I moved to Toronto from Arizona. No one even nods or waves at each other. Is Toronto the least friendly city on earth? Ask Lisi
Q What is the protocol when moving to a new neighbourhood as far as relationships with your neighbours? I just moved here from Arizona and I'm not sure how I'm supposed to behave. At home, we rarely see our neighbours. We drive everywhere we need to go and maybe only see people when we're walking the dog or mowing the lawn. A wave usually suffices.
But here I see people walk straight past other people without even a nod, or I see complete strangers stop to chat. It's very confusing.
What's your take on this situation?
New to the Hood
A I can only assume you mean Toronto when you say 'here.' And I don't know what neighbourhood you've moved into. Ironically, when we moved into our home a few years ago, I distinctly remember one neighbour popping out to welcome us and telling us how friendly our street was. Only it was November, and we never saw another human until spring.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
My point is, Torontonians are very weather affected. If you're out walking in the winter, or any unpleasant weather for that matter, you can expect heads down and no friendly exchanges. My experience has been that once the sun comes out, people stop looking down and start looking up — literally and figuratively — and most people say hi when they pass you on the street.
Having said that, I'm just a friendly person and I say hi to everyone so they may just be responding.
FEEDBACK Regarding the denied grandparents (March 12):
Reader: 'Excellent idea for grandparents — or divorced parents cut off from their child — to keep a journal for that child. But how about a plea to those who deny family members access to their children or grandchildren to provide those relatives with a written explanation? Just a simple 'You are cut off because you did x, y and/or z.' Simply ghosting grandparents without explanation suggests a degree of viciousness that calls the parent's thinking into question.'
Q My sister and I went to a concert in the park this past weekend. It was a free event, the weather was gorgeous and the park was full. It was in a part of a town we rarely frequent, for no reason other than proximity, and as a result we didn't bump into anyone we knew.
We found a spot on the grass, laid out our picnic and chatted while enjoying the music. Suddenly, my sister started choking on her water and pointing. Through a sea of people, we spotted our cousin canoodling with a woman who is not his wife.
We couldn't contain ourselves, and the sun was hot, so we started packing our things quickly and hightailed it out of there before he saw us seeing him. We pulled out of the lot and down the closest side street so we could have a true freak out.
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW
We're so grateful we were together for the sighting because there's no refuting. But what do we do know? We love our cousin's wife, she's pregnant with their second child, and we adore the first one.
Caught red-handed
A His wife is pregnant? You two need to have an intervention with him. Invite him out under the guise of planning the baby shower (perfect excuse) and tell him you know. As long as you don't have an ounce of worry that he could react negatively towards his wife and/or child. If that's a possibility , then you need to get her and the child somewhere safe before you confront him.
FEEDBACK Regarding the pedophile (March 14):
Reader: 'Shocking that no police check was done on this country club employee who worked with children. I'm a volunteer reading instructor at the library, never alone with a child, and have a check every three years. The instructors who lead my community centre seniors' classes must also be cleared because seniors are regarded as a vulnerable population. My brother does a few hours a week of volunteer bookkeeping at his church and must have a police check because there's a daycare in the building.
