On Sunday, I made the breath-taking drive from Montreal to Auberge du Lac Taureau for a client offsite.
From the moment I arrived, I was taken aback by a startling sound that I don’t hear often in the rest of Canada … laughter … pure, joyous, laughter.
Quebecers love to be together and have fun in a way to which I am completely unaccustomed.
There are NO phones at dinner … not because they are not allowed, but because people choose to be present with each other.
There are NO phones or laptops in the meetings … not because they are not allowed, but because people are completely engaged with each other and the subjects being discussed.
There are ONLY phones for taking pictures outside because people would rather consume the beauty of nature that surrounds them, instead of a Tik Tok reel.
The contrast between life here and elsewhere has been so pronounced that I had to look it up!
What I discovered was laughter and fun are deeply woven into the cultural and social fabric of Quebec, serving as a powerful tool for connection, resilience, joy, and creativity.
La joie de vivre (joy of living) is not just an expression thrown around in conversation. It is palpable when you look into people’s eyes, when they embrace you like a long-lost family member, and when you experience a form of human respect that increasingly feels like a lost art from.
Merci Quebec for the lessons in humanity we all need to be reminded of.
