Arizona

We returned recently from visiting friends in Ontario. While there, we heard all sorts of stories about Americans who do not speak French being treated badly while in Quebec. Is there truth to these stories?

Paul Rabe

In Quebec, as in ALL countries (the U.S. being by far the worst), failure to learn even a few simple phrases in the native language will make traveling more difficult. I have been to Quebec several times, and have found the residents quite friendly; but (like everywhere) friendlier if you have the courtesy and intelligence to at least TRY to speak in their language.

Donna

Quebec is one of our favorite places to visit. In the Montreal area, everyone is bi-lingual and no one minds a bit if you don't speak a word of French. We've found everyone to be very friendly and gracious. In Quebec City, nearly everyone is bi-lingual, and those who aren't and work in restaurants, shops, hotels and so forth, understand sufficient English to communicate adequately. In the more rural areas, however, many people speak only French, so having a good phrase book along and/or knowing a few necessary phrases would be useful for you. Even so, we stopped in a beautiful lakeside inn for lunch one day. No one spoke a word of English and we arrived well past lunchtime. However, we were seated and presented with menus (in French) and managed to communicate well enough to order lunch. The hostess (there was no waitress on duty) could not have been nicer or more accomodating.

Bob Brown

Neither my wife nor I speak French, but that was not a hindrance in Quebec. <BR>On the Gaspe Peninsula, it was a problem in that we felt isolated, but we were able to buy what we needed. <BR> <BR>Yes, get a phrase book. <BR>

BobbyB

I am a bilingual American but my second language is Spanish. I worked in the Montreal area for a couple of months and throughly enjoyed it. I spent a lot of the time in the surrounding countryside where nobody spoke English. Nowhere in Montreal or the surrounding area did I have any trouble at all with not being able to speak French. The people were quite friendly and went out of there way to help me understand. <BR> <BR>The only reason that I mentioned the Spanish part is that I met quite a few Spanish speaking people in Montreal. <BR> <BR>The main thing is just be friendly and smile a lot and the people will respond favorably. Remember that the issues in Quebec are political and with English speaking Canada. They don't have any problem with Americans. Just relax and enjoy and you will have no problems. Quebec is a fascinating place. I cetainly prefer Quebec to Ontario where I did encounter some resentement towards Americans.

Angela

Being Canadian, I must agree with the last posting. The issue really is an internal one. I suspect that some Quebecers prefere Americans to English Canadians. The whole thing is very unfortunate for both sides. but even so, during the last vote for separation I visited Quebec City on holiday and had a great time - the people are beautiful as is the city. Everyone treated us very nicely. There is something so enjoyable about the culture, such a nice flavour of Europe so close to home. <BR>

John

<BR>Quebec is a great place , we went last October. We found the people to be wonderful and not like any rumors you may have heard!!!!! Try a little french if you can! <BR> <BR>2 great restaurants: <BR>Le Contiental 418 694 9995 <BR>Chez Bahuaud 418 692 2544 <BR> <BR>We just love Quebec, very small and manageable city, closest thing to europe.

Bob Brown

An additional comment on Quebec City. <BR>We enjoyed Chute Montmorency, a little northeast of the city. Quite a spectacular waterfall. <BR> <BR>We ate at Louis Hebert, a restaurant located just outside of the old walls close to the Tourist Office. (The T O has a very helpful multi lingual staff.) If you like scallops, which I do, the chef at Louis Hebert knew what to do with them. <BR> <BR>The musuem associated with the Plains of Abraham battle field has presentations in English. It is a mult media tape show that I thought to be quite well done. <BR>