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What do you like/dislike about Toronto (pg. 11)
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| Jayx1 |
| quote: | Originally posted by techead
and wandering from pub to pub with a beer in my hand completely legal |
apparently thats changing June 1 in london with their new douchebag mayor |
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| Jem_hadar |
| quote: | Originally posted by malek
-dark squirrels |
Black squirrels are the greatest of all the squirrels! So glad we have them! I feel especially bad for our North Carolinan brothers and sisters who are lacking them too (unfortunately). |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by malek
I'm kind of against drinking in public, in the streets, someone mentionned how people dressed trashy, well holding a beer and walking along, is the same in my eyes.
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i don't exactly think drinking in public is that classy either in a certain respect, but again when it's not something considered to be illegal or so taboo I find that people tend not to do it as much. I mean having a drink outside during a street party or festival is one thing, but in most places that I've been where this type of thing is allowed, seldom do you see people (and if you do it's usually the tourists) walking down the street with a beer in hand.
I kind of like it how in Paris, people head down to the Seine river in the late afternoons to enjoy a bottle of wine and simply relax or socialize. that's the type of thing I wish I had the freedom to do in Toronto without being handed a ticket by the 'fun' police.
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| malek |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jem_hadar
Black squirrels are the greatest of all the squirrels! So glad we have them! I feel especially bad for our North Carolinan brothers and sisters who are lacking them too (unfortunately). |
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| Bertuzz |
too easy
the leafs
leafs fans
darcy tucker
bryan mccabe
air canada center
maple leafs garden
don cherry
:p
I KEEED I love the TDOT. WHO DOESN'T!! |
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| Kamka |
| quote: | Originally posted by FunkyCrew
totally agree with Sash on the clothes factor
every time I fly through Europe I can't stop starring at how nicely dressed everyone is, especially in airports |
+ 1
I remember when I went to Slovakia after what seemed to me like many yers of being only in Toronto... I was so surprised seeing beautiful women on the streets, dressed up elegantly even when they just went to the grocery store... not overly or unecessarily fancily, just in nice, appropriate clothes and tidy appearance. And I think that the average salary there in relation to the standard of living is not necessarily better there than here (although that depends on individual factors too).... |
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| Kamka |
| quote: | Originally posted by kitchTA
totally agree
its more than just people in toronto that dont dress up its canadians in general. im also european and im shocked at people who are not embarrassed to prance around town in their PJ's. If something like this happened in europe people would think the person is insane. |
I hafta agree on this one too *nod* |
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| Kamka |
| quote: | Originally posted by DigiNut
Over the years I've tried very hard to change my personal attitude and be more sociable and courteous toward others, and I would say that no fewer than half of the people I say "hello" to don't respond at all, or maybe respond with a grunt or a nod. Like I'm a serial killer or something. People do seem slightly (slightly!) less hostile if I'm dressed semi-formally.
While I was out for lunch with one of my coworkers, some random guy said hello to her, and she thought it was really weird and creepy that someone who she doesn't even know would say hello. She's honestly one of the friendlier and more fun people I know, but that's how it is here, people just don't like strangers.
And no, that's not how it is in any big city, although I'll admit that it's more likely in a big city.[/COLOR][/FONT] |
He he :) If I see random people I don't know saying hello to me and smiling at me on the street I might at first wonder why they are saying hello to me when I don't know them... but I'd also say "hi" back, even if rather timidly.
I remember that some years back a couple of (older than me) random guys whom I didn't really remember at all seemed to recognize me (one on a bus and another on the platform of a certain subway station)... they both seemed a bit odd so to speak, but I found it impressive that they remembered me, cause I had sort of a recollection of the guy on the bus, but not too clear - I think that when I've lived near Danforth, which was a few years prior to suddenly and unexpectadly meeting him on the bus, I might have seen him somewhere, but wouldn't pay attention, as he was just another person on the street. The other guy, at the subway station, seemed to recognize me outright (I don't know from where, but I had a bit of a recollection that maybe he's seen me somewhere before too), and started talking to me, and me, being at the time more shy to avoid random people whom I don't know too well, just responded to him out of politeness more than anything else. He also seemed a bit weird, but maybe that was a bit of a misleading impression. He told me interesting things though - he said that the guys working at Alberta oil fields make a lot of money, so much so that they can pay off the full mortgage on their house in like 1-2 years. But their job is dangerous, cause sometimes they can get their hands cut off in accident. I didn't know neither of those things before... |
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| dEsidEL |
one of the reasons why I think Toronto lacks its own culture..
| quote: |
Artists Squeezed For Space In Toronto
Tuesday May 13, 2008
CityNews.ca Staff
It's a trend that local artists are all too familiar with, and it's happened time and time again. They enrich an area with their works and colourful personalities, and soon the neighbourhood is pegged as 'hip.' Once that tag hits, and sticks, it's only a matter of time until big business takes note.
