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Toronto 3rd most polite city in the world? (pg. 3)
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| zokissima |
| quote: | Originally posted by infinity HiGH
From what I've heard though, people on the New York subway aren't afraid to look at eachother and sometimes spark up a convo.
Here in Toronto though; we're deathly afraid of making eye contact with people on the subway. |
So true. People here are weird if you should happen to make eye contact. Nod to acknowledge the fact that another human exists, and you may get a nod in return if you're lucky, and usually a cut of the contact or a dirty look. |
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| Tribesman |
| quote: | Originally posted by zokissima
So true. People here are weird if you should happen to make eye contact. Nod to acknowledge the fact that another human exists, and you may get a nod in return if you're lucky, and usually a cut of the contact or a dirty look. |
I love this city to death... BUT no need to sugarcoat the fact that people in Toronto (who are VERY, VERY polite) are NOT VERY FRIENDLY... everybody avoids eye contact and any interaction beyond the ubiquitous I'M SORRY... New Yorkers are not quite so polite, but they are a lot friendlier and there's THAT energy in the air that no one can deny.. Other places like Montreal also have that special vibe about them and it's thanks to the way people feel, behave and interact with each other.... Toronto inherited the victorian tradition of good 'ol England that "having too much fun should be frowned upon" and got stuck with it, whereas London moved on looong ago and now has one of the most exciting, vibrant cities in the world (even if people are much less friendly than in Toronto)....
But yes, Toronto is by any standards cleaner, safer and a lot more livable than any other city its size... It just needs some SPARK, a VIBE, that will help establish the city's identity (all those marketing campaigns to define the city have been fruitless). It also needs to be acknowledged that the city is experiencing a cultural renaissance and very interesting buildings are being finished... If only people would just stop caring of "what other people would think" and let go of their 'standoffishness' a little bit, major changes will occur.... |
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| DJ Robben |
| I don't know how Toronto beat Dublin, If it was raining, people literally STOP if you don't have an umbrella, and they walk with you, regardless of where you're going. |
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| malek |
| this "study" is baseless. |
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| Abercrombie |
| Anytime I was in New York, which is about every 2 years... If I open my subway map or NYC street map, I always had a good samaritain approach me asking me if I needed any help, within 60 seconds. |
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| Refinnej |
| quote: | Originally posted by Tribesman
I love this city to death... BUT no need to sugarcoat the fact that people in Toronto (who are VERY, VERY polite) are NOT VERY FRIENDLY... everybody avoids eye contact and any interaction beyond the ubiquitous I'M SORRY... New Yorkers are not quite so polite, but they are a lot friendlier and there's THAT energy in the air that no one can deny.. Other places like Montreal also have that special vibe about them and it's thanks to the way people feel, behave and interact with each other.... Toronto inherited the victorian tradition of good 'ol England that "having too much fun should be frowned upon" and got stuck with it, whereas London moved on looong ago and now has one of the most exciting, vibrant cities in the world (even if people are much less friendly than in Toronto)....
But yes, Toronto is by any standards cleaner, safer and a lot more livable than any other city its size... It just needs some SPARK, a VIBE, that will help establish the city's identity (all those marketing campaigns to define the city have been fruitless). It also needs to be acknowledged that the city is experiencing a cultural renaissance and very interesting buildings are being finished... If only people would just stop caring of "what other people would think" and let go of their 'standoffishness' a little bit, major changes will occur.... |
^^^ Wow! Couldn't have said it any better! I like the part you pointed out about stop caring about what other people think and let go of the standoffishness.
When I started my new job in Toronto a few years ago I was always cracking jobs while people were working as a way to get people to open up or just to make some new acquaintances and get to know the people I worked with...as I noticed many people walked around with a broom shoved up their butt and were busy climbing the corporate ladder. It worked! After about a week I started getting made fun of in a harmless joking way about being a Maritimer and people asking me if the stereotypes were true..I was coming out of my shell and so were other people..and of course I would always come back with comments about toronto thinking it's the center of the universe.
