Counter ‘revolution’ brewing in Quebec

This joy, of course, scarcely describes the dreary moral wasteland of modern urban Quebec, something its rising generation has plainly observed.

This is complete hogwash and what is said in this article just doesn't add up. I lived in Montreal '82 to '97.

The "Blockhead" Quebecois is the federal version of the ancient, outdated provincial Parti Quebecois; there might be still some old coots clinging to separatism but the youth that I know there don't want any part of them or it.

Of course, "abortion, divorce, single-parent and “shack-up” rate" is going to be higher than relatively conservative, boring, English Canada. Quebec is almost more European than Canadian, which, being in North America, is a novelty and a good thing (IMHO).

I don't know about the commission investigating minority religions, but (1) "bewail the passing of Catholic Quebec" is just utter crap; and (2) when I was in Montreal this past summer, I noticed lots and lots of Muslims around Jarry Park (Jean Talon, St. Laurent, and St. Denis streets) where - where I used to live - for the first time. Maybe there's an angle there.

About any disgruntled youth - another myth. Cost of living is extremely low; college/university education is dirt cheap; unemployment insurance and welfare ("chomage", one of the first French words you would learn) is plentiful and pays out well; lots of high tech jobs; and now the Canadian dollar about the same as the U.S. dollar... it's a mecca (pun unintended) for young people.

I’ve always wanted to visit that part of Quebec - but my French is non-existent and I’m afraid I’d get treated like a 2nd-class person fornot knowing French.

You didn't pose that question to me, but let me say that you'd be pleasantly surprised. Everyone in Montreal speaks some English -- no problems there. Once you go farther north, say Quebec City, the number of English-speakers declines, but most hotels, the larger restaurants and the tourist attractions are all bilingual.

Quebeckers are, in my experience, friendly, hospitable to a fault and absolutely fascinated (and flattered) by any American who demonstrates a sincere desire to get to know them.

As far as disapproval over not speaking French, Quebeckers like to head south to the Jersey shore and to Florida for their vacations. They're quite used to being in situations in the States where they don't know the language and will be sympathetic to yours. A trip to Quebec is the closest thing to a visit to Europe you can get without a passport and a power converter.

Please, I encourage you to do it.

That's not correct.

Montreal is almost completely bilingual. Quebec City is truly French.

But Quebec is also a very friendly city, so you won't have a problem, Steve. Usually, if I go somewhere where I don't speak the local language, I learn a phrase down the line of "I can only hope that your English is better than my ...". Works every time. People laugh and are grateful that you tried.

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