Soon they descend on the area, take over studio spaces, drive rent up, and before long, the artists move along to another neighbourhood and brace for history to repeat itself.
Local artist Ron Bloore used to share a workspace with five other creative souls on Spadina. Today, the space is being turned into a condominium, and for now, he has nowhere to work.
"We are squeezed out always," Bloore, who is 82-years-old, complains. "This happens over and over again in favour of condos, office space, and so on.
"We don't have a chance. We're in there and we established the places as viable, but when somebody sees it's viable, we're pushed out," he frustratingly adds.
Glass artist Karl Schantz believes the lack of studio space is indicative of a disturbing trend.
"Without the artist, you're going to end up with what the city is becoming - just a big empty place with a lot of high buildings, and not much cultural activity going on," he warns.
University of Toronto Art Professor Joanne Tod has a good idea on how to accommodate both sides. "If artists are to maintain a presence that's healthy and exciting in the downtown core, the developers actually should build artists studios into their projects,"she suggests.
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source:
http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_22678.aspx
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| The Highroller |
| quote: | Originally posted by dEsidEL
I think you're trying to say that you find people in this city don't seem to have a sense of style or fashion in their dress compared to other large urban centres you've been in (obviously this is a generalization, but you're basing this on your own observations.) Let me know whether I'm off base with this.
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I think that in Toronto, there is certainly a good amount of people that are quite creative with what they wear (ie people who walk up and down Queen W). When comparing to where I live right now (Lyon, France), I'd say that people in Lyon dress "better" generally, in the sense that you would never catch a French person wearing track pants outside (it's actually pretty funny, because whenever you see a girl with track pants walking around, you KNOW she's English or North American and that she just got here). However, most people in Lyon or France in general dress exactly the same, and I find there to be a lack of creativity in what they wear.
I definitely do agree though that there are a lot of people in Toronto that look like they rolled out of bed and walked outside for the day. It's pretty bad!
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
-Danforth on a summer evening for a drink
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Goddamn right! All you east-side haters don't know what you're missing here.
| quote: | Originally posted by Capo di tutti
I thought i was going to witness a holy war on saturday afternoon when the "Jesus is Lord" dude, black muslims (wearing black framed glasses, trench coats, fedoras and bowties) and Muslims (mostly Arabs) were recruiting and parading all within 20 feet of each other outside the sears doors. |
LOL that must have been entertaining.
| quote: | Originally posted by Capo di tutti
I thought i was going to witness a holy war on saturday afternoon when the "Jesus is Lord" dude, black muslims (wearing black framed glasses, trench coats, fedoras and bowties) and Muslims (mostly Arabs) were recruiting and parading all within 20 feet of each other outside the sears doors. |
Awwwwwww! :stongue:
| quote: | Originally posted by Intangible
LOL! Yeah I know what you mean.
And something about people with dogs, I automatically say "Hi" "Good morning" or something... I think maybe because small town dog walkers are always so overly friendly... |
I never really thought about this, but it's true! I never really say hi to random people, but the rare time that I do is when I'm walking a dog and someone else walks by me with their dog. I wonder why...
| quote: | Originally posted by slingshot
The NIMBY'ism in Toronto is quite ridiculous and is a major impediment to the growth of the city in many aspects. (In my opinion of course) |
Definitely!
| quote: | Originally posted by malek
-nightlife is almost non-existant ( nightlife is not only about clubbing ) |
Would you care to elaborate on this?
| quote: | Originally posted by dEsidEL
...in most places that I've been where this type of thing is allowed, seldom do you see people (and if you do it's usually the tourists) walking down the street with a beer in hand. |
[color=ccff00]Except in Berlin. It was quite surprising to see people walking around at any time of the week, and at any time of the day, drinking out in the open. |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: | Originally posted by The Highroller
I think that in Toronto, there is certainly a good amount of people that are quite creative with what they wear (ie people who walk up and down Queen W). When comparing to where I live right now (Lyon, France), I'd say that people in Lyon dress "better" generally, in the sense that you would never catch a French person wearing track pants outside (it's actually pretty funny, because whenever you see a girl with track pants walking around, you KNOW she's English or North American and that she just got here). However, most people in Lyon or France in general dress exactly the same, and I find there to be a lack of creativity in what they wear.
