Yesterday I went to buy a new pair of glasses. It took me about an hour to choose a frame that I thought would agree with my face. Finally when I went back with the trophy to the salesman he almost shouted with excitement, "That was exactly the frame I showed you first, remember ?" I did not remember the frame he showed me an hour ago, but did not contradict him. You know, in Montreal we are always in our best Sunday manners. Encouraged, he continued, "I knew it would look nice on you!"
I knew Montrealians had no qualms when it comes to praise somebody. They do not have to be pushy salesmen to come up with most flattering words. It is not uncommon here that totally strange people on the street stop and say few nice words about your watch or shoe for nothing more than a friendly smile. But I felt this man was rather unimaginative when I heard him speaking to the next customer in line, "This was the exact same frame I showed you first, remember ?"
Today, at the butcher's, the lady at the counter could not stop exclaiming, "Wow! this is so nice a design- I haven't seen such a great design recently." the alluded design was on my credit card. Perhaps she could not find anything else about me worthy of her admiration.
It is nice to be treated pleasantly even if some of it is just show. I take it to be the English manners. French are usually sulky, though they can make better friends.
Coming out of the butcher's, I came across a bilingual beggar sitting in the pavement. His card read, in both English and French, "you look too good today! can you spare some change ?"
Well, thank you Montreal, you are at your best today!
Hi Shajahan
ReplyDeleteNice to know that Montreal and Montrealians are rather kind - given that people in cold countries need not be always cold. In the east coast of the US, at least I can talk for New Jersey, people are in eternal rush and do not have time neither much inclination in exchanging courtesies. I mistakingly extrapolated this to be true for all cold places, which is certainly not true from your encounters in Canada.
I believe this is simply because of the pace of life that dictates the rules of the game. I also saw people in the mid-west (Michigan, for eg) people were more warm, and I hear from people that Southeners are very warm. In contrast, people in North East (New Jersey, NY, Mass) display different (or indifferent) emotions.
_Nirmal
Nirmal, thanks for the comment :)
ReplyDeleteYes, in Montreal it is pleasant to walk outside, you can always expect at least one stranger would give you a nice smile. I am only disappointed by Indians here- you would imagine that they will be happy to see you- but all you get is rather disapproving stare.
I agree with you about the place of life dictating rules of the game. I do not think Montrealeans are intrinsically more friendly and others are rude; perhaps they have better social skills.