To the editor:
The French in Maine are generally very special people. A little too nice, and way too willing to put up with double standards that never work out in their favor. Here are some disgustingly common examples
In social situations, elderly French speakers who speak little or no English are made fun of or ignored. On the other hand, in a room full of French people, it is generally considered “extremely rude” not to cater automatically to those who can’t speak French.
French people in this area rarely make fun of Anglo accents, and those few who do have at least taken the time to learn English. On the other hand, English people make fun of French accents frequently, and most people who make fun of “the accent” can’t speak French.
I have never known French people in this area who limit their knowledge of English to a few swear words, but it’s fairly common for the English in this area to pick up a few French-Canadian swear words and say: “That’s all I need!”
And finally. You don’t go to other people’s houses and say: “The English do everything backwards!” People would give you strange looks, and it would be considered rude. But, if you go to someone else’s house or apartment and say the same thing about the French, no problem! Par for the course.
I’m sure there are people who think I’m overreacting here. After all, this behavior has been around ever since “the French” and “the English” have lived together and even the French are used to it after so many decades, so what’s the big deal?
The “big deal” is that what I’m talking about here is not just a series of “isolated incidents.” It’s stuff that goes on all the time, and the fact that a lot of people have desensitized themselves to it over the years doesn’t make it right. This way of thinking has obviously been internalized. Otherwise, people would at least understand the concept of common courtesy well enough not to lace their conversation with cultural stereotypes in someone else’s living quarters. I don’t do that in other people’s houses, and I would appreciate it if other people didn’t do it while visiting with me or those who live with me.
That’s not asking too much. Thank you/Merci.
Paul Gutman
Caribou
