One of the things that constantly amazes me about blogging is how fantastically generous and helpful everyone is to everyone else. The other is the truly global nature of the community - here's our visitor log from the last few days (using Sitemeter):
That always surprises me - I still think of this blog
as for a handful of people around the office. But since you're here,
I'd like to ask for a little help from all of you.
We're currently working on some tourism-related business here and we'd like to know: what do you think of when you think of "Toronto"? Anything - words, images, things to do, people. Good, bad, or indifferent. Just a few words or sentences is fine. (And sorry, those of you who actually live in the city are disqualified.)
Please take a moment and either post a comment or email me at jason.oke (at) leoburnett.ca and I'll be eternally grateful. Plus, you'll have great blogging karma.
UPDATE: Think I'll throw in one more question... would you ever consider visiting here? Why, or why not?
Toronto is so far away, and it reminds me that my parents always talked about emigrating to Canada. Which we never did. As a kid I was fascinated by the "o's" in Toronto. For some reason if thought that may have something to do with Indians or something. I met someone from Toronto once, and he had a Frnech accent which I thought was rather nice.
Posted by: MarcusBrown | August 31, 2006 at 02:54 AM
Form me Toronto are The Maple Leafs, the financial heart of Canada, the fast pace of business as opposed to Montreal. Also, one interesting fact that has always kinda amazed me is that Toronto is on the same latitude as the French riviera. I'm from Romania and I have a brother living in Montreal.
Posted by: claudiu | August 31, 2006 at 03:28 AM
The following is based on my first thoughts, having never been to Canada at all.
To be honest, not much comes to mind when I think of Toronto. Interesting name, but that's about it.
I have this vague image of tall buildings. No idea why.
Oh yes and a sense of pride. That may well be a Canadian trait, but those who I have met who come from Toronto (3 people) are really proud of it. Almost evangelical.
Hope this helps.
Posted by: Will | August 31, 2006 at 06:24 AM
I'd like to go to Toronto yes. I'd be optimistic and have a spring in my step when I'd come and have a big smile on my face and say "you see, I made it after all mum".
You paying Jason?
Posted by: MarcusBrown | August 31, 2006 at 08:04 AM
I formed a very favourable impression of your city when I visited (with IKEA);
1. nice. Nice people. Nice funky modern italian restaurant. Even the clubs and bars we went too were very pleasant - a bit like a night out in Stockholm. Nice architecture. Reminded me a bit of San Francisco and Auckland.
2. safe. I was told people dont even lock their houses. Feels like a good city to go with family/without fear.
3. chatty. I had two of my greatest ever taxi driver conversations; one about what it was like being indian in Canada, the other with a guy whose wife had been through the same IVF treatment my wife was embarking on
4. cold. Seriously. I got snowed in at the airport for 8 hours on the way back
5. great outdoors. Never got to see it on my trip except from a plane window but that would be a major bonus if I went there on holiday. When my son is older maybe we will go up on a grand fishing and camping trip. Although arguably there are closer places.
Canada in general for me is those great outdoors of childhood imagination. It helps that I had an uncle from Alberta whose job was to dig up dinosaur fossils in the rockies; which made him kind of the Indiana Jones in the family. When you imagine city life there it is like imagining towns in the alps. probably 100% wrong but tourist branding is all stereotypes.
Posted by: John Grant | August 31, 2006 at 10:06 AM
As a Vancouverite who was just in Toronto on Monday, the thing that makes Toronto interesting is the people, their diversity and the vibrant culture they create. The physical city iteself isn't very inspiring or visually pleasing. Just a random assortment of buildings with the CN tower as your wayfinder.
Posted by: Brett Macfarlane | August 31, 2006 at 12:43 PM
Being really honest and candid I think:
1. It's like America but with nicer people.
2. It's always sunny but not warm enough to wear shorts.
3. My Mum and Dad would probably like it.
4. I might get bored after the first week.
Posted by: Ben | September 01, 2006 at 08:53 AM
Hi,
Simply put I think of Toronto as much better version of a busy US city.
It's a 'big city' minus everythig bad about big cities.
- Hope this makes sense to you.
Everyone else has already mentioned maple , snow etc.
Yup would like to visit.
Posted by: Wizard | September 04, 2006 at 10:45 PM
Never been there, but I have a v positive image of Toronto as a vibrant, creative, melting pot close to both the mountains and the sea. I'd love to visit and in fact it came up on top of my list of "where would I move" if I ever return to North America.
Posted by: Denna Jones | November 08, 2006 at 05:00 PM
oops. maybe Toronto does have an image problem. I just realised I was thinking of Vancouver in my comments, not Toronto. I don't actually have any image at all of Toronto. It's the capital isn't it? strike my previous entry - sorry!
Posted by: Denna Jones | November 08, 2006 at 05:10 PM
i have to agree that most people are nice. People in other countries just assume things.
Posted by: watch friends online | April 01, 2009 at 12:25 AM