'However, police checks only report actual convictions, not suspicions, and not having been charged but not convicted. And they don't deal with possible convictions outside of Canada nor with abusers who simply haven't been caught yet. So we still must keep a close watch on those working with kids — trusting but verifying by looking at the adult's behaviour as well as the child's.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
a day ago
- Toronto Star
From rib festivals to car shows, here are ways to celebrate Father's Day in Toronto
Rib festivals, car shows and healing exercises are some of the ways Torontonians can ring in Father's Day this year. Here's everything you need to know if you want to celebrate your Dad or another father figure this weekend. Yorkville Exotic Car Show When: Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Where: Bloor Street between Avenue Road and Yonge Street Cost: Free Calling all motorheads. Bloor-Yorkville is hosting a showcase of exotic cars along its lavish red carpet. There will be live music and fundraising in support of Melanoma Canada. You can learn more about the event on its website if you want to kick your Father's Day into overdrive. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Sound Healing Workshop When: Sunday, 10:45 a.m. to noon Where: McGregor Park Community Centre Cost: From $15.70 Sometimes dads need a break. Fathers get a chance to 'relax, unwind and rejuvenate' as organizers take them on a sonic journey. A facilitator says will guide participants through sound healing techniques meant to find inner peace. Tickets can be found on eventbrite. Taste of Little Italy When: Friday to Sunday Where: College Street, between Bathurst and Shaw streets Cost: Free Live music, vendors and lots and lots of Italian food are lining the Little Italy streets for Father's Day weekend. The annual street festival runs all three days and has endless food. Beaches Rib & Beer Festival When: Friday to Sunday Where: Woodbine Park Cost: $2; free for children under five BBQ season is finally here. Celebrate Father's Day with all the BBQ staples at Toronto Beaches Rib & Beer Fest. Guests of all ages can enjoy award-winning pork ribs, brisket, pulled pork and more from various vendors. Those over the age of 19 can crack open a cold one to wash it all down with cheers to Father's Day. Medieval Times Father's Day Package When: Until Sunday Where: Medieval Times Cost: $78.95 for an adult ticket to dinner and a show Looking for drinks and a show? Take dad to the castle for Medieval Times' Father's Day beer package. With the purchase of a ticket, lords, ladies and lieges can gift their father a 25-ounce drinking horn full of beer. Tasty Tours Father's Day Food Tour When: Saturday, noon to 2:30 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Where: Kensington Market Cost: $89 per person; free for kids under 7 Discover Kensington Markets best eats this Father's Day with Tasty Tours. This guided tour offers VIP skip-the-line tickets to all participating locations in the historic market. With alternate choices for dads on dietary restrictions, this tour is a great way to spend time with Dad while satiating your hunger. Dragon Boat Race When: Saturday and Sunday Where: Centre Island Cost: Free Since 1989, Torontonians have gathered to watch the annual Dragon Boat Race Festival. The show, which is organized by the Toronto Chinese Business Association, comes back to the island where attendees can watch the race for free. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Father's Day Buffet When: Saturday and Sunday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Where: Old Mill Toronto Cost: Saturday is $60 per adult, $30 per child (four to 12), plus tax and tip. Kids three and under are free. Sunday is $75 per adult, $35 per child (four to 12) and still free for kids three and under. Old Mill's Father's Day buffet has roasts, seafood, gourmet salads and all of your favourite desserts. Toronto foodies can buy their tickets on the event's website. Free fishing weekend When: Saturday and Sunday Where: Throughout Ontario Cost: Free On Father's Day weekend, Canadians can fish in Ontario for free, without a license. Plus, check out TackleShare to borrow rods and reels for free, too, located at conservation authorities, provincial parks and libraries. Odyssey dining cruise When: Sunday, brunch cruise at 12 p.m. and dinner cruise at 5 p.m. Where: Queen's Quay Terminal — South/East Dock Wall Cost: Brunch is $89 per adult and dinner is $99 per adult, $49 per child (four to 12) at both times. Kids three and under are free Enjoy a meal on the lake with dad this Father's Day on the Premier Father's Day Dining Cruise on Odyssey. This dining experience serves 'chef-inspired dishes' with a scenic view of Toronto from the water. Tickets are available online at Junction City Wrestling When: Sunday, at 3 p.m. Where: Rainhard Brewing Co. Cost: From $24.99 Celebrate Father's Day with a smackdown event at Junction City Wrestling. Hosted at Rainhard Brewing Co., the event is for all-ages, dog-friendly and features food from local vendors. Get your tickets on eventbrite. ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW Brews and Hues When: Sunday, at 12:20 p.m. Where: Left Field Brewery Cost: From $36.74 Take dad out for a day of painting and drinks at Left Field Brewery's Brews and Hues. Kick off your Father's Day with creative memories. 'Dive into a fun, beginner-friendly paint session led by a local artist. No experience? No problem!' their Eventbrite reads. Blooms & Berries Festival When: Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where: Benares Historic House Cost: Free Experience the joys of spring at Mississauga's Blooms & Berries Festival. Held at the Benares Historic house, the festival celebrates the old tradition of strawberry socials in Mississauga's Clarkson Village. It's a perfect opportunity to browse local vendors, and taste historic food.
