I don't mean this in a horrible way .. .. . but has anyone ever met a modest Canadian???
I've been here 2 years now and have an amazing array of Canadian friends . . . all of which ALWAYS seem to have the answer!!!! All are incredibly confindent and are comfortable saying things like "I'm a natural X" or " I'm a very talented Y"
I, on the other hand, am always the first to put myself down!
Maybe it's just my own insecurities making them seem so . . . .bolshy!

I have found this too..
Whilst I understand it's just another cultural difference it's hard to equate the lack of humility in individual Canadians when the country seems so humble in a global sense..

I have found this to be common over here as well, but what I have also found is that most of it is hot air, and generally not justified, they talk big! All the men seem to think they are 'Charlie Big Potatoes', well they are not cos I am!

Yes, many.

I don't think you have to be modest - after all if you don't believe in yourself / big yourself up then who will

Of course you do.

Me too.

You do realise you are insulting my wife and kids

Women and children are excluded from this iaink, so not a problem.

As I posted earlier, it's just another cultural difference..

It's noticeable in resumes here, it's encouraged to include quotes from people extolling the employee's virtues, something that would be seen as outright immodesty in the U.K...

I don't find it particularly distasteful & I'm sure there is regional influence but it is something that I've definitely noticed..

Let's not turn this grown up thread into another childish pissing match please. It's obvious from the OP's original post that it's not a negative comparison but merely an interesting difference that could be discussed..

My wife is Canadian (she spent a considerable amount of time in the U.K. as an adult) & she, herself , has noticed & commented on this difference..

I dont see that distinction anywhere, beside I am an adopted canadain, and many of my friends are real ones, and most are unassuming modest people.

The OP and yourself are the ones who decided to paint a whole nation in broad strokes. Youve been called on it as bullshit, maybe you both just need to hang out with a different bunch of people.

... and yet they have much to be modest about.

EDIT:

I have to agree with you. Canadians trying to sell something (including themselves) will be pushy and brash. That's just the way it is. Same in the USA. When you get down to the personal level, most are pretty modest.

It's the same when you meet people at conferences etc. Conversations often finish very abruptly, sometimes with people just turning and walking away. I used to think it rude but it isn't. What needed to be said was said. No need to start discussing family pets. Brits are not good at ending conversations.

And that's the same in the USA too.