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I personally see nothing wrong with a little comparison and friendly competition (however pointless and silly it can be). At least in Canada we're looking outside our borders once in awhile, if you catch my drift...
As for Toronto's media; it has a bi-polar disorder. One minute, it's self-congratulatory to the extreme and the next minute it's bashing itself for not having the same level of sophistication of NYC or authentic Montreal bagels...
Nothing exists in a vacuum, so a little bit of comparison and self-reflection is not a bad thing.
As for Canada's obsession with the USA, it is often rather pathetic, but due to our similar history, language, culture and our shared border and intertwined economies, it so unreasonable? We started off in the same place, but we've taken rather different paths so to speak...
Besides, when you’re suffering through a miserable winter, you have to take solace in the fact that you're suffering for a cause instead of playing golf down in Phoenix or Florida. So you delude yourself into thinking; "at least I have free healthcare/live in a multi-cultural society/don't have to worry about crime etc."
This is a fair response. I have nothing against a little friendly competition either, which is why I injected myself into this conversation in the first place.
The thing that is a little annoying though is that people in Toronto claim to be experts on the US and US cities, when their view and knowledge is very limited. So when making these comparisons it is never really equitable because the knowledge is just not there to make a fair comparison (and no watching a little CNN and reading the NY Times is not enough )
This is a fair response. I have nothing against a little friendly competition either, which is why I injected myself into this conversation in the first place.
The thing that is a little annoying though is that people in Toronto claim to be experts on the US and US cities, when their view and knowledge is very limited. So when making these comparisons it is never really equitable because the knowledge is just not there to make a fair comparison (and no watching a little CNN and reading the NY Times is not enough )
Ok. You make fair points too. And from a personal perspective I guess you have most of us at a disadvantage (i.e. currently living in the USA). But you do realize for every smug Canadian preaching out their you-know-what on this forum, there is the equally ignorant american citizen posting about "Canada is a socialist country rah-rah, live in igloos rah-rah rey rey".
P.S. the recession is all your fault! no really!
Ok. You make fair points too. And from a personal perspective I guess you have most of us at a disadvantage (i.e. currently living in the USA). But you do realize for every smug Canadian preaching out their you-know-what on this forum, there is the equally ignorant american citizen posting about "Canada is a socialist country rah-rah, live in igloos rah-rah rey rey".
P.S. the recession is all your fault! no really!
Of course that is true, no country has a monopoly on ignorance, the US has their fare share as well and I have no problem correcting a Yank here and there also
My fault? I guess I should have bought that blender from Macy's last year after all, if I only knew the impact that decision would have made
It does, but at the same time, a lot of our "higher" positions such as doctors, are people who are coming from East Asia, rather than people who actually got a degree in the U.S. I guess it just depends on what job you're trying to do.
Actually, a lot of those doctors from other countries come here to study too. So, they actually get their degree from American colleges and universities. Trust me, I work at a major university here in Syracuse and see it day to day.
Of course that is true, no country has a monopoly on ignorance, the US has their fare share as well and I have no problem correcting a Yank here and there also
My fault? I guess I should have bought that blender from Macy's last year after all, if I only knew the impact that decision would have made
Damn you MATTNCIND!!
Next time just buy the &*#&*@#* blender!!
Ok. You make fair points too. And from a personal perspective I guess you have most of us at a disadvantage (i.e. currently living in the USA). But you do realize for every smug Canadian preaching out their you-know-what on this forum, there is the equally ignorant american citizen posting about "Canada is a socialist country rah-rah, live in igloos rah-rah rey rey".
P.S. the recession is all your fault! no really!
I just wanted to add that I just moved to Toronto last month after living in NYC for 5 years. So Matt doesn't really have the "advantage" by living in Boston. His postings didn't come straight from the bible.
My friends in NYC are having a heck of a time finding and keeping their jobs. The energy surrounding the current recession is much more relaxed up here. Guess it helps when you don't have to share a zip code with Wall Street.
I just wanted to add that I just moved to Toronto last month after living in NYC for 5 years. So Matt doesn't really have the "advantage" by living in Boston. His postings didn't come straight from the bible.
My friends in NYC are having a heck of a time finding and keeping their jobs. The energy surrounding the current recession is much more relaxed up here. Guess it helps when you don't have to share a zip code with Wall Street.
I have also lived in NYC and work for a company that does alot of business in NYC, so we are tied into their economy quite closely. There are people struggling there without a doubt, but there are also quite a few that are still secure and doing well; which is the same I can say about Toronto (many of my family members up there have either taken pay cuts or laid off) but at the same time there are quite a few who are also fine and doing well.
If you want to compare the overall economic health of a city with another there are easy ways to do it, just do some research and you will find that many US cities even though going through a recession are still hanging in there quite well. Also btw, I do "real" economics work professionally so I have an idea about what I am speaking about.
I just wanted to add that I just moved to Toronto last month after living in NYC for 5 years. So Matt doesn't really have the "advantage" by living in Boston. His postings didn't come straight from the bible.
My friends in NYC are having a heck of a time finding and keeping their jobs. The energy surrounding the current recession is much more relaxed up here. Guess it helps when you don't have to share a zip code with Wall Street.
My overall impression is similar to yours: the economy is not in meld down mode up here. Drive around and look at all the condos and office towers still going up... The real estate bubble has yet to burst!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mattncind
I have also lived in NYC and work for a company that does alot of business in NYC, so we are tied into their economy quite closely. There are people struggling there without a doubt, but there are also quite a few that are still secure and doing well; which is the same I can say about Toronto (many of my family members up there have either taken pay cuts or laid off) but at the same time there are quite a few who are also fine and doing well.
If you want to compare the overall economic health of a city with another there are easy ways to do it, just do some research and you will find that many US cities even though going through a recession are still hanging in there quite well. Also btw, I do "real" economics work professionally so I have an idea about what I am speaking about.
My overall impression is similar to yours: the economy is not in meld down mode up here. Drive around and look at all the condos and office towers still going up... The real estate bubble has yet to burst!
...still shoulda bought the damn toaster...
Yeah, it didn't take me long to feel right at home here and the condo prices are a steal. It will take a little time to adjust to the friendliness though. When I walked to work this morning, 4 different strangers greeted me with a "hello" or "nice day, isn't it?". You rarely hear that from a ny'er unless they want something from you (ha!).
Yeah, it didn't take me long to feel right at home here and the condo prices are a steal. It will take a little time to adjust to the friendliness though. When I walked to work this morning, 4 different strangers greeted me with a "hello" or "nice day, isn't it?". You rarely hear that from a ny'er unless they want something from you (ha!).
Glad your feeling at home!
You actually have strangers talk to you?? I find this hard to believe. It's rare for people to acknowledge each other in this city. People are generally screw faced or avoid eye contact at all costs.
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no really! 
