There’s more to ‘bonjour’ than just hello

Re Quebec says goodbye to ‘bonjour/hi’ in stores, Dec. 1

A few years ago, after arriving in Paris by train from Nice, my husband and I found ourselves needing help. I approached the Information desk and, in French, said, “Excuse me, we have a problem, can you help us?” The young man just stared at me, and calmly said, “Bonjour.” I smiled and repeated my request. Again, he just looked at me and said, “Bonjour.” Exasperated, I asked him why he wouldn’t talk to me and he replied, “First you say ‘bonjour.’ ” Once I said “bonjour,” he leapt into action.

So, in France, the term “bonjour” is more than the North American “hi”: it’s a statement of cultural connection and safe interaction.

But Quebec is not a francophone nation-state in Europe; it is a francophone province in bilingual Canada. I can accept “bonjour” as a cultural custom with no problem. But “bonjour/hi” means much more. To me it is a declaration of pride, in both a francophone heritage and in a mature intercultural relationship with other Canadians.

So, as an anglophone Francophile, “bonjour” is just fine, but “bonjour/hi” is better.

Elka Enola, Oakville

Living now in Toronto, but having lived most of my life in Quebec as well as spending over 30 years in the service industry, I have one thing to say about the Quebec politicians’ use of the word “respect” regarding the use of only the word “bonjour” while greeting a guest in the service industry. Years of greeting guests with the “bonjour/hello” approach has made me aware that it immediately gives you the knowledge of their language of preference, based on how they respond to that greeting, which allows the service clerk to immediately make the guest feel at ease by speaking to them in the language they obviously are most comfortable using.

Even in Toronto, if I even smell the hint of a French accent from a guest I immediately switch to using French at my establishment. “Respect” is not unilateral, nor is it unilingual.

Charles Cassibo, Toronto