OK HERE GOES!!! I wasn't going to say anything but this is the last straw. And I don't want another fellow Canadian to come here niave like me. I am very sorry if I offend anyone who is from the city of Montreal but this is my opinion and my experience and I have a right to voice it. Since I arrived in this place at 1:30pm every person but 2 has been rude and obnoxious. No one speaks english atleast to you even if they can. The hotel staff at the days inn are incompetent and rude save except for the 1st of the two nice people I meet here his name is Eric and he went above and beyond to be helpful. The drivers are nasty impatient and downright rude cussing people, honking and damn near running you over even when you are in the right and they aren't. Introducing the next nice person I never did get her name working at the infomation office who helped me with directions. all signs are in french so be prepared to know french or be damn. The hotel made me park in an outside parking lot across the street and charged me 100.00 to do it as a deposit for 2 days. In said parking lot my car was broken into oh no let me amend that my parents car was broken into. They broke the passengers side window out and ransacked the car. Smashing doughnuts that were in the car all over the car and spreading glass eveywhere. My sons new portable dvd, my daughters mp3 player and her friends school books with all her exam prep work was stolen, all of which was well hidden in the trunk. We went to the police who had us file a report. When we asked about when we could clean it and cover the window, since it is raining here assuming they would want to inspect the damage first we were handed a peice of plastic to cover the window and and sent on our way. So much for the local police helping the puplic. So on what should have been an exciting and happy day it has been the worst experience of my life I want to go home and as soon as I get out of here I will never return to the city again and I will be sure to give anyone who asks my opinion of this city. So fellow Canadians be adviced and be especially carefull while your here and if you don't need it as in if it's not life or death don't bring it with you. My two children and my daughters friend are now in our hotel room where we plan to stay locked up until 2:30 tomorrow when I can get my visa and get the hell out of here. I'll save the celebrating until I am safely in Alabama. And to think I just spent 2 nights in New York last month a place known for crime and never had so much as someone look at us funny.

Congrats on your visa And come on back to Alabama, we're friendly here.

OMG Freda, So sorry to hear about your bad Montreal experience, that's terrible!!!! I'm gonna make a note to specifically NOT stay at the Days Inn.... on the flip side, congrats on getting your visa, that news must make up for the traumatizing experience!!! Good luck the rest of your journey.

I just wanted to clarify, every person I have had contact with, I am being general here not saying every person since I have obviously not meet them all. But even people on the street who I wasn't interacting with one bulched in my daughters face and another spit from a roof top at us walking on the street below. So anyone I have had contact with here in the city.

That's terrible. Almost makes me ashamed to be a Canadian. French Canada and English Canada don't get along for some reason and I think people take it out on english people of any kind. I am sorry you had to go through this and I'm not staying in the city at all after hearing that. I'm staying on the outskirts and driving down or getting a bus or something. Thanks for the warning and I'm sorry it happened to ya. Trust me not all Canadians are like that! I've heard horror stories about Montreal before and Quebec in general and I'm just sorry that some of it seems to be true.

Freda - so sorry to hear about your experience. I'm glad you and your kids are okay, at least physically. How soon are you coming to Alabama once you get your Visa? I live outside of Birmingham. Where will you be? Roll Tide!!! (you'll learn soon enough).

I'm from montreal, and I agree, we can be downright snobby, especially to people who dont know french. But please be aware we arent all like that, I'm one of the cool ones

I meant to post earlier, but I was feeling too snobby, and besides, all these comments were only written in English.

Seriously though Freda, I am sorry your experience was so terrible. (It really CAN be a fabulous city to visit. My boyfriend doesn't really think so - he finds it crowded and rude, but he will change his mind when I take him during jazzfest time...) on the bright side, when you get to leave, you will do so with a visa!

Will add my bit....

I've spent a lot of time in Canada. Primarily Ontario, but also Alberta and B.C. The people in those provinces are some of the nicest I've ever met. Quebec, on the other hand.....especially Montreal..... Well, if I never go there again, it'll be just fine with me. Not even getting into the "few ruling the many" thing, I agree with the OP. Some of the rudest people I've ever met. If Montreal had been the only place I had visited in Canada, I would never return. Luckily, I've found wonderful people in the other provinces/cities, so my opinion of all of Canada hasn't been clouded by one bad experience.

