Is it true if you can't speak french in Quebec, you get treated very badly?

Show all answers

audiomatiks

Hi :)
I am a Quebecker and have lived in Quebec city and Montreal. From my point of you, I can tell you that tourists are generally well treated in our province, especially in Montreal. Montreal is indeed multicultural and you get to hear a lot of different languages while walking down the streets - so not speaking French is no big deal, even though it's often a must if you want to find a good work. Just so you know, Montreal has 3 millions habitants, and 70% of its population is composed of immigrants since 3 generations or less.

For the other cities, now, it's a bit different. Quebec being the second biggest city with 500 000 habitants, and being very touristic, you won't have too much trouble if you go there - people is used to Americans especially and treat them fine.
I will be honest with you though - there are racist people everywhere on the globe, and that doesn't exclude our province. Some people are racist with strangers, especially if they are not white... especially if they come from Middle Eastern countries. I've heard some stories from co-workers that went as tourists in my old city (Quebec) and received strange looks from the people... even if some of them where white and looked like one of us.

Now, don't get scared - if you come for visiting, you won't have to worry. Like I said, we are very welcoming. But if you come for living, it will be a bit harder. This mild xenophobia from my population may come from the fear of losing the French language, which we always had to fight for since the English invaded us. This is just a theory of course.

Finally, I believe that if you stay in major cities (Montreal, Quebec, Sherbrooke, Gatineau, etc.), you will be well treated. If you go in smaller cities, towns... the reality might be different. Just the fact that you can't speak French will put a great barrier between you and the people, as not all of them speak English.

I wish that you can come and visit us anyway, as there's a lot to discover about Quebec and its culture :)

P.S. Learn basic French... Most Quebeckers appreciate when strangers try to speak their language - it makes them very happy :) Good luck!

SteveN

Not true. It all depends on where you go and what you are doing. For example, In Montreal or Quebec City, I can order in a restaurant, try to buy something in a store, and ask a gas station attendant or even someone on the street for directions in English and in 85% of the cases I will get service or helped.

In another 14% of the time, I may have someone who speaks French but they only have broken English and they will try to help me with difficulty or else find someone who can.

The final 1% of the people in Montreal or Quebec are the jerks of the population who will give you a hard time.

I once saw a man telling off a young black guy for not knowing how to say cornichon (pickle) at the local Harvey's restaurant, while other patrons had to wait. Not sure if he did it because he hated the English or was racist, but I'm sure it made the poor waiter's day when he is only making minimum wage. But it is important to point out things like that are few and far between.

On the other hand, if you plan on going to Lac St. Jean, Joliette, or these other "one horse" towns outside the major city centers, you are going to have less and less anglophones to deal with. You won't get treated "badly" but you won't be able to get the info you need or make yourself understood.

I'm surprised that a school teacher would be so openly prejudiced and generalize or stereotype people in this way. I guess your best option would be to (someday) show up here in Quebec and see for yourself.

Bob D

There are rude people everywhere but to make it sound like all will treat you that way is ridiculous. I am English but the best summer I ever had was the one I spent in Montreal. Beautiful city and while the further from the major cities you get, the less English is spoken, doesn't mean a thing. Tell your professor to get a life...

pjallittle

Absolutely untrue. Been there several times with no difficulty whatsoever.

Please Don't Disturb

Gosh, let's hope not! I'm not sure what he meant by saying people who don't speak French get treated badly, but your professor probably shouldn't have generalized the entire population of Quebec. There are hospitable and inhospitable people anywhere. Maybe what he meant to say is that it's difficult to adjust and get around if you can't speak the local language. I do know people everywhere appreciate tourists that at least make an effort to use their natural language. It just shows a general consideration and respect for their local language/customs, etc. If you're going to Quebec, just be sure to brush up on your French, know some essential phrases, and don't worry about it too much. There must be plenty of English-speaking tourists (the rest of Canada actually speaks English) that visit Quebec, and if that's true, you definitely won't be considered an alien; if *I* heard of it, it must be a well-known place! =)

Oh...and just a little idea: If you scroll down to the very bottom of the page, there is an assortment of flags and names of countries. Quebec is listed - that is the version of Yahoo! Answers that everyone in Quebec uses. Use a translator (freetranslation.com) to post this question in French, and see what kind of answers you get. You could also post this question (in English, if you please) in the Canada section.

Good luck, and have fun!

nellierslmm

Absolutely 100% NOT true. I mean, there are rude people everywhere, whether in Quebec or the US, or the rest of Canada, but you will not get treated badly because you don't speak French. Tourism is a major part of our economy, and we try to accomodate everyone and be friendly to everyone. Most of our tourists come from the rest of Canada, or the US. The others, whatever their native language, usually use English as well, so the tourism field always has sevrice in both language. I am pretty sure people who treat any customer, be it a tourist or a local, badly for such a discriminating factor as language would get fired straight away.

What I always recommend people who are planning to come and visit us is this: Start by saying "Bonjour! Do you speak English?" That is a very polite way of letting the person know you are approaching that you acknowledge the French language here, are making an effort, but are not comfortable speaking it for whatever reason. And I'd say 95%, if you're not in a very tiny village, you'll get service in English. Just be patient, we're not native speakers, and we're doing our best!

Razorchilde

It really depends. If you're in a major city, lots of people speak English. If you're in a smaller city or town, you're going to have a harder time finding people who can or will speak English. But I know people who live in places like Montreal and don't speak that much French. It really depends. It probably also depends on whether you're a tourist or a citizen. There are, yes, people who will be rude to you. But I've visited the US and had people be rude to me just over my accent, so that alone isn't only a Quebec problem.

They can be rude about your language (keep in mind it's a point of contention in some ways), but personally, I really think some it probably stems from most tourists not being able to speak their official language at all. That's gotta be frustrating.

W H

Yes its true in many parts of Quebec. We went on vacation there once and my husband stopped to ask for directions. He asked in English and the person said he didn't understand. Then my husband repeated the question in French and the guy responded IN ENGLISH!!!!! Quebec City isn't bad because there are lots of tourists but Montreal is really snobby and will turn their nose up at you if you don't speak French

packingal

The larger centres are probably fine but it is possible you will have some problems with rudeness in smaller centres. My brother-in-law in the Navy was stationed in Quebec for a couple of yrs. He didn't really have a problem as his first language is French but his English speaking wife & step daughter lived in an isolated hell. Even when they went to the French language classes given on the base they were treated rudely. She would go with her husband to a local market where the owners were very friendly until she went by herself & they learned she didn't speak French, after that they would completely ignore her & take a very long time to help her find or pay for things. Once when my sister-in-law & her daughter were taking groceries into the house the neighbours actually yelled names & tossed things at them. My sister-in-law is a really nice person who will try & help anyone with anything so I don't think it was based on people disliking her personally. She is used to moving around, but couldn't wait to leave Quebec. She found the Ottawa area to be a much kinder place.

I often wonder what would happen if this was done to a French speaking citizen in a province that is predominately English speaking. There would probably be some kind of national uproar.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: