Middleground

I was at the grocery store last week, and while I was going through the cash, I overheard the cashier speak to the lady behind me. I didn't bother to glance as I was busy loading my cart but I did over the cashier say "Bonjour, Aline... ca va bien? Avez-vous passez des bonnes vacances?" *translation: "Hi Aline, how are you? Did you have a nice summer vacation?"*

I finally glanced over and there was Aline Chretien, wife of long-time Canadian Prime Minister Jean. She looked so smart and elegant, yet not much different then the rest of us. At least in the way she was conducting herself. After all, she was doing the weekly household shopping and seemed to enjoy casual banter with the cashier. She even had a friendly smile for me.

I doubt many in the store even noticed that she was there, and if they did, I doubt they really cared. Can you imagine running into a present or former First Lady at Lowes or Price Chopper?

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-- If Al Gore walked on water, he'd be criticized for showing off.

Hatuey

I completely understand where you're coming from. You have to understand the differences between the government in Canada and the government in the U.S. - The reason most of us never get to meet our heads of state face to face or even their wives is simply because of timing and how the political world is doing at a certain time. I'm sure the people that live around the politicians see them all the time and think little of it. Despite the fact that Dick Cheney is Darth Vaders alter ego, I'm pretty sure he has 1 neighbor he knows pretty well. I'm pretty sure if he were to go to one of the local convenience stores near his house they'd greet him like it's nothing. Or at least with a lot less fear then the rest of us would. I hear he eats children and shoots old men in the face if they don't kill birds.

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Wasilla : Population 7,000 - Alaska : Population : San Bernadino.

Middleground

LOL... too funny, Hatuey. :-)

I do think that our politics are small potatoes compared to the US, and I wouldn't be surprised if many Canadians couldn't recognize Aline despite Jean being Prime Minister for over a decade. She really kept a low profile unlike others such as Marguaret Trudeau.

Regardless, I think we Canucks are generally less interested in "celebrity." I can recall reading how many US stars like visiting Canada as they are generally less bothered by the public and paparazzi.

Hatuey

I was walking down Cotes Des Neiges in Montreal(where I'm currently in) a few days ago and "bumped" into Jack Layton from the NDP and talked to him for about 1-2 minutes. I don't really follow Canadian politics much except for when I'm in the country but I thought it was pretty incredible that I got to meet a guy who's regularly on Canadian television talking about federal issues.

Adding - I noticed that tu parles français. Tu habites a Hull ou a Ottawa?

Middleground

J' habite proche de Hull/Gatineau, mais sur le côté d'Ontario. In fact, I will be heading to Hull in a bit as that is where my gym is located.

Are you in Montreal for business or pleasure?

bub

Hey we could speak Frenglish!

Mon room mate has spent 1 an au Canada! Il est just come back!

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Hatuey

Both. I own a maison in St. Agathe Des Monts where my femme is currently engaging in what I've come to called my own personal little "Wacko" Siege. I also have des clients a Montreal with whom je fais du business avec.

Adding : Frenglish est fun.

Middleground

OK... I completely understood that. Is that bad?

bub

That was my goal

Sometimes, when French "stars" try to show they're "cool", they use some English words: that's called "Franglais".

Franglais - Wikipédia

(I'm Frenchspeaker too!)

Middleground

Tu es très cool, Bub. :-)