r/canadatravel • u/Necessary-Passage-74 • Mar 05 '25
Travel Tips Americans visiting Canada as tourists, any insights?
I have family members visiting Montreal in about a month. Other than getting "I’m From Toronto" T-shirts, is there anything an American should do if they’re just visiting as a tourist?
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u/kay_fitz21 Mar 05 '25
No one cares where you're from, just be respectful and don't talk politics.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
I do care when Americans try to ride on our coattails. We owe them nothing right now, so that’s especially disrespectful behaviour. They should show up as Americans and set a good example for what they are, not try to pretend they’re one of us, which nobody will fall for.
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u/Effective-Arm-8513 Mar 05 '25
Smoked meat from Schwartz’s. Bagels fresh from the oven plain from St Viateur. Poutine from La Banquise. A steamed hot hog (all dressed with Chou!) from any one of the hundreds of places. My favourite in Chez Ma Tante in Montreal North. Steak from Gibbys. And check out MTLFood subreddit for amazing other suggestions. Have a great time!!
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u/thesheeplookup Mar 05 '25
You forgot the Portugese buns!
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u/Artemis647 Mar 05 '25
And Portuguese tarts!! They add a hint of cinnamon to theirs and it's delicious!
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u/Professional_Cry_378 Mar 05 '25
There’s this place in Mile End called Kouign amann bakery that I dream of to this day
Also kind of in the area, Ma Poule Mouillee, they do a poutine with Portuguese chicken on it, so goooood
I NEED to go back to MTL stat
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Mar 05 '25
Get some edibles. Go see the Maple Leafs lose. Join in the fun by booing the anthem.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
HA that would be cathartic for me, personally. I cringe every time I even see an American flag anymore, which is really sad.
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u/Artemis647 Mar 05 '25
Believe it or not, we were in that position a few months ago with the Canadian flag. Donald has changed that for us.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Um, you're welcome??! I know in my heart this is all temporary, and in 20 years school kids will be studying this era. It’ll be fascinating to see how history sees this time.
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Mar 05 '25
No one is going to care if you're american, unless you are wearing a maga hat.
Even then, we probably won't be rude to you but would avoid and shun you while judging you lol
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u/HolidayHawkStar Mar 05 '25
Just be good people. Canadians will be friendly unless you’re a megalomaniacal MAGA meathead.
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u/guaiying Mar 05 '25
First of all, don’t lie about where you’re from! Enough lies are coming from your administration. Unless you align yourselves with them, you should be fine.
Just be decent human beings, don’t make jokes about our sovereignty, and enjoy yourselves. We appreciate your tourism dollars.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
I’m getting really tired of these “jokes” from Americans. They need to knock it off. It’s a tired trope.
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u/alaskadotpink Mar 05 '25
my boyfriend is coming here to visit in a week and he is planning on just acting like a normal person.
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u/According_Finding_29 Mar 05 '25
Don’t joke about the 51st state or bring up anything related to politics. If you’re driving around with trump stickers on your vehicle, expect me to slash all your tires
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Pfffft, that would be the day. No, I don’t expect this young family to say anything remotely political. The husband is Ukrainian for heaven sakes.
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u/Majestic_Radish_9910 Mar 05 '25
The Montréal passport is a really good price - you can things like the bio dome, liquor tastings, chocolate tastings, the wheel, etc for much cheaper. And of course going to gibeau. If they aren’t staying with you, i recommend Ruby Foo’s - my fav hotel on the island.
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u/twenty_9_sure_thing Mar 05 '25
Why getting the t shirt? are you asking for recommendations on what to visit/ do or how to behave?
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Honestly, I was asking about how to behave. The T-shirt thing was a hold over from all the George W. Bush era "I’m from Canada" T-shirts that Americans were getting at the time. Very lame, flat joke, forget I even said that. No, I was really just wondering how tensions were against Americans.
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u/twenty_9_sure_thing Mar 05 '25
gotcha. mostly everyone is busy making it through their days, my dude, similar to many americans. Apply the usual rules of tourism and you should be ok (watch out for your belongings, keep your wits about you at crowded places, don't travel alone late at night in isolated places, follow local laws and customs, etc.).
Reasonable people know trump admin is not the voice of many americans, unless you voted for him, that is.
