My wife and I were going abroad to celelbrate our 30th anniversary, but because of the change in the world situation have reconsidered. From what I have read Quebec City seems to offer the European flavor we are looking for. My biggest concern is that neither of us speak French. Should we then rule out this destination? Looking for a quaint B&B too. Other than Hotel Dominion, which I gather is a " great place", any other suggestions?<BR>

Of course you should go. Many people speak English, and they are very used to English speaking tourists as Quebec is in the middle of an English speaking country. You will love it.

Correction Jim, Quebec City is in the middle of an officially bilingual country. In the tourist areas of Quebec City, people who serve you will tend to know some English. Outside the tourist areas, you will run into unilingual French-speakers whose knowledge of English may be limited.<BR><BR>In some parts of Quebec province, being served in English is not a given, just as the opposite is certainly true in most of English Canada for being served in French. But I agree than in the tourist areas of Quebec City, Michael will be fine using English.<BR><BR>

QC is quaint and romantic and beautiful and you absolutely do not have to speak French! We tried to speak (lousy high school) French at restaurants and shops and they answered us in appreciative English!

Only the uneducated can't, and only political morons won't, speak English to an English speaking tourist in Quebec City and Montreal.<BR>That is the truth.

That last statement simply is not true in many cases. There are differing levels of education and I have met quite a number of educated Quebeckers (a few are friends)some even with advanced degrees, both in Montreal and Quebec City, who spoke very little English and not for intentional political reasons. You'll find them more in the eastern part of Montreal, Laval and anywhere outside la Haute Ville. Again, in touristed areas, getting service in English will not be an issue.

Well Dan,<BR>A unilingual, educated person in Quebec is an oxymoron. Afterall Quebec is a PROVINCE not a country, it IS in a sea of English speaking people (As Jim pointed out). Travellers have the right to be spoken to in English (officially bilingual country) and in Montreal and Quecec City, if someone does not speak some English it is because they are uneducated or politically motivated not to. Quebec is not France, just pretends to be.

I won't deny that if one wants to be at the avant garde of science or move up in the international business world that a knowledge of English is essential in North America. BUT I assert AGAIN that your statement is simply untrue...I have met people in a number of fields (editing, translation (French-Spanish), psychology, dentistry, optometrists, MBA-holding small business owners) who spoke very little English. Having a French-speaking clientele in the east of Montreal, the suburbs or in Quebec City, some of them did quite well. Some people as you say are politically motivated, but a number of these friends/acquaintances would tell me that they never did well in English in school. So, not uneducated, just not good in English. <BR><BR>Also, I think your assertion that travellers have the *right* to get service in English in Quebec province is a double-standard (if you argue that this is true because Canada is officially bilingual), as one cannot get service in French in most of English Canada. In tourist areas, getting service in English makes good business sense...and one CAN get service in English in these places on the whole.

Guy has no idea of what he is talking about and he should not go to Quebec with that attitude nor should anyone else. The way francophones feel about speaking English is the same way as we do about speaking the French or Spanish we took in high school. Many never have an opportunity to speak. It hardly ever is for a lack of will on their part. Many people are self-conscious about speaking English as we would be about speaking French. What Dan says is also true. English Canadians generally dont speak French that well although this is changing too. Would you say that Englih Canadians who dont speak French are uneducated and politically motivated, Mr Guy?

Actually Al,<BR>I was born and raised to adulthood on the West Island and still have a home in Montreal. You confuse people who's only association with French is in high school with a population who chose to turn their backs on bilingualism and have gone so far as to institute laws against speaking English , must I remind you of the Language Police!!<BR>An English speaking touist must not be mislead by Quebec's propaganda, I say again, in the tourist areas of Montreal and Quebec City english can be expected.

Guy,<BR><BR>I'm sure the Fodor's monitor has not caught onto the ethnic slurs to describe francophone Quebecois people in your nickname (pepsi, pepper), but don't think I haven't. I wasn't sure after the first message (pepper@salt), but after the last message I was convinced. I've heard this vein of West Island politics all too often and all I can say is I find it a pity that you make sweeping negative generalizations about your fellow citizens.

Bonjour and congradulations on your upcoming 30th anniversary! I hope you did not let ilove and Guy spoil your plans. I am a French Quebecer and, as you can see, I can communicate in a pretty decent english. Uncommon? Not really, most quebecers in the tourism industry can easily communicate with english speaking tourists and even share a laugh or two. <BR><BR>As for lodging and planning your vacation in beautiful Quebec City, I strongly suggest that you visit: <BR><BR>http://travel.bonjourquebec.com <BR><BR>At this address you will find everything you need to plan your trip in plain english. <BR><BR>Hope you enjoy you stay with us!<BR>Bonne journ&eacute;e

wow, thanks for that great comment Olivier...after reading these comments I was starting to feel like the referendum was around the corner again...<BR><BR>I think that Quebec needs tourism from everywhere, especially the US, and because of this, has made sure that they're employees speak enough english to give you good service...I wouldn't worry about it...However, I would stear clear of some of the english canadians who complain about people only being able to speak one language, when they themselves can only do the same...<BR><BR>Only thing I would learn in french is 'Merci' (sounds like 'maresee'), which means 'Thank you', locals will appreciate it...Have a good trip!

Oh, forgot to mention...my mom visits Quebec city often, and always stays at a small hotel/B&B called 'Fleur de Lys'...here's the address: http://www.quebecweb.com/cfl/introang.html<BR><BR>Oh, and the site is in english too...<BR>We're staying at the Loews Le Concorde in July, it's a luxury hotel, not a B&B, but it's cheaper than Hotel Dominion,and you get nice views...<BR>

Michael<BR>I visited Quebec City several years and spoke no French expect "merci" and had a wonderful time. Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Everyone I encountered spoke English. Lets face it, it is a tourist town, and English would be the most common language of the tourists. I stayed in the old town and would highly recommend this area. Have a wonderful time and congratulations on the 30th anniversary.<BR><BR>Anne in Australia

Michael - I spent a week in the QC area last summer with a group of friends. Only one person spoke French and we had a delightful time with no problem at all. We spent 3 days in Quebec City, 2 days on Ile d Orleans and 2 days at Mount Ste. Anne. The Mount Ste Anne region is the only area where we ran into wait staff that did not have much English - but they were happy to find someone to help us who did speak English. The owners of the chalet we rented on Ile de'Orleans did not speak much English but their adult children did. We had some humerous moments with people in our group atempting to speak French when ordering breakfast. Anyway - we all tried to greet people with a bon jour and to say lots of merci's and everyone was delightful to deal with. If you venture out of Quebec City I'm sure you will find more people who don't speak English - but we didn't find it a problem.<BR><BR>If you're looking for a romantic dinner stop in at the Moulin Ste. Laurant on the Ile de Orleans - a lovely restaurant in an old mill - excellent food and service in a very country French atmosphere. Tablecloths, candles, stone walls we found it delightful. The Ile de Orleans is a 20 mile long (approx) island right outside Quebec City in the St. Lawrence River. It's very rural with lots of farms and 7 little villages each with it's own church. We bicycled both there and in QC and really enjoyed our visit.<BR><BR>Sandra <BR><BR>