Why Montreal HATES American Tourists
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 21 сен 2024
- Traveling to Montreal, and not sure what you might do that would upset the locals? Well, here we have some of the more common mistakes that tourists to Montreal make that annoy the locals. So do your best not to do too many of these, as the locals in Montreal can be super helpful!
Filmed in Montreal, Canada
Join this channel to get access to perks:
/ @woltersworld
#uglytourists #montreal #visitmontreal
Copyright Mark Wolters 2022
Learn how to plan your travels like we do with our Travel Planning 101 Course: www.brighttrip...
Grab some Wolters World travel gear www.woltersworl...
Help Us Keep Make More Honest Travel Videos: / woltersworld
Follow our Travel Shorts channel: / @woltersworldshorts
Follow Jocelyn's Adventures in Cooking & Life at Simply Jocelyn - / @woltersworldeats
Some of Our Favorite Travel Videos We Think Other Travelers Would Love
• Our Favorite Travel Vi...
Hey There Fellow Travelers! Thank you for watching our honest travel vlogs from all over this wonderful world. If you would like to get in contact with us please follow us & send us a message via our social media channels below. Also, if you like our travel videos please feel free to share them with other fellow travelers.
Follow Us At
/ woltersworld
/ woltersworld
/ woltersworld
/ woltersworld
www.woltersworl...
When I visited 5 years ago, I learned a basic sentence or two to introduce myself in French and ask if I may speak English. IT MAKES A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I met tons of super friendly people, a few who I still visit. The owner of a brewery even gave me a free beer because he said no Americans ever put that much effort into trying and saw what I did as being very respectful. I agree with Mark 100%, and knowing a few introductory phrases can change your visit completely. I've heard from so many people that the locals were so rude, I disagree and found Montréal to be one of the friendliest cities I've ever been to!
We DO appreciate the effort.
yes, this basic rule applies to everywhere you travel not just Montreal. It's a respectful thing to do to at least try.
Well not everyone in Montreal is a french speaker. According to the latest census only 48% speak french most often at home in Montreal. I am an anglo from Montreal, I speak french very well, but I am part of a boycott of the french language since this new racist Bill 96 became law. It gives the language police sweeping power to prosecute anglos who dare be inclusive and post english commercial signs in their shops or dare to speak english at work. Sick law!
@@simonrancourt7834 Umm...not all Montrealers are french speakers. By using the word 'we' you make it sound as if all Montrealers are the same when we are clearly not.
@@GeorgeVassis Because you don't consider yourself part of "us".
The escalator tip not only applies to Montreal, but anywhere else in the world.
Montreal has a lot of escalators though.
Lived in NYC for a few years and was always impressed that everyone followed this rule.
The escalator tip doesn't apply just to escalators, and it applies everywhere.
Be aware of your surroundings and get out of the way!! 😊
Nobody hates tourists in Montreal , unless you're rude and violent. This is a nogo.
Montreal is by far one of the most chill and tolerant cities in North America.
@@letsgoheyho For the most part that’s true, but it still has the common big city problems of other megalopolises such as homelessness, etc.
My wife and I go to Montreal pretty regularly. We live in NY state. About 2.5 hrs south. We love Montreal. It’s by far our favorite city to spend time in. I’ve never had any negative experiences there. It’s just like traveling anywhere. Be polite. Ask the locals where to go, eat, etc… you’ll have a great time. Such a beautiful city.
Nice that you feel at home in Montréal, welcome back.
Wonderful and thank you (I live in Old Montreal) Come back soon!
I live in Maine and went to Montreal this past weekend. I have a similar experience to you and cannot wait to go back! Fantastic city.
Don't tell them New York Bagels are better than Montreal Bagels... learned this one the hard way 😂
Oh they do get a weeeeee bit touchy with that one for sure :)
It’s Here Be Barr !
That's because I'm from NY, my dad was born in NY in the twenties, and we agreed that Montreal bagels are better - more like NY bagels used to be before Lerner's ruined things in the mid 70s.
@@acchaladka I've had bagels in NY, they were good because they were STUFFED with delicious toppings. But yeah, the bagel itself is better on my side of the border. 🇨🇦
Between the two though, which bagels have more volume
As someone who grew up in Montreal, this is SPOT ON! I think the Toronto hate is probably not so bad (i.e., you can say you had a good time in Toronto, just don't tell them you liked it more ;) ) And the thing about "real" French was perfect!
On your first point about public transit, I would add that people queue up for the bus...don't jump the line at a bus stop :)
Love MTL 😍 Moved from Toronto 3 years ago. The people are gracious, warm hearted and welcoming. Learn a bit of French it's greatly appreciated even by the English speakers who have a genuine love for Quebec 🎉
I’m a Spanish teacher and that last point is super important. My family is from Spain so people assume that I’m teaching the class “real Spanish.” If two people speak to each other and they are, for the most part, mutually intelligible, they’re speaking the same language. It doesn’t matter if they’re from different countries. So thanks for pointing that out.
