Toronto Residents, why do you people have the following characteristics:?

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Ray <3

Union Station at 8:40pm is right downtown... I know you were there for awhile but I've been downtown before dark and after dark... Before dark, no problems, after dark? Gangs, fights, drugs on the street... There is definitely a difference

To answer your other stuff (and remember that you are always more critical when you go elsewhere so you may have just been a little more sensitive.. not saying I'm backing up Toronto at all... )

-people being absent minded
-Can't help you out on that one... but you see the same with American's too... Used to work at a coffee shop in a big tourist area in the summer and Tons of Americans would come in... I'd always laugh because of how different they were just ordering a coffee.. you can pick them up right away, believe me.. It's could be just slight differences in culture.

-people who knew my friend and were friend's with her and saw us near my friend and they did not inquire who we were or/and introduce themselves to us
... That doesn't really sound odd to me.. I do the same thing.. sometimes just shyness

-people not saying, sorry, thank you or/and your welcome
.. Sorry but these are kind of vague to give much advice to....

-people looked lost
.. They could just be tourists.... Or Stoned!

-disgustingly expensive prices for everything and anything you can think of
.. This was the main reason I wrote back to this.. sorry for the half @ssed answers on everything else... But that's Canada... Everything is SOO much more expensive than the States, even though our dollar is close to the same now... I took a trip to Texas and went CRAZY shopping because of the price difference. Here are some differences...
Guess Bag in Canada -- $150 + tax
Same Guess Bag in Texas --- $70 + tax
Case of beer (GOOD beer) in canada - ~$35
Case of beer (same) in US --~$16
4 pack of coolers in Canada - $11
4 pack of coolers in US --$4 (SO not fair)
1 litre of gas in Canada (1/4 gallon) $1.35 (aka $5.40/gallon)
1 gallon of gas in US... What is it now... $4ish?
Magazine or book... About 30% more in Canada (both prices are printed on the back usually)

So for someone visiting from the US, yes, its quite expensive. And Ontario isn't even that cheap. Try Calgary (Alberta), where your paying $22 for that same pack of coolers..

But if you live here, its not really more expensive.. Because Minimum wage is higher (will be up to $10 in Feb i believe?) a coffee shop job will get you $9 easy in Ontario and more that $15/hour in Alberta.
College Tuition is only about $2000/semester (mine was 1700)
You dont have to pay for doctor or hospital visits... Just ambulance rides
Things like eye doctor is subsidized.... You get free regular exams...

Things like that are a lot different.. So it's not just Toronto that's expensive.. It's all of Canada.. But it would only be expensive in comparison because you see double the price tag, but we see double the income

-people were very unfriendly, boring, not down to earth
-Again.. Can't help ya there...

I really just answered for that one thing...

I think too, it may be because people try to, I guess, mind their own business. It's like, they don't want to start something by saying the wrong thing to someone, even if its just 'Hi'. There isn't much random violence here, there aren't really unprovoked attacks, shootings, etc. If you get yourself into trouble, its because you DID something. And it might not be something major, it's always SOMETHING though. Especially in downtown. You say Hi to someones girlfriend and the next thing you know your in a fight. So people try to keep to themselves and avoid people they don't know. I know I wouldn't say Hi to people in the street....

I'm just down the street in London (about 2 hours from Toronto, right in the middle of Detroit and Toronto)... You could try Ottawa, Niagra Falls, or Vancouver,,, or Montreal or Quebec City if your looking for another trip but I'm not sure about either any of them either. Just DONT go to Windsor! (it's pretty much just Detoit with more factories and strippers)..

I hope you at least hit places like Kensington Market? I love that neighbourhood :)

Katherine

I can see why Torontonians would seem unfriendly to many people - we tend to be a reserved lot. When I went to visit a friend in Texas I was really annoyed with how much people talked to me, because I like to smile & nod at people on the street and move on, not stop and talk to them about who they are, where they're from, etc. Anytime I've smiled and nodded at people in Toronto, they've done so back to me, but if you're looking for them to go up and introduce themselves, we're not the most in-your-face bunch!

