Montreal Experience

[Freda 0]

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.

[Texanbybirth 0]

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

[Officer's Fiance 0]

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.

[Freda 0]

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.

[calidreamer80 0]

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.

[Shari 6]

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).

[Not Available 0]

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

[hockeygal 0]

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!

Edited June 8, 2006 by hockeygal

[PlatyPius 5]

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.

[Freda 0]

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!!!!!!!!

[Jersey Girl 2]

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

[SENKA 0]

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

[Cygnet 0]

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.

[selfie 0]

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 ; ;

[Fuzzness 2]

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

weird, n'est ce pas?