Well said , many of these tourist do speak Anglo American and not R.P english
I have visited both Montreal and Quebec City three times each and loved every moment! The wonderful Quebecois have always been very helpful and friendly towards me when I speak just a little elementary French. Now that I have moved to Vermont, the Quebecois are my neighbours! I can drive a short distance across the border to enjoy everyone and everything in Quebec!
As an American who visits Montreal frequently, this is a great video! I try to act and behave more like a local when I visit, and I believe it has helped me fit in. I also learned basic conversational French which has also helped.
OMG!!! You have no idea how much I appreciate this video. I was hoping to gain some perspective. I always try learning a few phrases and key sentences. I have a few travel phrase books (with phonetic pronunciations) that I plan to use when I travel outside the U.S.
Apart from the specific stuff about language and independance, most of this could apply to any city anywhere.
I was there in 1987, prepared to speak French. People speaking French to each other got a look at me and said "can I help you" in English. Maybe my attire as a college student gave me away, I don't know. I also saw a cyclist slam into a pedestrian and the two then fought it out. Architecturally, Moshe Safdie's Habitat '67 is very inspiring to me.
Nah, it's not what you looked like that prompted people to speak to you in English. It's that Quebecers are used to being required to speak English by the rest of Canada and to being bashed if they don't, so to avoid any trouble, they tend to just switch to English. Historically, the rest of Canada has been openly racist towards Quebec and they were never properly called out for it, in part because the majority of the rest of Canada does not recognize Quebecers as a nation, so the fallacious reasoning is that it can't be racism if the target is not a distinct nation. It's kinda like the dude who beats his wife but refuses to divorce her. Luckily the more intelligent among people in the ROC are above the bashing and there are even some who have the courage to call out the bashers. Unfortunately, being the minority means they don't have enough clout to really have an impact. So they just move here instead and live mostly in English, but they make sure to learn proper French and use it when they are around francophones, which is how it should have always been.
Yeah, not your fault, not your business and you shouldn't have to deal with it. I'm just explaining the phenomenon.
@@Gomba13 The Quebecois are the best treated minority in the world.
@@soulscanner66 Anglophone in Quebec are the best minority treated in the World.
@@renaudhobden4236 No, the Quebeecois are. Remember, the Quebecois are a minority in Canada and we protect them well. There are not many minorities in the world that can legally ban the use of the language of the majority in the workplace.
@@soulscanner66 The region was french before it had any english settlers, and the english colonisers treated french canadians like shit for about 2 centuries. They could've treated them worst, but to say the quebecers were and are protected is the biggest lie I've ever heard ! The english tried to assimilate french canadians from the conquest to about 1867 and the reason why we still are french is mostly because of the patriots that fought for the rights of their fellow french canadians, not because of english ''protection'' of some sorts. I think you probably don't know the full story by saying what you did... You might want to check out ''Speak white'' by Michèle Lalonde, incredible poem.
In the 1960s French canadians were discriminated at levels similar to afro-americans, completing in average 10 years of education vs 11 for afro-americans and making 51% of the average english canadian whereas afro-americans made 54% of the white americans.
So English people in Quebec might be the best treated minority in the world, as they went from the dominant minority to the most cattered to minority later, not quebecers.
As a Montreal native (my avatar is the city's flag), I commend you on your advice tips. Excellent! Those are all definitely topics of conversation to about in MTL. Thank you. Love your content!
After visiting a friend in New York, I went for the first time to Toronto and Montreal. In Montreal, I constantly compared the two cities. I didn't know about the competition between the two. But Montreal wins by far for me. I arrived and it felt like home. And to experience that people are French native speakers and still are super nice people. That surprised me as a European 😀
Yes Montreal is very socialist and corrupt, just like Europe.
For the uninitiated, "Habs" is short for "Habitants", which loosely translates from the French as "homeboys". ;)
Merci, I was wondering why the team had that nickname!
@@ashjones7297 Historically the Canadiens have been the most successful NHL team, having won at least a record 26 Stanley Cups, but they haven't been that good over the past decade or so.
@@aaronhurst4379 Je t'en prie (You're welcome in French)
No, habitants really refers to the old french way of farming in Quebec back 2-3 hundred years ago, and the way of life. Habitant soup too.
Amazing Video, hilarious and informational at the same time!!! 👌👌👌😍 Thank you very much for sharing!! Greetings from Barcelona 👍❤☺🇪🇸
Thanks so much!
