Lifestyle and Leisure
Quebec: Top ten differences
Louise Willis picks out ten key things newcomers should know about life in Quebec, Canada’s only francophone province.
Quebec – vivre la difference
1. It's normal to say you're just going to the dep. 'Dep' is short for 'depanneur', which is the convenience store. It literally means 'to get you out of a bind' (from the verb 'dépanner'). The dep sells necessities like milk, bread, magazines, beer, bad wine and cigarettes (though the cigarettes now have to be hidden).
2. Do not dilly-dally on our highways. Quebecers are known for their aggressive driving. And Quebec is known for its bad roads. Potholes abound.
3. Yes, Quebec really is French. You can get by in Montreal without much French but that can't be said for the rest of the province. Don't come here and slag off the fact that everything is in French. It's not exactly news. Deal with it and embrace it.
4. Don't think your O level French is going to get you very far. It won't. Nobody actually says "Zut alors!' Plus, the Québecois accent can be hard to decipher.
5. You will often hear people easily switching back and forth between English and French and peppering their conversation with expressions in both languages. It is one of the beauties of Quebec and Quebecers.
6. Many many towns are called Saint Something or other. My favourite is St.Louis de Ha Ha. Seriously.
7. Our favourite dish is chips (fries) covered with cheese curds and gravy. It's called 'poutine', sometimes known as 'heart attack on a plate'. The cheese curds often squeak when you eat them (the squeakier the better) - that's how you know they're top notch. Restaurants now have different varieties of poutine, including one made with foie gras. The best way to have a poutine is with a 'steamie' on the side. That's a hot dog to you.
8. Quebecers use catholic terminology to swear with. If you translate 'tabarnacle' and 'chalice' into French then you have the top two classic Quebec curses. Yes, they are very rude and not to be used in polite company.
9. The best bagels and smoked meat in town (Montreal) remain a hotly debated topic.
10. Most Quebecers do love Celine Dion so don't risk insulting her or her music when in Quebec. She is well known for being extremely nice, generous and charitable and was a mega-star in Quebec waaaaaay before Titanic.
For more information: Willis Brazolot
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