Thank you all. And as I said I am referring to the people I came in contact with. I'm sure there are nice people they must just all be on vacation. And I have been around alot of Canada from Ontario to Nova Scotia and all the eastern seaboard of the US along with a few other states and none can compare to Montreal. Is the bible not written in French * love thy neighbor*. I could quote a thousand adages but why bother I'd just rather forget today get my visa and go see my daughter in Richelieu and be done with it and go back toAlabama where everyone is friendly. OH and War Eagle!!!!!!!!

Ugh, Freda, you had a very bad day. But you will get your visa and that's the bright spot!

Many Americans don't realize that 30% of Canadians are French speaking. When you come to Montreal -- or any other city in Quebec -- French is the spoken and written language. It's rude for Americans to expect them to speak English.

If you were going to Rome, say, you'd learn 10 basic sentences in Italian. The same goes for Montreal. If you make an attempt to speak their language, most Quebecers will be very helpful and give their English a try. The best phrase is: J'em scuze, je ne parle pas francais pace que je suis American. (Excuse me, I don't speak French ... I'm an American.)

Of course, if people are spitting from rooftops and breaking into your car, there are other phrases. You may want to write a letter to the editor of an English newspaper and tell your experience.

http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/index.html

Hi Freda,
First, Congratulations on your visa. And I am sorry to hear about your horror experience in Montreal. I've never been there, but have heard the similar story several times from different people. Hang in there till tomorrow, looking back it will all be like a bad dream, but reality is that you will have your visa in your passport and be on your way to be with your loved one.
I guess I was so lucky to have my interview in Vancouver.
Good Luck with the rest of the process.
Senka

I'm sorry to hear you had a terrible experience in Montreal. I've never felt at home in that city... that's why I moved to Ontario. Unfortunately, I'm back in Quebec because of this visa processing/application.

I simply hate the province, I lived here all my life and never liked it, if my interview had failed I would have moved elsewhere in Canada. Montreal is rude and snob, you are so right ; ;

I didn't meet anyone rude in Montreal, and nobody would speak french to me!

weird, n'est ce pas?

Ok, I just wanted you all to know I just had a visit with the guy Eric I mentioned and his boss the manager of the Days Inn here in Montreal. They both have been wonderful. Some one had called him and told him he needed to see this post. So he read it and was extremely disappoint by what was said and how I was treated. I explained to him the details and he was more than apologetic. So I have to say the Days Inn here in Montreal is an exception. If you have to come to the city I would recommend you stay here and keep your eye out for Eric and Olivier. They are wonderful men. And have really helped to make a otherwise unpleasant day a bit brighter.

I just wanted to clarify I am from Canada I grew up in Nova Scotia and we also have our share of french speaking people. I can speak a very limited amount of french. I drove into and around this province with a Nova Scotia license plate so in all fairness it's wasn't like I was some foriegner ( not that, that should give anyone to be rude). I am not trying to make this a platform for a rant or play politcs like most of us english/ french Canadians so enjoy. I was just trying to post my experience and if it helps anyone be more prepared to come then good. I guess at the age of 36 it was time for the rose color glasses off and realize as a country Canada will always be divided by this french/ english drama. But we all still Canadians and shouldn't we atleast try and remember that. Not to mention do onto others as you would have done onto you.

It's good to hear that at least someone was pleasant and nice to you. I also stayed in Day's Inn in Vancouver and had nice experience with the service and staff.

I've always had a wonderful time in montreal !!

I'm sorry you had such a rough time here in Montreal... Personally, I love this city and will really miss it when I move (although I love Boston too, and my fiance even more!). I've had a few bad experiences in other towns, but I usually find my next visit, or even the next day, is much better. I hope you'll give Montreal another chance!

You just had a real crappy experience, unfortunately Freda....
I'M a Montrealer, well was for 44 years before I came here and oddly enough, I never encountered anyone like that. I'M not like that. Even my hubby who is American and speaks no French says that he had absolutely no problem every time he visited me - the people realized he couldn't speak French, then they'd simply switch to English.
Unfortunately, you don't know the city that well either. If you had, you might not have chosen the Days Inn. (on Guy St. right?) It's a bad part of town down there at the end where that motel is. I'm not surprised your car got broken into. Unfortunately tho, car break-ins DO happen anywhere you go.
And just as there are breakins anywhere, there are people who have unfortunate experiences such as yours.
Thank God tho, that Montrealer that I am, I know better than to compare a few people to the other MILLIONS in and around the city....lol...and know that one or two pages does NOT a book make!
I Montreal!
That said, congrats on getting your visa.
See? I didn't speak French, spit OR act rudely either! And GASP! I'm from
MONTREAL!!!!
Imagine that.

