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Location:
Climate:
Scenery/Architecture:
Quality of life:
Safety:
Public transportation:
Shopping:
Universities:
Entertainment/Things to see and do:
Diversity:
Economy:
Culture/Food/History:
Where would you rather live?
Where would you rather visit as first timer?
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Justabystander
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
Anyway, that wasn't my experience, people I encountered in Montreal were friendly to me in Montreal though I made an effort to speak some French, which to me would be common sense given where I was. I felt bi-lingual efforts went both ways and I don't speak very much French. That and well, you get what you give.
Montreal is great fun with lively nightlife, lots of festivals, amazing food, a cosmopolitan atmosphere, and beautiful architecture/neighborhoods. It's one of my most favorite cities in North America to visit. Quebec City is even better with more French influence, go figure. But I appreciate those kind of differences.
Last edited by Champ le monstre du lac; 06-10-2014 at 10:04 PM..
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
Absolutely not true. I visit Montreal twice a year and found all locals to be very friendly and amazing people. Obviously there would be some who cannot speak English, but keep in mind the city and province is officially French speaking. If you simply talk/ask few words in French, you may have encountered differently (such as saying Bonjour, Merci, tu parlez anglais, etc.)
Many people visit Montreal because of the uniqueness, culture, beauty, and the French language. Appreciate the difference and enjoy it!
Montreal is very friendly, moreso than Chicago on average. Is this based on some French-hating cliche, or have you actually been to Montreal?
Chicago is a great city with far more amenities overall, but Montreal is a top 5 North American city for me personally. I love the unique vibe there, and the people.
Montreal is the one city in Canada I have not been that I am wanting to go to badly. I may do that soon along with Quebec City, but I think this would be hard to compare because they're two completely different types of cities (Chicago and Montreal). I don't even think many North American cities are like Montreal for that matter.
Last edited by marothisu; 06-11-2014 at 10:57 AM..
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
That's interesting everytime I've been there I've been treated fine, whether I'm speaking English or my high school-level of French. People seemed fairly polite whenever I've been there--very corteous for the most part. Hell, they even speak much better English there then in most of Miami(where I get a chance to practice my Spanish even more than I use French in Quebec).
I live in Chicago and have visited Montreal. Here is my take.
Location: Montreal. It's in a better location for natural scenery, and has proximity to better cities in the Northeast than Chicago's Midwest location provides.
Climate: Chicago (about the only time Chicago would win this category! LOL).
Scenery/Architecture: Montreal for urban streetscapes, Chicago for skyline & marquee buildings.
Quality of life: Not sure. It's subjective depending on what one values.
Safety: Montreal
Public transportation: Montreal
Shopping: Chicago
Universities: Chicago
Entertainment/Things to see and do: Tie
Diversity: What type of diversity? Chicago has more racial diversity, but Montreal has more of an eclectic vibe to it.
Economy: Chicago
Culture/Food/History: Montreal
Where would you rather live?
Chicago, but mostly because I can't speak French and would have poor career prospects in Montreal.
Where would you rather visit as first timer?
Montreal
Overall:
Montreal. I live in Chicago and like it here, but Montreal may be my favorite North American city.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Justabystander
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
Not my experience at all. Most people there were friendly when I visited.
Have you ever been to Montreal as an English non-French speaking tourist? The Montreal citizenry is the most arrogant and obnoxiously discourteous and rude to those who do not speak French. For this fact alone I vote Chicago.
Maybe you just went there assuming everyone should provide English language service to you, without the slightest attempt to respect their culture or speaking a single word in French before opening your mouth?
I am sure all this hostility toward Montreal or Paris for that matter stems from languages and the typical American assumption that everyone in the world should be ready to communicate with them in English.
Who is arrogant and obnoxiously here?
I had nothing but great time during my 5X visit in Montreal.
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