Hi. If you replied hi back, then you’re already well on your way to becoming a naturalizedCanadian citizen.

在加拿大，如果有人对你说“Hi”，你也自然地回了句“Hi”，好了!你可正奔驰在成为当地公民的“康庄大道”上呢!

I’m not kidding. Don’t let the hoopla about social norms and customs, so often important in places of rich history and beliefs, fool you. There are no weird¹ mating dances here, nor intricatepheromones that have to be released when meeting someone.

我可没逗人玩。千万别到了历史悠久、信仰多元的国家，听了有关社会规范、信仰习俗的种种宣扬就被唬住。见面是正常自然的事，没有人期待你跳求偶舞或释放复杂的信息素。

Instead, Canada’s relaxed, and our handshakes are even more so. Though globalization has given rise to the slow absorption of American hardline business-speak and the tailored, meaningless responses shelved for efficiency sake (how are you? Good and you? Good), Canadian greetings have evaded² pageantry and elegance³.

相反，加拿大骨子里的轻松感也彰显在见面问候的闲适中。虽说全球化的浪潮让加拿大人渐渐浸染了美式高冷的商业辞令和简洁苍白的回应(How are you? Good and you? Good)，本来加式问候也从未附庸风雅。

THE BASIC HANDSHAKE

握手的基本法则

The universal formula is this: smile, handshake, say hi, and smile again.

通用的问候方式有以下几步：微笑、握手、来一句hi，再回以微笑。

It feels almost robotic distilling⁴ down such a simple introduction, but it’s necessary to avoid any awkward shuffling⁵ or unsolicited backrubs. Of course, there are nuances to the actual shake itself that a robot could never master – you don’t want to grip too hard, but then there’s nothing worse than a limp greeting either. Two hands can be a bit overwhelming; a clammy hand is never fun. Stick to these simple rules, and you’ll be fine.

把问候提炼成这么简单的几步，乍一听，你以为是机器人在打招呼吧，但把问候演绎成繁文缛节也大可不必。不同场合的握手会有细微差别，这些微妙之处机器人可做不来——握得像大力水手太过分，握得像海绵宝宝吓到人。双手齐上阵未免夸张;湿漉漉的手握起来让对方捏一把汗。记住这些基本规则，大家肯定出不了错。

MULTICULTURAL⁶ GREETINGS

多元文化，多样问候

But beyond such simplicity⁷ – especially once you take into account Canada’s multiculturalism⁸ – there can be great flexibility⁹. In distinct communities, almost anything goes during a welcome. Migrants in Ukrainian hubs will greet you with three alternating kisses on your cheeks. Same with Persians. Polish immigrants might just wave to you. Others will hug. And yet others will hold you so tight that you aren’t sure if you are merging¹⁰ with their flesh.

但考虑到加拿大的多元文化，在简洁的问候方式外，更是百花齐放。每个群体都有自己独特的迎宾礼节。来自乌克兰和伊朗的亲会行三次贴面礼。波兰亲可能只是挥手致意。有些亲把拥抱当成“见面礼”。还有些亲的拥抱太过猛烈，别人怕是魂都被他挤出来了。

This is part of Canada’s inherent multiculturalism where individual nuances and cultural traditions blend in messy, blossoming ways. But one need not worry about the complexity¹¹. The expectation for knowing such intricate greetings is lax at best. Like a good math proof, the formula still applies. It’s the E=Mc2 of Canadianisms.

由此可以窥见加拿大多元文化的特点，个人习惯的点滴融会于文化传统中，二者混合交织，发展繁盛。你不用担心它的复杂性。还真没人期盼对方把这套精细的礼节背成小九九。只要遵循交往的基本原则，你仍然可以“四海为友”。这也是加拿大精神不变的准则。

LOOK OUT FOR QUEBEC

魁北克问候方式一瞥

Admittedly, there are some differences in Quebec. Like its European counterparts where kisses flow like air, Quebecois differentiates¹² their introductions to people. “Tu” is used as an identifying-noun when the person in question is a friend, whereas “vous” is used for people to signify respect and authority.

诚然，魁北克飘满了异域风情。同见面吻如家常便饭一般的法国一样，这里对不同人的称谓也有所区别。“Tu”(“你”)用于指代朋友，而“vous”(“您”)用来体现对方的威望，表达尊敬之意。

But these are details, and in time, you’ll pick them up. Until then, let me extend another electronic handshake your way. I’m also smiling. I hope you are too.

假以时日，你就能轻松掌握这些细节。到时候，让我再和你隔空握个手吧!我可正咧嘴笑呢，希望你也笑靥如花呀!