As an American who lives in Québec but outside of Montréal, I want to add two tips:
1. Please do not think that the rest of Québec is like Montréal. Montréal is more bilingual and diverse where most of the rest of Québec is French-speaking only (aside from a few small exceptions).
2. As well, please refrain from calling the locals "Canadians" or "French-Canadians", they would prefer Quebeckers or Montrealers for those who live in Montréal. This has to do with the whole Québec independence thing so I would avoid it if possible.
About French Canadians, it's not a matter of preference. It's that if you are a Quebecer, you cannot be a French Canadian. A French Canadian is a francophone from OUTSIDE of Quebec. I know, many people ignore that they exist, which is why their linguistic rights are systematically violated and why it is so easy for governments to cut the funding to their educational and health care services. Which is systemic racism, but I digress.
@@ashjones7297 Haha no they wouldn't. I think what South Park did get right though was the pride for where they're from.
I don’t know where you’ve been outside of Montreal but I’d wager you can find people who speak English in any town that has a college (CEGEP) in it; which is a lot more than “a few small exceptions”.
@@iamanisland yeah, but going to groceries store, restaurant, almost doing anything that needs customer support, you will not be sure to have someone speaking english and not everyone in cégep speak fluent english (there's different classes depending on your level and someone with no base in english will do the classes in the same time, just in a lower difficulty and when leaving the cégep will only have the base). I'm from Québec and at my work place, I'm one of the only bilingual person, even my manager don't speak english. So yeah, if you don't speak french, depending where you are, you might have a rought time.
@@iamanisland Quebec City has a higher % of French only speakers
Been there twice and going one more time soon. One of my favorite cities in the world. Love Montréal. Go Habs Go ❤️🇨🇦
I am a longtime fan of your channel and I am also a Montréal native. All of what you're saying is true. I'm so happy you came by! Wishing I can meet you one day
Interesting perspective I’ve gotten from Montreal folks is that they will ascertain where you are from when you speak English…and very quickly know if you’re American or Anglo Canadian. Let’s just say they generally like Americans a little better 😄
Most of these points are deeply rooted in Quebec's culture. That being said, I don't get offended speaking about it since we need to define ourselves and move from the 90's. And having those discussions with people around the world would help. So don't be shy if you are curious. But for the love of everything that is good... Tip your waiter! ;)
As a Montrealer, I appreciated your video. The last point got to me. Even if we are a French-based province, we are not like the french from France. We have our own culture and our own way of speaking. Thank you for speaking about it. My personal opinion: we are not well represented in series or movies, which makes some people think that the French and Quebecers are the same. Anyway, we are kind and welcoming in Montreal. But stay away from the C*** de bike lane. ;)
Yes , as if American should be like British because they speak english
Yes exactly. Quebec has many cultures and many languages. This is stolen land after all. You should understand that it is now shared land in 2022, and bill 101, bill 21, bill 96 should be abolished and human rights for anglos should be restored.
@@GeorgeVassis Human right ? Lol that is why they have not been yet challenged by people like you ? Lol . In It Québec right approuved by Canada. Just learn the Canadian constitution darling !
@@GeorgeVassis The only official language of Quebec is french. MERCI Canada
@@GeorgeVassis Québec have many languages and culture. But the only official language with all thevrights is french .Merci Canada.
Hey Mark, great video. The Habs went to the cup final in 2021. They also have the most championships in the league at 24 cups.
@Subbacult Right? I noticed this too...Montrealers hating the Habs?! SO wrong. 24 Stanley Cups, fans don't forget. We have appropriate, intense reactions ANY season when they don't win. It's unnatural! lol
In '21, it was like everyone breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, back to reality.
Yes though that was quite a de facto Cup year because of Covid, one Canadian team was required to reach the Finals as per the bubble
As someone from this province, currently living in Montréal, this is a very good video. I will say, I'm personally more lenient towards tourists when it comes to learning French; it's not so much that I don't like people speaking English, it's more that if you try to speak a little French, that will show you care about our culture and it will be appreciated. See it as a positive you can add, rather than removing a negative.
I'm more upset about residents insisting on using English, but that's another story.
However, the last point : YES. ABSOLUTELY. We already have plenty of Parisians snobbing our accent. We don't need English speakers doing the same. In fact, there is historical precedent of English folks in the past saying our way of speaking is a bastardisation of the French language and that we do not have a culture, as a justification to assimilate us. Trust me, you do not want to sound like those assholes.
''Speak white''...
Always learn please (s'il vous plait), thank you (merci!) and hello (allo) in any native language of the country you visit. This is a pretty good summary. Well done.
Imagine the heat an American would get if they said: “tourists should make an effort to speak English or I’ll be ticked off”
I am making a separate comment about tipping.
