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I've lived in the Toronto area for about three years and never once witnessed anything resembling anti-Americanism. When I tell people I'm American it's sort of like, "Oh, cool." That's it.
My wife and I have travelled all through Canada and the Canadian Maritimes and have never been treated anything less than great. My wife and I also take a lot of pride in our apprearance and speak proper English. Sounds corny, but those two things aren't something we always see and hear with fellow American tourists.
It's been a lot of years since my wife and I visited Toronto, but we still remember having a wonderul time in the city. Some of my surprises were:
1. The city is tremendously cosmopolitan. I thought it would be full of Canadians speaking with a "Canadian" accent (and I'm not sure what I thought that would be). But on the very first day I heard at least six different languages being spoken on the street. And that's when I realized Toronto was an international city, not just Canadian (even though in Canada).
2. The subways were so absolutely CLEAN compared to NYC. Don't know if it's still that way, but I was very impressed with city services that kept that level of cleanliness.
3. Shops and even small grocery stores in the basement of high rise office buildings. I'd never seen that in the U.S. (maybe it's done somewhere???), and I thought, "How convenient to pick up something to take home if you need it."
4. There was a great science museum (don't remember the name) there that fascinated us for several hours, so much so that I was sorry when we had to leave to get to our dinner reservations.
We had driven up through Niagara to get to Toronto (from Ohio), so we had no tour guide to assist us. Instead we just asked people on the street and as I recall got brushed off only once.
The only "negative" I received was in asking the concierge at our hotel about planning a trip to Montreal to see the French influence in the country. He told me they didn't like Americans much over there and weren't even particularly fond of "English" speaking Canadians. So we spent a few more days in Toronto.
I want to visit Canada again, but my focus now is more on the western side of the country from Victoria to Regina. Good lord willing we can get up there sometime.
But Toronto was a great experience, and thanks to all the people who showed us such kindness (and patience) while we visited.
The only "negative" I received was in asking the concierge at our hotel about planning a trip to Montreal to see the French influence in the country. He told me they didn't like Americans much over there and weren't even particularly fond of "English" speaking Canadians. So we spent a few more days in Toronto.
Sounds like you got bad advice on Montreal and missed out on something both interesting and fun.
Sounds like you got bad advice on Montreal and missed out on something both interesting and fun.
I second that one! While those of us living in englais Canada are often singled out for special abuse in Quebec ; Montreal would not present you with much of that if any at all and is far too beautiful a city to forego seeing because of that remote possibility.
If you routinely stay in hotels while travelling; plan a winter visit to Montreal and experience the wonderful underground connections via subway/Metro that allow you to wander all over the city, popping up from the subways either inside major malls, Hotels or within a short walking distance to a plethora of tourist attractions.
Leave your car in the hotel underground parking and use that Metro service to experience everything from fine dining to theater without having to ever set foot outside in the weather.
Sounds like you got bad advice on Montreal and missed out on something both interesting and fun.
Thanks for the information from both of you. We were on a limited budget back then and I was a bit worried about a language barrier in Montreal, so, yes, we probably should have gone anyway.
I hope to move to Idaho in a little over a year, when the wife retires, so the western side of Canada will simply be easier for us to visit--and we will certainly be on a limited budget then. We probably won't ever get a chance to get to Montreal now, but, good Lord willing, we will get to spend the rest of the Canadian currency I saved from our last visit--over 30 years ago!
Also, I've had many kind words from Canadians about my thoughts concerning Canada as a great friend of the United States.
Not one word from any fellow American than I can identify and it makes me very sad. I know many Americans must be reading this thread, and not one of them to add their voice in support of our closest ally is a shame.
Wishing my Canadian friends a Happy New Year!!!
an American Rebel
I've been to Chicago and it is a big city - but with all the construction going on in T.O and the mass amount of people moving to the DT core... I don't think it qualifies as a mini Chicago anymore. If anything it is almost on par population wise in almost every measurement.
Quote:
Originally Posted by botticelli
I think it is a joke to say that Toronto has a general anti-America mindset. Toronto could be American city - a mini-Chicago and nobody will notice the difference.
Canadians, including Torontonians, are extremely insecure when it comes to talking about their mighty neighbour. They can be easily offended if you act like a typical arrogant American criticizing everything that is not American enough as if it were inferior or wrong (not saying most Americans are like that, but many are), but in general they like America.
So as long as you don't have that attitude and comprise a bit to the locals by occasionally mentioning how superior and livable Canada/Toronto is (particularly how good life quality is) and how much you like it more than America, they will accept you in no time.
In general, Canadians love America, but hate to hear it is better than Canada in any way.
I don't think the average Torontonian is anymore anti American than the average American is anti canadian or Torontonian. In the Bush Jr years and particularly during the second Iraqi War I think there was alot of anti-bushism and disdain for U.S geo-politics but I hardly think this spilled over to the people of the U.S.
I also find it amusing when people think the average Torontonian is jealous of our "big brother" - I find the average Torontonian is too busy dealing with life than to worry too much about the U.S.
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Toronto is great
