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Responsible Travel
Montreal is genuinely bilingual, but starting a conversation in French -- even a simple "Bonjour" -- is still the more considerate opener; most Montrealers will switch to English without hesitation if needed, but the initial gesture is noticed and appreciated.
Old Montreal and its waterfront draw heavy crowds through the summer, pushing up prices and foot traffic in a small historic district -- visiting on a weekday morning, or spending time in the Plateau and Mile End instead, gives a quieter and more residential sense of the city.
Many of Montreal's best-known neighborhoods, including the Plateau and Mile End, are genuinely residential -- keeping noise down late at night and being mindful around apartment buildings matters here in a way it might not in a purely commercial tourist district.
Choosing independent restaurants and shops over chain alternatives, particularly around Jean-Talon Market and other neighborhood markets, supports the small, often family-run businesses that give Montreal's food scene its reputation in the first place.