As I posted repeatedly I am not saying all Montrealers. I have tried and tried to avoid offending anyone and not try and sound like a few people speak for all of Montreal. I don't think that not being from a place gives people a right to treat anyone with disrespect. I realize people are busy and all that but don't they know being helpful takes no more energy than swearing and honking your horn at them? And at the end of the day you may even get a small amount of pleasure from it? All am saying is Montreal was not a pleasureable experience for me and wouldn't not return anytime soon. And as said it's not a nice part of town. Well since this is where we all have to be for this process. The hotel is located on the same street as the consulate. Just out the door and straight up Rene-Levesque Boul. Then maybe it's a good thing to post here so others will know it's not a great part of town. But as I recall the hotel recommended on the board here is just across the street I assumed that this one being just up the street would be just as good.

I have heard the same. Even my friends and family living there say the same thing. Glad you got it sorted out with the hotel and congrats on your visa.

Sorry you had a rough time in montreal, I've had nothing but decent times there.

But glad to hear you got your visa! Congratulations on that.

I've lived in Canada for almost 4 years now and I can honestly say I've never heard even ONE good thing about Quebec. And now after reading about your experience, I wish we didn't have to go there at all.

well, my experience in Montreal was a good one. Sure, the driving is brutal around there but it's got to be the culture. We also stayed at the Day's Inn and I'm not sure why you were charged so much for parking, we parked underground and it wasn't near as much as you did. We tried to try out our 'school' French on whoever we could but most people spoke English.
I'm sorry you had a rotten visit. Just the stress of the interview is rough enough. Montreal/Quebec really is quite beautiful and it's too bad most people make only flying visits and can't stay to see the rest of it. I went to the Jazz Festival a couple of years ago....amazing.

I'm sorry your time in Montreal isn't that great

Unfortunately, the area around you isn't the best. You're downtown, with a lot of street kids, homeless and crime. It's also a pretty much french only speaking area, other parts are more english. I've spent lots of time in that area over the years without a problem but when I went back for my interview I was amazed at it's downfall.

You aren't too far from Old Montreal, take a walk over there and enjoy yourselves a little.

And yes, Montrealers are known for their 'driving' (if you can call it that)

well... if it makes you feel any better (which i doubt it does), my sister-in-law and her husband got their car stolen when they went for their visa... so my wife and i have decided not to bring anything that isn't absolutely necessary...

I'll take the driving in Montreal over the driving in Vancouver anyday!

Perhaps because you most likely speak French

Montreal does sadly have a reputation for not being the easiest city to get around in if you're a pedestrian, or not used to the crazy drivers there! I always avoid driving at all costs, and take other transportation. I'm used to being a pedestrian in a crazy city tho, Toronto isn't much different really. I've usually found that most people are more than happy to practice their English if you respectfully let them know you don't speak French. Although I have come across Quebeckers who refuse to speak English, they weren't in Montreal.

That said, I've never had a bad experience in Montreal. I love the city and wish I could go back for another visit. Even if only for a half decent bagel and some poutine

I'm sorry you've had such a bad time, it really is a beautiful city with lots to do and lots to eat! I had my car broken into in a parking lot in Toronto, and I had an even less than acceptable response from the police there. I had a camera in there, and a couple of duffle bags full of clothes and dance costumes in the trunk, all gone. They pretty much shrugged and said "it happens, what are we supposed to do about it?" From then on, I have never left anything of any value in my car again, no matter where I am.

*sigh* now I want a bagel.

My husband is from Montreal Freda, and being English Canadian, he would agree with ya! He has no desire to ever go back there...

Of course he has to go there on business the week after next!

