Another country has beaten Canada for the top spot as home to the most polite people in the world.
The stereotype that Canada has some of the kindest and most approachable people in the world has been valuable social currency, especially when it comes to travel and attracting newcomers. So much so that some Americans display Canadian flags on their clothes or backpacks when travelling abroad to capitalize on that reputation.
Remitly, an online remittance service, recently released the findings of a global survey about the world’s most polite countries.
“For people moving abroad, everyday social interactions can shape how welcomed they feel,” reads the report. “This could be as simple as a friendly greeting at their local coffee shop, patience with language barriers, or a simple smile on the street.”
The survey explores how politeness is perceived around the world by asking more than 4,600 people from 26 different countries to name the destinations they think are home to the most polite people, based on personal experience.
Remitly also asked survey participants to name the countries they believed to be home to the friendliest people.
When it comes to the 25 politest countries in the world, Canada ranked high, but did not get first place.
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According to the report, more than one-third of those surveyed (35.15 per cent) consider people in Japan to be the most polite.
“In fact, Japan’s lead is so strong that it is more than double the number of people who think the same of runner-up, Canada,” reads the report.
Remitly explains that politeness plays a visible role in everyday life in Japan, which is a country that has long been associated with a culture of respect and social harmony.
“For example, bowing is not only used to greet people, but also as a sign of respect,” reads the report. “Their language is also built around honorifics and polite speech, which further reinforces the importance of being considerate of others.”
Canada takes second place with 13.35 per cent of survey participants ranking it as one of the most polite countries in the world.
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Remitly credits the country’s welcome approach to newcomers, natural beauty, and strong job prospects as factors that make Canada a popular place to move to.
“While Canadians are sometimes jokingly portrayed as apologizing for things beyond their control, the stereotype is an oversimplification of a diverse society, with courtesy and consideration still playing an important role in everyday interactions,” reads the report.
The United Kingdom follows behind in third place with 6.23 per cent of those surveyed perceiving it as home to the most polite people.
The United States did not make the list of the 25 most polite nations in the world.
Remitly
Although Canada didn’t get the top spot in this ranking, it did take first place as the friendliest country in the world.
“Canada tops the ranking of where people say the friendliest people live, with the biggest share (10.5 per cent) of people surveyed being under this impression,” reads the report.
Brazil took the second spot with 7.96 per cent of the votes, followed by Australia with 5.10 per cent of the votes.
Check out the full report online.