Do you have stereotypes on Quebecers? For Quebecers, some of the most common stereotypes associated with them are negative and untrue. Yes, some people really love hockey or enjoy eating a poutine after a night out but that doesn’t mean all Quebecers are hockey-obsessed poutine-eating machines. Discover some of the best and worst stereotypes Quebecers are tired of hearing and at the same time, learn a little bit more about these French Canadians.
Stereotypes can be positive or negative but when they are negative they can be truly annoying for the people targeted. Of course, these stereotypes are (usually) based on real facts but they can also be exaggerated, superfluous and backwards. It’s time for some French Canadian stereotypes.
Stereotypes About Quebecers That We Often Hear About
Every Single Quebecer Loves Hockey
Yes, some people are obsessed with hockey and see it as a religion but it doesn’t mean every single Quebecer loves hockey more than life. Most Canadians are big hockey fans since it is the country’s national sport but in Eastern and Northern European countries like Russia, Czech Republic, Sweden, Slovakia, Latvia and Finland it is also a national sport so Quebecers should not be the only ones categorized as hockey obsessed people.
They Only Eat Poutine and Sugar Shack Food
Let’s get one thing straight, most Quebecers really enjoy eating a poutine and will defend their provincial dish with great vigour but they don’t eat it 24/7 365 days a year. Most poutines are eaten during outdoor festivals, as a late-night snack, or during various celebrations. Poutines are not very healthy (it consists of fries, gravy sauce and cheese curds but people can add anything they want to it like pogo pieces, onions, peppers, etc.) so it is normal Quebecers don’t eat it all the time! This is one of the stereotypes Quebecers are tired of hearing…kind of.
They All Swear Like Truckers (No Offence to Truckers)
Fine, Quebecers do have a lot of swear words in their repertoire but so does every other single culture. If you go to a big city like Montreal, you might hear a few Tabarnak, calisse and criss but most people speak very politely and only swear when it is mandatory. If you go to more remote towns you might hear more swear words but just because they live in smaller towns it does not mean they swear all day long.
Maple Syrup Runs Through Their Veins
Maple syrup is delicious. This sticky, sweet and addictive golden syrup can be incorporated into many dishes: vinaigrettes, on pancakes, in marinades, etc. Quebecers do love their maple syrup but they also love jam, Nutella, peanut butter and other toppings for their favourite breakfast, lunch or dinner meals. Maple syrup does get even more popular in the Spring when it is sugar shack time all over this province.
Everyone Wears Plaid Shirts
Some Quebecers are lucky enough to have a beautiful cottage or country home where they can wear comfortable clothes like sweatpants, plaid shirts and comfy socks. So, yes people do wear plaid shirts but not every day and people who do wear them in the city might not be the most stylish of people. Plaid shirts can be cute but don’t expect to see every single Quebecer with one on, especially not in big cities like Montreal. This is definitely one of the biggest stereotypes Quebecers are tired of hearing.
In the Winter, People Get Around With Snowmobiles or Dog Sleds
Unless you live in a very small town with bad roads or you’re going on a little jaunt in the countryside, Quebecers do not all own snowmobiles or dog sleds as modes of transportation. Dog sleds and snowmobiles are mostly big tourist attractions that foreigners want to experience. Ski-doos are a Quebec invention but don’t expect to see some whizzing past you in big cities.
It Always Snows in Quebec Whatever the Month
No, this is totally untrue. Quebecers are lucky to have 4 distinct seasons during the 12 months of the year. It usually snows from November or December to March or April in most cities. Of course, the further south you go, the milder it gets (makes sense, right?!). If you visit this province in the wintertime, of course, there is a difference in temperature when visiting Montreal or the Saguenay region but don’t even think of bringing your winter jacket in July. The summers actually get quite hot because of the high humidity levels. This isn’t the North Pole.
Céline Dion is God
Ahhh, Céline. What a character! Some Quebecers are obsessed with her and see her as a true Quebec icon but a lot of people also don’t care about her or love to hate her and this is one of the stereotypes Quebecers are tired of hearing. Her story is inspiring and who can forget the song My Heart Will Go On from the hit movie Titanic? She’s not the only great singer born in this province so it’s normal not everyone is obsessed with this one of a kind singer from Charlemagne, Québec.
They Are Not Cultured
Just because Quebecers aren’t from the same country as Voltaire or Jules Verne, it doesn’t mean they have no culture. There are plays, exhibits, concerts, operas, poetry readings, etc. in most Quebec cities just like in Europe and the United States. Many Quebecers have won international awards for their novels, plays and art. Read some Quebec literature and see for yourself!
Beer Can Be Found at Every Street Corner
This isn’t necessarily a bad thing… and might actually be true! Quebecers love their delicious microbrewery beers and they also love their depanneurs: convenient stores where you can find beer, candy, cigarettes, and a few essentials like toilet paper, canned foods, soap, etc.
They Tend to Complain About the Weather (A Lot)
This stereotype Quebecers are tired of hearing is absolutely true. They especially love to complain about the weather (it’s too hot in July and it’s too cold in February). Bikers love to complain about motorists and vice versa. There’s always something to complain about!
Montreal is a Party City
Another stereotype most Quebecers and more specifically Montrealers aren’t too angry about is that Montreal is a party city. Montreal and the rest of Quebec is a great place for partying if you’re American or from Ontario because the legal drinking age is 18. Bars, clubs, beer gardens, speakeasies, they have it all to entertain the young and the old!
Unfortunately, some other Montreal stereotypes aren’t very nice…
They Don’t Like Anglophones
This is a typical French Canadian stereotype. French and English Quebecers have not always gotten along because of many issues like the 1980… and 1995 referendums. Frenchies find it (quite) insulting when Anglos respond in English or work in a restaurant, bar or shop and say hello in English. While these two groups might have their differences, it doesn’t mean they can’t coexist in harmony… for the time being! Maybe it would be better if everyone was practicing the others’ language on Babbel.
They Are Extremely Friendly
Canadians, in general, are friendly people but internationally, Quebecers are known to be very friendly. Quebecers are very happy to be known worldwide as friendly people but this doesn’t mean everyone you meet in the province will happily give you directions, talk to you in a bar or ask you to come over for a home-cooked meal.
Quebecer Women Are All Beautiful
No Quebecer will be unhappy with this stereotype! It’s true, Quebec women are known to be quite beautiful. Two years ago, Montreal was ranked number 1 for having the most beautiful women in the world! With so many different cultural backgrounds, it makes sense that Quebecer women are real beauties.
They Have a Pet Caribou, Beaver or Bear
No, no Quebecer in its right mind has a pet caribou, beaver or bear! Most people have only seen these animals in zoos. Unfortunately, sometimes people see caribous when they run them over on the highway but it’s in your best interest to go as far as possible as you can from bears or even beavers. You won’t find any of these animals in cities and it can even be quite difficult to spot them in regional or national parks.
Now you understand why there are stereotypes Quebecers are tired of hearing!
Sources: journaldemontreal.com, narcity.com, qclife.style
