If there is one stereotype about Canadians that is anything close to accurate, it is that we are EXTREMELY apologetic people. We go out of our way to try to avoid creating problems, and we're quick to try to apologize for any misstep, whether it was our fault or not.
The politicians are about the only exception to the rule, of course- they can only apologize in formal contexts, and then only very belatedly. For the better of part of two decades, they have periodically been apologizing for the injustices imposed on our various minority groups in the 19th and 20th centuries...
David, that is super interesting to me. I didn't realize how culturally important it was in Canada to apologize--save, of course, the politicians, and that I'd say is a global phenomenon. Thanks for adding real content to my premise :)
If there is one stereotype about Canadians that is anything close to accurate, it is that we are EXTREMELY apologetic people. We go out of our way to try to avoid creating problems, and we're quick to try to apologize for any misstep, whether it was our fault or not.
The politicians are about the only exception to the rule, of course- they can only apologize in formal contexts, and then only very belatedly. For the better of part of two decades, they have periodically been apologizing for the injustices imposed on our various minority groups in the 19th and 20th centuries...
David, that is super interesting to me. I didn't realize how culturally important it was in Canada to apologize--save, of course, the politicians, and that I'd say is a global phenomenon. Thanks for adding real content to my premise :)
I have to attribute it to us being a former British colony, since the British take manners seriously as well.