Why is it when I went to Quebec everyone was rude to me?

Question

Because all I speak is English as my second language, I don't know French. But while I was there I went to a restaurant and the waitress was rude and snobby to me because I talked to her in English. Then I went to a store and the cashier there didn't speak English and had to call the manager who gave me a really bad attitude. I wanted to get to know the locals so I tried talking to people in English but they all turned their chin up at me.

The rest of Canada was beautiful and the people were very nice.

I don't understand, how can Quebecois justify speaking French while the rest of the country speaks English.

Answer 1

Interesting...Changed your profile name from ? to Greek characters, set your QnAs to private, but same old questions! You must really hate the French in Quebec to portray them so poorly!



The fact is that when coming to Quebec, you should try to remember the old saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans." If you are visiting Quebec, a francophone province, you should expect that there are some people here who are unable or unwilling to speak with you in English.



I am pretty sure that the waitress did not criticize your lack of French skills. Nor did the shop manager ask why you are not speaking French. It's just possible that you were giving them attitude or they just did not feel comfortable speaking to you in THEIR second language. You perceive it as rude and snobbish. They maybe felt ill at ease and unsure of themself.



As to why Quebec justifies speaking French, they do so because that was their mother tongue. Their parents and grandparents and great grandparents dating back to 1600 or earlier were probably speaking it when they were trapping beavers and scraping out a living in the wilderness here. The only reason the rest of Canada is speaking English now is because France lost the War of 1812 and had to give the colonies in Quebec to Great Britain as a war trophy. We could easily have descended into civil war here in Canada, but instead we chose to embrace the cultural and language differences.

Answer 2

I am an Anglophone Canadian, and love travelling in Quebec, especially Quebec City, which is one of my favourite places to visit. And, no, most people there do not speak English, and, nor should they - the Quebecois have been speaking French for over 500 years, and there is no reason they should change.



I have not found the rudeness you spoke of at all. I have seen some frustration once in a while - in a restaurant in New Brunswick, the waitress could not speak English. But, the manager could, and she was really nice to me. Other times, I just smiled, and tried what little French I knew - didn't help the understanding much, but... at least they smiled too. If you have the attitude that they should be speaking English, then perhaps they could see that. There is no reason they need to speak English in their area. It would be like forcing you to speak French in yours. So, instead of being demanding, try being friendly. That has always worked just fined for me.

Answer 3

"I don't understand, how can Quebecois justify speaking French while the rest of the country speaks English."



They don't need to justify what they do in their own Province, not to you and not to me.

Besides which they are a 'distinct society' under the Constitution.



If they want to act like they are above everyone else in their own backyard, they're allowed.

All you got was attitude, you weren't denied any service... I'm not condoning their actions but merely suggesting we're allowed to be ourselves in our own yards and if you're not happy with how you were treated - live and learn and don't go back.

Vote with your feet :)

Answer 4

I agree with everyone who has spoken here, in general. Quebec is a province that has been speaking French since forever. It is only polite and proper etiquette to speak the language, or at least try, of the country in which you are in! My advice to you, is learn French :)!

Answer 5

Oh Boy, tons of hot & fuzzies coming in in this query. Are Quebecers impolite to outsiders?Well outline outsider? Define Quebecer? Those 2 questions assess what a Quebecer perspectives a stranger. Montreal is a worldly town and commonly someone from wherever can transfer approximately with no trouble. However, for a non-pur- laine (someone no longer francophone plus being born in Quebec) check out relocating approximately within the hinterlands of Quebec and gauge the reaction you are going to obtain from the regional populace. You will also be born in Quebec , however without reference to the mealymouth politicians in each Quebec town & Ottawa , and no longer be authorised as a Quebecer. The political events of the Parti Quebecois and the Bloc Quebecois weren't born out of tolerance and appreciate for the rights of non-francophones. The language police, acknowledged by way of an previous poster, are truly and their sole rationale for lifestyles is to bother in each approach feasible someone and all people who fails to subordinate their language & tradition to that of Quebec Francophones. The populace of Quebec is in decline and their provincial executive and the drooling lackeys in Ottawa scour the arena for someone who speaks ANY french and attempts to inspire them to immigrate to Quebec.The Haitian and Senegalese groups in Quebec are developing quicker then the Pur-laine, The knowledgeable younger of non-francophones are leaving Quebec as quick they conclude institution. So to remedy your query are Quebecers impolite.... YES!!!

Answer 6

They don't speak 'French' exactly, they speak a form of North American Creole, which linguists find fascinating for its links to pre-revolutionary European French. They are very protective of it, and are probably defensive because French speaking Francophones who visit Quebec correct their language all the time. It is an interesting historical relic, and they are loath to lose it.



Their culture has rural roots, and their customs derive from a time when 'political correctness' was not an issue, so women may find some of their conversation offensive, and they are suspicious of outsiders, but it is still an authentic window on Canada's past and should be visited.

Answer 7

Funny thing - I found the Quebecois to be delightful and charming .... perhaps because I tried (but failed) to speak French.

Answer 8

they all knew you were coming and planned it before you got there