Montreal: Speaking French

So a major part of wanting to go to Montreal was the chance to work on my non-existant french. Friday I got to speak a lot of french, since just about everyone I ran into insisted that I speak french. Some of that's my own fault, I always start the conversation in french (it's a sure way to get friendly service in most areas - particularly the french side of the city). But on Friday just about everyone seemed to be insisting that I speak french, rather then letting me switch to english once I was in over my head.

In the art gallery two women stopped to scold me in French for taking a photo of one of the paintings. I had to try to explain that I had asked the guards, and that photography is just fine so long as you don't use a flash - and only take picutures of the perminant gallery. I must say trying to convay that was a bit of a struggle, but they seemed to get the point. Then just about every shop owner I encountered would tell me "parle francis" and I found myself explaining to one that I had only just arrived in town... so the french was still rusty.


On the upside I was exstatic to realize that I still remember some of my french, and I enjoyed being able to use it (even if I sound like the most illiterate fool). I didn't get as much practice over the weekend while I was with Victoria (who refuses to speak french - even to me). Since the two of us were talking in english I couldn't trick merchants into speaking french to me.


I think Montreal has to be the best city to learn french in. You always have the fall back that most people speak at least a little english - so in an emergancy you can always find what you need. But more then that, they are more then happy to switch back and forth, so you can start with the french you know and switch when your vocabulary fails you. I think I learned more french (that I still remember) from wandering the city then from taking the classes. Anyway it was so fun brushing up and now I wish they spoke more french in Ontario.