Where I am from you don't have to go that extra step to get people to talk but in Toronto I found I really had to almost force myself to get people to let go of their standoffishness..it was a hard one sometimes and with the real s, I wouldn't even give them the time of day. I did meet some cool people there but sad to say no one as genuine and real as in the Maritimes. |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by Tribesman
I love this city to death... BUT no need to sugarcoat the fact that people in Toronto (who are VERY, VERY polite) are NOT VERY FRIENDLY... everybody avoids eye contact and any interaction beyond the ubiquitous I'M SORRY... New Yorkers are not quite so polite, but they are a lot friendlier and there's THAT energy in the air that no one can deny.. Other places like Montreal also have that special vibe about them and it's thanks to the way people feel, behave and interact with each other.... Toronto inherited the victorian tradition of good 'ol England that "having too much fun should be frowned upon" and got stuck with it, whereas London moved on looong ago and now has one of the most exciting, vibrant cities in the world (even if people are much less friendly than in Toronto).... |
you hit the nail on the head. There is a HUGE difference between politeness and friendliness as i pointed out at the start of this thread |
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| avikonen |
I LOVE NEW YORK! :)
NYC is one really cool city. In every other city I've lived in, everyone wanted to identify as belonging to their clique. Everyone silos themselves. New York is so un-cliquey. People go out of their way to be unique here. It's encouraged. "Everything is normal in New York" as the saying goes ;)
I have never lived in a city where people are so proud of their city. On a quiet sunday, I watched the world go by on my fire escape and I thought to myself wow I am really lucky to be here. Everyone of my neighbors introduced themselves to me when I moved in. That I thought was really cool. Now I'm the oldest tenant in my building and I'm keeping up with the tradition.
New York is where you go if you want to make a name for yourself. The business community here is ferocious but they all love the underdog. It doesn't matter if you have money, have connections, went to the right school, etc etc. In NYC everybody gets a chance, but you get one chance, so you better do it right.
We may not be as outwardly warm to people as folks in Canada (which I find endearing) But we are really true friends to people who we let in after they've earned our trust. :D |
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by avikonen
I LOVE NEW YORK! :)
Everyone of my neighbors introduced themselves to me when I moved in. That I thought was really cool. Now I'm the oldest tenant in my building and I'm keeping up with the tradition.
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That has NEVER happened to me in Toronto. But the day I moved in in Argentina everyone came to my apartment with a small gift of food. The idea was that since i hadnt unpacked i wouldnt have any food of my own. |
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| avikonen |
I just wanna say Toronto is not that bad! Toronto is my second home :) Some of my best friends are in Toronto. If my kids ever went to UofT or Ryerson, I would be proud of them. The cost of living is WAY cheaper in your city. And some of the best parties I've ever been to have been in Toronto ;)
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
That has NEVER happened to me in Toronto. But the day I moved in in Argentina everyone came to my apartment with a small gift of food. The idea was that since i hadnt unpacked i wouldnt have any food of my own. |
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| Abercrombie |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
That has NEVER happened to me in Toronto. But the day I moved in in Argentina everyone came to my apartment with a small gift of food. The idea was that since i hadnt unpacked i wouldnt have any food of my own. |
Yeah, when I moved to Aurora 7 years ago, I met the neighbours casually as I seen them outside or passing by.
However, when the ppl next door moved in just over a year ago, I came over to introduce myself and welcome them to the neighbourhood with a gift-wrapped bottle of wine from my small collection and a hallmark card. But maybe cuz that's just my culture. So it may not be a Toronto thing, but the kinds of people you live with in your neighbourhood. |
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| yankeeBaby |
| quote: | Originally posted by avikonen
I LOVE NEW YORK! :)
NYC is one really cool city. In every other city I've lived in, everyone wanted to identify as belonging to their clique. Everyone silos themselves. New York is so un-cliquey. People go out of their way to be unique here. It's encouraged. "Everything is normal in New York" as the saying goes ;)
I have never lived in a city where people are so proud of their city. On a quiet sunday, I watched the world go by on my fire escape and I thought to myself wow I am really lucky to be here. Everyone of my neighbors introduced themselves to me when I moved in. That I thought was really cool. Now I'm the oldest tenant in my building and I'm keeping up with the tradition.
New York is where you go if you want to make a name for yourself. The business community here is ferocious but they all love the underdog. It doesn't matter if you have money, have connections, went to the right school, etc etc. In NYC everybody gets a chance, but you get one chance, so you better do it right.
We may not be as outwardly warm to people as folks in Canada (which I find endearing) But we are really true friends to people who we let in after they've earned our trust. :D |
Wow Frannie, You described our city perfectly :) I seriously love it here and can not imagine being anywhere but Manhattan!! |
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