Hey folks! Ever wondered why Canadians are often called the nicest people around? Is it that irresistible accent, or is it something deeper?

Well, it’s about time we delve into this widely accepted perception. We’ve put together a list of the top reasons why Canadians are considered so darn nice.

The reasons are sure to leave you with a newfound appreciation for our neighbours up north. So, grab a cuppa, sit back, and read on!

Are Canadians friendly?

Canadians really are friendly, a fact affirmed and revered universally! 

Intrepid traveller, author, and television host Anthony Bourdain was no stranger to Canada and stated, “One stereotype I found to be true is that Canadians are just about the nicest, most gentle, friendly bunch you could ever hope to meet.”

Esteemed sources lend support to these sparkling testimonials. In fact, Canada was ranked as the 4th most friendly country according to the U.S. News Best Countries Rankings 2022, which was based on global survey respondents.

Whether you’re hanging out in their cosmopolitan cities or exploring their stunning wilderness, they’re always ready to lend a helping hand. And this sense of community they’ve built is totally heartwarming.

Seriously, visit a Canadian neighbourhood and in no time, you’ll be invited to a potluck or a hockey game—they’re that approachable! 

Are Canadians the nicest people in the world?

Canadians are indeed amazingly nice and friendly, which scores them major points in the niceness department. But let’s remember, you can find nice people anywhere on this beautiful planet; it’s all about individuals, eh?

Still, if you look at their overall reputation and general attitude—their kindness, politeness, and how welcoming they are—Canadians do kind of stand out. I mean, they’re almost famous for it! 

So, while we can’t officially crown them as ‘the nicest’, they’re definitely up there on the list.

The Top 10 Reasons Why Canadians Are the Nicest

Canadians are renowned for their politeness and good manners

It’s almost impossible to have a conversation with a Canadian without a bombardment of ‘pleases’, ‘thank yous’, and ‘sorrys’. It’s like they have an extra internal politeness chip installed!

Now you might ask, “Where does this come from?” Good question! According to this groundbreaking study of McMaster University Researchers, they found that Canadians are indeed politer than their lovely southern neighbours. 

Their secret weapon was analysing millions of tweets (I guess sometimes we tweet sweet things!). And voila, Canadians seem to be sprinkling more “sorrys”, “thank yous”, and “pleases” than others.

Canadians truly place a high value on harmonious interactions, causing many to interpret this as extreme politeness. But let’s be real, who’s complaining about that? 

It’s actually pretty refreshing in our often loud and brash world to have a conversation that’s just… nice. So, if you ever find yourself in the Great White North, you’re bound to be met with good manners and a politeness that’s simply Canadian.

They not only accept but welcome immigrants with open hearts

Canadians don’t just accept immigrants; they welcome them with open hearts. In a study conducted by Pew Research Center, Canada is one of the countries that view immigrants as “a strength, not a burden“.

Canada has always been a nation built by immigrants; it’s a part of their national identity. They understand that cultural exchange is a two-way street and that immigrants add to the cultural fabric of the country.

The fact that they’ve been able to maintain this welcoming approach even in times of global uncertainty truly speaks volumes about their character. So you, me, everyone—we’re all welcome in Canada, which is pretty darn nice, eh?

Canadians generally don’t flaunt or demonstrate arrogance

Canadian culture values modesty, humility, and ‘keeping things real’. They’re not ones to brag about their accomplishments or show off their assets.

According to the Reader’s Digest courtesy study in 2006, an undercover investigation involving reporters investigated the demonstrability of common courtesies in various cities around the globe. For Canada, Toronto and Montreal were chosen.

The specific courtesies being monitored included actions like holding open doors for others, helping others pick up fallen items, and acknowledging service staff. 

In the overall ranking, Toronto placed third amongst the 36 cities around the world, while Montreal came in at 21st, and that’s one solid hat-tip to Canadian modesty!

It just amplifies the perception of Canadians as the nicest people, because, let’s be honest, nobody likes a show-off, eh?

They promote inclusive healthcare and education policies

So let’s discuss their inclusive healthcare and education policies, shall we? This is one of those big deals that makes it clear that being good to others is at the core of Canadian society.

Canada’s got a bit of a reputation for its universal healthcare system, where access to medical care is regarded as a right, not a privilege. This mindset of providing quality medical care to all its residents is like a warm Canadian hug for everyone who calls this land home.