I definitely do agree though that there are a lot of people in Toronto that look like they rolled out of bed and walked outside for the day. It's pretty bad!
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I believe this sort of thing varies widely across the developed world. In North America at least, there seems to be a very carefree attitude when it comes to dress and fashion. Obviously it's not to say that everyone feels this way. You go down Queen West and you'll see a much more street fashioned inspired style. Head to Yorkville and you'll notice the high end fashion couture look. It all depends on where you are. Outside of specific areas, I'd agree that in general, people aren't too conscious of how they dress unless they're dressed for a certain occasion.
But if you think Toronto's bad, try traveling to some parts of the States where it seems like literally everyone shops out of the same Hollister, A&F, or Old Navy store. I notice this especially in suburban or rural areas. When I was last in the States down in Sandusky, Ohio I swear it seemed as if people literally rolled out of bed in the morning. Juxtapose that against later when I headed to downtown Cleveland, there were people who were more "conforming" when it came to style. Again it all depends on where you are. Larger cities where various styles of fashion made available will influence the way people dress. The New York City look will vary widely against the look of Batavia County residents.
I think Europe is a different thing altogether. People there have a much higher standard when it comes to fashion and dress no matter the time of day or place. This goes hand in hand with their sense of style in almost every aspect be it architecture, vehicles, or advertising. It's a key component in their lifestyle and hard to compare with North American practices. This has been known for some time. I think when comparing Toronto to other places in the world, it's probably a lot more fair to be comparing it within the North American context.
| quote: |
Except in Berlin. It was quite surprising to see people walking around at any time of the week, and at any time of the day, drinking out in the open. |
Of the times I've been in Berlin, I was there during major occasions/festivals be it the Love Parade or the World Cup so I think what I saw was definitely not the norm. Though outside of the events taking place at the time, I tended to notice that most people kept their drinking confined to patios and restaurants and didn't notice too much drinking on the streets. Something I found in most parts of Europe. Although you can probably make the better comparison in your current situation. |
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| dEsidEL |
| quote: |
Who will step up to show off our city?
Billboards, slogans not enough to lure tourists
May 15, 2008
Royson James
What's the next big idea to lure tourists to Toronto? The next big attraction?
With their latest report, another earnest navel-gazing effort that tells us what many have surmised for years, tourism officials have no shortage of things to fret and worry about, salivate over and ponder.
They have more questions than answers. They identify gaps but don't tell us how to fill them.
Toronto is a global destination. More tourists (10.6 million) came here last year than ever before. They spent $4.5 billion on hotels, restaurants, attractions, performing arts, shopping, taxis, meeting places et cetera. And this industry supports 100,000 jobs.
So, why are industry officials nervous, edgy, saying things like, "We must take it to the next level. It's just not good enough?"
Because competitor cities are constantly upgrading and improving. Because fewer Americans are coming, worried or put off as they are by passport requirements and less buying power with the Yankee dollar.
Because local attractions are viewed as tired and visitors say, increasingly, they are not getting as much as they expected from their visits. Because more and more view our service as below expectations.
Because few outside the well-connected know that Toronto is a gem of a location. And those who do aren't telling enough about it.
Because Torontonians are at once too modest and too self-satisfied – not prone to brag about Toronto's achievements, unmotivated to compete for first place.
Because we have one of the world's great science centres and people here don't even know it. That's saying much when the Ontario Science Centre, despite its lack of local acclaim, still attracts the most visitors of any cultural attraction in the province.
Because when visitors do come here, there's little visible expression that we were expecting them and have gone out of our way to accommodate them.
Because a group of 40,000 could roll in for a convention and hardly make an impression, which means, consequently, the city might make little or no impression on them.