I love NYC, and the people there - but I noticed they were similarly aloof (probably why I liked it so much). If you ask someone a question, they'll answer it politely, but no one was rushing out to introduce themselves to me. I was apalled with how dirty NYC was compared to T.O, (especially when you look at our two transit systems), so I'm surprised you found our city dirty if you come from NYC.

The last time I was in NYC (2 years ago) I found prices to be dollar for dollar the same, although with the US dollar being worth more at the time it was more expensive in NYC. The things that were cheaper were the street vendors & knockoffs, but everything else cost more in NYC. The only benefit I saw in shopping in NYC was selection - you get a huge amount of stuff we don't get here.

When talking about being down to earth, that just depends on what area of each city you are looking at. I know people in NYC that pay $40K a year for their kids preschool which is INSANE, and I know people in Toronto who pay $800 per month for their dogs to go to daycare, which is also INSANE. Neither are down-to-earth, and I think you'll find just as many of each type in both cities.

While I loved NYC on every visit, each visit made me fall in love with Toronto a bit more - it seemed so quiet and easy going after a week or two in the ratrace of Manhattan.

Andrew S

I've been through Toronto and NY, love both cities, but honestly, can't relate to what you're saying about the people. You can find jerks anywhere, but generally, the folks in Toronto were among the most polite and helpful that I've met. Really good vibes in that city, but that was just my experience :)

XTC666

I lived in toronto my whole life and I have to say, Toronto does have depressed people and all. I visited Florida, everyone is soo friendly and welcoming, i came back to toronto al happy but going on the subway and anywhere else, ppl are always upset and look pissed. I jus had a smileon my face until it caught up with me, the toronto disease lol.
I also visited New Brunswick, and ppl are jus friendly there. If you are lost, they help u in the most way, or if you have a flat tire, they will stop and help you out.
In toronto, if you are stuck on the side of the road, NO ONE will bother helping you...maybe a few if your lucky. my mom is one of those who will help a poor person whos car broke down if they need a cell or anything.
Moreorless, toronto is upsetting and pricy

T H

HAHAHA it's funny 'cause it's true! Don't listen to people who live in the suburbs... or really anywhere north of Bloor. They don't know the real Toronto. I lived there all my life, so it really didn't bother me. My motto was 'if I can't beat 'em, join' em'. So I mastered the art of being a Torontonian - absent-minded, thoughtless, self-centered and all. You must live in a bubble and ignore everyone around you who isn't personally known to you. Also, make a sport of spotting the 905'ers and mocking them openly (Yes, we are laughing AT you - it's not in your head!). Oh, and you must always shun anything trendy, and make a trend of not following the trends. And absolutely roll your eyes when you see that an American Apparel is opening in your neighborhood because it means it's time to move...

curicta85

hmmm...i don't know,i'm nice to most of the people and people are nice to me too. City is not as clean as it used to be but that's what you get when you import people from all over the world.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience :(

CarolineTurpentine

well i'm from toronto, and i've been to new york three weeks of the year for like last 8 years and i think torontonians are much nicer. and as for your comment about our 'filthy' city, remember you come from new york, the filthiest city in your country. not thati dont love going to nre york, but toronto is a great place to live. the people are nice, but no matter where you are at 9pm at a bus station people dont start talking to strangers. i think your problem was you expected all canadians to be as nice and cheery as your friend, and were disappointed when you figured out that we arent all happy go lucky people.

* Missy *

Let me tell you, Toronto's not as clean as it used to be! However, people are trying hard to make Toronto a cleaner city, it's something we're working on.

Also, yeah i know what you mean about the people downtown. At the subway stations expecially you'll find alot of unexpectledy odd people and some not so nice. There are gangs and and so-called gansters which i find annoying. Mostly students are unfriendly and few adults are.

However i must say that most people DO have their manners. But some don't. You must of been caught up at a bad time. In the morning most people are grumpy so don't expect great attitudes!

I live in Toronto, if you met me, i'm sure you'd change your mind! =]

Any other questions feel free to contact me by email!

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