First and foremost, people who are expected to earn tip (service people like restaurant staff but also cabbies, hairdressers, nail artists, bell boys, room service, pub staff and the like) earn a slightly lower minimum wage than the rest of us, and the government adds 8% to their declared taxable income, that is, if you earned a hundred bucks in salary, you are taxed on $108. The actual tip isn't taxed, only, the government assumes you got 8% tip. That's why it's important to tip.
Tipping is not mandatory. If you are unhappy with the service you got (and not with the product-the waiter is not responsible for the quality of the food), you can tip less than the customary amount or not at all, depending on how bad the service was. This is how people who are rude to customers or careless learn to get better at their job, although another option is to tip the customary amount and comment to the employee (and not to their manager) about your disappointment and offer constructive feedback (do it quick because other customers are waiting).
If you are satisfied with service, tip fifteen percent, which is the customary amount. If you think you got excellent service, tip 18 to 20%. If you are overjoyed, by all means, if you can afford it, tip anything above that. Be kind to people who seem to be new, tip the customary amount either way in their case, excellent service takes a bit of time to master.
To know how much tip to leave without having to use a calculator, know that the taxes on a bill are the equivalent of the customary tip, so either subtract the net total from the final total to get the tip amount, or add the two taxes shown on the bill (federal tax and provincial tax, or GST and QST). If you want to tip more than the customary amount, add more money to the resulting amount.
As far as I'm concerned, people who demand tip, suggest a precise amount of tip or demand more than they were given don't deserve any tip, but to each their own.
Prices displayed don't generally include tax, so expect to pay at least 30% more than the price displayed, that is 15% tax and 15% tip. So if your meal comes out to $100, be prepared to relieve yourself of at least $130.
Love your videos, always informative! Now as a Quebecer myself, I had to chuckle at "Montreal is a French speaking city", because it is a common complaint in the rest of Quebec that "no one speaks French in Montreal anymore". I guess it's all about perspectives 😁
English Montrealer here, it's cuz it's so localized. Like if you are in parts of Montreal the French kind of disapeears then you cross this invisible barrier and realize hmm this is no longer English parts of town.
exact, except separatists and hardcore nationalists, not many people in Montreal see language as a big issue--most of us mix both in the same sentence.
Montréal is a bilingual city even if French is the "first" language. If you start off with just bonjour, be prepared for people to speak to you in French. If you start with hello, they naturally speak to you in English. Outside Montréal is different. But in Montréal, vast majority are fluently bilingual and have no issue with English.
I work for the city and trust me, we dislike the province sometimes but nowhere near as much as they dislike us. Mostly we have real issues like health care bureaucracy, and couldn't care less about language.
@@carlop.7182 No need to be a hardcore nationalist. Most people are bilinguals in Montréal but still think french should be the lingual franca . Try to be served in french in english Canada
Watched your videos for tips before going to Brazil and also in Europe, glad to see you making one for my city!
You Sir are a Legend !! Its just common sense . but huge thanks for reminding to the ones who need. Trying French. Will grant you Respect instantly. ❤
Oh man, I was just there and Quebec City. 😍😍😍
Quebec City is incredible
From a native from Montreal, I am more offended by a local who speak only english to me, than a tourist who say Bonjour, I am tourist sorry I don't speak french. I am more likely to continue the conversation with the tourist, about what to see, where to go. It's all about perspective...
Also, there are restaurants where you are allowed to bring your own bottle of wine. I think these are popular places where you might find lineups. Research the restaurants that offer this & when to eat to avoid lineups.
noticed on my first trip to Montreal last month that if I just said "bonjour" they would launch into french (which I try but speak very little of), if I said "Bonjour, Hello" that would signal to them that I would prefer English and would be more accommodating than if I just started in English.
There is no competition, Montreal is hands down better than Toronto. I used to live in Montreal and I currently live in Toronto and I can tell you the quality of living in Montreal is so much better. More green space, better food, safer cycling, more appreciation for the arts and creating pretty spaces, and just an overall less stressful commute and living experience. And most importantly the best croissants and pastries that are always fresh, well made and do not break the bank. Alati Caserta has this chocolate mousse dessert and this passion fruit tart that I think about every day and Le Pain dans les voiles combined a chocolate croissant and an almond croissant which is now my new favourite thing and I sadly haven't seen any other bakery do it 😭
I plan to visit Quebec City next year, but I visited Montreal in 2017. I highly recommend take some basic French lessons. Not only they'll respect you, but they'll appreciate your efforts. Love your vids Wolters World.
Toronto/Montreal is like the rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh
I live in Montreal and all of this advice is very solid!!! The only thing I'd add is that we have now accepted that we will never win another Stanley Cup.
