Q: Why is that?
A: We're French. We're rude to everyone! No, just kidding! Geez! Gonna get flamed for that stereotype. Actually, I have found that Quebecers are generally a very tolerant and polite society. But you know how things are. You get a few bad apples in every group that stand out and make everyone look bad. Where we tend to be more harsh or brash is when it comes to language issues and driving. The French language is protected here in Quebec to the point that it actually sometimes tramples on the rights of other languages. For example, we have an official government agency (Office de la Langue Francaise) who can give out fines if any language on signs is not showing French as the dominant lettering. Your voice mail messages on public phones must be in French first if you are dealing with the public, and there was even people complaining about a little blurb that says "An English message will follow..." As for driving in Quebec, I have driven in cities all across North America, including Los Angeles that has some of the worst drivers and road rage cases in the world, and I still say Quebecers are the worst I have ever seen. We routinely go 20-40 kilometers (10-15 mph) over the speed limit, don't yield the passing lane to faster traffic, cut off other drivers without signalling , cross double lines, and use the shoulder as our personal lane for getting past traffic jams. I never look forward to the morning or evening commute. Other than that, you will find Montreal and Quebec City pretty much cater to the tourists, as we are a service-oriented community and depend on the tourist dollar year round. You should be able to find someone to serve you at a restaurant, hotel, or department store in English or French. If not, perhaps they do not want or deserve your business. Just don't act as if you are entitled to service in English, because remember that you are in a francophone region. (The old adage "...when in Rome..." should apply.)