcome Topics of Conversation: Conversing with Canadians
It’s often been said about Canadians that while they are polite, they are not a friendly people compared, that is, to their American cousins. Canadians pride themselves on their tolerance and of being non-judgmental, which means that Canadians often times prefer not to express opinions on various subjects for fear of offending, which, to many Canadians, is seen as a faux pas. Do not expect a passionate debate on any issue from a Canadian. It’s just not in the national DNA.
Perhaps the movie Crazy People, a 1990 movie starring Dudley Moore, will help to put some perspective on Canadians. As a burnt-out advertising executive whose mental breakdown lands him in a psychiatric hospital, the character played by Moore, eventually recovers his mental health and is inspired to make truthful advertisements, such as in an ad for Volvo which proclaims, "Volvo. They're boxy, but they're good." When he was handed the account for Canada, Moore racked his brains for days on end and lost many nights of sleep before he finally came up with this slogan: “Canada, it’s not as boring as you think.” While some Canadians might take issue with that slogan, many would not. Woven into the cultural fabric is an avoidance of argument and ideology, and an acute acceptance of appeals to put our self-interests aside in favour of the greater good. While Canadians might sound and look like Americans at first glance, we are very different. Canadians are quieter and much less willing to offer opinions. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, because of our avoidance of conflict, it is harder to have an in-depth conversation with a Canadian, but on the other hand, it is easier to engage us in small talk. On that note, hockey is always a welcome subject of conversation.