You will hear many different types of French in Montreal and the Québecois accent is actually not that common in the downtown core anymore. There is no "Parisian" or "Québecois" distinction made by Montrealers. We all know what the difference is and nobody has difficulty understanding each other because there are many different types of French spoken in Montreal (because of students and lots of immigrants from the Francophonie). You can speak English practically everywhere in Montreal and the tourist areas of the Laurentians, but always begin with "Bonjour" and this will immediately kill the "typical American" perception.
Traveling by Bixi (the same system used in NYC and Toronto) is VERY enjoyable and convenient to get to the cafés in the Plateau, Villeray, etc. but take the time to learn the system (e.g., understand the included time limit). Helmet not required for regular Bixi, but is legally required for Blue (electric). You have to ride like the Danes or the Dutch - slow, consistent and knowing where you are going (but many Montrealers don't!!). Using hand signals is a very good way to avoid an accident and will be appreciated (even though most do not). Bus and métro pass is also best for downtown, and driving strongly discouraged. Thefts in vehicles from parking lots like Mont Royal are not uncommon, so always try to park in a secure location if you must.
I spent 5.5 months around the MTL area ( in St. Jean sur Richelieu to be exact ) and all I have to say is knowing a few words and phrases in French will make things a million times easier and also the Island is mostly English but it is appreciated.
Also with le mouvement de séparation it's the same as anywhere you travel to and unless you live there it's none of your business and stay out of it.
I got easier hotel access, got last minute reservation, and got laid… all because I spoke decent French in Montréal
Montrealers really don't hate American tourists, in fact we really appreciate how cool most of them are to come here in the first place, and how well most blend in and do the interesting things that we do too, like visit the museums and historical buildings, eat at real authentic restaurants, and walk, walk, walk.
But the single thing we like least about some American tourists in particular is how loud they are in the streets and in the restaurants and bars, if they'd be a bit more discrete they's hear how quiet Montreal really is, except for the construction, and how we don't yell at each other or use our outdoor voices indoors. Even in the streets conversations are generally at low volume, and this is maintained even after a few beers or cocktails, we are very respectful this way and it's refreshing if you can appreciate it.
I was born in Montreal, but grew up in northern Ontario (lots of little French speaking communities up there). Montreal is my favorite city in Canada, by a country kilometer. Living in Northern California now, but if I ever do move away (why? it's so nice and warm here :-) I would def choose Montreal. But anyway, don't think you need to worry too much about offending the locals. Everyone is pretty chill there, and not just because of the weather LOL.
Did you leave Montreal, Quebec because of the racist quebec nationalists? The language police and anti-english language laws? Francophones in the rest of Canada do not get prosecuted like us anglophones in Quebec do. Everyone is leaving Quebec. Immigrants arrive and then after two years move west to Ontario ro Alberta because Quebec is so racist.
@@GeorgeVassis When are you leaving Montréal?
@@9grand When are you returning to France, your ancestoral homeland for good?
@@GeorgeVassis France ? victime of your prejudice ? Who said I had french ancestry .lol i just have learned that in Rome do as Romans do .and in Québec french is the only official language. Lol
@@GeorgeVassis You are th one having problem with Québec, not me lol. Thank you to contribute to the bill 101 and office de la langue française through your taxes. Lol lol.
Thanks for your video--pretty accurate list. For language, basic french use is always appreciated, but most people here are bilingual, so unless you run into a hardcore intolerant nationalist, that won't be too much of an issue--French may help making contacts & friends also. We also often use frenglish, who is a mix of both languages in the same sentence, so don't be surprised by that. It's pretty common here. Just tell us if you don't understand & we'll try to accomodate you as best as we can. Using good manners and staying polite will be much more helpful than french. Especially if your french level is not too good. But give it a try, it could be fun for both locals & tourists. Have a nice day
Hard core Nationalist ? René lesvesque was bilingual. You are victim of your prejudice ! Lol
We were honked at with North Carolina tags, but other than that it was an OK trip. If you can park at the hotel and take the Metro, you will have a better trip.
Montrealar here and you hit the nail on the head with every single point! I love it but also if you think about it stuff like the escalator and letting the left side free is common sense like the fast lane on the highway. Tipping is also a thing that alot of tourists, especially Europeans don't quite get but, I know it sucks but people here that serve you get paid under minimum wage so they rely heavily on tips and the bare minimum is 15%
Great Video!!!
I feel like the most insulting thing for French speakers in Quebec, would be someone, saying: ENGLISH, Please!!! Or just, English! Or Speak English! Again just yelling SPEAK English to someone. You probably won’t make a lot of friends
This is worldwide ? The only difference they do not mind to tell you
Well if you visit Montreal get used to certain rude frenchy types yelling that to you in french like : "en francais esti!" very often actually. Boycott Quebec, it's a very racist province.
@@GeorgeVassis That is why you are still living in Québec and pay taxes .lol
Our grandparents in Québec were being told to speak “white” (english).
