Social norms
Like all places, Quebec has social norms shared by most people. These norms may differ from your country of origin.
Intercultural conflicts can arise when an immigrant and a non-immigrant interact and are unfamiliar with each other’s social norms.
For example, in some Asian countries, slurping your food is considered polite and a sign of appreciation. In Quebec, however, it is the opposite. Eating loudly with your mouth open is considered rude and a sign of bad manners.
Below are some examples of social norms that you can follow in Quebec to make your integration easier.
Punctuality is important in Quebec and Canadian society. For many people, arriving on time or even early is a sign of good manners and respect.
People in Quebec have very sensitive noses. Take care to have good body odour.
Smiling shows good manners and hospitality. People appreciate it and it puts them at ease.
People in Quebec look each other in the eyes when speaking, no matter their gender, status or age.
Ever heard someone say, “Can you give me some space?”? This may mean that you are too close to someone physically and/or you are bothering them. You will often hear parents say this to their children.
If you are too close to someone when speaking to them, they may see this as slightly aggressive. It is important to respect people’s physical space as much as possible.