Montreal Wins Skate Canada's Bid for 2020 Worlds

2020 is far enough to allow you time to learn French, mes amis! Your next post should be in French. In some case, it could be hilarious. I could tanslate...

I'm living close to Montréal and worked for 30 years at the Montréal Botanical Garden. If you have time to do something else than watching skaters, this is a must place if you like flowers. Even if the weather is not nice, there are 10 greenhouses to visit. The Insectarium, just beside, should be during their "Butterflies goes free" exhibits. Thousands of butterflies flying around you. And if you are more attracted to animals, the Biodome is just on the other side of the street. Four ecosystems recreated indoor. The Metro will leave you at one street corner of these muséums.

We are a little early to start discussing access, hotels, food, but if you could deal with the nordic winter climate (and some slushy days in between), Montréal is a place loved by most tourists. BTW, if you are a little insecure, French is usually the first languages used (it's a law) but you will have no problem to be served in English, especially if you take the time to say a few French words. Most, if not all, hotels and restaurants downtown will welcome you with both languages, "Comment puis-je vous aider/How can I help you?"

And no, there is no subway yet near the airport.
 
Unfortunately, I don't know any French, but I hope to be there anyway. ;) I've been wanting to visit Montreal but was thinking of it more as a summer destination, lol. Guess I will have to invest in a hat and ski mask (or are the majority of tourist spots accessible by subway and underground walkway?). :cold:
 
I don't speak any French, which is really unusual for someone born and raised in Northern Ontario. I'm not gonna lie, I've put off trips to Montreal because I've heard so many horror stories about refusing to serve customers who don't speak French. Maybe it will be different if they know there is a large event being held with people from all over the world. I can't really put a whole sentence together, but hopefully, I'll get by with the words I do know. The clean words anyway. :P
 
Actually, it might be easier if you don't speak French....

At one time, as an Anglophone (American) I was fluent in French, and now consider myself semi-fluent. But my few times in Montreal, as much as I love the city, the people, etc., ay yay yay. I thought I knew all about the Quebecois accent, the pronounced nasals, the short "i" sounds, and other differences from the "French" French that I had learned. Tabernak! I could barely muddle my way through, and this was back when I was fluent. I had to talk to my "French" French friends to boost my confidence. :lol:

Won't keep me from Worlds:)
 
kimkom said:
I don't speak any French, which is really unusual for someone born and raised in Northern Ontario. I'm not gonna lie, I've put off trips to Montreal because I've heard so many horror stories about refusing to serve customers who don't speak French. Maybe it will be different if they know there is a large event being held with people from all over the world. I can't really put a whole sentence together, but hopefully, I'll get by with the words I do know. The clean words anyway. :p
Click to expand...

You will be fine..The english population is huge & it most restaurants hotels etc downtown would ask for serving staff to be blingual as they would be shooting themself in the foot not to. All hospitals, doctors police etc are also functionally bilingual..In my parents generation french was not taught in english schools...I am in my mid-sixties and we had french starting in grade 2 but taught by english people who learned their french from english people...It was really horrible...For my kids we had evolved enough that we were able to find schools with french immersion programs so my kids r fine.
 
Well, I didn't wanted to start a French-English racism post. There are stubborn French people as there are stubborn English people and stubborn people in every other languages. But there are a lot of nice people around the world. Try to avoid the first ones and stick with the later. I always like my US friends trying to speak a little French, but as soon as I discover I'm much better in English than they are in French, I'm switching to English and, if they want to continue practicing their French, that's fine with me. But, sometimes, somebody amaze me with a French so good that I'm comfy that we will have a better understanding in French. C'est la vie!
 
As barbarafan, DFO, and manhn have said, no one should be afraid of being a unilingual anglophone in Montreal. Other than the sign laws, it's a very bilingual city, and I too usually find that people switch to English as soon as they realize that my French is less than fluent - even though I understand most spoken French and my accent's not that bad. In fact, if you're Canadian, why wait to 2020 to go - it's a wonderful city to visit.
 