Im sure you would feel the same way we do being placed in this situation.
I tried to speak what little French I knew and embarrassed both myself and the bartender.
They were cool with me about speaking English. Tipping is the universal language.
In addition to the escalator thing, when you go into a confined space with other people, like a bus or subeway, take off your back pack. I've seen people clobbered when the back pack wearer does a quick turn to look at something.
This video is awesome like other Walter's World productions.....One thing that drives us nuts and its not only a Montreal thing is Americans that ask for their change back from USD also in US Dollars....expecting everywhere to carry full US currency at all times....? Many Canadian places will accept your US Dollars as a courtesy but that's it....Can you even wildly imagine a Canadian in the US getting their change back in Canadian dollars.... let's just say we d be laughed out of town........
About speaking french, when I do that, they start talking to me and I don't understand a thing. So better let them know that I don't speak French instead of making them repeat information twice.
First advice applies to any major city.
NYC, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, LA
Bike lanes and escalator courtesy is a GLOBAL thing not just Montreal. Drives me insane at airports or malls when people block the way. Pierre Trudeau brought in the bilingualism so that everything in Canada has to be in two languages.
La langue officielle au Québec est le français.
@@louisecote3542 we live in BC and yes everything you buy is in two languages, everything from any government agency is in two languages. Menus, and store signage is in English. I don't know about school children now, but it was mandatory to take french in grade school also.
@@louisecote3542 Quebec government must provide services to us anglos too in English.
@@GeorgeVassisAnglo Québécois can reach any english service they want, What are you talking about ?????
None of these are real issues! I'm a Montrealer myaelf, we are not bothered by any of this..
The speak French tip is overrated in downtown/old Montreal/West Island, many locals in these areas don't speak French either. Outside of these areas speaking a bit of French does go a long way.
Today you are in my city . We do LOVE !!! Tourists here 💖. We have a lots of things to show that we are proud of . You will find European influence - American style 😉👌
About the tipping, servers' tips are taxed by the government. 15% will help out alot.
In Quebec, The government calculates 10% of a waiters/bartenders sales and collects taxes on that (tip) money. Busboys, the house, hosts also demand a percentage of the waiters sales, usually about 5-8%, depending on where you work. When you don't tip in Quebec, you are literally forcing your waiter to pay to serve you. Did I mention that waiters in Quebec make a fixed hourly wage that is below minimum wage. This is why working for tips is much like indentured slavery.
Joyeux Noël Wolters World Family! Wishing you all the best holiday season!
Don't drive in the center of Montreal. Roads are all closed or in repair and you will need a PhD to understand the parking signs. Just don't drive. Your stay will be much more enjoyable and you will not upset the locals. Win win!
I've been to Montreal dozens of times. I've never felt hated. They can't even tell I'm American. The only time anyone noticed is when I tipped too much. LOL. I guess they thought I was showing off?
Pretty spot on my friend. You can also add when stoping at a red light stop before the pedestrian crossing. Never block the pedestrian. I saw pretty ugly thing happen when it happen. Not every time but it can pissed off the wrong people.
Montréal under construction since 1965 🤣🤣🤣
Btw, never use the % of tips propose on the credit machine.
They are adding the % on top of the total price with tax, when we should add the tip, ex 15%, on top of the price before tax and not after tax.
If you walk in a store in Montreal and say Bonjour, they're going to assume you speak French😅. In Montreal most bilingual people in stores greet you with a bonjour/hi meaning if you proceed with Bonjour they'll assume you speak French but if you proceed with hi they assume you speak english
I think they've actually outlawed the famous "Bonjour/Hi" as part of the province's campaign of language protection.
@@nursejoed it's still the same. if you speak in english, they will respond in english.
I hope things have not changed (as much it has at home in NYC), since I was last there in 2017, a fine visit.
and welcome back anytime. Have a nice day.
Well the Quebec province has introduced in 2022 a new tougher language law in the hopes of completely eradicating the disease, the 'irritant' they call 'the English language' aka Bill 96. Because of this even-more-racist language-law, to "preserve the french language" by removing rights from english speakers only, give the language police even more prosecuting power. I am boycotting anything quebec and boycotting especially the french language in protest of this racist law and I am from Montreal.
Just being British will no doubt upset people in Montreal.
we still love you Stephen :)
Nobody will get upset if you’re just a tourist and all contacts are on the streets and service people and no excessive small talk is exchanged in any city unless the person you encounter has mental health issues.
Of course they resent the British the most. They are still bitter the British won the battle on the plains of Abraham in 1759 as if it was yesterday.
@@GeorgeVassis Maybe people are pissed off Britain owns 92% of all Land mass in Canada.
