What's up with Torontonian

[markvee]

I think it all depends on where you go, how you look and your attititude.

Yes people in Toronto have an ATTITUDE. You want to know why? WERE TOO DAM BUSY PAYING TAXES TO SUPPORT THE REST OF THE COUNTRY! You can have a smile on your face in most places in this country because they are not under the pressures we are. You'd be pissed off too if you had to drive an hour each way to work on the 401 with it's constant construction. Ever notice all of the Transports on it, they're just passing through at RUSH HOUR making an already long drive MISSERIBLE. The Subway here was incredible once, but then they stopped building it, didn't focus on public transit to help make neighbourhoods. Instead you have VAST tracks of housing were nobody knows their neighbour, you have to drive to the local MEGA MALL because there is no corner store or super market. The bank were you knew all of the tellers by name has been closed and amaligamated in the name of efficiency not customer service.

What's the commute time in Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary? This city is suffering from years of neglect by all levels of goverment and we're wearing out, getting dam cranky about it too!

So while your taking a 30 mininute commute on a 30 year old bus, smelling the arm pit of humanity all around emersed in languages, sights and smells that are nothing but funky, it's hard to put a smile on your face..

I moved to the downtown core where I worked, no commute and every conceivable store within walking distance. Even though I have the most amazing commute now in Ottawa (half hour bike ride along the water), I miss living in downtown TO.

I am saddened by the lack of expansion of the Toronto subway; the Sheppard line took a long to time to build, and it still doesn't complete a circuit in Scarborough.

You'll hear stories on how unfriendly we are to people, how cold. Were just too dam tired to smile, frustrated that we too can't live in a small town where everyone went to the same school, or you can walk to work. The local hangout you had as a kid is long gone, the stores and resturants you remember as a kid are gone and the neighbourhood changed from Italian, Polish, German, Irish, to Indian and Vietmese.

Although I miss John Anderson's hamburgers, I would trade them in a second for some cool Vietnamese coffee served by a Vietnamese hottie. The cultural mix in Toronto is its strongest attraction for me.

 

[goodtime]

I'm in DC and I've noticed people becoming meaner over the years. We're getting close to NYC in attitude.

True, DCer beginning to sport the stuck-up attitude. But some of the friendest DC, Conn, & Balt folks are flocking to the Eden center & Four sisters.
http://restaurants.washingtoncitypaper.com/raterlist.php?raterid=2304&rname=mcclive

 

[goodtime]

Although I miss John Anderson's hamburgers, I would trade them in a second for some cool Vietnamese coffee served by a Vietnamese hottie. The cultural mix in Toronto is its strongest attraction for me.

JA burgers are not what they used to be.

Viet coffee, aka Cafe Sua, especially serve by a hottie are awesome. Have a feeling Ottawa in time will catch-up with T.O Pho 88 standard. Few on Somerset & Bank st with potential.

 

[markvee]

JA burgers are not what they used to be.

Viet coffee, aka Cafe Sua, especially serve by a hottie are awesome. Have a feeling Ottawa in time will catch-up with T.O Pho 88 standard. Few on Somerset & Bank st with potential.

I had a good dinner at Vietnamese Palace on Somerset. Maybe I will get to try Pho 88 next time I am in Toronto. Thanks for the recommendation goodtime.

 

[RTRD]

As a guy who has lived in Chicago, New York, Atlanta and Toronto...

Geography lesson: Toronto is surrounded by NY and Detroit. Stuff rubs off, stuff crosses the border.

Madeline and gentle_lover: You guys are from the South and are probably accustomed to Southern Hospitality. Though I would think that Atlanta would have big city attitudes as well.

You will find similar hustle and bustle in NYC, Boston, Chicago, etc. Though I find New Yorkers the nastiest.

I'm in DC and I've noticed people becoming meaner over the years. We're getting close to NYC in attitude.

...I disagree.

New Yorkers are the rudest people I have met, but Toronto would be second.

The original poster has revealed a "dirty little secret" that I have discovered in my 4 years here - the people here may or may not be "polite" per the Queen's rules surrounding etiquette and the like, but they sure as shit are rude, and also unfriendly. I have things said and done to me due to my being American that I have NEVER experienced in the United States based on being Black. And the things I have seen people do while driving....don't get me started.