Chicago, meanwhile, is likely to have recorded messages from the mayor, decals on news boxes and other welcome banners.
Because, despite a kitty of $30 million a year (money from hotel room levies), Tourism Toronto and industry officials have shown a decided lack of marketing genius. In fact, marketing efforts like the fiasco of Toronto Unlimited advertising have proven embarrassing.
All that said, the experts are taking another stab at making Toronto a superb host to the world. Tourism Toronto is to launch a new effort today. It'd better be smart, snappy, clearly doable with short-term effects and results.
Yesterday, the tourism sellers came to council's economic development committee to deliver the findings of their $70,000 survey of visitors and industry workers. It was a frustrating exercise. Just about everything they said was true. And already said.
Already we know the what, when and where and much of the why. We need the who.
Who will move us from "almost premier-ranked" to the top? Who'll establish the new culture of hospitality excellence? Who will demand it, institute it, encourage the industry to live by it, and motivate the public to buy into it?
Slogans and billboards alone won't do. Consider: The addition to the Royal Ontario Museum was recently named one of the seven new wonders of the world, architecturally speaking. Somebody may want to celebrate, promote and trumpet that in circles where Toronto is considered a destination with little new. This entire effort cries out for the type of civic boosterism resident in the small-town Canadian or loudmouth American mayor.
Toronto waits. Either will do.
Royson James usually appears Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Email: [email protected]
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source:
http://www.thestar.com/Article/425570
| quote: |
A Toronto tourism button from 2005.
Learn to love tourists this summer
May 15, 2008
Vanessa Lu
City hall bureau chief
When guests are coming over, it's time to tidy up the house and roll out the welcome mat.
That's exactly what all Torontonians must do to make visitors feel more welcome, say tourism officials, given that surveys show today's tourists go home a lot less satisfied with their visits here than they did 10 years ago.
"It's everyone's responsibility to sell this city. It's everyone's obligation to ensure we welcome our visitors," Councillor Michael Thompson said at a meeting of the economic development committee yesterday.
A report was released at the committee on new tourist strategies.
A campaign launched under the slogan "We've been expecting you" is meant to make sure tourists feel wanted and loved from the minute they arrive at the airport, train station or hotel.
It will encourage average folks to do things like stop on the street to help a visitor fumbling with a map, or go out of their way to explain how the subway system works.
"It goes beyond customer service. It's the sense of welcome. It's the things you would do if someone were coming to your house – spruce up the house, get the candles out, put the kids in the backyard," said David Whitaker, president and CEO of Tourism Toronto.
The agency plans to unveil draft logos for the campaign today, as well as announce a new scholarship program, a major convention "win" and an initiative involving comic Russell Peters.
Still in the planning stages, the "We've been expecting you" campaign could include welcome buttons or signs, and extra training for hospitality staff. It could also mean a city-wide campaign on bus shelters, in subway stations and even bumper stickers on government cars.
Residents could be educated on the importance of tourism to the economy and the role they can play to make the city much more welcoming.
Whitaker said he hopes the campaign, a collaborative effort between industry and the city, might roll out later this year, though the price tag has not yet been determined.
A study done by the University of Guelph for Tourism Toronto found that in 1998, nearly 70 per cent of respondents were "very satisfied" with their Toronto experience. By 2006, that had dropped to less than 50 per cent.
Similarly, in 2006, only 17 per cent said service here exceeded their expectations, compared with 30 per cent in 1998.
Councillor Adrian Heaps said tourism is not a "product" – a direct rebuttal to officials who kept insisting yesterday that Toronto has a great product.
"It's a cash register that rings up the till on all the activities that feed into it. It's a philosophy," Heaps said.
The emphasis should be on service and results, he said, regardless of whether it involves a business improvement association, a hotel manager or the guy who cleans the washroom.
"We shouldn't be proud of saying: `I'm sorry, there are no rooms available.' `I'm sorry, we don't have that in stock.' `I'm sorry, there isn't a tour like that,'" Heaps said.
Terry Mundell, president of the Greater Toronto Hotel Association, said the key is to make Toronto more compelling to tourists with both public and private investment in new attractions.
"You can have all the marketing resources in the world," Mundell said, but, "If you don't have a product to market and sell, it doesn't matter how many dollars you have." |
source:
http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/425568
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