Канадцы действительно хорошие, чем американцы?

That’s the question that USA Today спросил писатель Джейн Кларк недавно. И ее вывод?

After spending a week in Atlantic Canada and outlining three instances where she experienced “the kindness of strangers,” она пишет:

…I’d have to say, in general, Канадцы являются приятнее. Или, во всяком случае, they’re more trusting….

None of these instances involved big-ticket items. But they do illustrate a tendency to assume the other guy (или галлон) isn’t out to get the best of you. And that attitude was as refreshing as the cool summer temperatures до севера.

In another article, “Топ 10 способа месте канадец,” Глоб энд мейл columnist Джудит Timson weighed in on the niceness issue, слишком. Среди ее комментарии:

…Ты канадца, если вы вежливо сказал, “I’m sorry” at least once in the past week to someone who jostled YOU in the subway, but you privately swear more than Americans, Британцы или австралийцы. (Это правда! We’re the best damn swearers around.)

…You’re a Canadian if you refile your taxes to correct a tiny mistake, wait patiently at a red light to cross the street even though no car is coming, and address a surly American customs guard as Sir even after he has menacingly threatened not to let you into his country because of some minor omission on your customs card.

…In short, Ð’Ñ‹ канадец, если вы хорошо, но не слишком приятно, deferential to authority but still ready to insist on justice, especially when it comes to rogue cops, and if you don’t need a UN quality-of-life survey to convince you that you live in the best damn country in the world.

You might also be interested in these posts about Canadian “niceness:”

Жизнь в Канаде ... опыт, который постоянно меняет большинство американских экспатов

Say “please,” please

We’re not boring — really!

Что вы думаете? Do Canadians deserve their reputation for niceness?

Please leave a comment and share your experiences.

Happy couple on Манитулин (ON) photo ©Каролин B. Хеллер