Carla

Is anyone else out there surprised by the number of people from other countries, even our neighbors, who don't know for sure what language we speak way up here? Canada is such a beautiful Country to explore and I'm wondering if the language problem is keeping people from other countries away.There are 10 provinces and 2 territories in Canada (1 of which, Quebec,is French/English speaking). All of these place are different from the other and the people are too.I'd go to Europe in a flash and all I speak is English and I'm not hesitant to go there at all.Just a thought
Any Comments eh?

Joan

Carla, why does the question about how much French is spoken in Canada concern you or maybe I should say "offend" you? Do you know, for example, all the areas of the southwestern United States where Spanish is spoken every day? What about Miami too? My point is unless people have been to an area, how could they possibly know the common languages. I truly did have problems in Montreal reading the street signs. Before I went to Canada, I was told that French speaking people would be rude to you if you didn't at least try to converse in their language. I was told that this offended them. I didn't find that to be true except for one time in a donut shop. Can't tell you what I went through to get a cream filled chocolate. Even though the locals in Montreal helped us tremendously, I think a first time visitor who did not speak French would find the signs AND day-to-day activities a challenge. Hey, fellow Americans out there, I didn't hear one peep in French when I was in Toronto this year. Now, there, there, Carla. Do you feel better? (My main goal is helping these people to understand how bloody cold it is there!) ;-)

Ronald

First time I've heard this perception. Relax Carla, we're aware, we're aware (Washington DC suburbs).

Carla

I'm not offended at all and I am relaxed just merely suprised. 72 degrees yesterday, Joan

Ronald

We visited Vancouver a couple of years ago and the second language appeared to be Chinese! What do your Eskimos speak?

Carla

If you mean our Inuit population from around Baffin Island, they speak, get this, Inuit. What do your Eskimos speak?

Joan

Carla, our Eskimos say brrr brrr just like you guys. How deep was your first snow fall this year? You guys don't build igloos do ya?

Carla

75 degrees today Joan. Sunnnnnny

Ronald

American Inuit.

Paula

When I lived in New Mexico and went with a class of other college students to California in the 1970s you would be AMAZED at how many people who found out where we were from said to us "You speak English so well!". These were other US citizens BTW......we had to explain to at least a half a dozen that New Mexico was a state and had been since 1912.

BTW I HAVE found folks in Quebec rude until you speak French to them (this was in restaurants). Once you speak French their attitude changes 100%25.

Joan

Paula, your comment seems to be similar to Carla's in that I guess we all feel better when people don't try to speak with authority about our homeplaces while they are standing eyeball deep in ignorance. I have my stories like the rest too. BTW, I speak English only - so I have to admit you had me going with your BTW's. I was familiar with BTU's but I wondered what in the heck was a BTW?. But, finally I got it. Duh!

Christina

Well, I'm sure there are some dumb people who
don't know what language they speak in Canada,
but I haven't met that many in the U.S., so I
don't think it's a common problem. I'm sure the
American of average intelligence & education
does know this. I think you are going down
the wrong track, though, in assuming that is the
reason why Americans don't visit Canada more often.
It is probably exactly because people speak
English and it is not perceived as being that
different from places we could visit in the US
that most Americans are not that interested in
vacationing there. If Americans want to visit
national parks, mountains, forests, etc., there
are plenty of beautiful places to visit here
that are closer. I am not saying this in any
chauvinistic way at all, I just think if people
want an outdoors/camping/scenic type vacation
they can do it here, and if they want architecture,
history, Medieval cathedrals, and to visit
someplace different with different customs, people,
language, etc., they will want to go somewhere
other than Canada that is perceived as more
interesting and exotic. I like Canada a lot
myself, think Canadians are fine people and
that it's a pleasant place to live (except it gets
too cold), but I'm not particularly interested in
spending my limited vacation time there, either.
I'd rather go to Europe, Greece, the Mideast, etc.
for a more novel experience. Sorry. Why do you
want more tourists to go to Canada, anyway? Most
people I know who live in popular tourist
destinations wish there weren't so many. Like me,
for instance -- I live in Wash DC and life would
be a lot simpler here without so many tourists,
particularly at the peak tourist times of the year,
although I understand why people want to visit
here so don't begrudge them that. I just find it
unusual that somebody WANTS tourism to increase.

Adrienne Welty

r.e. your e-mail sent sometime in October about Canadians... very well put. I agree - I live in Michigan near the border, and although Canada is very lovely, Windsor is especially good for being able to go there to get hammered (or just mildly buzzed!), because the legal drinking age there is only 19. But I'd rather go to the Carribean for a vacation...