Canadians are frequently referred to as a nation of people who have the good fortune of being surprised when something goes wrong. This is because, since Canada’s formation in 1867, the Canadian population has maintained a stable way of life and has had far less involvement in wars and global conflict than the United States. Canada is situated in land that was slightly less desirable than the United States, resulting in a smaller population that did not have to compete as violently for their right to the land. Canada is considered a federal monarchy with many socialist values, and the population does indeed have strong social sensibilities and awareness. Being smaller in population, less influential and slightly more out of the way than the United States, Canada has had the privilege of more privacy than its neighbor to the south. All of these factors have resulted in a stable economy, way of life and cultural climate for Canada.

This is where Canadians get their reputation for being so polite and agreeable. When political, economical and social matters remain fairly predictable, everyone is happy and accommodating. This is not to say that Canadians are passive, however. Canadians are fiercely patriotic people, with a loyalty to their country that is a matter of principle. They take pride in their cultural identity and the ways that Canada is unique among nations. Canadians are also self aware enough to know how fortunate they are to be Canadian. Canada is consistently voted to be a country with one of the best qualities of life in the world, and Canadians do not take this for granted. They honor this privilege with a strong sense of responsibility to their social systems so that everyone may continue to enjoy this quality of life. On the whole, the cleanliness, respect for personal safety and property, and respect for civil obligations is much higher than in other countries. Canadians protect their way of life and balance collectivism and individualism in equal parts.