People in Toronto area (taxes, live, shop)

[123syl]

I was just wondering what people in Toronto were like. I would like to visit Toronto and I was wondering what I should expect.

[nickjbor]

mostly nice, with a few really nice and really mean people sprinkled throughout.

[123syl]

Good! Are all Canadians like that?

[cweaver]

Canadians are pretty friendly people

[ColdCanadian]

Most people seem to prefer to ignore strangers, imho.

That being said you likely won't get any negative attention, just perhaps lack of attention.

As one writer put it, Toronto is a great city for an introverted person who still likes to be surrounded by plenty of people.

I myself am an extrovert who doesn't enjoy crowds. I like attention and making small talk with strangers.

Basically people tend to stick with their group or themself 95-99% of the time.

But if you have an out of province or out of country licence plate or a different English dialect you're likely to get more attention.

[hagbard]

I spent most of my teens and early twenties in the Windsor area. People are relately friendly there. I find people in Toronto and Ottawa exceptionally friendly. I've lived the past twenty years in Victoria, they're not friendly at all. You say "hi" to a stranger on the street in Ontario, you'll almost always at least get a "hi" back, maybe even a conversation. You do that in Victoria, you'll mostly be ignored or snarled at. I've heard theories at its because of the transient nature of Victoria. Hence, I've finally given up on Victoria and heading back to Ontario.

[wanderlusting]

Originally Posted by 123syl

I was just wondering what people in Toronto were like. I would like to visit Toronto and I was wondering what I should expect.

Well, I visited Toronto in 2000 and was treated pretty cold. Not sure where you're from but if you're from the states, don't expect to be treated any better. I drove, which was another huge mistake. I had drivers and passengers shout "go home" among other friendly phrases that I can't post here. I doubt it's any better now, with the Iraq war and everything. Clinton was still president when I went there, and if they hated us then, you can bet they hate us now. I was naive and didn't pay attention to politics, thinking we were allies. My advice: don't go to Canada.

[fbf2006]

Originally Posted by wanderlusting

Well, I visited Toronto in 2000 and was treated pretty cold. Not sure where you're from but if you're from the states, don't expect to be treated any better. I drove, which was another huge mistake. I had drivers and passengers shout "go home" among other friendly phrases that I can't post here. I doubt it's any better now, with the Iraq war and everything. Clinton was still president when I went there, and if they hated us then, you can bet they hate us now. I was naive and didn't pay attention to politics, thinking we were allies. My advice: don't go to Canada.

My husband and I lived in Toronto for a year (well, I was there for 9 months) with our Massachusetts plates and never got a "go home" comment from anyone. Infact a cop stopped us twice (my husband took turns where he wasn't supposed to) and the cop talked about how he visited Cape Cod in Mass, bla bla bla. Basically he was nice and told us to be careful.
For the most part, people are not really going to pay attention to you like they don't in major NE cities, but people are friendly.

[mjay11]

I went to toronto once and loved it, loved it, loved it!
I have always wanted to go back and visit. I thought the people were quite friendly and the city seems really clean. Must be all those taxes they pay. . I'd move there if the winters weren't so cold.
We went to eat at the Hard Rock across the way from the eaton centre and I remember seeing this guy. He was there everytime we went shopping and said hello whenever we came by. Not in a weird stalking way, in a nice welcoming way.
It was pretty cool.

[nickjbor]

I'd also caution people that a visit to the waterfront on a sunday afternoon is different then a visit to the entertainment district on a friday night.