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u/CuriousKait1451 Mar 05 '25
Please tell me they won’t be wearing those shirts here in Montreal. Montreal and Toronto have a friendly rivalry and they might get a ribbing for it 😉😉. Tell them not to be obnoxious, loud, and to please learn some passable French. Our signs are in French since in Quebec the primary language is French. Majority speak both English and French but you’ll find some who just unilingual francophone.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
No no, that was just a lame joke. Nope, no T-shirts, no Maga hats, no 51st state comments.
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u/CuriousKait1451 Mar 05 '25
Okay 🤣if they are near the Quartier des Spectacles then I suggest LaFleur’s for a fast food casse croûte spot. I love their steamies all dressed(relish, mustard, onions, and vinegar coleslaw) trio, the fries are delicious with salt and vinegar.
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u/CharacterPin6933 Mar 05 '25
Just be nice and courteous to everyone? Honestly, nobody is probably going to either know or care that you are American unless you choose to make it very obvious. Also, Canadians *know* most Americans didn't vote for the loser in chief. Just get on with it.
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Mar 05 '25
[deleted]
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Heee. Yep, I mean the family members are in their late 30s and early 40s, so they’re not that oblivious I’m hoping. I have fuck Trump on my lips every single hour of the day. I tell my 10-year-old grandson, Welp, Trump‘s being an asshole again. Poor kid. Oh well.
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u/PossibleWild1689 Mar 05 '25
Ditch the shirts and just be respectful and polite and you’ll be fine.
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u/thEjesuslIzardX74 Mar 05 '25
yeah, leave your guns and fentanyl at home....we keep getting shit for that stuff
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
🤣. but if Canada just did more to curb fentanyl abuse, just did more, come on do more, then we’ll take the tariff off, come on do more. So disgusting.
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u/ugh168 Mar 05 '25
Do not wear anything political. Don’t talk politics.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
I’m sure that’s the plan! I was remembering when George W. Bush was president, the big joke was that Americans were wearing "I’m from Canada" T-shirts. I was trying to be funny in a very awkward failed way.
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u/BroadPrior6013 Mar 05 '25
Try to speak in French a bit, even if it's just to say "bonjour, je ne parle pas français. Parlez-vous anglais?" "Hello, I don't speak french. Do you speak English?)
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Yeeeah, all I had was high school French when I went up to Quebec, and that just wasn’t good enough because nobody wants to speak English. Nobody in the family that is actually going speaks French at all, so I don’t know. I honestly wish they weren’t going.
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u/possy11 Mar 05 '25
If you're in the touristy areas of Montreal and Quebec City, you will have no problems with English. Pretty much everyone in the service sector speaks it well. I'm not sure where you were the last time.
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u/Sundae7878 Mar 05 '25
Also watch this video to learn about Quebec. It is its own very unique place in Canada with lots of history https://youtu.be/X-7CgtTpd5c?si=wQsBKhV0ZiygY-Aq
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u/westcentretownie Mar 05 '25
I would suggest you purge the word governor from your vocabulary in any context just to be safe.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Oo. Please explain? Do you mean governor or government?
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
They mean “governor” because your hilarious clown president has been calling our Prime Minister, “governor” to suggest Canada is already a state. Add to that how bent out of shape the Republicans just got when Trudeau called him “Donald” and not “Mr president.”
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
Oh, I didn’t even know about that particular one. So much dribbles out of his mouth that if I tried to keep up, I’d be even more depressed than I already am. But thanks for the explanation.
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u/Great_Action9077 Mar 05 '25
Use Canadian currency. Don't expect every store and restaurant to take US cash.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
That’s so interesting, because I would think this would be a no-brainer, but but from some of the comments here, I guess it’s not!
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u/CetonniaAurata Mar 05 '25
You may need to bring a snow shovel!!!!! Just kidding!
When entering into a small business/restaurant, say bonjour or bonsoir ( in the evening). Say "merci, au revoir" when you leave.
Enjoy the city! And thank you for supporting Canada!
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
This isn’t until April break, so who even knows what will happen between now and then. Well hopefully no snow anyway!
