The problem with Bonjour in Montreal is the automatic assumption that you speak French. It goes like this: Me: Bonjour Them: Bonjour Monsieur....French, French, French at a rate I only get every fifth word. Me: English? Them: Uh...yeah...what do you want?
I lived in two foreign countries, England and Saudi Arabia, by the time I was 15. We learned the basic local languages of every country we visited. How to say, "Hello", "Goodbye", "Yes, please and thank you". It goes a long way and, like the article says, generates good will because they see you went out of your way to at least learn a little of their culture.
Except Montreal. Quebec City, OTOH, was totally different. You said, "Bonjour" they said "Bonjour" back but didn't launch into a full-fledged French monolog. It was pleasant. Can't say anything about Paris because I've never been. I do have an acquaintance who is a Brit in France. He's a nice chap and helps us wayward American pilots when we visit. I need to go someday and have Neil show us France.
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elancaster65 9 years, 10 months ago
The problem with Bonjour in Montreal is the automatic assumption that you speak French. It goes like this:
Me: Bonjour
Them: Bonjour Monsieur....French, French, French at a rate I only get every fifth word.
Me: English?
Them: Uh...yeah...what do you want?
I lived in two foreign countries, England and Saudi Arabia, by the time I was 15. We learned the basic local languages of every country we visited. How to say, "Hello", "Goodbye", "Yes, please and thank you". It goes a long way and, like the article says, generates good will because they see you went out of your way to at least learn a little of their culture.
Except Montreal. Quebec City, OTOH, was totally different. You said, "Bonjour" they said "Bonjour" back but didn't launch into a full-fledged French monolog. It was pleasant. Can't say anything about Paris because I've never been. I do have an acquaintance who is a Brit in France. He's a nice chap and helps us wayward American pilots when we visit. I need to go someday and have Neil show us France.
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