Chicagoans (where I grew up) are friendly, "honest" decent people for the most part. Based on my observations about Canada to date, I would compare them to Western Canadians.

People in Atlanta come in two types - the very warm and friendly, and the "I am better than you because I am white and pretend to be from old money" type. True story - I had my wife and son come to visit me while I was away. Took son on a short bus ride of the neighborhood. It is a neighborhood bus, small, very friendly driver. Driver pulls up to a certain stop, calls to the lady sitting across the aisle from us, because she knew it was her stop. Lady is asleep. My son nudges are awake (my son is young child - harmless - he was just trying to be helpful). The woman awakes, glares at my son, and then brushes herself off as though his touch were somehow petulant. I spent the next 3 minutes trying to explain to my son that no he wasn't dirty, and no, he had done nothing wrong. If she had been a guy I would have punched his fucking lights out right then and there.

I love the diversity of Toronto, and that there are tons of things to do, but the anti-American sentiment is wearing on me big time, and the pockets of elitism are pretty fucked up too (We used to live in Forest Hills - at least twice people asked my wife "who she worked for" - as in assuming she was a domestic...once she was asked at the bank if "Mrs. _________ knew she was trying to cash her check - my wife would be Mrs. _________, and once at the butcher the guy asked her if perhaps they should "call the lady of the house" to make sure that my wife had gotten the instructions right on what type of cuts to purchase).

Honestly - in my 4 years here I have gone from thinking this was the greatest place on earth to finally giving consideration to the pleas from my wife that we return to the United States (BTW - my wife is Canadian).

 

[RTRD]

Ummm...

I've been to Atlanta numerous times and yes, the southern hospitality is prevalant but don't go to the east side of 75, I was told that is the danger zone. Buckhead is a great area...lots of hotties that are friendly too.

...Buckhead would be east of I-75, as would be most of Atlanta.

 

[ruck]

I'm not trying to sound racist, but a large percentage of Torontonians were born elsewhere and are still learning what born-Canadians/Americans take for granted in terms of behaviour

That and the fact that Toronto is a really big city, much larger in size and in population that most cities in on the continent (I think it's 5th or 6th) so it's a very urban fast-paced city

BUT there is a different between politeness and actually trying to start a conversation with a random person
Toronto was listed as 3rd most polite city in the world behind Zurich (2) and New York City (1)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/m....xml&sSheet=/travel/2006/07/01/ixtrvhome.html

This is bullshit.
Oh yes, immigrants are the ones that are being rude.
Let me say this, rude people is not limited to race or creed. It's across the board man.
Toronto is just plain rude. I used to live and am moving back.
The other day I witnessed an altercation at Ikea between two customers. The one guy stole the other guys cart. I watched as the guy, with his daughter, walked over, grabbed the cart, threw the bag that was attached to the cart on the ground and just strolled away.
The guy who was using the cart saw the bag falling and looked so confused. He started walking so I wanted to see what would happen.
The guy who got his cart ripped approached and told the guy to give him his cart back. The guy who stole it started snapping and trying to pick a fight with the other guy.
This whole thing made me laugh. I saw it all happen from the beginning. The guy who was at fault is the guy making the most amount of noise, swearing and picking a fight. The guy who is the victim is extremely pissed.
The funniest part was when the cart-thief says "you're lucking I'm with my daughter". And the other replied very very loud, "oh I'm lucky? WTF are you going to do? What would you do old man? WHAT THE FUCK WOULD YOU DO!". All this while he's right in his face. The thief just turned and walked away and his daughter looked like she wanted to shrivel up and die. The guy got his cart back and walked past me. As he was walking he asked very politely "excuse me please" also I saw him again later and he was all smiles, being friendly and even helped an elderly woman read a tag she couldn't read. He seemed like a genuinely nice guy and his girlfriend was smoking hot to boot. LOL

It was so funny to see the guy who is at fault just being a total jackass. I wish the old man would've swung cuz I'm pretty sure the cart-theft victim would've Rockied his ass like Apollo. LOL

 

[goodtime]

...Buckhead would be east of I-75, as would be most of Atlanta.

Mostly white gated community. Jogged thru it while on biz trip, motorist drove-by gave me the "I don't belong in the neighborhood" dirty look.

