I live in Montreal, my experience is that French people speak great English while most Quebecers can't ask for the bathroom in English. Of course, the French people coming here are generally open minded compared to Jean-Guy from Brossard who not only shoots you a "yes-no-toaster" when you ask him if he speaks English but also thinks it's the funniest thing he's ever said.

[–] Klear@sh.itjust.works 8 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (2 children)

My experience with the French is that they're happy to speak English if you say something like "Excusez-moi, perlez vous anglais?" but may pretent to not understand you if you just start in English.

Which is actually pretty fair when I think about it.

[–] Servais@jlai.lu 2 points 7 months ago

Very true. English speakers are sometimes taken aback, but it's usually a way to show respect to the local language, and acknowledge that you are asking them a favor to speak a second language.

[–] Leviathan@lemmy.world 1 points 7 months ago

True. I speak French fluently but prefer English so we usually flip between the two and my experience was more about how well they speak and not really how quick they are to. I'm sure my results will vary if I actually go to France, I've heard horror stories from my fellow Quebecers.

[–] Wanderer@lemm.ee 6 points 7 months ago

Montreal is an exceptionally nice place.

I couldn't stop in the street to look at a map without someone coming to see if I needed help. I didn't I just needed to look at it, but in 10 seconds it took me someone would offer help.

I actually considered trying to movie there but I realised I need to also be fluent in French.

That's up there as among the greatest cities I've ever been to. Sydney is my number 1 but Montreal can't compare to the surf in Sydney so it's not a fair comparison.

[–] zaphod@sopuli.xyz 2 points 7 months ago

Maybe they just don't like the québécois accent, it certainly has a very distinct sound.