Problem With Canadians: Being Polite vs. Being Fake

One of the biggest cultural changes I immediately noticed when we moved to Berlin from Calgary two years ago was the notion of being 'nice'. Canadians are stereotypically 'nice' but I think the well-intentioned mannerisms of Canadians should instead be labelled as being polite, being courteous, and not necessarily as being nice. Because in Germany, people are definitely polite and courteous, but what they are not, is 'nice'. Let me explain further: here in Canada, any person can do anything mediocrely and be praised and worshiped for it. "This is amazing / you are a goddess / slay my life / how can you event" - this rhetoric honestly does not exist in Germany, and I love that.

Over in Germany (and probably most of Europe), you are only given praise and encouragement when you actually do something outstanding. When the accolades are legitimately warranted. And that - to me - is the biggest problem with Canadians. We live in a "praise everyone for everything" society, and you know what that results in? Entitlement. Complacency. Everyone suddenly feels that they can be whatever they want, just by re-affirming themselves in a Tweet or an Instagram Bio. And I am 100% behind working hard for what you want and chasing your dreams and taking risks and standing by your truth.