But I also interpreted Spaniard’s indifference as a certain … haughtiness?

I’m absolutely with you on this. That’s the thing about Spain, there’s very little taboo around being openly rude, so you will bump into unrepentant assholes more often than in other places.

Nothing wrong with that, I think it’s important to understand that different cultures have different unspoken rules, it’s up to us expatys/immigrants to adapt to them.

I find it similar. The Québecois feel more culturally similar to Europe.

So I’m a Mexican who lived 5 years in Spain and currently lives in Canada.

Canadians and Spaniards have a different definition of friendliness.

In Canada it’s very normal to strike up a chat with complete strangers in day to day situations but those chats are usually just “surface level” stuff.

Canadians have a serious taboo about seeming judgemental or negative, which leads to them walking on eggshells, which leads to conversations that feel fake and hidden behind a veneer of positivity. I personally get the impression that people ask me about my life but they don’t give a shit about whatever answer I give.

In Spain it’s much rarer to strike up conversations with strangers, but if you do, you can end up having a deeper conversation and hear people’s real opinions.

Spaniards also don’t mind being judgemental or negative, so you might sometimes encounter unpleasant opinions, but they feel like people’s real opinions.

If a Spaniard cares about your life they will ask you about it and listen, if they don’t care they simply won’t ask you.

To summarize Canadians are nicer, but it feels fake, while Spaniards can be assholes, but it feels genuine.

Neither is better than the other, but I personally prefer the Spanish way.