Johnny Au
Senior Member
There is a documentary from almost a decade ago called "Let's All Hate Toronto." It even has a twist ending.
Of all the people I've heard putting Toronto down, aside from some rural Ontario types, Maritimers have to be the only ones who do so by telling you all the things that make them legit scared of our city. 'Oh no, the traffic, the crime, the [veiled insinuation about non-white people], I could never live there'.
I live in Tokyo. When I tell Japanese people that I'm from Canada about 90% will ask if I'm from Vancouver. All Japanese people seem to have visited Vancouver/Banff at some point.
But they all know Toronto because of Niagara Falls and I do run into the odd person who has spent time in Toronto - usually as a student or working though. Not often as a tourist. They generally are very positive about the city.
Most people I talk to are surprised to hear that there are no mountains near Toronto and they are under the impression that French is extremely common and we get extreme levels of snowfall.
Several of the Japanese figure skaters train in Toronto so there is some awareness from that as well.
Many are vaguely aware of the 'underground city' and would like to visit it. This was true when I lived in Europe as well. I can't imagine how what they are picturing actually compares to the PATH.
Most people I talk to are surprised to hear that there are no mountains near Toronto and they are under the impression that French is extremely common and we get extreme levels of snowfall.