@@GeorgeVassis give it a rest, nobody cares about the past
Some great tips! I think I'll do great when I visit in a couple of months. I've traveled to other cities that have that similarities where everything is either fast or you gotta know what you're ordering 😂 or else you stick out or hold up a line.
I love Americans Tourists , They are the most generous people i have met ! They feel a Little nervous when i approche them but after White they feel secure .. lol .. is not USA Montréal ! When you open a bank account, they don’t Give you a Gun , instead they Give you a Tablet ! lol ! Peace and Love that whats you get in Montreal !
I visited Montreal a few years ago, and I speak French. But I was told I speak “weird French” because I was taught by a Parisian. I tried 😂
Watching this from Montreal this morning 😊
Wolter, you got your graphic wrong at the beginning of the video. It should read "Stand on the right".
Don't mentioned anything negative about Montreal's Bagel and Smoke meat, and NEVER compare Montreal with Toronto....
You are correct on all fronts
In reality one thing annoys the locals because they have the same huge freaking complex as the French, not speaking their freaking language! They can get rude, disrespectful and demonstrate refusal to service you properly. Talking from personal experience. It was the only black page on an otherwise awesome trip!
Judging from the experience you describe as well as your tone, I would think it's actually your entitled attitude that got you treated that way.
@@louisd.8928 I'm guessing you live in Quebec?? 😄
It's expensive being an entitled jerk isn't it? Be cool and people will be cool back. You look young, you can still change.
Videos well made and educational.
People in Quebec really hate English Canadians from Ontario.
As a visitor I also would like not to be asked for a cigarette all the time. I also would like an actual non smoking hotel room, not an ashtray with beds in it. Montreal...😂
We speak French the way it was spoken at Louis the XIV's court.
Nope. You french Canadians that still occupy my Quebec province speak a terrible made-up language that isn't french at all, but instead joual. Example: instead of saying or writing oui, you guys say 'wayyy'.
@@GeorgeVassis Unless you speak R.P english your english is not better . The pot is calling the kettle black .lol
@@GeorgeVassisYou smell like a bot.
There is a GV who is an angry Anglo anti French Quebec in these commments 😢
@@cookiemonster-20 ???
Agreed with everything except the last topic, of course I didn't say they don't speak real French, but when I asked them if there are too many differences between Quebequois French and French in France we had some good loud laughs by seeing how embarrassing it could be if you pronounce some of their words in France and Vice-Versa. Lovely place and people there!
Most people don't care but some hardcore 'language enthusiasts' might take issue with tourists having a LOUD conversation in not-French.
I don't know if this is a Montreal or a Quebec thing but we super weird about Poutine. People wildly eat "poutine" and try to impress us. It's probably not real poutine to us.
As a local I don't ask that people make an effort speaking French, but when you do we do appreciate a lot. So more appreciation than an irritation. But what definately going to my nerves is the famous question why do road sign are in French? They are in French because 90% of drivers speak French. We also made great effort to put pictogram so it can be understood in all languages. It's all in good fun and great video.
But in Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, 98% of drivers speak and understand English, but the those provincial governments still spend the money to include french signs of equal size of that of the Engsih sign on the hiways and many atreets. Why is the Quebec government so racist towards the Englsih speakers of the province? We pay taxes too, plus the billions Quebec receives from rich english provinces as equalizarion payments (because Quebec has the Poor Province status).
I dont know about Manitoba but Ontario & New Brunswick have been closing down french facilities throughout their respective provinces to the point where Ontario literally caused a reversal in migration between it and Quebec.
Also : Quebec has a better international credit score than any other province its kinda normal to send funds in the direction that’s actually able to pay back whats been thrown at it.
Im an Anglo Québécois that supports Québec.
It's a old debate about bilingual signs, New Brunswick have an official bilingual status, the only province in Canada so it's normal that the signs are bilingual. As for Manitoba I can't tell because I never visited that province. As for Ontario, bilingual signs aren't all over the province it's only at specific areas, mostly near Quebec like there's bilingual signs in specific areas in Quebec, in Quebec the bilingual signs even rename French cities in English like Nun's Island lol. The bilingual signs in other provinces is a false argument. I always end my argument with the following questions, why it need to be Quebec to always set examples? There's 3 major English Universities, 6 major English Hospital, tell me how much of French institutions you have in Ontario? We need our English institution because we don't have a choice to learn English if we want to work, but rest of Canada don't need French. Many people have an origin to rely on, Italian will proudly say they are from Italy, the native can always say they came first, anglophone say they are Canadian. Us French Canadian are treated like immigrants in our own Country so we have no origin to rely on. We are not the first Nation but we were there before the British, and we co-found this country. It's only sad that we still need to fight in 2023 to keep our culture. No worries we are in decline and eventually we will be gone, our laws and politics are only there to keep it as long as we can. It's sad because it give the opportunity to Canada to have a rich culture, to be distinct from the United States. I know that the vast majority of Canadians are proud to have a strong French community, but the anti French group is very strong and Quebec bashing is even a term in wikipedia to prove how important it is.