And cable TV in Montreal gets American channels, too. I was there over Canada Day weekend last summer before I took the train across Canada, and I watched the Independence Day fireworks on July 3 from Burlington, Vermont :)
 
Ziegler/Kiefer just posted that 2020 Europeans will be in Graz, Austria. :)

Looks like the ISU provisional allotments for championship locations has been released, but I can't get it to load right now.
 
Yeah, the ISU website isn't loading at the moment, but I checked the website of the Austrian federation and they say the event has been given to them :) , so I guess that counts as official...

I'm considering going to Austria in 2020 :cheer: (Worlds in Montreal would be cool too, but unfortunately a bit too far away and too expensive).
 
clairecloutier said:
Ziegler/Kiefer just posted that 2020 Europeans will be in Graz, Austria. :)

Looks like the ISU provisional allotments for championship locations has been released, but I can't get it to load right now.
Click to expand...

ISU website response "Service Unavavailable" but a tweet confirms Montreal Worlds 2020; Graz Euros 2020; Tallinn World Juniors 2020 & Seoul 4CC 2020.
 
I wouldn't be worried about being an English speaker in downtown Montreal! In fact, it is sometimes hard to be first served in French.
Montreal is used to hosting many events which bringing in many foreigners, who come back years after years (Formula One, Jazz festival, etc.) Tourism is a big part of income for Montreal and people do speak English in the main institutions/attractions. In fact 58% of Montrealers speak both languages, and 12% only speak English... so technically, you'll be fine 70% of the time! And the remaining 30% most likely wouldn't get a job downtown...

These numbers would be different has in Quebec City but still... Foreigners got it through all fine at the GPF...
 
ChiquitaBanana said:
These numbers would be different has in Quebec City but still... Foreigners got it through all fine at the GPF...
Click to expand...

Other than the time the parking lot attendant and then the arena usher yelled at us in French, not understanding that we had no clue what they was saying, it was all good at GPF. :D
 
skategal said:
You can count on us. :)
I'm planning a recon trip so I'll keep my eye out for accessibility.
Click to expand...
pat c said:
No worries, ask and we'll try.
Click to expand...
barbarafan said:
I live in Montreal so If I am able to get answers to your questions I would be most pleased to do so.
Click to expand...
icie said:
I hope I'm there too & I get to meet you. :)
Click to expand...
Thank you all.
skategal, I'll look forward to your report.
I assume that I'll be staying in one of the major hotels.
 
It's actually unfortunate for my own skills how little French I need to speak. :slinkaway

The core downtown area where the Bell Centre's located is very Anglophone so as others said, I wouldn't worry about not being understood at stores/restaurants/hotels. If you're polite and obviously a tourist you shouldn't be given a hard time (assuming you're not unlucky to come across a jerk). And I can make a post with the most useful words to know once we're closer to the event.
 
I have always wanted to visit as it seems like a beautiful place so I think I'm going to start saving my pennies. After attending Worlds in Boston I have been hoping it would return somewhere reasonably close to me so I could attend again.
 
I love the bridge An blue seems fitting. Don't blame the residents complaining about the costs, but that aside looks fabulous
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 1 (members: 0, guests: 1)

Similar threads

Sylvia
2025 Skate Canada Int'l in Saskatchewan & 2026 Canadians in Gatineau QC
Replies
16
Views
4K
4rkidz
4rkidz
Sylvia
2026 Worlds in Prague - info & planning thread
2 3
Replies
83
Views
11K
Duchess
D
victorskid
Skate Canada 2025-26 "domestic" calendar includes Skate Canada International
2 3
Replies
79
Views
9K
4rkidz
4rkidz
danafan
Skate Canada names teams for 2025 ISU Championships
Replies
9
Views
4K
4rkidz
4rkidz
SkateGuard
1960 Olympic Gold Medallist & 4X World Champion Bob Paul dies at 87
Replies
5
Views
1K
Sylvia
Sylvia
Back
Top
Do Not Sell My Personal Information