We are only a few hours away from the 2010 Winter Olympics opening ceremony and Vancouver is more than ready to welcome the tourists, athletes and international delegations that are coming to share this unique moment with us. I tried to be tough and pretend that I don’t get excited with the Olympic vibe, but I must admit that Canadians are making this multicultural celebration incredibly special.
When I first arrived in Canada, I was surprised by thousands of Canadian qualities that I ended up writing a lot about in the Portuguese section of this blog. But in the last weeks, I’ve been touched so often by the traditional Canadian hospitality that I decided to let my Canadian and international readers know my 10 favourite things about the people who helped me call Canada my forever home.
1 – Canadians do smile A LOT
Lynn Valley Olympic Supporters – North Vancouver, BC. Photo Credit: BC Business Hub on Flickr
Yes, they do! And they giggle and they smile with their eyes too! They do it when they feel embarrassed, and sometimes they also smile to make you feel comfortable. They might not be the most smiley people in the world (I bet their faces would hurt a lot if they were), but they do have the most honest smiles that I’ve seen in my life.
2 – Canadians are excited about life
Torch Relay in North Vancouver, C. Photo Credit: BC Business Hub on Flickr
Living surrounded by Canadians is a great adventure. They appreciate every single minute of their day and they are always trying to find new ways to enjoy life. I’ve seen it all in three years, from crazy snowboard trips to the Christmas tree decoration party in my building.
3- Canadians are polite
“Thank you”, “I am sorry” and “please” are essential expressions in the Canadian way of life. Canadians also wait for strangers who are coming behind them before closing a door and hold the elevator for whoever is in the lobby. In Vancouver, bus drivers always greet me with a warm “Good Morning” and it’s ordinary to strike a conversation with a barista at Starbucks.
4- Canadians do protest
Wendy Pedersen of Carnegie Community Action Project protesting during the 2010 Poverty Olympics Torch Relay. Photo credit: Jay Black on Flickr
Like any other country, Canada has its own social problems and needs. The Carnegie Community Action Project believes that between 10,000 to 15,000 people are currently living in the streets of the Province of British Columbia. Around 643,000 British Columbians are living in poverty according to statistics gathered in 2007; the same province with the highest number of millionaires per capita is also the province with the poorest children in Canada.
You don’t need to agree with every single protest that happens in this city to appreciate fellow Canadians who stand up for their freedom of speech and try to make the world a better place to live.
5- Canadians are fair
T-shirt Printing at W2 Woodwards for the 2010 Legal Observers Program<BR>Photo credit: Kris Krüg on Flickr
Canadians try their best to be fair and one proof of it is the BC Civil Liberties Association which through their volunteer legal observers will be watching close the interactions between protesters and the Vancouver Police Department and private security staff during the Olympics. Click here to learn more about the BCCLA.
6- Canadians do care
Photo Credit: Duane Burnett on Flickr
Canadians really take their fundraiser efforts to the next level. It doesn’t matter if you live in a big or small city, in Canada you’ll get involved in helping people at some point of your life.
On February 16th, he group in this picture raised $2,602 dollars to assist in Haiti’s disaster relief. The funds raised were donated to the Canadian Red Cross.
7- Canadians are open to new concepts and ideas
Olympic torch relay artist shows off his finished work commemorating the event.
Photo credit: Steve.photoj on Flickr
Yes, they are. Canadians will never doubt that you’ll reach your goals and will never tell you that your dreams are only dreams. Canadians are not afraid of being silly or trying hard!
8- Canadians are good listeners
A researcher listens to mama and the new baby beluga whale at the Vancouver Aquarium.
Photo Credit: JakeInVan on Flickr
I don’t remember the last time that I’ve been interrupted by a Canadian. In Canada, I found the best listeners that I could wish for! In a conversation, Canadians are extra special because they do care, they are polite, they smile and they love to hear what you have to say!
9- Canadians are multicultural people
Photo Credit: -liyen- on Flickr
It doesn’t matter if you’re a new or old Canadian, we all love this land and we are all working hard to make this country the best place on Earth. Canadians are First Nations and generations of immigrants who are committed to a dream. Welcome to Canada!
10 – Canadians are proud to be Canadians
Torch Relay in Orono, ON. Photo Credit: Jim Dandy on Flickr
Indeed, Canadians are super proud to be who they are. According to Canadian Immigration and Citizenship‘s website, I still have 200 more days to go before I become a real Canadian. I know that I’ll live forever between two countries, however, during the 2010 Olympics games I’ll consider myself a real Canadian!
Let the games begin…
