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As a Canadian who is in the United States (California, Redwood City) for long periods of time, I get used to a somewhat greater social distance. It's not obvio
by ghshephard 13y ago
As a Canadian who is in the United States (California, Redwood City) for long periods of time, I get used to a somewhat greater social distance. It's not obvious, until you come back home to Canada (In my case, Vancouver, Coquitlam, Burnaby) - and it seems like every Canadian wants to be chatty with you to the point of distraction.
What's weird about this, is if you had asked me while I was in Canada, I would have said there is somewhat of a convention of social distancing - but, there is clearly a spectrum.
- rjurney 13y agoThe north bay is chattier.
- _delirium 13y agoI think the fringes of the Bay Area are. North Bay and Santa Cruz are both chattier than either San Francisco or the Valley.
- sanswork 13y agoI think it might be a city thing as well. I grew up/currently live in Toronto and talking to strangers outside of specific areas/events is often met with distrust or a feeling that you/they are invading personal space.
- mpweiher 13y agoClearly a spectrum, for example the comfortable distance. In Germany, for example, people on public transport will generally seat themselves to maximize overall spacing. In other countries, people clump together. My social studies teacher once told a story about this: putting north americans and south americans together at a cocktail party can be fun, because the accepted social distance is different. So the south american will move in in order not be rude, while the north american will move back in order not to be rude. This can lead to little groups chasing each other through the room :-)