[david henman]

....so far, no one has been able to find two people who can agree on a definition, no matter what side of the debate they support.

in order to qualify, i believe you should have to have a hyphenated name.

:tongue:

-dh

 

[david henman]

Not in Quebec City they don't. Haha. I've never been to a ruder place in Canada. They get pissy with you if you speak English (understandable) but also get pissy with you if you try to speak what little high-shool French you know (wtf is that??). It's too bad, because it's also the most beautiful city I've seen in Canada.
Montreal is another story though. People there are usually very nice, with the occasional jerk.
I've noticed that the press lately has been using the word "Quebecker" a lot. Not sure if I like that one. It looks ugly and a tad vulgar somehow. "Quebecois" is much nicer sounding.

...i have rarely encountered rudeness in quebec (except the drivers, but that's another story entirely).

however, i think it is very, very important to respect the french language and culture. all it requires is a "bonjour", or a "merci". almost all "quebecers" appreciate and respond to this show of respect in kind. at least, that has been my experience.

i have a love affair with quebec and the french people that spans the sixteen years i spent there (1970-86). most of my family now resides there, and i have a grandkid who, at 2 1/2, is already fluently bilingual.

-dh

 

[david henman]

I'm pretty sure there are quite a few people in Canada who have had the same experience as me.

...i have to wonder if they are confrontational. perhaps your own experiences are unique, but most people i know agree that the french are both friendly and hospitable, which is a lot more than i can say for the people of toronto, especially those in the hospitality and retail industries here.

-dh

 

[david henman]

Toronto is a beautiful city, but I find people serving the public are generally cold and unfriendly, yes.

...yep.

-dh

 

[david henman]

Given the choice, there are tons of cities in the states that I would rather spend a weekend in than Toronto.

...i'm not a big fan of toronto, even after living here for the past twenty plus years.

that said, i never run out of things to do and places to see here. i'm not referring to the tourist traps, but the ethnic areas, amazing restaurants, shopping districts etc etc.

and, of course, the music stores!:banana:

-dh

 

[david henman]

I wish the people like you in Quebec were louder. Unfortunately, the seperatists tend to make the most noise and get the lion's share of TV time.

...the thing about separatism is that its not a grassroots movement. it did not, ever, come from "the people". it was created out of whole cloth by power-hungry politicians who would be king of their own country, which is why i give it no credence whatsoever. it also reeks of racism, ethnic nationalism and blatant anti-english sentiment (bill 101).

-dh

 

[david henman]

...continually having a "quebecois" leading the liberal party and/or the entire country must certainly take a lot of the wind out of the separatist sails.

how bad can it be when one of your own is consistently picked to lead the entire country?

-dh