Sorry, Mick. I could just see people, as they do, skipping over the positive remarks and saying, "yeah, Francophone snobs, they all speak English, just don't to be rude". But I understand your point, of course - people are rude or not everywhere on the planet, depending presumably on how their parents brought 'em up.

And to the comments on American money in Canada, adequately addressed by others, but may I add that even most Banks in US cities won't take Canadian money, as I found when visiting Boston a few years back. You have to find one that does foriegn exchange.

Bostonians, OTOH, were wonderful, friendly, generous. Total strangers in Irish and Welsh themed bars bought me beers and invited me to musical events (mind you, while giggling at my 'r' pronouncing Maritime accent).