Us French Canadians are an odd little bunch of people. Only 8 million of us, and yet we managed to get quite notorious both within Canada and beyond, for various reasons. Here are 6 things you may not know about us.
French Canadians drink a lot.
We are quite the elbow benders in our great province. Wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, bring it! Any occasion is a good occasion to get a drink, and we are very fond of the “it’s 5 o’clock somewhere” theory. Despite the hefty taxes on alcohol sales (most of it is regulated by a government in specially appointed stores called SAQ), we are always more than happy to cheer to whatever is worthy of cheering, be it a hockey game, a relaxed dinner, a birthday, a sunny day, a rainy day, a snowy day. You get the point.
French Canadians are not French.
That’s probably the most important lesson of all. Never, ever ask a French Canadian if he’s French! It’s just as bad as asking a Canadian if he’s American, or a Scottish if he’s English! We are most definitely not French. We don’t do la bise to total strangers (only family and close friends). We don’t shut the country down on Sundays. We aren’t always on vacation. We are our own people. We like to tease our fellow French comrades, but we are nonetheless very different.
So no. Not French. But we do have a few French habits, and are French speaking. About this…
French Canadians have their own way of speaking French.
That’s something that sets us apart from the French people: we might speak the same language, but we speak it in completely differently ways. While the French accent is more popular and internationally accepted, and despite the fact that we were colonized by the French at one point, we have developed our own way of speaking the language, our own vocabulary, expressions and swear words – which are completely unique and of which we are very fond. You know a lot of languages that use church words to curse? This language is called joual, and is just another way of speaking French.
French Canadians are very proud, creative people.
Just for Laughs. Cirque du Soleil. Ubisoft. Simple Plan. Arcade Fire. Xavier Dolan. Ring a bell? These are only a few of our cultural hits. We even have Celine Dion! And although most Quebecers will never say it aloud (something about her not being very cool, and loving kayaks…), we are quite proud of her journey. She put Quebec on the map, so to speak, and hasn’t denied her roots despite her smashing success. We produce excellent artists in Quebec, and have an equally strong appetite for them, regardless of the genre or medium.
- Cirque du Soleil
French Canadians are a very good mix of both French and British cultures.
- We’re a little bit like the British. We say thank you a lot. We queue as if our life depended on it and death-stare at anyone who doesn’t. We love our hearty, rich traditional meals. We love casual dinners out at the pub. We aren’t scared of a bit of bad weather.
- We’re a little bit like the French. We do love ourselves a strike. We like to try out fancy delicacies from time to time. We whine for just about anything. We’re strong minded.
The thing is, if you ask a Quebecer if he’s more British or French, it’s very likely you’ll get a different answer every time you ask. For we have been colonized by both, and adopted several habits of each of their cultures, creating unique, likeable personalities, that can’t be found anywhere else in the world.
French Canadians are very indecisive when it comes to sovereignty.
That’s a debate that has been going on for about 50 years now. To be a country or not to be a country, that is the question. Quebec is actually a province within the confederation of Canada, as is Ontario or Saskatchewan. But there is no doubt that because of its unique heritage, and language, Quebec is entirely different from its neighboring provinces. And a lot of people think that would justify total independence from Canada and her Majesty the Queen (but not me – I love Lizzie). In the last 35 years, we’ve had two referendums, several uprisings, lots of tears, extremely tight results, but the answer was always the same: Quebec is part of Canada, and will remain that way. Until the next referendum anyway.
Nationalism is a very touchy subject, and Quebecers are very divided on the topic. Each one of us has an opinion, some more rigid than others. Who knows what the future holds for us!
Have you learned a few things about French Canadians? Are you familiar with them?
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Love this series about French Canada, I learn so much about people in my own country.
Thanks Ayngelina! I’m glad you like it :)
I can totally get behind the fanaticism for queuing up! Nothing irritates me more than a group of people failing to line up in an orderly queue. Seriously, I’m not even being facetious here. Queue up, people!!
I obviously should have been born British or French Canadian instead of American, lol.
Glad you can relate to the queues! I completely use it when people don’t queue!
Really Christy? How silly.
