Opinions from Montreal Gazette readers on the ongoing ‘Bonjour-Hi’ debate

The debate over the use of “Bonjour-Hi” as a greeting in Montreal has reignited following a study by the Office québécois de la langue française. While some argue that French should be the only language used in stores, others believe that the city’s bilingual and multilingual nature should be embraced.

According to the study, people are able to be served in French 98 per cent of the time in stores in Quebec’s largest cities, showing that efforts are being made to accommodate French-speaking customers. However, some argue that the use of “Bonjour-Hi” is a way to brand the city as welcoming and inclusive to all, including tourists and businesses.

Critics of the “Bonjour-Hi” greeting point to neighbouring regions like Upstate New York and Vermont, where efforts are made to welcome Quebecers in French. They argue that Montreal should offer the same respect to English-speaking visitors.

Historian Yuval Noah Harari’s theory that conflicts are rooted in the stories people tell themselves is applied to the “Bonjour-Hi” conundrum, with some seeing it as a threat to the French language while others view it as a way to show respect and courtesy to all residents and visitors.

The debate continues, with some questioning the cost of the study and suggesting that the money could have been better spent elsewhere. Mayor Valérie Plante’s support for a French-only greeting in stores has also sparked criticism, with some calling for a more inclusive approach that reflects the city’s diverse and international nature.