One or two cappuccinos - at Rue Saint Viateur

This Sunday I have been trying out two coffee shops with outdoor gardens at Rue Saint Viateur, an area in which many artists, intellectuals and other folks hang about. The presence of two shops with similar concpets appears to increase the attraction. The cappuccinos are sold in rather small size, encouraging people to go from one place to the other. The prices for a cappuccino are the same at the two places, and the cups in which the coffee is served are identical: terracotta brown. The manières in making the coffee are also similar. However, at the first place, today there were two "cool guys" with moustaches preparing the coffee, whereas at the other place there were a somewhat older man and a woman who prepared the drinks. The first place had better precision and timing, whereas in the second place the coffee taste was more distinct. I liked both.

Somebody told me that this is exactly the way the market works: similar businesses tend to gather beacuse they attract the same audience. But what about diversity in a system? If something is missing, is there a market for this as well? A bit further away in the same area, there were two shops with another strategy: different products, similar names: D 'un sport à l'autre (From one sport to the another) and D'une glace à l'autre (From one icecream to the other). I bought a volley ball in the sports shop. So, approaching the fall, I hope to be able to play with it.

Montréal until now

Now I have been on exchange at Université de Montréal over the summer. At this stage I think it is time to make a summary of what I have experienced  so far. My impression of Montréal and being a PhD student in political science are:

• Things are not that different from Sweden
• People are curious about Sweden, and political scientists want to know more about the welfare state
• I am in Canada but most of all in Québec. Québec is international and protectionist, at the same time
• Most of the time English works fine but quite often French is needed. I have improved my understanding of the Québécois accent. Next step is to start using it myself
• Several nationalities are represented in the Department of Political science. I hang out with people from Brazil, Spain, Colombia, Belgium, France, Sweden and Finland
• Food culture is a mix of greasy American and fine French cuisine
• Music is present in many parts of the city
• People do not care too much about details
• The control function in public/private spaces is stronger than in Sweden. You cannot put your bike anywhere
• Most of the time people mean well

 

Tennis and food for free

This weekend was spent at a tennis court. Some lower ranked players competed to take place in a greater competition. It was the "for free" thing that was the thing. One of the Canadian banks provided tickets for free and there was free luxury chocolate, yoghurt and massage with tennis balls. The tennis game was OK. I may switch yoghurt brands but it is far from certain.

In general Montréal is a great city for sports. There are cyclists everywhere and the university has its own swimming pool. I plan to enter it soon.