If I were to single out one point that stood out in my interactions with Canadians and Iranians (in and out of Iran), I would pick greetings. Yes, greetings. You see, in Iranian way, if you enter a room, you say hello, then acknowledge every single person and either say that you are happy to meet them or “how are you” or something.
I was quite surprised, OK shocked, that Canadians entered a room and just got right into the conversation or gathering. It did work in Canadian gatherings, but in mixed ones, it never worked. Trust me, I am speaking of experience.
And then I started paying attention to movies, to entrances in the movies, and there it was, hardly any greeting. Someone would walk into a room and start talking or join a crowd.
I guess if I were to make any comparisons or a comparative study, as it is very fashionable nowadays, I would say that Iranian ways, as far as a greeting goes, is much like a novel, with a definite beginning and ending. Canadians, on the other hand, resemble short stories. One can start or end anywhere, even in the middle, and not miss much. Except for the observer, especially if she/he is Iranian!
