NationStates Jolt Archive

Even though im mostly Russian(with a little polish,german, and bulgarian mixed into there) a large number of people say that I look extremely French(including the few French people that I have met in my life)

And so I was seriously considering learning French and moving to Quebec in the near future. But then a few people I know told me that the French were for the most part very ethnocentric when regarding other European cultures and so I ask these questions to any French people that post in this forum.

What do you think of Eastern Europeans? Do you consider them good or bad for the most part? And if I lived in Quebec would I be better off NOT telling the other French that I am from Eastern Europe?

What is it with the France Threads!

Actually, if you lived in Quebec, you don't want to be saying you can speak English or have any English ties of sorts...

I heard that some French view the eastern Europeans the way that some Americans view Mexicans.

"They're stealing our jobs!"

"I couldn't understand what the plumber was saying and he couldn't understand what I was saying!"

"Oooh, let's not go to that neighborhood. That's where 'they' live."

I heard that some French view the eastern Europeans the way that some Americans view Mexicans.

"They're stealing our jobs!"

"I couldn't understand what the plumber was saying and he couldn't understand what I was saying!"

"Oooh, let's not go to that neighborhood. That's where 'they' live."


Well last time I looked at the map Russia did not share the same border as France

And so I was seriously considering learning French and moving to Quebec in the near future. But then a few people I know told me that the French were for the most part very ethnocentric when regarding other European cultures and so I ask these questions to any French people that post in this forum.

What do you think of Eastern Europeans? Do you consider them good or bad for the most part? And if I lived in Quebec would I be better off NOT telling the other French that I am from Eastern Europe?
Quebecers are not French! I suppose that the issues some French people might have with regards to Eastern Europe, including the 'Polish plumber' syndrome, could not really be transposed in Quebec.

Well last time I looked at the map Russia did not share the same border as France

Yes, I know that.

The French have seen a large influx of Eastern European immigrants, just as the US has seen a lot of Mexican immigrants.

They throw french sticks (bread at them)!

Everyone is getting an influz of Eastern Europeans..their in the EU so the more the merrier!

Yes, I know that.

The French have seen a large influx of Eastern European immigrants, just as the US has seen a lot of Mexican immigrants.


I think the French have a much much larger influx of North African and Muslim immigrants.

I think the French have a much much larger influx of North African and Muslim immigrants.
I think what the French were upset about was the influx of skilled tradesmen from Eastern Europe.

Suddenly, finding a French plumber was difficult - yes, they wanted the cheaper guy, but he was Polish.

Having lived in Montreal for four years the best advice I can give you is to always try to speak French first when you meet someone. Even if it's just saying bonjour and merci. Then you can move to English and they'll understand. But if you start off in English it offends them sometimes.

Having lived in Montreal for four years the best advice I can give you is to always try to speak French first when you meet someone. Even if it's just saying bonjour and merci. Then you can move to English and they'll understand. But if you start off in English it offends them sometimes.

Whenever I'm in downtown DC around the tourist sites, when foreigners come up to me and speak in their native language, I'm not offended, even if they are speaking French and can't speak English.

I'm even polite enough to speak their native language if I know it, or help them politely with pronunciation if they're trying to speak English.

I guess Quebec doesn't want any repeat tourist business.

What is it with the France Threads!

Viva La France!

*sets off party poppers and then surrenders to nearest German*

Whenever I'm in downtown DC around the tourist sites, when foreigners come up to me and speak in their native language, I'm not offended, even if they are speaking French and can't speak English.

I'm even polite enough to speak their native language if I know it, or help them politely with pronunciation if they're trying to speak English.

I guess Quebec doesn't want any repeat tourist business.
Very sensitive about the language up there. In fact, I think everywhere in Canada, the road signs are bi-lingual, except Quebec, which only has French signs.

Very sensitive about the language up there. In fact, I think everywhere in Canada, the road signs are bi-lingual, except Quebec, which only has French signs.

The Charter of the French language, Title I, Chapter VII (http://www.olf.gouv.qc.ca/english/charter/title1chapter7.html):
58. Public signs and posters and commercial advertising must be in French.
They may also be both in French and in another language provided that French is markedly predominant.
However, the Government may determine , by regulation, the places, cases, conditions or circumstances where public signs and posters and commercial advertising must be in French only, where French need not be predominant or where such signs, posters and advertising may be in another language only.

Viva La France!

*sets off party poppers and then surrenders to nearest German*Now that you've surrendered to me, you'll learn the correct way to say that in French and start apologising to all the French you meet.

How do the French think of Eastern Europeans?

Stab in the dark here, but.... with their minds?

I heard that some French view the eastern Europeans the way that some Americans view Mexicans.

"They're stealing our jobs!"

"I couldn't understand what the plumber was saying and he couldn't understand what I was saying!"

"Oooh, let's not go to that neighborhood. That's where 'they' live."

As far as I know, that's the French attitude towards maghreb immigrants [Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, etc...].

I wouldn't know about Eastern Europe...

This question is pointless. French people have a huge range of opinions on most subjects, and Eastern European are no exception to this rule. Depending of to whom you ask, you'll have totally different answers.

Even though im mostly Russian(with a little polish,german, and bulgarian mixed into there) a large number of people say that I look extremely French(including the few French people that I have met in my life)

And so I was seriously considering learning French and moving to Quebec in the near future. But then a few people I know told me that the French were for the most part very ethnocentric when regarding other European cultures and so I ask these questions to any French people that post in this forum.

What do you think of Eastern Europeans? Do you consider them good or bad for the most part? And if I lived in Quebec would I be better off NOT telling the other French that I am from Eastern Europe?
First, Quebec is not France. We have different view of "those eastern immigrants". You'll find quite a bunch of Russians in Montreal, Toronto and other big cities in Canada. France: I don't know. Can't help you.

and as far as my Torontonian friend is concerned:
Actually, if you lived in Quebec, you don't want to be saying you can speak English or have any English ties of sorts...
You may be right in some parts of the province. Montreal and it's outskirts, where an immigrant is likely to land, is not like that. They will appreciate the effort to speak french but most people will talk to you in english or french.

Unless you're from Toronto. In which case: "Go home, square-head!" ;)

Unless you're from Toronto. In which case: "Go home, square-head!" ;)
Keep yer damn Leafs outta here! ;)

Keep yer damn Leafs outta here! ;)
Exactly.

There's always a brawl in one of the downtown pubs when the Leafs are in town because some Torontonian tries to explain to some Montrealer how they're not doing things right and being an arrogant jerkwad. I suspect the same hold true when Montreal go play in Toronto.

What do you think of Eastern Europeans? Do you consider them good or bad for the most part?

I'm French, and I don't make generalisations based on national or ethnic background. I view and treat people as individuals, not as stereotypes.

As far as I know, that's the French attitude towards maghreb immigrants [Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, etc...].

Then you're wrong. Some French people are racist; same as everywhere. Most of us (I hope) aren't. We're a diverse bunch of individuals; there's no "typical French reaction" to individuals of any particular national background.