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Canadians can be sensitive when a person cannot accept his or her invitation. If you are unable to attend, or you don’t feel like it, the best way to refuse an invitation is by saying ‘Thank you, but unfortunately I/we already have other plans at that time’ - even if you don’t have other plans.
If you accept an invitation for a meal, it is perfectly acceptable to tell your host what you cannot eat, for example that you are a vegetarian, or that your religion prohibits you from having certain foods/drinks. Canadians will appreciate and respect your preferences.
6. Let's Make a Deal!
It is appropriate to present a business card at an introduction.
While Canadians are often confused with Americans by non-North Americans who see few differences between the two peoples, please don’t make that mistake. Americans are much more assertive whereas Canadians are generally low-key and prefer to ease into business discussions.
Cynicism is a part of the national character, which is directed at those who make conspicuous shows of wealth and/or power. In Canada, there is great love for the ‘underdog’. Canadians generally dislike negotiation and aggressive sales techniques. They tend to value low-key sales presentations.
Modesty, casualness, and an air of nonchalance are characteristic attitudes in Canadian business culture.
You should also be aware that business schools here teach students that the outcome of all negotiations is that both sides win in a negotiation, i. e., “win/win." This fits neatly with Canadians’ ideas of equality and fairness. The win/win principle is so accepted today that the very idea of one party winning the negotiation while other party loses, would seem unacceptable to most Canadians.
Canadians tend to be receptive to new ideas. Generally, they are analytical, conceptual thinkers. It is at the meeting table that problems are solved and decisions made. Canadians are comfortable with time lines, agendas and deadlines and tend to adhere to them. They will not avoid confrontation or negative responses if they feel they need to question something.
Established rules or laws usually take precedence over one's feelings. During negotiations, company policy is strictly adhered to at all times. Empirical evidence and other facts are considered the most valid forms of proof. Feelings of any kind are usually regarded with suspicion, particularly for decision-making purposes.
In presentations and conversation, Canadians are often receptive to sporting analogies.
Among all individuals, regardless of rank, communication is direct and slightly informal. Hierarchies in Canadian organizations exist for clarity of decision making, not because ranking is important. Those who will sit with you in a meeting usually have the power to make a decision.
Canadian business persons may emphasize profit over market share.
Refrain from discussing your personal life during business negotiations.
Generally, Canadians do not like or trust people who appear to give excessive praise, which raises the suspicion that they are being set up to be embarrassed or misled in some way. Moreover, Canadians dislike being pressured and will only resent the stress that accompanies high expectations.
The work environment in Canadian business culture tends to be collaborative. Before a decision is made, top management will consult subordinates and their input will be given careful consideration. It will be in your best interests not to try to rush this process. Negotiations usually proceed at a fast pace and bargaining is not customary. Canadians will expect your initial proposal to have only a small margin for negotiation.
Deadlines and producing results are the main sources of anxiety in this culture. Decisions of any kind must be in accordance with company policy. Informing against one's colleagues is regarded with disgust in this culture.
If you are teased, take it good-naturedly; you may tease back in a friendly, rather than mean-spirited manner.
In the workplace, men may not always treat women as equals, and Canadian women are still struggling for increased salary and positions of authority.
7. Prosperous Entertaining
If you are invivted out to a pub in Canada, please keep in mind that each person is expected to pay for a round of drinks. Neglecting your turn to pay for a round will create a bad impression. Having said that, bear in mind that in Canada drinking and driving laws are strictly enforced. Hence, do not attempt to drive your rented car back to the hotel if you feel tipsy. Instead, take a taxi.
If you are hosting a dinner at a restaurant for your Canadian guests, make sure it is a licensed establishment. Your Canadian guests would likely be unhappy if alcohol were not served with meals. Athough wine is the usual preferred drink at meals, beer may also be served.
If you are the guest of a Canadian businessman, do not automatically assume that he or she will be paying the bill. True, the host may have a lavish expense account. However, etiquette dictates that the guest should at least make some effort to try to pay a portion of the evening’s expenses. Canadians generally go “Dutch” when the bill arrives at casual get-togethers.
Canada is one of the most multicultural countries in the world, and Canadian cuisine reflects this diversity. A visitor to Canada can expect to see virtually any and all kinds of food from literally dozens of cultures. In Canada’s most populous city, Toronto, one could expect to find dozens of restaurants serving hundreds of national dishes. Canadian hospitality tends to be very informal, particularly when you are invited to a home for a barbecue. At a BBQ, you will be encouraged to serve yourself. Hesitation will only cause your hosts to feel annoyance, if only because they genuinely want you to feel ‘at home’.
Barbecues are a very popular form of home entertaining. Guests are encouraged to dress casually and engage in lively socializing. Men and women often gather separately. Never ‘drop in’ unannounced to someone’s home. Always phone ahead.
Tipping is customary for restaurant visits and taxi travel in Canada. The commonly accepted practice in Canada is to tip between 10% -15% of the entire cost of the bill.
8. Public Behaviour
Canadians drive on the right and pass on the left, and that also goes for walking up escalators, roads and streets.
In business contexts, men do not wink or whistle at women. Most large companies have sexual harassment policies that govern acceptable conduct.
It is polite to wait for a third party to introduce you to others, but if it doesn’t happen for a few moments feel free to introduce yourself. At formal gatherings, wait to be seated, but if the host is not directing you, and other people are taking seats, follow them. It is quite okay to ask your host if you should sit at a particular spot.
“Hey” or "How are you?" are common forms of address that do not require an answer. It is just another way Canadians say "Hi". It has often been observed by Americans that while Canadians are generally a polite people-even to a fault-they aren’t necessarily friendly.
When speaking to a Canadian, keep an arm's length distance from the person. Maintaining personal space is important to Canadians.
Unlike Australians and Americans, Canadians do not give a lot of eye contact to people who are speaking with them. Why? It probably has something to do with our mania for politeness.
No backslapping, shouting or calling attention to oneself is acceptable. Canadians tend to embarrass easily, so while Canadians are generally casual, they are not loud. On that note, Canadians do not generally express themselves with their hands. Moreover, touching, patting or hugging other men in public is considered socially unacceptable. Your best approach to get along with Canadians is to remain exceedingly polite, modest, and unpretentious.
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