Canada: a land of maple syrup, stunning landscapes, and, perhaps most famously, its polite population. But is this reputation truly deserved?
In a new study conducted by Preply, a language learning app and e-learning platform, which revealed what the rudest and most politest cities are in Canada and revealed some other intriguing details as well. With over 1,500 residents from 44 of Canada's largest cities participating, the results were both enlightening and, at times, surprising.
For years, Canadians have been known internationally for their courtesy and friendliness. From "eh" to endless apologies, politeness seems ingrained in the nation's DNA. The survey supported this reputation, revealing that more than four out of five Canadians (83%) actually agree with the notion that Canadians are polite.
However, the truth is a little more nuanced. By delving into the data, Preply discovered some interesting trends that both supported and challenged this prevailing image.
The Rudest Cities in Canada
While politeness certainly has its place in Canadian culture, the study uncovered a different reality. The top three rudest cities in the country, as indicated by the rudeness scale ranging from one to ten, are Vaughan, Coquitlam, and Brampton. These cities scored significantly above the average rudeness score of 5.22, with scores of 8.05, 7.85, and 7.05, respectively.
In Vaughan, often referred to as the home of Canada's Wonderland, politeness seems to be taking a backseat. Despite its proximity to the relatively polite Markham (with just around 20 km between them), Vaughan residents demonstrated a rudeness score almost three times higher than their neighbours.
Coquitlam, known for its damp climate and steep hills, secured its position as the second rudest city. Perhaps the weather plays a role in affecting moods and subsequently manners.
Canada's Politest Cities
On the flip side, the title of the most polite cities in Canada goes to Markham, Saguenay, and Cape Breton. All three cities have a common thread: they're located in the eastern part of the country, hinting at a potential East-West divide when it comes to manners.
Markham, a diverse and culturally rich community, took the lead as the most polite city. It seems that their diverse background and varied residents contribute to their overall tolerance and politeness, setting them apart from some other cities in the Greater Toronto Area.
Behind Closed Doors: Swearing and Apologizing
Beyond behaviours in public, the study delved into the private world of language usage. Canadians, on average, admit to swearing around nine times a day. Surprisingly, Burlington residents outpaced this national average, racking up an impressive 15 swear words daily – earning them the distinction of being Canada's most prolific swearers.
Apologies, however, are equally abundant in Canadian conversations. The average Canadian says "sorry" or apologizes nine times per day. Yet, Burlington, the same city that topped the swearing chart, also takes the lead in apologies, apologizing a staggering 18 times daily. Oakville, Longueuil, and Guelph followed suit, each with their own apologetic tendencies.
The most common rude behaviours?
In Preply's pursuit of uncovering Canadian manners, the survey results shed light on prevalent impolite actions. Excessive phone usage stands out as a widespread behaviour, with Vaughan leading the pack in this discourtesy.
While the study highlighted varying levels of rudeness across Canadian cities, it's essential to recognize that Canadians, as a whole, maintain a commendable level of politeness. Despite the diversity in rudeness scores across the scale of one to ten, and an evident inclination towards apologizing, the enduring reputation of Canada's polite demeanour remains steadfast.