Totally agree with the 2 southern types. Some that goes out of their way to help people, the other with the high & mighty attitude.

My LF got the same treatment as your son, when offered to help 1 southern bell, while we were on this tour with many U.S. tourists. An IL couple couldn't help to comment how rude the southern bell was to my LF.

Many of my relatives & best friends are Americans. I love travelling in U.S.

Happy to report, NYC, CHI, BOS are all improving.

 

[RTRD]

I am....

Mostly white gated community. Jogged thru it while on biz trip, motorist drove-by gave me the "I don't belong in the neighborhood" dirty look.

Totally agree with the 2 southern types. Some that goes out of their way to help people, the other with the high & mighty attitude.

My LF got the same treatment as your son, when offered to help 1 southern bell, while we were on this tour with many U.S. tourists. An IL couple couldn't help to comment how rude the southern bell was to my LF.

Many of my relatives & best friends are Americans. I love travelling in U.S.

Happy to report, NYC, CHI, BOS are all improving.

...familiar with Buckhead. My apartment was there - I lived there for 4 months while onsite with the client, stay there when I return once a month.

LF = ?? (sorry...)

 

[hooktonsc]

I agree that Chicagoans are the nicest in the US. I find that Chicago is the US city most similar to TO. I would not compare it to Western Canadian cities, however - Chicago is not as laid back as Vancouver, and not as 'redneck' as Alberta. All right, if all we're talking about is 'friendliness', then maybe...but not overall attitudes.

 

[RTRD]

Oh, I agree...

I agree that Chicagoans are the nicest in the US. I find that Chicago is the US city most similar to TO. I would not compare it to Western Canadian cities, however - Chicago is not as laid back as Vancouver, and not as 'redneck' as Alberta. All right, if all we're talking about is 'friendliness', then maybe...but not overall attitudes.

....Chicago is not laid back, nor redneck.

I meant more from the make up of the people...not so much the profile of the city.

American midwesterners tend to be simple, honest, stright forward decent people. Get up early. Work hard. Will tell you the truth if you ask. Will lead a hand to help.

I would agree that T.O. and Chicago are similar - except one thing...in Chicago things get done. Garbage collector strike? Would NEVER happen in Chicago. Transit shut down? Not a chance. Buildings get built, snow gets cleared.

Now a big reason for this is that the city has been essentially run my royality for the last 50 years - the Daley Family. And both Daley men understood that the way to stay in power is to make sure you take care of the simple things, because that is what people remember when they go to vote.

All that said, I like T.O...I sure as hell like it more than New York, and Atlanta seemed to either be scary or phony, depending on where you were. And despite my wife's pleas, we are NOT going to be moving to Chicago - the winters are just too brutal.

Chicago will always be "home" though....

 

[Berlin]

I'm not trying to offend anybody here, but that is what happening here in Toronto. Not all of Torontonian are like that, but most of them. I hope Toronto will change to a better city one day.

If you're only talking about the DT and area close to the city core, I feel TO is not that bad at all.

Sure we have the sign of busy folks hurrying from here to there in and around the city, I haven't experienced anything that indicates Torontonians are any colder than other large N American cities.... ok , let me correct myself here, may be Montreal is the only exception

I am still seeing people giving up seats to the needed on TTC, in addition to the usual assholes hogging up seats. You get the good and the bad, as always and as in any other N American cities.

 

[Berlin]

LF = ??

Lady Friend , fyi.

 

[RTRD]

See...this is what I mean!!!

So I just got off the phone with the wife, who was telling me that she got a parking ticket after lingering a bit long at long with a GF. We own two cars - one I purchased here, and my car that I brought to Canada with me, that still has U.S. plates because it is still registered to the home I have back in the U.S. Wife was driving the U.S. car because she prefers to not drive the big SUV when she can avoid it.

Anyway....she comes out...and the cop is writing her a ticket. NP - she had it coming. BUT, she tells me some BITCH who was just walking down the street actually took it upon herself to stop her and give her lecture about "you Americans".

HOW FUCKING ARROGANT IS THAT???!!! How goddamn high and mighty to you have to be to think you can lecture somone for getting a parking ticket??!! WTF does being an American have to do with getting a parking ticket??? Canadians don't get fucking parking tickets???!!!