Just an update, I am now still in Quebec but in Saint-Jean-Sur Richelieu. I have my visa in my hand, OH MY IT HAS TO BE THE PRUDIEST THING I EVER SAW!!!!!!!!!!!!LOL. Today was a much better day I got to explore a bit while we wait on 2:30 to pick up the visa. So we walked around and did some shopping, and I must say it was a far better day, guess all the nice people decided to get out and about today. Only one nerve wracking experience today and no one from Montreal was to blame. I got to the window to pick up my visa and they couldn't find it. **gasp*** thankfully after about 30 minutes they did, rough 30 minutes not breathing!! LOL. I even managed to get out of Montreal and here in one try, didn't get lost once. I figured it out. I was use to aggressive driving while I was in Montgomery but over the past 7 months being back in Nova Scotia I got soft again. So today I set out with an OH YEAH I CAN DO IT attitude and it worked. So after a rough 2 days I am sitting here waiting for my daughter who I haven't seen since Febrauary to call so I can go over to St. Jean garrison and pick her up. So to all you from Montreal I do apologize, but I do want to remind you all about first impressions. But I am glad I had to stay there another day, now I can say I MIGHT go back for a visit.

Glad today was better for you! Congrats on the visa!

Congrats on getting the visa Freda! Nice to hear you had a better day today

Congrats on the Visa..... I made a mistake of booking a 6 day vacation in Montreal from the Uk... about 3 years ago now... it very much remindedme of Paris... the people were very rude and went out of their way to speak french so fast that I did not stand a hope in hell of understanding them... the service we received was so poor that after 4 days we left and went to Toronto... wonderful city and I would recommend Toronto to anyone.... Montreal never again....

Kezzie

I'm glad you had a better day.

First of all, congrats for your Visa!!!!!!!!

I am really sorry to hear about your experience in montreal though. I am french canadian and I was born in montreal, been living here all my life. I agree with what people wrote here on many points.

Just to let you know, driving and staying in Montreal downtown is something nobody wants, even not people living in montreal. I never drive in downtown either. It is way too crowded, streets are loaded with peoples and cars, it is a really stressfull environment to be in, even for us. There is a little more criminality over there too, as far as I know.

And I am sorry to hear about people being rude to you. There is a lot of mentalities over here, from the people who are simply not able to learn english, to the people who are really open minded and dont mind anybody no matter where they come from or what language they speak, to the people that are just too proud to be french canadian and that hate the rest of the country or any english people for that reason. It is really sad in my opinion, and although I really like being part of this french culture, Im ashamed of the way some people are acting over here. I mean, we are french canadian, so what, there is no point in being rude with other people for that reason. And it all has to do with politic too and i think its really stupid because I dont care about politic.

I know that you know now, but for everybody that may have to come to montreal for their visa, just dont think that all the people living in Quebec are like this. Its just a part of it unfortunately. And i would highly recommend to anybody that has to stay for few days not to stay too close from montreal's downtown. You would be better to stay a little more far and drive to the embassy.

mephys

just thought I would chime in here as well as being an American that visits Montreal for work relations as well as to visit my love (sure you can guess who). I have only been downtown Montreal two or three times and never had a bad experience at all. A friend of mine took me to see the area and while driving in the streets and dealing with people where we were dining at and having a nice little smoke afterwards (Stogies...good cigar bar) were all but kind and well mannered for dealing with a person such as myself with "0" french skills. However I am learning french for my sweety, it still needs alot of work.
My suggestion is to deal with each experience seperately. You just so happened had one of the worst days most people could imagine there and I hope that any other trips or experiences you may have in Montreal are pleasant.
Maybe since I am from Chicago and I hate to go downtown here as well, I think our downtown is a little more congested with taxi drivers from hell, but to each their own, some love it, others hate it. I enjoy my trips to Montreal and I hope that you can see some of the better sides of it in the future.

But definately congrats on your visa, its always a pleasure to see someones hard work and deterimation pay off in ways few could ever imagine. Best wishes for everyone involved.

Oh Freda....I am SOOOOO sorry you had such a horrible experience. Wish I could give you a hug too. I'm just so very glad you have the visa though. Stina is right though...not all Montréal is rude...Joel had a good experience even though he speaks fluent french, no one would speak to him! As for it being rude for Americans to expect the French to speak English....I heartily disagree with that. I expect, at the very least, for a modicum of respect from one human to another regardless of nationality! Besides...50% of Montréal is English!