Very interesting! I went to Montreal in fall 2008, and I remember being fascinated by the election posters, especially of one candidate calling himself “100% Quebecois.”
Thanks Liz! The 100% Quebecois is a bit of a pun to a previous election, people don’t call themselves that all the time.
OK, I”m with you on the Cirque Du Soleil, Just For Laughs and Arcade Fire thing. But you’re willing to claim Celine Dion? LOL
Just FYI, my maternal grandfather was French Canadian, and I have definitely always found them to be an odd bunch!
Well she is one of us ;) I’m not a fan of her music but it’s hard not to be amazed at her journey.
Very interesting – I learned a lot.
Thanks Barbara!
I really enjoyed this! Nice to know a bit more about you mysterious people ;)
Thanks Andrea! :)
Great article about the French Canadians. Always something new to learn. But you’re forgetting about New Brunswick in the French part – as they are French first as well. But very well written – I love crossing into Quebec and feeling like I’m in a new world – as it truly is a new world! :)
Thanks Chrystal! I felt a little weird about using French Canadian to speak about Quebecers but it’s it’s a more common name.
Interesting, I didn’t realise French Canadians thought of themselves as a little bit British. I’ve only met two (travelling) and they just seemed Canadian until I started to get to know them. It’s definitely a place I want to visit – French Canadia I mean ;)
Well most French Canadians won’t admit it but yes, we are a little bit British. It’s only normal considering our history!
I was just talking with someone this weekend about how creative you guys are! Loved reading the rest of this, too. Because of our seven permanent Cirque shows (and of course CELINE!), Las Vegas, where I live, has a strange synergy with Montreal.
Great post! To be honest, didn’t know a thing about french canadians before this…so now I’m slightly more knowledgable :-)
Glad I could help! ;)
Great post! I’ve often wondered how French Canadians see themselves, and the cultural quirks that go with that, so it’s nice to see it summed up so well :D
We loved exploring Quebec and Montreal when we drove across Canada. So many cute places :)
I love the last photo. Very interesting post.
Thanks Laura!
Enjoying this whole series! As an Anglo Quebequoise, it’s interesting to read too. We (the Anglos) are lacking in some of the cultural background but have taken on a lot of the qualities too – the directness, les bises (2, not 1 as it is in the USA), the pride and of course the ability to talk about serious subjects over a beer – an important quality! Looking forward to the next in the series.
Thank you so much for your comment Jodi. :)
I had a great time in Montreal. I was there only for a couple of days, as part of a Canadian road trip, but really liked it. You guys are a friendly bunch and I loved how you described the what you got from the French and what traits you got from the British :) Gotta love the queuing!
I’m glad you enjoyed Montreal! :)
Don’t forget the native indian ancestry. More than half Quebec french have Cree, Huron or Obijwa in them. The artical is kinda of false above. No French Quebec considers themself part British. Whoever did this article better get his facts straight. You might start by reading John Ralston Saul books on the subject. Quebec and Canada are a Metis nation.
FYI Coleen, and if the name of this blog isn’t a good enough tip, I AM French Canadian. I come from generations of other French Canadians. So yes, my facts are very straight. I chose not to speak of the Indian ancestry because I don’t have any myself. I never said that these 6 facts were the ONLY things to know about French Canadians – merely just 6 things I thought would be fun to know.
Some French Canadians don’t consider themselves British because they have never been to Britain. I lived in the UK for a year and trust me when I say that French Canadians and British people are far more alike than most French Canadians care to admit.
I also guess that since your name is Coleen, you are nowhere near being French Canadian or Québécois. I suggest you keep your lessons on MY province to yourself, then.
So i once asked a French Canadian if she considers herself “French” while we were traveling in Turkey. Well let’s just say she almost fell off her seat! But she did admit that while traveling in Morocco, she pretended she was French, but her accent wouldn’t let her get away with it! haha Good post!
When I went snowboarding in Mont Tremblant last year, I did notice how different the accent is from when I was snowboarding in Chamonix. But hey, it’s French and it’s sexy!
