Montreal Business Manners 8

36. Individualism

• Individualism is deeply anchored in our way of thinking and acting.


• The bonds between Montrealers are neither narrow nor permanent.


• Montrealers help each other but the solidarity of the group is not as important as our individuality. 

• Our climate and our famous "grands espaces canadiens" contributed to our individualism.

37. Introductions

• Business hierarchy is based on the rank of a person and not on whether it is a man or a woman.


• Introductions are made while standing up and first names and surnames are used.

• We introduce a person of a lower rank to a person of a higher rank.


• Introductions can serve as ice-breakers.


• By adding the title of a person, the name of his or her company, the country of origin or a pastime, you facilitate the encounter of the two persons you just introduced. 

38. Languages

• The Charter of the French Language, Bill 101 adopted in 1977 is a law that defines French as the only official language in the province of Quebec.


• The preamble of the Charter states that French is the official language of government, law and normal language of work, education, communication and business.

• Our Official Languages Act came into force in 1988 and sets the three basics objectives of the Government of Canada.


• 1st to ensure respect for English and French as the official languages of Canada.


• 2nd to ensure equality of status.


• 3rd to ensure equal rights and privileges as to the use of both languages in all federal institutions.

39. Montrealers

 You know you are a Montrealer when:

• Everyone on the streets - drivers, pedestrians, cyclists - think they are immortal and that you will move first.

• For two weeks every year you are a Montreal International Jazz Festival aficionado.

• You know that the West Island is not a separate geographical formation.

• The most exciting thing about the South Shore is that you can turn right on a red light. 

• You refer to Mont-Tremblant as "up North".

• There has to be at least 30 cm of snow on the ground in less than 24 hours for you to consider it too snowy to drive.

• You know the difference between the SQ, the SAQ and the SAAQ.

• You understand that "La Fête Nationale" is not the celebration of "Quebec's Birthday".
  

• You know that Rocket Richard has nothing to do with astrophysics and, you are a Habs fan, always was, always will.

40. Names and Surnames

• We have a hard time remembering names and surnames we are not familiar with.


• We will probably ask you to suggest a shortened or an easier way to address you.

• Discussing the situation does not cause any problem, on the contrary.