Moreover, the Canadian government acknowledges the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination to create a more inclusive health system.

In the field of education, detailed insights on educational policy reforms promoting inclusion and equity are provided by the OECD in their Education Policy Outlook for Canada.

So, you’ll witness top-notch education facilities accessible to everyone with lots of support for diverse learning needs. It’s just another way Canadians exhibit their niceness.

Canucks show acceptance and respect for all cultures

With Canada being a hugely multicultural nation, this warm embrace of diversity is woven into the fabric of their identity. No matter where you come from, what your beliefs are, or what you look like, there’s a place for you in Canada.

You know how we absolutely love sharing the last slice of pizza? That’s kind of how it is in Canada, but instead of pizza, Canadians are sharing values.

These values are pretty important, like human rights, gender equality, and, for sure, a huge appreciation for people’s diverse cultures, according to Statistics Canada. Now, that speaks volumes about Canada respecting and accepting all cultures.

On a related note, the smart folks from the University of New Mexico dug up an interesting fact: “Canada has a policy, right, just for the very purpose of embracing all the different cultures and religions.”

It’s like having a recipe to make sure everyone gets their piece of the pie.

They are considerate and mindful of the environment

Are you ready for the next reason why Canadians are the nicest? Here it is: they’re super considerate and mindful of their environment.

And let’s be honest, with the stunning natural beauty that covers their land, who could blame them? 

Canadians deeply appreciate their natural surroundings, understanding the importance of preserving and protecting them not just for themselves but for future generations.

You see, according to a report by Abacus Data, 76% of Canadians see climate change as a serious problem and expressed their very much concern. Now, if that doesn’t scream “considerate and mindful of the environment”, I don’t know what does.

This means taking proactive steps to implement environmentally friendly policies, invest in green technologies, and encourage responsible living. That sort of mentality is what makes Canucks truly stand out in the ‘niceness’ department.

Canada promotes “neighbourhood friendliness”

Canadians love to promote “neighbourhood friendliness.” That means they genuinely care about the wellbeing of their neighbours, and they make an effort to create inclusive, friendly, and supportive communities.

Every Canadian neighbourhood has a welcoming atmosphere where everyone knows everyone and people look out for one another. 

From simple gestures like helping with snow shovelling to small chitchats during morning walks, it’s all about building those lovely human connections.

This social warmth is one of the things that makes Canada so great and has travellers feeling like they’ve stepped into one big, welcoming home.

They place high value on community service and volunteerism

Rolling right along, let’s chat about how Canadians place a high value on community service and volunteerism. I mean, of course they do, right?

Being nice is kind of their whole thing. But seriously, this is something they’re passionate about. Helping others, whether through food drives or participating in charitable events, is seen as an essential way to give back to the community.

Now check this out. The Canada Survey of Giving, Volunteering, and Participating (CSGVP) indicated that 47% of Canadians aged 15 and over did volunteer work in 2010. That’s almost half of them taking time to lend a helping hand!

And here’s the cherry on top: the 2020 World Giving Index listed Canada among the top 10 countries globally in terms of volunteering.

For Canadians, volunteering is not an obligation; it’s an opportunity to connect, grow, and make a meaningful difference in their communities.

Canucks truly have this “outdoor hospitality”

We’ve got another gem for you: the “outdoor hospitality” of Canucks. In case you haven’t noticed, Canada is breathtaking!

With all that natural beauty, it’s no surprise that Canadians have this unique fusion of friendliness and a love for the outdoors. Don’t be taken aback if a Canadian invites you to join them on a hike, to go camping, or to share a lakeside barbecue.

Canadians consider nature something to be shared and experienced together, and the shared connection they create with others in the great outdoors is second to none.

They do demonstrate a high level of civic responsibility

As we wrap things up, let’s chat about the cherry on top, which is the high level of civic responsibility exhibited by Canadians. They genuinely care about making their country the very best it can be and are willing to take the necessary steps to make that happen.

Well, Canadians, they love doing their civic duty just as much. Elections Canada showed that voter turnout reached almost 66% in the 2019 federal election.

From voting in elections to participating in community clean-ups, Canadians invest their time and energy in doing right by their society. 

It’s that shared commitment to building a safe, just, and prosperous nation that makes Canadians so endearing (and, let’s face it, extra nice).

This sense of civic duty means that Canadians are always ready to lend a hand to improve their surroundings, making their politeness a true force for good.