Haha, you will NEVER hear us say that we are French. But I can definitely see where we get some of our traits. As I’ve been an expat in both the UK and France, it’s fair to say we are similar to both nations.
Very informative post! I used to be very ignorant of Canada before visiting the country, so I am sorry about that. However, I think visiting Montréal as the first destination in Canada from U.S. was the best experience to explore my neighboring country. Especially because we went during the Festival Montréal en Lumière I was lucky to appreciate how very interesting French Canadians are! I am very eager to go back to Canada and explore Montréal in particular, sometime in the near future.
Thanks! Glad I could tell you a bit more about my people :)
To Marie Eve my maternal grandmother came to ny from Quebec. She did not even speak English just French. She came and met an Irish American named Emit Kenny and got pregnant so he married her. Just because my name is Coleen does not mean I am all Irish or Irish at all. You assume something that is very prejudice. How many people have a French name and are not even one drop of French. I suspect aboriginal ancestry in my grandmother because of the jet black hair and dark eyes but also because she lived on a farm and was very poor up their. I never met her because she died when my mother was only 5. My mother stayed in America with her Irish side who hated the French Canadian mother because they were prejudice. So no matter where you go in this world you will see prejudice.
Also French Canadians have Normandy ancestors from Perch. Not every one but most who have French extraction in quebec. To say they are not French is a lie. Maybe the province doesn’t totally follow what they do in France but most of the language comes from their and those men that came off the boat to mate with the first nation people. Quebec refuses to admit that most of them have native aboriginal ancestors. It is sad but true. They are a very very prejudice province. My grandmother Bertha Hardy from Quebec was a sweet woman and mother from what my mother told me.
Oh and by the way the other side of my bloodline is amazing. Soon you will see it all over the tv. English/Welsh is in me. The breakdown. 1/25 French Canadian. 1/50 Irish. 1/25 Welsh. You know where the Welsh and othe quarter Irish come from a man named John Lennon the Beatle! Yeah I have no embarrassment in telling you I am a love child. Quebec when the story soon drops on the new will go into a state of shock and so will the world. Talk about a mixed bloodline with fame all in it. Have you seen them doing French Canadian cousins? Celine, Madonna, Hilary Clinton. Yeah it wasn’t done for no reason you know. They know soon a new kid on the block will be announced. Bastard children from rock stars. They are usually forgotten. I often wonder if Bertha Hardy stayed in Quebec well I wouldn’t be here. Her decisions led to John Lennon becoming my father. Think about it.
Thank you Marie-Eve, I’ve enjoyed reading your blog here which I just happened upon! Several years ago, a friend and I drove up to Quebec from New York City, in February no less. I was absolutely enchanted, although half-frozen the entire time (^_^). Your little piece of heaven left me such a wonderful memory: the ice sculptures, the scullers in the frigid ice waters, the charming shops and delicious foods, the Ice Hotel, climbers (complete with crampons and pick axes…),the kind locals, always the kind locals. I do plan to return someday, perhaps in a warmer season next time..? I’m a native of Manhattan and I hope our city is equally an eye-opener for you. Be well! L.
I really like the way you introduce sovereignty. Most of the people (french and english) are really rude about it, and you’ve been really objective about it. So give me five! :D
Thanks François! It took a look of editing but I’m glad about the way it came out. It’s such a touchy subject!
I’m a British gay guy. I have fallen madly in love with a French Canadian from New Brunswick [but only on the internet]. He’s the most wonderful person I’ve met in a long time. I may never be able to meet him in person though, and I can’t begin to tell you how much that depresses me. I’m now totally into all things French Canadian.
Welcome to my blog then! :)
Vous n’êtes pas Québécoise? Qui dit “French Canadian” de nos jours?
Et Matt, votre copain est fort probablement un Acadien.
La plupart des anglos en dehors du Québec ne savent pas ce que veut dire “québécois”. Pour eux “French Canadian” c’est plus clair.
Aux dernières nouvelles, ce n’est pas un crime d’utiliser French Canadian pour désigner les Québécois et/ou Acadiens.
Non, pas un crime, juste un peu suranné. Ce serait tout de même utile de leur expliquer comment la société ici a évolué depuis les années 1960.