TEST VI HOW TO “SURVIVE” IN CANADA. GENERAL GUIDELINES

TEST VI

HOW TO “SURVIVE” IN CANADA. GENERAL GUIDELINES

Business hours are generally 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Longer hours, however, are common. Mornings tend to be the preferred time for appointments.

Store hours are generally 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, but many establishments are open until 9:00 p.m. Some provinces, such as Ontario, also permit businesses to open for Sunday shopping. Many "convenience" stores, purchasing products such as milk, soft drinks, snacks, newspapers/magazines, and cigarettes, are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Punctuality should always be a priority. Be on time for all business-related meetings. Moreover, you will be expected to arrive on time for a business appointment even if your Canadian counterpart fails to do the same. If you cannot prevent being late, a telephone call stating your expected time of arrival is appreciated. In general, it is acceptable to be 15 minutes late for an evening social engagement. Do not, however, be late by more than 30 minutes.

A conservative, well-dressed, appearance is important in Canadian business culture. Your clothing does not necessarily have to be brand new or “trendy.” Wearing quality clothing that is old, but presentable, can be perfectly acceptable. Some professions allow for casual dress, but it's best to err on the formal side when in doubt. Suits and ties are standard attire for men. Business suits or dresses are often the standard attire for women. Pantsuits, in classic styles, can also be acceptable. Accessorizing, which adds flair to even very simple outfits, is also a common practice. During their leisure time, Canadians dress casually; items such as jeans, t-shirts, sweatpants, shorts, and running shoes are acceptable in public.

Canadian winters can be quite cold in many regions and dressing warmly is essential. During this season, ensure that you bring a coat and pair of gloves. It is also a good idea to take a pair of boots with good treads to help you walk with ease through the ice, snow, and slush you are likely to encounter on the pavement. Moreover, selecting a well-insulated pair of boots can help protect your feet from the often intense cold. Canadians in general do not wear scent in a business setting. Perfume, aftershave, and heavily scented personal care products such as shampoo and hairspray should be avoided, or at least used sparingly. It's often believed that perfume is worn to cover up poor personal hygiene. Furthermore, the presence of scent can also be a health hazard to individuals with asthma, a relatively common condition in Canada. Consequently, many jurisdictions in Canada forbid the wearing of scented products in hospitals and doctors' offices.

Business meals are popular in Canada and, in most cities, there will be a variety of good restaurants to choose from. Breakfast meetings are becoming common as well. Business lunches are usually short [1-1 1/2 hours] with lighter foods and often no alcohol. When invited to a dinner, the best policy is to wait for your Canadian host to bring up the subject of business. Invitations to dine at a Canadian home are relatively infrequent and should be considered quite a honour. A few days after a dinner party, a telephone call or note thanking the host or hostess is a thoughtful and appreciated gesture. When you visit a home, a gift of flowers, candy, wine or liquor are usually welcomed. If you decide to bring a gift of flowers, be aware that white lilies are sometimes associated with funerals, while red roses are reserved for romantic occasions. If you are a guest in a home, wait for permission from your hosts before wandering from room to room. Traditionally, the host or hostess is the first person at the table allowed to begin eating and drinking. Then, the guests may proceed with the meal. Make a point of offering any main dishes to others before serving yourself.

Restaurants in Canada often have smoking and non-smoking sections. In an increasing number of Canadian communities, however, there are by-laws in effect prohibiting smoking in restaurants and even bars. With the exception of the streets, you will find that smoking is restricted in most public places.

1. 
   Business hours in Canada are generally 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
   
2. 
   Canadians never appoint business meetings in the morning.
   
3. 
   Stores are not open before 8:00 a.m.
   
4. 
   There are no shops which are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
   
5. 
   Canadians don’t pay attention to punctuality.
   
6. 
   It is not acceptable to be even 5 minutes late for an evening social engagement.
   
7. 
   In Canada it’s necessary to wear brand new or “trendy” clothes.
   
8. 
   Wearing quality clothing that is old, but presentable can be considered as a sign of bad manners.
   
9. 
   During their free time, Canadians dress casually.
   
10. 
    Canadians don’t like jeans and t-shirts and never wear them.
    
11. 
    Canadians adore perfume and always wear scent in a business setting.
    
12. 
    Business meals are popular in Canada.
    
13. 
    Canadians often invite their business partners to dine at home.
    

2. t-shirts B. something that you wear to cover your feet when jogging

3. sweatpants C. a covering for the head

4. shorts D. a long narrow piece of cloth tied in a knot around the neck, worn by men

5. running shoes E. a piece of clothing worn by a woman or girl that covers the top of her body and part or all of her legs consisting of a one-piece bodice and skirt

6. coat F. loose warm trousers, worn especially for sport or relaxation

7. gloves G. short trousers ending at or above the knees

8. hat H. trousers made of denim (a strong, usually blue, cotton cloth)

9. dress I. a piece of clothing that you wear on your hand in order to protect it or keep it warm

10. suit J. a type of shoe that covers your whole foot and the lower part of your leg

11. tie K. a set of clothes made of the same material, usually including a jacket with trousers or a skirt

12. boots L. a shirt with short sleeves and no collar

1. 
   policy E. Appointments I. gift
   
2. 
   priority F. Dishes J. sections
   
3. 
   exception G. Hazard K. appearance
   
4. 
   casually H. Increasing L. perfume
   

1. 
   Mornings tend to be the preferred time for … .
   
2. 
   When dealing with a Canadian punctuality should always be a … .
   
3. 
   A conservative … is important in Canadian business culture.
   
4. 
   During their leisure time, Canadians dress … .
   
5. 
   Canadians believe that … is worn to cover up poor personal hygiene.
   
6. 
   The presence of scent can be a health … to individuals with asthma.
   
7. 
   When invited to a dinner, the best … is to wait for your Canadian host to bring up the subject of business.
   
8. 
   When you visit a home, a … of flowers, candy, wine or liquor are usually welcomed.
   
9. 
   Traditionally, you should offer the main … to others before serving yourself.
   
10. 
    There are smoking and non-smoking … in Canadian restaurants.
    
11. 
    In an … number of Canadian communities smoking in restaurants is prohibited.
    
12. 
    With the … of the streets, you smoking is restricted in most public places.