(re-post)
It's not that we Canadians lack confidence – no, not at all: it is our presentation that gives this (wrong) impression. When someone bumps into us and we both apologize, it isn't low self esteem: we are ingrained with politeness, possibly purely habitual.
What do you think about this; almost always when someone says "Thank you," to us, we reply, "Oh, thank you, my pleasure." Which implies, "Don't mention it," which implies, "I don't deserve your saying 'thanks'."
Do we really feel this way? Hardly. But don't take my word for it. Ask yourself. Chronic niceness strikes again.
Now I suggest a solution to this that could improve the Canadian identity in – oh, say less than a decade. A breaking of the habit, so to speak. I learned it from Catherine Gretzinger on CBC Radio many years ago and have been observing it ever since – in myself and in others.
Whenever anyone said "Thank you," to Catherine (and as a radio host this happened a lot) she said – "You're welcome." That was it. "You're welcome." Wow! It was great. It left the impression that she was accepting being worthy of whatever she was being thanked for; it took away the feeling of foolishness or game-playing that occurs when we express gratitude and have it not accepted.
Try it. Next time someone says "Thank you," to you, reply, simply, "You're welcome." See what happens. See how you feel. Thanks for doing this. And you're welcome for my suggesting it.