"Some will give you an attitude because you dared spoke english in a francophone province"
While when I'm in Quebec, I try to speak some french (I tend to massacre the language with my lazy english tongue), but I really don't understand the above attitude. Yes, Quebec is french-speaking, but, for better or for worse, the world operates in english. No matter where you go around the world, people who wish to advance in their careers and lives learn english. While I understand and support (to a degree) Quebec's protectionist language laws, treating english as if it's the ebola virus is only damages Quebec society in the end.
Luckily, most urban Quebecers are enlightened enough to accept the role of english in today's world. I've heard horror stories of how badly visitors to rural parts of Quebec have been treated simply because they spoke english; I equate those Quebecers with southern rednecks: xenophobic simpletons who spend their whole lives in stupid little towns hating the rest of the world.
I do quite a bit of business with Quebec firms. One is a small company where nobody really speaks much english. However, we both speak BUCKS and that's fine with me. However, as my business has developed closer and bigger ties with Quebec suppliers lately, I sincerely regret dropping out of french class in high school. I'm too old now to learn a new language, so I'll stumble through french as best I can.
Oh, and should Quebec ever separate, would I cut off my purchases from Quebec suppliers? Hardly! At one time, as a younger man, I was annoyed with Quebec separatism. But now, as I get to know the province(nation), I
realize, yes, it is very much like a different country. There are plenty of small nations which succeed and prosper (Norway, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, etc.), so why couldn't Quebec?
I can't blame Quebecers for wanting to develop their own country; I'd want to as well if I was one. Who knows, if Quebec finally separates, I might emmigrate there; it'd be better than becoming an American, as would likely be the rest of Canada's fate. By the way, don't dismiss so quickly the notion of America's desire to grab the rest of Canada. Look what they did to get Iraqi oil; they'd love to 'secure' Alberta's oil sands. With global warming, the southern states may dry up as Canada becomes warmer; lots of habitable territory here! Halifax: major strategic ice-free naval harbour. Atlantic Canada: natural gas. British Columbia: one of the best cities in the world.
Canada in general: a developed, peaceful, educated population with vast natural resources. Oh, and don't forget water...got lots of it here! (Hey, Vegas is drying up, isn't it?)
Hmmmm, kind of makes me wonder if the CIA might have some separatists of their own working in Quebec! ;-)