My wife didn't used to believe me when I told her I suffered insults almost daily frm Canadians for the crime of beng American. She has since come around, but I guess she is now convinced.

What is it with (some of) you people???!!!

 

[red]

So I just got off the phone with the wife, who was telling me that she got a parking ticket after lingering a bit long at long with a GF. We own two cars - one I purchased here, and my car that I brought to Canada with me, that still has U.S. plates because it is still registered to the home I have back in the U.S. Wife was driving the U.S. car because she prefers to not drive the big SUV when she can avoid it.

Anyway....she comes out...and the cop is writing her a ticket. NP - she had it coming. BUT, she tells me this BITCH actually took it upon herself to stop her and give her lecture about "you Americans".

HOW FUCKING ARROGANT IS THAT???!!! How goddamn high and mighty to you have to be to think you can lecture somone for getting a parking ticket??!! WTF does being an American have to do with getting a parking ticket??? Canadians don't get fucking parking tickets???!!!

My wife didn't used to believe me when I told her I suffered insults almost daily frm Canadians for the crime of beng American. She has since come around, but I guess she is now convinced.

What is it with (some of) you people???!!!

i can't explain what happened, but I have received the same sort of comments in other countries from cops, including the US.

 

[RTRD]

Sorry...

i can't explain what happened, but I have received the same sort of comments in other countries from cops, including the US.

...and I will go back to edit and clarify.

This wasn't the cop. If it were the cop I wouldn't be as shocked. Like you said, many cops are pricks (this one was actually nice - felt so bad for my wife after aparently watching this spectacle that he told her to not bother paying the ticket because they couldn't track the U.S. plates anyway)

No - this was some RANDOM (presumably Canadian) BITCH WALKING DOWN THE STREET!!!

SHM.....just where does that arrogance come from????

 

[Lady Chyna]

I Love Toronto

Funny all the aggression towards Toronto but in a recent poll just published last month it was considered one of the most polite cities in North America. I think it rated 3rd or something like that.....in the Star.

New York also got good marks for people helping each other when someone dropped things and opening doors.

I love Toronto..........and would be hard pressed to trade it for many other cities in North America.

It has ethnic diversity, good transportation downtown, good restaurants, theatre and walking trails and is one of the most open sexually free cities again in North America. Live and let live attitude.

Yes, there panhandlers but hardly a major city does not anymore in North America. I have, and I have seen others giving directions or assisting tourists on the street.

This sounded more like a vent for everyone's bad experience. We provide a purpose for the rest of Canada to blame for their issues. I would be bored out of my mind in other cities in Canada, where everyone knows your business.

 

[popsiclepete]

I don't know about you all, but I am happy living in Toronto. I've lived in many cities, and life here is grand.

In one city I lived in, a grenade levelled an SUV carrying a full load of passengers half a block from my house. In another city I lived in, guards with AK-47 submachine guns line the entrances of shopping concourses. In another city I lived in, a bomb levelled a pub two-and-a-half blocks from my office. In another city I lived in, I was beaten and tortured for my political beliefs.

When I first landed here I welcomed the plethora of languages, the polyglot mix of experiences and lives. Through the years I've lived here I realized, as imperfect as the city is, for its sheer size and pressure and immensity, it is an oasis of true civility and friendship in a desert of pretense and false fronts. In most other cities strangers only offer a friendly face, but it is only a visage, and nothing more. Here, when you have friendships, they are true, and lasting.

I'm here for as long as I can stay.

*wipes a tear from my eye* That was so beautiful Strongbeau, you should write for Hallmark or run for Mayor of Toronto, that way I am sure you would make hobbying legal A vote for Strongbeau is a vote for DATY in Toronto

 

[frankcastle]

In random meetings I'd say people aren't too friendly because they are in a rush or just on guard.

But I've seen plenty of people doing nice things or helping people.

At the end of the day what I really like about Toronto is that I feel very safe in the city even downtown at 3 am.

If I could change one things about the city it would be the cleanliness and use say Vancouver as an example of a clean city.

I don't really care if people smile and say hi, when the weathers nice and I'm relaxed strolling or hanging out I'm quite happy.

 

[Berlin]

i can't explain what happened, but I have received the same sort of comments in other countries from cops, including the US.

'cause you're red , they can't possibly call you blue.