@@christianbinette1418 would also like to point out • Much like Ontario, Quebec has neighborhood’s with English dominant signs.
I feel like stopping in the middle of the street or on the escalators and blocking people is a universal no no- that kind of thing could get you shanked in NYC 😂
Oh yeah. In NYC for sure!! 😀
I was in Montreal as a student back in 1974. Now in my 60's we are planning to make a return visit next year. I can imagine I will not recognise it. We stayed in Point Claire on the West Island.
you will not recognize it at all. there are so many people in the west island now, condo buildings everywhere.
@@41italia Yes so I believe. Fairview Shopping Mall is still there.
@@maryrosed8475 it is there, it has just been renovated
I can’t imagine people missing a chance to commiserate about road construction.
oh it is soooooooooo bad in montreal
"If you say it's not real French you look like a pompous prick."
🤣🤣 You should just tell it like it is and not sugarcoat things so much🙃
Something I've thought about when in Quebec, should you ask if they speak english before speaking or just start speaking english? I feel like asking is kind of obnoxious, but I also have a habit of making too big a deal about these things in my own head.
Just start speaking English. Or ask, Parlez-vous Anglais? But don’t shout SPEAK English! Or English, please!
I understand what you say. The language conflict here lasts since decades, usually, not many people will be angry if you talk in english first, but as everywhere, you may bump into an a**hole once in a while. In stores, most clerks will greet you with bonjour-hi !--and will use your answer to decide in which language to serve you. Keep in mind we also have lots of immigrants, so you could hear many different languages as well. In Little Italy's cafés and restaurants, you'll mostly going to be greeted in 3 languages. Same for Chinatown or other districts. In some places, it's common to hear 3-4 different languages in the same sentence--just keep it fun & everything will be fine.
It is called the english privilege attitude!
@@9grand no--just the fact that Québec in general is french, but Montreal is bilingual, and even multilingual--some people don't like, it's their choice, but those who don't like usually stay in their villages. There is no privilege, only mutual respect between several linguistic communities.
@@carlop.7182 It is not because they are a lot of bilinguals that makes a city bilingual. If not Montréal would be a least trilingual . The only official language of Montréal is french !
I’m going back to Montreal to visit after years of living there. I only speak English and I’m going to see my friends there who speak English too. It’s really going to annoy me getting around a city in Canada who doesn’t have any signs in English ( one of our official languages right next to French!) or bus drivers who I’m sure all pretty much all French and only French. I really don’t understand why one of our official languages is because of a province who doesn’t ( or for the most part) speak the two official languages of a country they’re apart of.
Great video!
Ile Notre Dame dans la St. Lawrence est comme la meme chose du Ile de la Cite’ dans la Seine.
Great Info❤️😃
Thanks for watching!
A little local knowledge… studies have shown that English people have better eyesight than French people, so to make it fair the government passed a law that mandates that all signs and restaurant menus have larger fonts for the disadvantaged French speaking people… so don’t bother complaining…
It's called racism. Boycott quebec!
Really interesting! 👍
The reason we have to tip is because the waiter's/waitress salary are under minimum wage because they get tipped...
What about tip jars are those up there?
Et comment est-ce qu’on dit “jar” en francais
@@John572d4 un pot de pourboires and yes most fast food have them nowadays.
Locals actually get very frustrated by all blocked roads but also make fun of it.
What kind of title is that? Montreal doesn't hate American tourists or any other tourists!!!
Everything else is spot on, but the part about Toronto I think is a bit exaggerated. We have a friendly competition, but it's not like anyone will get mad if you so much as mention it
quebec should be a separate nations, just like the American South, and Texas. They should go their separate ways.
But Toronto is so much fun though!
not as fun as montreal, it has no soul.
@@41italiaCompletely not true at all. This is bullshit, there are so many cool neighbourhoods with great restaurants and creative spaces. A lot of musicians and artists in Toronto, like Montreal.
@@ghostassoc it's nowhere near as nice as Montreal in terms of food and architecture and it's severely overpriced.
@@41italia Montreal is more aesthetically pleasing but Toronto has a lot of beautiful brick homes. Montreal is small and underwhelming. There’s much less to explore and not as many neighbourhoods with high streets or cool shopping areas like there are in Toronto. In addition, Toronto’s music and art scene is more plentiful and there are a lot of people blowing up in these scenes in Toronto. Toronto has more variety in terms of food and I find you can get the same kind of amazing cuisine in both cities, they both are a tie in this regard. Montreal wins on affordability and bike infrastructure.
C'est une belle fresque sur le mur, un beau coq fier et coloré 🐓