Vlad Mirona Alexandra

Studii Americane, Master, Anul 1

CANADA VERSUS THE UNITED STATES

North America is a northern continent of the America, bordered by the Arctic

Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, and the Caribbean Sea. In this continent there are two
extremely powerful countries known as Canada and the United States. Although these
countries fall under the same continent they are very closely related but differ greatly in
many aspects. These countries are different and similar in the categories of economy,
citizenship, and societies. Although they share some of the same qualities, it is strongly
believed that Canada has a higher standard of living. Even though they do not have the
top of the line materials provided, Canada provides more options and choices than the
United States. Canada demonstrates this through focusing on equality and fairness with
citizens therefore providing an average economy to have a better society. Canada and the
United States may seem like closely related countries, but differ in categories of
citizenship, wealth, and societies.
Citizenship is generally defined as the character of an individual viewed as a
member of society; behavior in terms of the duties, obligations, and functions of a citizen.
In both countries citizenship plays an important role in appreciating, and having a sense
of belonging to your country. This is true because both countries present citizenship with
freedom and rights, making citizens feel like they belong to their country. Although both
countries present freedom and rights for citizens to feel a sense of belonging, both
countries differ in priorities for citizenship.
Talking about the Canadian citizenship, we can recognize differences. Chong
(1995) states “Citizenship responsibility is to use tolerance, fairness, understanding, and
compassion to leaf through the Canadian family album together” (Vol.9, No.2). As
Chong describes this, it perceives that Canada recognizes differences by understanding
that as a country the people must work together to progress immigration. If these
characteristics are followed, Canada as a country presents herself as a positive and equal
country towards immigration.

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 On the other hand, American citizenship contrasts Canadian citizenship because
in general the government serves citizens, but does no focus on the qualities that Canada
does. In the article American Citizenship (2010) it is stated that the government serves
citizens by “protection of constitutional rights, freedom of speech, and religion” (Bureau
of international information programs. p.5). This differs from Canadian citizenship
because the American citizenship does not focus on concepts of differences, and the
deeper meanings of citizenship. American citizenship focuses on the main aspects that
citizenship in North America should automatically focus, but lacks the characteristics of
progressive immigration . In conclusion, Canadian citizenship not only provides what
American citizenship does, but also includes characteristics to progress immigration for a
better growth for the country.
Talking about the cultural differences between Canada and United States, we can
say that Canadian culture and American culture aren’t too different but also they aren’t
too similar. The culture in the society seems to be different because, like how people say
United States is referred to as “ the great melting pot of society” where people of all
nations join together to form “a more perfect nation”. Everybody expected to cope with
the common community standards to make the nation strong. So any people from a
nation that join Canada forget about their culture and join American culture. While
Canada on the other hand has been compared to a mosaic, where people are invited to
join the nation and still retain their cultural identities, complete with traditions,
languages, and customs. Like for instance in British Colombia, a person may write their
drivers license in English, French, Chinese, and Punjabi. And in Nunavut, the primary
language of government will be Inuitituk with secondary services available in English as
required.
Since a lot of people speak French and 20% of the population of Canada is
French-Canadian, on most things not only English is written but so is French. This can
affect the culture in society because in Canada there will be parts of all different cultures
like the clothing, the food, while in United States since they encourage people to be more
into the “American culture”, there will be less of different types of cultures but more of
one.