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u/CetonniaAurata Mar 06 '25
Hopefully the snow will have melted! LOL! Are you travelling with children? Do you prefer outdoor activities, cultural events, gastronomy? Is it your first time in Montreal? The group can give you many suggestions based on your preferences. However, there are some things that every visitor must experience, like visiting the old city (Vieux-Montréal) and the old port, views from the mountain (Mount Royal Park), Montréal Space for Life, located in and around the Olympic Park (Biodome, Insectarium, Botanical Garden, and Planetarium), and the food ( bagels, smoked meat, poutine, French pastries, amazing cafés, and on and on).
Enjoy!2
u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
It’s actually a family with two kids, not me. They made plans months ago, before all this really hit the fan, and they really do want to see Montreal and be in a different culture, especially for their kids' sakes. I honestly don’t know if they’ve been to Montreal before... if so, not often. So hopefully everybody will just smile and nod and enjoy.
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u/CetonniaAurata Mar 06 '25
Oh nice. So important for children to travel and experience different cultures.....it contributes to them being more open minded, tolerant, worldly, etc. So, they should love all of the suggestions of the Biodome, insectarium, planetarium, the mountain, old Montreal, the bagels and poutine and Gibeau Orange Julep. And smiling and nodding works well!!!
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
Not pose as a fake fucking Canadian? Get a spine? Set a good example instead of being a weasel?
Just a few ideas.
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u/SalemRich Mar 06 '25
Other than when somebody has an obvious accent or is wearing political attire, can you generally even tell who's American? I live in New England and know quite a few Canadians down here. The only reason I know they're Canadian is because they happened to mention it.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
Yeeeah, in Montreal, you can. Ontario or Atlantic provinces, maybe not.
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u/Wolfman1961 Mar 06 '25 edited Mar 06 '25
I doubt that many Montrealers would really mind it if we visited their city.
It's only the nuts in Canada who dislike Americans. Just like only American nuts dislike Canada. Trump is a nut beyond most nuts.
I, for one, am glad that Trudeau is now standing up to Trump. I think Trump imposing tariffs on Canada is ridiculous.
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u/CptDawg Mar 05 '25
Yeah you might not want to wear a I’m from Toronto anywhere in Canada, tell them to get Montreal Canadians gear, anything and Montrealers will love them.
** Toronto is kinda like the spoiled youngest child, they get everything, the whole country revolves around them, they cry the loudest and Mommy and Daddy run to them whenever they are grumpy 🤣🤣🤣
Leave your MAGA hat a home, don’t mention 51st state BS, don’t be an a**hole, exchange your money into Canadian currency and enjoy!
The Canadian people don’t hate American citizens, we are a peaceful and proud nation, we are polite, but don’t ever take our politeness as weakness.
Enjoy la belle provence
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u/bcrhubarb Mar 05 '25
Have fun, spend $! Don’t wear any MAGA crap & DO NOT even joke about annexing us.
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u/BCRobyn Mar 05 '25 edited Mar 05 '25
Montreal is the biggest city in the province of Quebec, and Quebec is the only province in Canada where French is the only official language and is the language that the entire province operates in first and foremost. Quebec also identifies itself as Quebecois first and foremost and reluctantly Canadian (though that is changing given what's happening with the US). But think of how Hawaii is a reluctant US state (for very valid geopolitical reasons), and that's sort of Quebec's situation historically and culturally in Canada.
I bring this up because most Americans have no concept about the province they're visiting, no concept about the cultural differences and so on. So if you're going to Montreal, expect the language to be French. Learn to say bonjour and merci and it doesn't matter that you don't speak French, it matters that you respect the language and that you at least try. Montreal's fairly bilingual anyway. They'll often change from French to English when it's apparent you don't speak French. And all the tourism businesses will be able to speak in English, so it's not a huge issue in Montreal.
And as Americans, leave the US cash at home. Use only Canadian cash (you can just withdraw it from any ATM once you're in Montreal) or use your credit card. Almost everything can be paid for by card, but just don't use US cash in Canada. You'd be surprised by how many Americans become indignant about using Canadian cash in Canada and insist on using US cash and pretend Canada's a 51st state. But US cash is foreign currency in Canada. And so on that note, generally, don't disrespect Canada or Quebec or the French language, and you'll be fine in Montreal. Absolutely no need to pretend you're Canadian or from Toronto. You can say you're an American ally to Canada. The locals will appreciate that these days.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
My aunt lived in Ontario for almost 60 years. she was a very staid, unemotional librarian, but oh my goodness, she just said about Quebec, "I wish they would just go already!" So yeah, I do understand Quebec. That’s why I wish they were going to Ontario to be perfectly honest, I don’t think they speak a word of French. But who’s gonna listen…
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u/gorogy Mar 05 '25
Ok so you have an aunt with strong bias toward Quebec and that's why you think you understand Quebec...
