Montreal

[DavidMn]

my friend and I were discussing the lovely country of Canada last night and the subject eventually turned to my not so fun trip to Montreal in 1996. I was there to see the Expos(baseball) and when I was trying to figure out how to navigate the subway system to get up to olympic stadium, almost no one was willing to help me! I'm not one of those people that when I travel I'm the "Ugly American." But it was clear the disdain some of he denizens of Montreal had towards me for being american. I was very disapointed. FOr the record, I also went to Toronto on that trip to see the Blue Jays and those people were very friendly! Thoughts anyone? Having said all that, not everyone I encountered there was a complete asshole.

Originally Posted by DavidMn

my friend and I were discussing the lovely country of Canada last night and the subject eventually turned to my not so fun trip to Montreal in 1996. I was there to see the Expos(baseball) and when I was trying to figure out how to navigate the subway system to get up to olympic stadium, almost no one was willing to help me! I'm not one of those people that when I travel I'm the "Ugly American." But it was clear the disdain some of he denizens of Montreal had towards me for being american. I was very disapointed. FOr the record, I also went to Toronto on that trip to see the Blue Jays and those people were very friendly! Thoughts anyone? Having said all that, not everyone I encountered there was a complete asshole.

It has nothing what so ever of you being American..I take it that you do not speak french? if you don;t that explains alot..I live on the Other side of montreal..yes there is more of Canada beyond Toronto and Montreal.lol( seems everyone seems to forget that) and I also live in a small french accadian speaking community..which is on the ocean ..which in the summer time is overrun by Montreal 'ers and Quebecers..and they show the same disdain to people here! Very Rude and think they own the world..Now I am not saying all our like that..but have encountered enough to say..that when I travel be it by plane or car,,we make it a point to avoid travelling through either place..Ohh I have lots of stories I could tell you but hey it would be a long post..lol..Just wanted to say..please do not take it personally the treatment you got..and next time bypass and get on over to the East Coast of Canada..where you are treated like a part of the family...hey you might even wind up at someone kitchen's party...can you play the spoons?? LOL

[catinthedark]

hmmmm. well....

i was born in montreal, and lived there the first 32 years of my life. i now live in toronto.

david, i'm sorry you had a bad experience there. the other reality is, many people in montreal just do not speak english. it's not because they're rude or faking it - they really don't. not comfortably enough, at least, to give directions to someone asking in english.

that being said, having lived there for so long, i will admit there is a certain "cool factor" to montreal. montrealers are cool, and they know it, and they want you to know it. i agree toronto is a waaaaay friendlier city in terms of strangers helping strangers (or ever strangers talking to other strangers). i do like toronto a little better for this. it's a little more laid back. BUT - try not to paint all of montreal and montrealers with the same brush. it is a beautiful, beautiful city - and there are many wonderful people and places to get to know.

i think big cities are always going to be a little less familiar and friendly than small towns. it comes with the sheer numbers of people. you can't know all your neighbours; you can't, sadly, trust all of them either. but i have never hesitated to ask a stranger for help or anything in either city - i will say, you get a much friendlier response in montreal if you do speak french. it's not that they hate anglos or hate americans - it's a sheer comfort factor. i hpe you'll give the city another try sometime...

[MacMan]

I think Montreal is a pretty cool place too - it's like a country within a country. But the first thing I thought of when reading David's post (before reading moonchilds post) was... Okay, It's because he didn't speak in french. The thing I love and appreciate about Quebec is they are very protective about preserving their heritage and language. I'm sure coming off rude wasn't intentional - it's like someone coming up to you on the street and speaking in Russian... I know I'd probably give them an odd look and keep walking too.

Originally Posted by MacMan

I think Montreal is a pretty cool place too - it's like a country within a country. But the first thing I thought of when reading David's post (before reading moonchilds post) was... Okay, It's because he didn't speak in french. The thing I love and appreciate about Quebec is they are very protective about preserving their heritage and language. I'm sure coming off rude wasn't intentional - it's like someone coming up to you on the street and speaking in Russian... I know I'd probably give them an odd look and keep walking too.

Yes Montreal is a very beautiful city for sure! I do want to go again..but will be sure to go with someone who speaks the language ..I am not trying to knock anyones heritage or anything (for its true no matter where you go in this world you are always going to run into some rude people) ..but its so strange the vibes and the conflicts that seem to on between the Quebec french and the accadian french .at least here in the Maritimes.and having traveled to all the provinces quite a bit on my journey's ..well I guess I have had more not so nice experiences there that has turned me off of wanting to go there much..It may have alot to do with the Separtist thing that seems to cause the conflicts? Being a transplanted yankee I sometimes have a hard time understanding it.. From all the locals that I talk to here though they seem to think that the Quebecors walk all over them when they come here for their summer holidays..Not sure why that is ,

[DavidMn]

Originally Posted by MoonChilde

It has nothing what so ever of you being American..I take it that you do not speak french? if you don;t that explains alot..I live on the Other side of montreal..yes there is more of Canada beyond Toronto and Montreal.lol( seems everyone seems to forget that) and I also live in a small french accadian speaking community..which is on the ocean ..which in the summer time is overrun by Montreal 'ers and Quebecers..and they show the same disdain to people here! Very Rude and think they own the world..Now I am not saying all our like that..but have encountered enough to say..that when I travel be it by plane or car,,we make it a point to avoid travelling through either place..Ohh I have lots of stories I could tell you but hey it would be a long post..lol..Just wanted to say..please do not take it personally the treatment you got..and next time bypass and get on over to the East Coast of Canada..where you are treated like a part of the family...hey you might even wind up at someone kitchen's party...can you play the spoons?? LOL

You know, I'd go back again. I dont think everyone there dislikes american people. It is a BEAUTIFUL city!