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 Although Canada may have more, both Canada and United States have diversity.
In Canada some of the largest ethnic groups are British Isles origin 28%, French origin
23%, other European 15%, Amerindian 2%, other, mostly Asian, African, Arab 6%,
mixed background 26%. In United States some of the largest ethnic groups are white
77.1%, black 12.9%, Asian 4.2%, Amerindian and Alaska native 1.5%, native Hawaiian
and other Pacific islander 0.3%, other 4%. As we can see, the two countries have fairly
different ethnic groups. Major Religion Groups in Canada include Roman Catholic 46%,
Protestant 36%, other 18% and in United States Protestant 56%, Roman Catholic 28%,
Jewish 2%, other 4%, none 10%.
When it comes to language in Canada and The United States they both have English as
one of there main languages. Canada’s main languages are: English 59.3% (official),
French 23.2% (official), other 17.5%. United States main languages are: English,
Spanish (spoken by a minority).
Even if it does revolve around regions rather than the entire country, canadians in
general have a more community minded aspect. Concerning this aspect, Americans seem
to be very libertarian people who believe that people should be able to do what they like
when they like...unless of course they are doing something that the majority doesn't like.
America is a country that finds freedom to be of the most importance. In Canada,
freedom takes a back seat to the importance of human rights.
People from Canada are generally less conservative on social issues and more
conservative on fiscal issues. They save more money, carry less debt, and believe that the
state has very little duty to legislate morality out.
When it comes to religion, in America, people tend to be very religious. Religious
values play a large roll in government. In Canada, religion is often shunned and is
encouraged to stay out out of the public light.
Many Americans make the mistake of thinking Canada and America have
basically the same culture. Not only is this belief offensive to Canadians, but it also
ignores important differences in the business culture of both countries. International
business novices would do well to compare the Canadian and American approaches to
doing business. A sharpened understanding of divergent communications, meetings,
management and dress styles in the two countries will pave the way to business success.

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 Talking about the general observations, we can say that both Americans and
Canadians take business very seriously. Professionalism and punctuality are expected.
Americans tend to be more enthusiastic than Canadians, especially when debating
contentious issues. When doing business in America, we can expect a heavy reliance on
facts and numbers. A scientific approach is the norm for all aspects of business, even the
human relations department. In general, Canadians take a more group-oriented approach
to doing business.
In terms of communication, when meeting business partners for the first time,
both cultures expect a handshake, not a hug. The business partner should be addressed as
"Mr." or "Ms." followed by the person's last name. He will generally invite the persons to
call him by his first name. After the initial contact, communcation similarities end.
Americans prefer blunt speech. Tactfulness is seen as wasting time. Canadians take a
more indirect, subtle approach and use a self-deprecating humor that Americans might
misinterpret.
When it comes to meetings, we can say that the divergent communication styles
make Canadian and American business meetings very different. Americans pride
themselves on their egalitarian culture, and everyone is encouraged to speak up and
disagree with a higher-ups. Passionate confrontation may take the more reserved
Canadians aback. These confrontations, however, almost never stem from personal
animosity, but rather from the business culture of the country. Canadians, on the other
hand, conduct more-reserved business meetings. Expansive gestures are discouraged.
Meetings tend to seek harmony and consensus, and disagreement is always respectful.
Everyone expects to take their turn to speak, and interruptions are seen as rude.
Bringing in discussion the managemental style, it seems that the Canadians prefer
to maintain a generally informal management style. Consensus building is valued, and
Canadian managers will seek input from a variety of affected parties. This guards against
authoritarianism and resentment. When it comes down to it, though, Canadians value
decisiveness over flip-flopping. In America, management style is more individualistic.
Managers are held personally accountable for decisions. They assume any consensus will
dissolve as soon as an initiative hits rocky ground, so American managers are less willing

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to compromise and play politics. However, this approach can lead to resentment and
confrontation if subordinates believe their voices are not being heard.
Talking about the dress code, formal business dress is the same for both countries:
dark business suits and ties for men, and pants or skirts with a suit jacket for women.
Beyond that, however, dress code varies widely with the location, industry, and corporate
culture of each institution. In Canada, rural-based business tends to be more informal; in
America, more progressive industries, such as technology, tend to have more relaxed
dress codes.
When it comes to the styles of communication in both Canada and America, we
can talk for sure about differences. Talking about the Canadian Communication Styles,
we can say that it is difficult to specify any national trait in terms of communication in
Canada due to its regionalism and cultural diversity. However, there are some basic
communication styles that are fairly standard across the country. For example,
businesspeople are generally polite, easy-going and somewhat informal. In general,
communication is ” moderately indirect” perhaps reflecting an amalgamation of both
North American and British tendencies. Although most Canadians can disagree openly
when necessary, they prefer to do so with tact and diplomacy. Their communication style
is essentially pragmatic and relies on common sense. If you come from a culture where
communication is very direct, you may wish to soften your conduct and tone so as not to
appear threatening.
Communication styles vary most between Anglophone and Francophone parts of
the country. Francophones are generally more indirect than Anglophones, although less
so than the French. They also tend to be more exuberant than Anglophones. Anglophones
do not generally interrupt someone who is speaking. They consider it rude not to let a
person complete their thought before entering the discussion. Francophones are more
likely to interrupt another speaker.
Canadians communicate more by the spoken word rather than non-verbal
expressions. Non-verbal expressions are only really used to add emphasis to a message or
are part of an individual’s personal communication style. Canadians like their space and
prefer to be at an arm’s length when speaking to someone. They are reticent to discuss
their personal lives with business associates. They expect people to speak in a