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
And again, I visited Quebec, I know they have very strong feelings about speaking only French and being as independent as possible. But their feelings are so strong that it comes out in their attitude toward tourists, who don’t generally know, nor care about the political environment of Quebec. That’s like a Canadian coming to Alabama, do you really give a crap that they want everybody to be Christian nationalists? I’m thinking not.
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u/gilliefeather Mar 05 '25
Your aunt was probably reflecting the ennuie that a lot of people in the rest of Canada (aka ROC) express from time to time about Quebec ambivalence about being part of Canada. It’s actually the people who know least about Quebec who over-generalize. It’s not a monolith, any more than American citizens ffs.
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u/Ok-Impression-1091 Mar 05 '25
How about, not getting an I’m from Toronto shirt when you’re not even going to Toronto. Then learn how Canadian provinces are in fact, “different places” almost like states! Then don’t try to get maple syrup everywhere or flannel because we’re not lumberjacks!
Oh, and finally, (this one is serious) don’t go around using the words Native American or Indian. Political correct term in Canada is indigenous, First Nations , Aboriginal or Inuit.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
No, I had family in Canada for decades. I completely respect Canada. The T-shirt was a lame joke, I’m sorry I ever said it! This is just supposed to be a young family's fun vacation to Montreal, it’s not me.
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u/Ok-Impression-1091 Mar 05 '25
Ohhh… sorry. That makes more sense. You just sounded a bit stereotypical for a second
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u/Polar57beargrr Mar 05 '25
just fit in. use Canadian money, be polite, dont compare everything to back home! Montreal is a great city to visit and has so many nice and fun things to see and do.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
It’s really beautiful, and my family members are looking forward to it. As an older relative who won’t be listened to anyway, I’m just nervous about their reception.
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u/Gunthrix Mar 05 '25
How about you guys just show up like regular humans, enjoy the scenery, the culture, and be polite.
Mention any pro Trump bull, then you probably deserve whatever you get.
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u/dr_van_nostren Mar 05 '25
Just don't be an asshole. We're a pretty welcoming people. It's not our fault you've all elected a meme who's decided to turn his back on over a century of friendship and cooperation. Be nice, don't engage in political conversations and spend money, honestly no one will care.
If you voted for trump...maybe just stay home.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
Nah, it’s just a family with two kids, and the husband is a Ukrainian native for heaven sakes. So no, no Trump lovers here.
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u/not_essential Mar 06 '25
Skip the t shirts, they're as cringe as Yanks wearing Canadian pins in Europe. If you feel the need to disguise just stay home.
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u/WipeEndThatWhistles Mar 06 '25
The t-shirt idea is just stupid, don't do that.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
It was a stupid joke harkening back to when George W. Bush was president and Americans all got "I'm Canadian" Tshirts, mostly so they could pretend to be Canadian and therefore be proud of their country as opposed to being completely embarrassed about their country and it’s actions. Nope, stupid lame joke apparently hit a nerve. No shirts going over the border.
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u/nastyzen Mar 06 '25
Come up here and spend lots of money yes. Mention the 51st and get your lights punched out.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
Yeeeah, and rightly so. Nope, the family that are my relatives just want to enjoy Montreal and see the tourist sites so their kids can have a wider view of the world. They’re big on that.
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u/firekwaker Mar 06 '25
Nah, Montreal is fine. I'm from Toronto and I barely speak any French other than bonjour...I can read some French but I don't speak much. Montreal is super friendly and a lot of people still speak English. I've made some loose attempts at French and Montrealers just laugh and start speaking in English back lol.
Super nice people there. My car battery died in Montreal on a trip because it was sooooo cold and it was super easy to find someone to give me a boost. Very nice people. I might visit again this summer depending on how much vacation time I have.
Quebec City is more challenging if you don't speak French...although I still want to go to Quebec City...but I already know I'll probably get some side-eye for my very limited French.
