An unknown language barriers...

Setting the scene: Another Arctic invasion on Quebec City. I just finished talking with a friend from work. Relieved that my day was done I relaxed my mind and body. Shivering, I wait patiently for the limo (dream)...I wait impatiently for the bus. Sigh. Near me, four little old ladies (you know about 45....joke that is only 8 years older than me...) are huddled together like a gaggle of geese. One of them turns to me-

"Are you not from here darling(or some well intended verbal gesture, I can not remember exactly)?"...asked the lady with a turquoise coat, swaddled in winters finest apparel.

Me: "No, was it my terrible French that gave it away?" said with a crocked, apologetic smile.

Happy honks from the Canada geese.

"So where do you live?" asked another cute lady who was decked out in a red wool, fur trimmed, somewhat practical winter coat.

Me: "Oh, Sacrement (french spelling).... ummmm.....". That is the name of one street corner and I couldn't think of the other.

I puffed up a little knowing that I learned how to answer this in French class. While digging deep into my internal French dictionary (currently housing 25 words), clearing my way through the mental cobwebs... it was right there on the tip of my tongue. Getting out of my head and back into reality, I hear gasps from the group of ladies while they are stepping backwards. The roaring of another bus approached and the ladies waddled towards it, rapidly speaking French, shaking their heads. I'm a little perplexed, but that is somewhat normal these days. A few ladies gave me a second glance. Relieved, because I got out of discussing my neighborhood. I gave my friendliest smile and waved them off.

Was that a dagger I just saw one of the old ladies throw? Was that directed at me? What? The? Beep?


Puzzled by their reaction? Me too, until I learned that Sacrement is a very bad swear word. So, basically when asked by the cute ladies where I lived, I replied by saying OH Fu&$. Yup, I cussed out the geese in one fowl swoop.

*Note: If your traveling to Q.C. and do not want to cuss out little old ladies steer clear of the church....and if your here on a religious quest, give me a call. I now have the down low on what words, NOT to say. All the bad words are based off of the "things" within a church. Without saying them here are a few: