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Honestly, even with the exchange rate, prices in many parts of Canada are just coming to par with American prices.
The PPP exchange rate for the Canadian dollar is around $0.80 US. At that exchange consumer items will still be much more expensive but some services (such as healthcare) even it out somewhat. Given that US workers are about 30% more productive (since countries/regions with more productive workers in the tradable goods sector push up relative wages in the non-tradable goods sector) a fair value exchange rate would probably be about $0.68 US with todays oil prices.
Ah no lol... I was basically agreeing with your post that both countries offer many interesting things to see and its worth crossing the border in both cases.. To a Canadian, the U.S wouldn't be as exotic a place as others but still worth exploring and vice versa.. Read what I wrote again - it was relating to a surly someone in here attacking those who have an interest in crossing the border because there is nothing to see... I was defending your post dude and glad you enjoy your visits - always welcome here!
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
9,776 posts, read 15,776,851 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruSan
Thanks for posting and for visiting with your children.
Canada was the beneficiary of your consideration for your children's first time exposure to a foreign country experience. Kudos
There will undoubtedly come a time when they are older to introduce them to a more diverse cultural foreign experience.
Thank you.
Actually, my oldest is going to France next spring with her French class. That was one of the reasons we chose to visit Quebec and Montreal when we went to Canada. It was a good introduction for her to hear French being spoken and to try to communicate.
Actually, my oldest is going to France next spring with her French class. That was one of the reasons we chose to visit Quebec and Montreal when we went to Canada. It was a good introduction for her to hear French being spoken and to try to communicate.
Excellent!
The French spoken in Quebec is different to a degree but still functional as far as communicating in France goes. I've noticed a general lessening of the turned up noses in France at hearing what they considered a crude patois a few scant years ago.
It's much better now with the French assuming a more respectful stance at folks from afar attempting the speaking of their language.
The French spoken in Quebec is different to a degree but still functional as far as communicating in France goes. I've noticed a general lessening of the turned up noses in France at hearing what they considered a crude patois a few scant years ago.
It's much better now with the French assuming a more respectful stance at folks from afar attempting the speaking of their language.
my coworker's 16 year old daughter, who was born and raised in Quebec with French as her first language, went to France and was frustrated to find the French switching to English to talk to her.
I am not saying one is crude because that's purely subjective but the pronunciation is quite different, like Australian English and American English.
my coworker's 16 year old daughter, who was born and raised in Quebec with French as her first language, went to France and was frustrated to find the French switching to English to talk to her.
I have heard of this but it has never happened to me or my friends and family. And my French was pretty bad in my youth.
I suspect her French is not as good as you think. Or rusty from living in Toronto.
Location: Chapel Hill, NC, formerly NoVA and Phila
9,776 posts, read 15,776,851 times
Reputation: 10881
Quote:
Originally Posted by BruSan
Excellent!
The French spoken in Quebec is different to a degree but still functional as far as communicating in France goes. I've noticed a general lessening of the turned up noses in France at hearing what they considered a crude patois a few scant years ago.
It's much better now with the French assuming a more respectful stance at folks from afar attempting the speaking of their language.
It's funny you say that because my husband has friends in Sherbrooke whom we visted while in Canada. The wife said her daughter is married to a man from France and now her granddaughter speaks French like a "proper French girl." I thought that was interesting because as an English speaker who took 6 years of French in high school and college, I cannot tell the difference. Some people must have a keener ear than I. But it makes sense to me if I compare British English to American English.
I think part of adjusting to speaking French (or any language) in a foreign country is getting over your fear and having confidence to try out the language even though you don't know it perfectly. And for that, despite pronounciation differences, Quebec was the perfect place to practice. Everyone we encoutered was kind and helpful with my daughter's rudimentary and my very rusty French (a clerk in Walmart spent a few minutes with me trying to get me to perfect my "un".) Our visit also sparked an interest for me to brush up on my French and for my younger two kids to learn it. We've been learning and practiciing since we got back.
It's funny you say that because my husband has friends in Sherbrooke whom we visted while in Canada. The wife said her daughter is married to a man from France and now her granddaughter speaks French like a "proper French girl." I thought that was interesting because as an English speaker who took 6 years of French in high school and college, I cannot tell the difference. Some people must have a keener ear than I. But it makes sense to me if I compare British English to American English.
I think part of adjusting to speaking French (or any language) in a foreign country is getting over your fear and having confidence to try out the language even though you don't know it perfectly. And for that, despite pronounciation differences, Quebec was the perfect place to practice. Everyone we encoutered was kind and helpful with my daughter's rudimentary and my very rusty French (a clerk in Walmart spent a few minutes with me trying to get me to perfect my "un".) Our visit also sparked an interest for me to brush up on my French and for my younger two kids to learn it. We've been learning and practiciing since we got back.
I am glad you guys got to practise your French. It's a common complaint from people that many folks in Montreal (and some other parts of Quebec) switch to English as soon as they recognize an accent, but your experience shows that if you continue in French (and even tell people "C'est gentil de parler anglais mais j'aimerais pratiquer mon français SVP"), most everyone will happily oblige.
When i was working and basically speaking French all day i would find it rather insulting to initiate or respond to some one in French and they would switch to English where upon i would just continue on in French till they got the idea.
Now 8 years into retirement i'm losing much of the French i once had, when i'm out i still initiate conversation in French but now if some one switches to English i'm fine with continuing the conversation in English.
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Some people must have a keener ear than I. But it makes sense to me if I compare British English to American English.