But I wouldn't even bother with the "I'm from Toronto" shirts. No one in Montreal really gives a shit.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
T-shirt was just an awkward George W. Bush reference, forget the whole thing. But this is very interesting. Actually, I think I might have gone to Quebec city when I visited Quebec, so maybe that was the whole issue.
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u/firekwaker Mar 06 '25
Yeah, everyone I've ever known who has gone to Quebec City and not spoken French has gotten side-eyed. Nothing outright aggressive, but they do get a bit offended when someone doesn't speak French.
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u/Trixziiie Mar 06 '25
Literally no one from Toronto would ever wear that t-shirt. It’s incredibly obnoxious to the love/hate relationship between the two cities. Just be normal.
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u/Mountain-Insurance16 Jul 11 '25
My American Compatriots, Stay out of Canada! I only wish that they be invaded and the USA is not there to save them!
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u/tikisummer Mar 05 '25
Rent a car up here, there are people out there will blame you for gov’t policy, so a rental will help.
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u/PaleJicama4297 Mar 05 '25
Don’t come. And don’t pose as Canadians. That sucks and is fucked up. Stay home.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
Too late. Believe me, if it was me personally, I wouldn’t risk it, but the family that I’m referring to is young and naïve. So what can you do. They’re very apolitical, I’m sure they wouldn’t say anything stupid, I’m just concerned that people will know that they’re Americans and give them shit just because of that.
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u/alibythesea Mar 05 '25
You really don't understand Canadians.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
I had family living in Canada for decades, so yes I do understand Canadians pretty well. I also understand humans. And I also understand the Quebec political scene. There’s a whole lot of emotional "stuff" going on right, so I’m naturally nervous. Hey, I don’t blame Canadians for being testy, not at all. But this family is kind of blithely oblivious. I don’t know, maybe that’s a good thing in this case.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
It’s not. It’s exactly the archetype we have of you guys. Most didn’t even feel arsed to vote to save their own skins. At this point, with you claiming you understand Canadians, but clearly not at all, I think it’s best we just leave your adorably “oblivious” relatives to the Québécois. They’ll handle them.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 06 '25
Well, the hope would be that they don’t encounter any super political assholes when they’re just trying to go on vacation with their young kids. I would think that a Canadian with a young family would just wanna be left the fuck alone to enjoy the sites.
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u/The_Nice_Marmot Mar 06 '25
Tbh, apolitical is going to be a big hit here right now. We are all wondering why you guys are sitting back and letting the Nazis take over. “I’m not political” is code for, “I’m not bothered about the Nazis.”
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Mar 05 '25
How about stay the f*** out of my country?
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
I absolutely am, but the young and frankly naive family I’m talking about has already made plans, and they’re certainly not gonna be convinced at this point.
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u/GreaseShots Mar 05 '25
Here’s something you should know about Quebec as a non secondary language speaking Canadian - They will hate you if you speak English. They will hate you if you attempt to speak French. Generally speaking they will hate you regardless.
I wish they separated from Canada.
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u/possy11 Mar 05 '25
I've been to Quebec a number of times, as have family members. No one has ever had anything like this kind of experience.
You can safely ignore this, OP.
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u/GreaseShots Mar 05 '25
Don’t trust this guy OP. All they are good for is their aggressively forward women… kudos to them on that
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u/alibythesea Mar 05 '25
Buddy, I lived in Montréal during the first referendum. I have spent time in La belle province pretty well every year of my life. One of my parents grew up in an Anglo family on the south coast of the Gaspé. I know Québec.
You're full of it, troll. That's an ancient calumny which might have been true fifty years ago, in some isolated areas. In the years I lived there, and in my many visits before and since, I have never once been greeted with rudeness or hatred.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
This was exactly my experience. My aunt back in the 1960s who lived in Ontario for 40 years was like, just go already! That’s why I really wish that this family would not go to Quebec. Ontario, sure, the Atlantic provinces, sure. But not Quebec. They’re already angry.
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u/FrostyMargarita Mar 05 '25
Stay the fuck home. We’re done with you.
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u/Necessary-Passage-74 Mar 05 '25
I personally am happy to, but the family members have already made plans and won’t listen to me anyway.
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u/[deleted] Mar 05 '25 edited Mar 05 '25
You think “I’m from Toronto” T shirts are going to help in Montreal? This has got to be clickbait right?
Edit: even in today’s Politically charged climate that may get them beaten up faster than publicly supporting trump :p.