A video about an American grandfather’s first visit to Canada reminded me that some of the best things about this country are the things we hardly notice anymore.
That reminds me of the American who came here to Australia, and was surprised that passengers thanked bus drivers when getting off at their destination.
Last week I was at my local No Frills grocery store and I needed to use the washroom. When I went to wash my hands I noticed a purse with cash, wallet and cell phone sitting by the used paper towel receptacle. I picked it up and walked down to the lady who ran the self-checkout area. She always seemed pretty aware of what was what. She said she would leave it at the first cash;; I suggested she might page the owner after looking in her purse. She said they weren't allowed to look;; I said "I'll do that for you." They paged, I went about my shopping.
When I was cashing out, a supervisor showed up and asked me if I was the guy who brought the purse around. I said I was. Apparently the elderly lady arrived after the page looking like she might keel over. She was very relieved when she got her purse back. The super said she left a gift for me of $20; I noticed a grocery collection box nearby and suggested the store buy some goods and put them in the box.. I didn't do that for $20. I did that because I'm Canadian.
I'm proud that we are known around the world as kind, considerate and polite for 99%of the time with 99% of the people. But we arent pushovers either. Remembering that is what helps on those days when the negative comments way heavy. We live in the best country in world and I would gladly defend it and my fellow Canadians. Sorry, not sorry!
Of course his bag was found and protected, sad he was so surprised, same for the furnace filter help- of course he was helped. Have always travelled being considerate and polite, saying good morning makes us feel as good as who we are saying it to. This story did make me think of how I view Americans though- perhaps I have a few preconceived notions as well. I’d hope I wouldn’t judge a whole citizenry by a few bad apples. Am surprised he got to his age not knowing what he experienced is literally the essence of being Canadian. Nice he knows now
Beautiful story Fred, thank you! I have a different story, involving the USA. My husband had died, when I was 53, SCA. I was lost & grieving, my daughter suggested I come visit her & Kyle & the 2 kids. So, I packed up my place & drove across Canada, then down across the USA. I stopped every night for sleep & a good meal. One day was possibly my last one driving. I stopped before every serious turnoff to make sure I would take the right turn. I had decided I might have to turn right, studying my mapquest. A black van pulled up ahead of me & a man was walking in my direction, he went to the passenger side window & I rolled it down. He said, excuse me Ma'am, I noticed your Canadian license plate & thought you may be lost? I showed him the map I was following & the turn I was thinking of taking. He very kindly told me that would be the wrong direction, you have to take a left turn but it's a little ways up. He said, you follow me & I will point you to the turn you must take. Sure enough, he pointed clearly, tooted his horn, I waved & tooted back. That night when I got a room & called my Mom, I told her I believed an angel helped me today, a beautiful black man, so kind. She agreed, she felt he was an angel. My daughter said the same thing when I related it to her. The rest of my trip was relatively problem free, except I need to pee! I pulled off on the next turn that showed facilities, before I made it to a washroom a police car showed up, he came to my window, he said Ma'am, you have to get out of here right now, it is not safe for you to be here! He said, I will go ahead of you & where I turn my blinker on, you turn there & keep going, ok? OK, & I did that, drove till almost daylight & then got a room. So, a second angel for me in the form of a police officer. I could go on, but, it's getting too long, but, another officer helped me as well, but it was quite minor & again, he was so kind. I wish I could thank them again one day :) Thank God for all the "good" people that are in this world & in my case, they were all Americans :)
Good for Canadians.
That reminds me of the American who came here to Australia, and was surprised that passengers thanked bus drivers when getting off at their destination.
Simple courtesy.
Michael, I love that!
Nice to know our Australian friends share that little habit.
Amazing how something as simple as thanking a bus driver can surprise visitors.
Good manners don't cost a penny, but they sure make a difference.
Thanking bus drivers is a given in Canada as well. USians are always surprised that we do this!
Exactly, Alexis!
We thank the bus driver without even thinking about it.
Just another little Canadian habit we take for granted.
