Some questions about Montreal (living, club, stores)

[tfontaine]

note..i am an american living in montreal. i do not (yet) speak french. and i find that in general, americans are looked DOWN upon. interestingly enough, even in my own family (i married a can. citizen) here in montreal, there is constant u.s. bashing - whether it is our political leaders, policy on gun control, education, health care, whatEVER. i am expecting to be flying a huge american flag on MY terrace when it finally warms up here.....!

[cazelais]

Someone has an Australian flag flying in their backyard. In a predominately French area someone is using the Canada flag in their window. I think people in Montreal are pretty laissez-faire. As an American I have noticed the America bashing. People here are just the same as anywhere else. I notice Gay bashing and people of color bashing etc. French bashing versus English bashing.

I think you are more than a little homesick and I know when I go to California where I am originally from I am always culture shocked. I feel culture shock when I went to Ottawa which is only a two
hour drive away. AS well Plattsburgh, New York which is only one hour drive south of here.

There are many Americans here in Montreal btw. It's a nice place to be and unique. I gather you live in an area where there are very few if any Anglophones. In Verdun and Pointe St. Charles I hear English spoken on the streets and in the stores anytime I am out.

I highly recommend you take an intensive French course immediately.
You will feel a lot better being able to understand the language spoken around you. Or at least take a course if that would be too much. Intensive courses can be exhausting.

It took me a long time to get use to Montreal and the different lifestyle from Los Angeles. It took me a long time because I kept comparing the two and I felt very frustrated with many aspects. I stayed because I had a Daughter and wanted her to grow up knowing her Father who lives here in Montreal. Today I feel very fortunate that she grew up here. It was much safer, duh!, and she is fluently bilingual to boot. Yay! Now when I visit in California it feels very odd to me. Go figure. In the end it might be best if you and your family could move to an area where there are English speaking people as well.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by tfontaine

note..i am an american living in montreal. i do not (yet) speak french. and i find that in general, americans are looked DOWN upon. interestingly enough, even in my own family (i married a can. citizen) here in montreal, there is constant u.s. bashing - whether it is our political leaders, policy on gun control, education, health care, whatEVER. i am expecting to be flying a huge american flag on MY terrace when it finally warms up here.....!

I'm glad you're proud of your country. I'm a proud American too. But does it really upset you that the present occupant of the White House, and his policies, are ridiculed?

[Busch Boy]

I decided to revive this thread b/c I had a couple of questions concerning Montreal as well. A few of my relatives and I want to visit Montreal. We wanted to know if French was a must, but many people have stated that English is widely spoken as well. One of my cousins and I speak a little French, but its not that good. How are Americans really looked upon in Quebec (Montreal particularly)? Since we all also speak Spanish fluently, my cousin suggested that we pass off as tourists from a Spanish-speaking country. Is this a good idea or is it not necessary? Thanks in advance!

[Acajack]

You shouldn’t have any problems at all. Although you might run into the odd passersby on the street that speak only French, generally pretty much any service staff you will encounter are bilingual in French and English.

If anything, if it’s your first time visiting you’ll probably be surprised to find how much English is spoken there.

Of course, as is the case anywhere in the world, any attempts (even the most basic and incomprehensible ones) to speak the local language will usually help endear you to your hosts.

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by Busch Boy

I decided to revive this thread b/c I had a couple of questions concerning Montreal as well. A few of my relatives and I want to visit Montreal. We wanted to know if French was a must, but many people have stated that English is widely spoken as well. One of my cousins and I speak a little French, but its not that good. How are Americans really looked upon in Quebec (Montreal particularly)? Since we all also speak Spanish fluently, my cousin suggested that we pass off as tourists from a Spanish-speaking country. Is this a good idea or is it not necessary? Thanks in advance!

Not necessary.

I hear Vermonters (the ones who very seldom get to Montreal themselves) express the same concern you have all the time. I politely suggest they travel more.

I spend 10 days a year in Montreal, and have for 15 years. I'm a Vermonter.

Trust me on this - You don't need to pass yourself off as anything... Be yourself, and enjoy Montreal.

David

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by Acajack

You shouldn’t have any problems at all. Although you might run into the odd passersby on the street that speak only French, generally pretty much any service staff you will encounter are bilingual in French and English.

If anything, if it’s your first time visiting you’ll probably be surprised to find how much English is spoken there.

Of course, as is the case anywhere in the world, any attempts (even the most basic and incomprehensible ones) to speak the local language will usually help endear you to your hosts.

Great point!

I speak about 12 words of French, but I try to use them frequently, just for fun. People do appreciate this, I suspect.

People will in fact treat you with contempt if you're rude - in whatever language... Bark orders to waiters in any language, and expect to be treated poorly.

DB

[Antoyne_42]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

I speak about 12 words of French, but I try to use them frequently, just for fun. People do appreciate this, I suspect.

People will in fact treat you with contempt if you're rude - in whatever language... Bark orders to waiters in any language, and expect to be treated poorly.

DB

Exactly........It's all in the way you do it. A couple of words in french will change everything especially in areas where the majority of the people are french speaking. Remember that a lot of french speaking people complain about the lack of french services in some parts of the city and even in downtown therefor it should prove to anyone that there is a lot of english speaking people in Montreal.

The reason why we (i'm included myself in this) we ''wish'' other people would do an effort to speak and respect french as a language in Montreal is that we are a very small amount of people (barely 7 millions) that speak french, in north america, as oppose to almost 300 millions who speak english therefor if we are not careful and dont enforce the use of french language we are likely to disapear sooner or later.

That's why some of us will be so happy when an american speaks some french in Montreal showing that he cares, that he respects people and that he is also interested. That is obviously a big plus and a recipe for success.

Merci

[chaz longue]

Originally Posted by Antoyne_42

Exactly........It's all in the way you do it. A couple of words in french will change everything especially in areas where the majority of the people are french speaking. Remember that a lot of french speaking people complain about the lack of french services in some parts of the city and even in downtown therefor it should prove to anyone that there is a lot of english speaking people in Montreal.

The reason why we (i'm included myself in this) we ''wish'' other people would do an effort to speak and respect french as a language in Montreal is that we are a very small amount of people (barely 7 millions) that speak french, in north america, as oppose to almost 300 millions who speak english therefor if we are not careful and dont enforce the use of french language we are likely to disapear sooner or later.

That's why some of us will be so happy when an american speaks some french in Montreal showing that he cares, that he respects people and that he is also interested. That is obviously a big plus and a recipe for success.

Merci

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Antoyne_42.

[Antoyne_42]

Originally Posted by chaz longue

Thanks for sharing your perspective, Antoyne_42.

You are welcome.

I assume you are often in Montreal, am i right ? If so, i will ask you why you come tome Montreal ''relatively'' often...a part from the fact that it is close by ?

Merci d'avance