Newcomers to Canada work extremely hard at developing their language skills, to be able to function well and succeed in Canadian workplaces. However, they are often unaware of the impact of their cultural training and behaviors, as are their co-workers with a different cultural background. It is important to note that no cultural behaviors are good or bad, wrong or right. They are just different. The cultural diversity in Canadian workplaces can therefore be a minefield of opportunities for misunderstandings between people.
Behavioral scientists have researched the values and preferences of people from all over the world. They found that people from different cultures aren't just randomly different from one another, they differ in very specific, even predictable, ways. One of these scientists, Geert Hofstede, has identified 6 specific characteristics.
- Power Distance: This is the degree to which people in a society accept that power is distributed unequally. So, a country with a lower number, will try to distribute power more evenly and wants clear reasons for the inequalities.
- Individualism / Collectivism: A high number, showing individualism, means society is loosely organized and an individual is responsible only for themselves and their immediate family. A low number, tending toward collectivism, means people in society are part of large family and other groups that they belong to and are loyal to.
- Masculinity / Femininity: The masculinity side of this dimension represents a preference in society for achievement, heroism, assertiveness and material rewards for success. Society at large is more competitive. Its opposite, femininity, stands for a preference for cooperation, modesty, caring for the weak and quality of life. Society at large is more consensus-oriented.
- Uncertainly Avoidance: The issue here is how a society deals with the fact that the future can never be known: should it try to control the future or just let it happen? Countries with a high number maintain rigid codes of belief and behavior and are intolerant of unorthodox or different behavior and ideas. Societies with low numbers have a more relaxed attitude in which actual behavior counts more than principles.
- Long Term Orientation: Every society has to maintain some links with its own past while dealing with the challenges of the present and the future. Societies which score low on this dimension prefer to maintain time-honoured traditions and norms while viewing societal change with suspicion. Those with a culture which scores high, on the other hand take a more pragmatic approach: they encourage thrift and efforts in modern education as a way to prepare for the future.
- Indulgence / Restraint: Indulgence stands for a society that allows relatively free gratification of basic and natural human drives related to enjoying life and having fun. Restraint stands for a society that suppresses gratification of needs and regulates it by means of strict social norms.
Canada is fairly low on the Power Distance Scale. This means there is an acceptance that the manager or boss doesn't know everything. Canadians feel comfortable to offer suggestions, ideas and even criticism. Canadian bosses may feel frustrated if the people who work for them, the people they hired for their education and experience, keep quiet in meetings and never offer ideas!
Canada is obviously more Individualist than the other cultures listed here. That means that a Canadian would enjoy being recognized for doing something well. Even though he or she is part of a team, my, his or her efforts and accomplishments are recognized, and the person may get a nice bonus for good work. On the other hand, many newcomers to Canada feel embarrassed if they are singled out in a meeting, or even if something else is, even if it is for praise.
Canada is the only country on the high side of the Indulgence / Restraint dimension. For example, Canadian make their own choices about dating, finding partners, getting married or not, etc. People also choose the way they dress to a greater degree, etc. Canadians expect to have fun and to enjoy life.
Canada is the most balanced in other dimensions.
Canadian Slang and Expressions
Canadian Slang and Expressions
- loonie
- toonie
- snowbird
- pop
- I got a soaker
- running shoes / tennis shoes / sneakers
- chesterfield / sofa
- Grits /the Liberals
- Tories / the Conservatives
- Face off / debate / argue
- the Hill / Parliament Hill
- Ottawa / Bytown
- Toronto / T.O / Hogtown
- Calgary / Cowtown
- Edmonton / Oiltown
- Hamilton / Teeltown
- Newfoundland / the Rock
- eh
- a Canuck
- Allophone / anglophone / francophone
- Bachelor
- blinds
- Twofor(2-4)
- Chinook
- Deke
- Eavestrough / gutter
- Hydro
- Joe job
- KD
- Lumber jacket
- Runners
- Sasquatch
- Tuque(or toque)
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