And that's really what this whole article is about. 🇨🇦🍁
Last week I was at my local No Frills grocery store and I needed to use the washroom. When I went to wash my hands I noticed a purse with cash, wallet and cell phone sitting by the used paper towel receptacle. I picked it up and walked down to the lady who ran the self-checkout area. She always seemed pretty aware of what was what. She said she would leave it at the first cash;; I suggested she might page the owner after looking in her purse. She said they weren't allowed to look;; I said "I'll do that for you." They paged, I went about my shopping.
When I was cashing out, a supervisor showed up and asked me if I was the guy who brought the purse around. I said I was. Apparently the elderly lady arrived after the page looking like she might keel over. She was very relieved when she got her purse back. The super said she left a gift for me of $20; I noticed a grocery collection box nearby and suggested the store buy some goods and put them in the box.. I didn't do that for $20. I did that because I'm Canadian.
Jim, THIS is exactly why I shared that video.
Your story is the real-life example of what I was trying to say.
You didn't just return someone's belongings.
You turned down a reward and found a way to help somebody else.
And that last sentence of yours says it all.
Thank you for sharing this.
Proud to be your fellow Canadian.
I'm proud that we are known around the world as kind, considerate and polite for 99%of the time with 99% of the people. But we arent pushovers either. Remembering that is what helps on those days when the negative comments way heavy. We live in the best country in world and I would gladly defend it and my fellow Canadians. Sorry, not sorry!
Well said, Evelyn!
Being kind and polite doesn't mean we're pushovers.
We can welcome strangers, help our neighbours, and still stand our ground when someone threatens our country.
That's the Canada I'm proud of.
And no apologies necessary! 🍁
It says: Made with AI. Sounds or visuals were altered or fully generated. But still a good story.
Thanks, Alison.
That's why I mentioned in the article that the story wasn't independently verified.
AI-generated or not, I thought the message about everyday Canadian kindness was worth sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Of course his bag was found and protected, sad he was so surprised, same for the furnace filter help- of course he was helped. Have always travelled being considerate and polite, saying good morning makes us feel as good as who we are saying it to. This story did make me think of how I view Americans though- perhaps I have a few preconceived notions as well. I’d hope I wouldn’t judge a whole citizenry by a few bad apples. Am surprised he got to his age not knowing what he experienced is literally the essence of being Canadian. Nice he knows now
Beautiful story Fred, thank you! I have a different story, involving the USA. My husband had died, when I was 53, SCA. I was lost & grieving, my daughter suggested I come visit her & Kyle & the 2 kids. So, I packed up my place & drove across Canada, then down across the USA. I stopped every night for sleep & a good meal. One day was possibly my last one driving. I stopped before every serious turnoff to make sure I would take the right turn. I had decided I might have to turn right, studying my mapquest. A black van pulled up ahead of me & a man was walking in my direction, he went to the passenger side window & I rolled it down. He said, excuse me Ma'am, I noticed your Canadian license plate & thought you may be lost? I showed him the map I was following & the turn I was thinking of taking. He very kindly told me that would be the wrong direction, you have to take a left turn but it's a little ways up. He said, you follow me & I will point you to the turn you must take. Sure enough, he pointed clearly, tooted his horn, I waved & tooted back. That night when I got a room & called my Mom, I told her I believed an angel helped me today, a beautiful black man, so kind. She agreed, she felt he was an angel. My daughter said the same thing when I related it to her. The rest of my trip was relatively problem free, except I need to pee! I pulled off on the next turn that showed facilities, before I made it to a washroom a police car showed up, he came to my window, he said Ma'am, you have to get out of here right now, it is not safe for you to be here! He said, I will go ahead of you & where I turn my blinker on, you turn there & keep going, ok? OK, & I did that, drove till almost daylight & then got a room. So, a second angel for me in the form of a police officer. I could go on, but, it's getting too long, but, another officer helped me as well, but it was quite minor & again, he was so kind. I wish I could thank them again one day :) Thank God for all the "good" people that are in this world & in my case, they were all Americans :)