When you get to Alabama...if you aren't already...get in touch with us! We've got to plan a get together with all of us here in the South! Yeehaw!!!! Another Canadian in the South!!!!!!!!!!!

its funny, growing up in northern ontario we always heard how rude people in quebec were, we have our share of english/french rivalries and I fully expected to be treated like crap when we went to montreal for our visa appt. Thank god my son had to come, years of French immersion were going to be a benifit I was sure....however I was pleasantly surprised by the french people in the service industries attempting to communicate with me in english when it was obvious to them I couldnt (wouldnt) speak french. Every person whom I dealt with initially addressed me in french, and I replied in english, and from there they carried on in english to me, albeit with a very heavy accent, they tried and that impressed me a lot.
I have a lot of resentments left over from years of having french rammed down my throat in school and such, canada being declared a bilingual ccountry etc, yet the french do nothing to actaually be bilingual...its french or nothing there...so ya there is a lot of bitterness left hehehe
As far as hotels, we got into the city well after midnight and I am cheap..I wont pay $100+ per night to sleep for a few hours, so we headed back out about half an hour where there were little motels and such. There was a small one on the side of the road, with a sign advertising rooms $40 or womething like that, so we stayed there. The rooms were cute, and clean, but we opted to sleep on top of the covers with the lights on, because well....there were 100000 spiders in the awning outside the room and spiders are nocturnal so turning the light off was not an option LOL
They had a continental breakfast but we got up and were gone b4 they served it, thank god we did leave that early tho because there was a ton of construction on the highway on the way in so even leavign at 8 to make a 30 minute drive, we got there just in time at 9:30!!!
Our inerview was a friday so we didnt stick around to pick the visa up cuz I coldnt take 2 more nights of spiders LOL It arrived in the mail a week or so later.

I find it interesting that so many people have this view - of course I became more aware of it after I left Quebec. Everyone I ever knew in Montreal was fluently bilingual. I think it depends where you go in the province, but they would probably say they have English rammed down their throats too. And for all the ramming done across Canada, I do not encounter many people who actually speak French or do anything to be Bilingual either, so I am not sure why the expectation should be any different in Quebec.

Well, we are all going to encounter the same thing in the USA, only with Spanish. Personally, I am signing up for Spanish classes this summer and will continue them during my unemployed period in the US. If I learned anything growing up in Quebec it was this - you can choose whatever side of the political fence you want to stand on in a language debate, but for getting ahead and being employable etc... languages are a plus! Hola baby!

Hi
I live in Victoria B.C. and was wondering how you got your interview in Vancouver. I assumed I had to go to Montreal.
Judy
judye52@gmail.com

Lynn:

If your doing a cr-1/ir-1 everyone in Canada goes to Montreal

If you are doing a K1 or K3 Vancouver does those as well. Think It is manitoba and west.

Where about in Victoria do you reside? I lived there for nearly 9 years. Lived near thr Gorge area. Actually on Colquitz street. Beautiful city.

Congratulations on your visa, Freda. I'm glad you found your return trip to Montreal more enjoyable and had a chance to see some of the good things that Montreal has to offer. I hope you enjoy your visit with your daughter:-).

Karen, that is a great idea! I agree, we have got to plan a get to gether for those of us in the South.

How did you get your interview in Vancouver? I thought we had to go to Montreal. I live in Victoria.

I have been to both MTL and Vancouver. I went to MTL about 2 years ago for the grand prix I loved the sites but hated the city, also I went to Vancouver about 10 years ago. I found Vancouver worse -- you look one way and you see the most beautiful sites imaginable, you look the other way and you see prositutes. Sure they are all over but Vancouver was so obvious. Also Vancouver is ridiculously over priced in everything. MtL just had rude people -- but french canadians are rude. They want everyone to speak french -- well we are a bilingual country and I have no problem with that but speak both languages and accept both languages. Also if anyone wants to stay cheap, try camping. I did it and it was fun. IF we get our interview in the summer I will definetely camp.


Lynn , did you do dcf. your timeline is so fast. Must be nice. K3 or K1

Coz, G. Dubya said so!

I've been twice to Montreal, and I used to live in Toronto for 14 years ....

no bad experience in Montreal at all even in the night time it is safe to walk there near the eaton center than on Yonge St in Toronto during the day!!!!

great city, reminds me of Europe, great ppl, more quiet, pleasant, smiling....

anyways, I didn't have such a bad experience as u did Freda, however look at it from the bright side - you'll never gonna have to go there again ;o)

take care
Elunia