Are Canadians Nice?

For various reasons, the topic of identity has always interested me. One of those reasons, I have always believed, is the fact that I am Canadian. Canadians struggle with the question of who we are. In general, the answers to that question come in the form of comparisons and contrasts with our neighbours to the south. This in itself is problematic. After all, our basis of comparison is arguably the proudest, most confident nation in the world. It’s hard not to be cast as the little sibling who can never measure up.

So, the easiest thing may be to just forget about it, and let each individual focus on him- or herself—bring out the maple leaf on July 1, cheer for the Canadian Olympians every two years, and forget about it in between.

But, then, one periodically hears comments from people who only just seem to have noticed that Canada is a country of immigrants. Personally, I knew that when I was a child, but apparently some people are still catching on. They complain that [fill in the blank with whichever group they believe they can recognize] are taking over!

Maybe the Canadian education system failed these people, and they never learned that our country adopted multiculturalism as an official government policy in 1971. Or maybe they were always surrounded by people who looked like them and spoke English as a first language—or didn’t, but they never noticed because they didn’t talk to them, but they had familiar faces nevertheless—and now their neighbourhood is becoming more visibly diverse, so they are forced to be in close proximity to different people.

Canadians pride themselves on their politeness. Undeniably, politeness is essential for interacting with others. Politeness, however, is not always accompanied by kindness. And this is where some people get confused.

There was a Tim Horton’s ad in 2013 that I saw as total propaganda: “Canadians are so nice... But we don’t let anyone push us around!” And there were geese honking a chorus of sorries. That was the only part I liked. I find our geese rather endearing, even if their distinctive honk is being made to sound like “sorry.”

So, we say “sorry” a lot—really a lot—even when someone else bumps into us. Perhaps we’re polite, even excessively so. But are we nice?

Kindness involves being pleasant and compassionate toward others. I know what I think about how “nice” Canadians are in general, but instead of ranting about that, I’m going to end by stating that kindness is something we should all strive for within ourselves, rather than worrying about how others are behaving. I try to show empathy and compassion toward everyone, including those with whom I disagree or who have hurt me.

You can only fight negativity with positivity. Love and kindness are the tools that I have learned I must use to get through life.

So, are Canadians nice? Maybe. Maybe not. But this Canadian tries to be.