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straightforward manner and to be able to back up their claims with examples. They do not
make exaggerated claims and are suspicious of something that sounds too good to be
true.
Talking about the American attitude towards language we can say that Americans,
like everyone else, recognize that differences in language must be dealt with in cross-
cultural situations. But since most Americans speak only one language, they are usually
dependent on finding English speakers or translators. Once they succeed in their search,
Americans are likely to believe that the problem of language is solved. They assume that
words alone are conduits for conveying meaning and tend to ignore the more subtle role
of language in communication. According to this assumption, the message reaches the
receiver, and the words unload their content and deliver their meaning intact. If the
message is misunderstood, either the receiver is faulted for not listening, or the sender is
blamed for selecting the wrong words.
Talking about other differences, other than cultural, between the two countries,
we can say that in Canada and the United States there is a difference in diversity and in
job roles. Firstly, Canada is described in the essay of Being Canadian as an inclusive
society. This is provided through the quote “It is a bridge between those who left
something to make a new home and those born here” (Greer, 1999. p.17). This quote
explains that Canada is an inclusive society because Canada makes immigrants feel just
as important as the people who were born here. This is important because not many
countries treat immigrants fairly, and choose to judge them to be below than people who
were born in the country. But Canada provides immigrants to feel like this is their home
making Canada seem like a compromising and welcoming society. Secondly, jobs and
terms of work differ in both countries because of wealth.
In the United States Greer (1999) says, “They tell me they cannot afford to
retire and are amused at my consternation” (p.17). Everything in the U.S. is so expensive
that people must overwork themselves to stay alive. This quote prevails that in the United
States they do not care about your health, and care more about your wealth because
everything you need to stay alive requires money. Lastly, there is a comparison between
both countries that demonstrates Canada is a fair country that wants to take care of their
society. Greer (1999) states, “Canadians have a lively sense of decency and human

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dignity” (p.17). Contrasted to New York, Greer (1999) states, “New York, wizened
ancients are drudging.” These two quotes clearly state the differences between both
countries because Canada shows that they do not care about their wealth and that they
provide necessities for the citizens. In conclusion, Canada demonstrates that they are a
better living country because they do not overwork people to live in the country rather
they settle for the decency of not so wealthy things, and do not base everything in wealth.
In both the US and Canada’s economic system there is most of both countries
main resources like fishing, manufacturing, service industries and farming. They also
share some things in there economic systems that aren’t one of there main resources but
also make them a lot of money like oil reservation, forestry, harbors, and natural gases.
Although both countries have some key similarity they also have a lot of differences. One
of those differences is money. Wear US uses dollars with presidents on them, Canada
uses dollars with the queen on it. Another difference is how the two countries make their
money like for instance the US makes its money on farming and trading tobacco, rice,
and cotton. Canada makes its money in its major business, timber land, paper industries,
news print, farming and fishing. Another major difference from US Economics and
Canada’s Economics is that in Canada the government owns all broadcasting,
transporting and electric companies. The US and Canada have a lot of similarities like
manufacturing, oil reservations and service industries and they also have some key
differences like how their money looks.
As a conclusion, we can say that Canada and the United States plainly have plenty
of similar traits, but many differences exist as well. These differences tend to be each
country’s defining characteristics, and in a way symbolize their respective mentalities.
While each country’s system would only be complemented by a degree of integration of
the other country’s system, the correct formula seems to evade both countries. The U.S.
system has provided the country with a stronger and sounder economy, while Canada’s
system looks out for the welfare of its citizens above all, even at the expense of a
relatively weak dollar on the world market. As Canada looks to American behavior for
answers to its financial problems, and the U.S. looks to Canadian behavior to solve its
efficiency problems, the future is unclear for both countries.