National Post
2 days ago
- National Post
Angry, red-winged blackbirds of death resume their seasonal attacks on Toronto denizens
New to the city, I'd heard whispers of Toronto's angry birds. I'd even mocked signage on the waterfront warning me to beware their avian wrath. Article content Now, in a plot twist one might expect from Edgar Allen Poe, one of the winged devils has set itself up in a tree outside my West-end condominium. Article content Article content 'It appears to be protecting its nest and has been observed attacking pedestrians who walk nearby. We advise all residents to exercise caution when walking in the area. Please see the attached photo for reference.' Article content Article content I scrolled down my email and locked eyes with the creature that has been described as 'feathered and a tiny bit ferocious' — the notorious red-winged blackbird. Article content Attacks by this creature are, by no means, a new or rare phenomenon, I've come to learn since moving to this city, which has fielded complaints about 'attacks' the last two years. Though most likely go unreported. Article content Fearful of nothing, these winged demons have been known to attack large animals, including horses, and, as we know too well, poor, unsuspecting Torontonians just going about their business. Article content Dive-bombing, red-winged blackbirds are recognizable by their red and yellow ' shoulder badges, ' reminiscent of military stripes. But even this description may not keep you safe, as you'll never see them coming. These ferocious harpies are known to swoop out of trees, attacking passersby from behind, striking at their scalps with their talons or beaks. Article content Article content Attacks begin in the spring, when the winged polygynous devils begin to multiply. Article content Article content The species typically starts nesting and incubating its eggs in early June, Nancy Barrett, director-at-large of the Toronto Ornithological Club, well-versed in these flying agents of Cthulhu, told Global News last year at this time. But Torontonians should expect attacks anytime during their mating season, which lasts from late April until the end of July. Article content It's at this time when the highly polygynous males enjoy the company of up to 15 female mates, described as brownish in colour and more subdued. Article content Despite their vicious territorial defence system, 'one-quarter to one-half of nestlings turn out to have been sired by someone other than the territorial male.' Perhaps this explains the males' aggressive nature. Article content I try to empathize with the creature outside my building, telling myself, I'd be frantic and aggressive, too, if I had to fly around and defend 15 nests. The poor fellas are simply exhausted. Perhaps I could reason with the beast, explaining the benefits of monogamy.
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Hamilton Spectator
Scotiabank ramps up return-to-office mandate to four days a week
Scotiabank is changing its return-to-office policy to require some employees to work in-person four days a week. In an internal memo shared last week, Scotiabank told staff the new mandate will apply starting in September. Teams that have limited office space will be expected to be present three or more days, with the goal of eventually having all employees based at the head office on Bay and King streets in four or more days each week, according to the memo seen by Bloomberg. And some employees won't be affected by the changes at all due to the nature of their work, with those on the global client-experience centre and Canadian banking collections teams seeing no change in their work arrangements. 'We know having our teams working together in-person has many benefits — greater collaboration, higher engagement, more career development opportunities, and a stronger culture and sense of belonging — and we are already seeing the positive impact this is having across the bank as we focus on executing on our strategy,' Scotiabank spokesperson Katie Raskina wrote in an emailed statement to the Star. 'We will continue to build on this impact as we bring our teams on-site more often, with the goal of reaching four days on-site across the bank over time.' One of the Big Six banks said it would tighten lending criteria for self-employed borrowers in Canada's Big Six banks, which have the largest presence in Toronto's financial district among other industries, have been leading the pack in the return-to-office movement . Since the COVID-19 pandemic, they started having workers back in the office as early as February 2022 — ahead of most companies. In May, it was reported that RBC has also asked its staff to work from the office four days a week, beginning in the fall. 'RBC is a relationship-driven bank, and in-person, human connection is core to our winning culture,' spokesperson Jeff Lanthier said in statement Monday. 'We have important commitments to our clients and bold goals for the future. We are confident that prioritizing working together in-person is a vital component in setting us up for continued, long-term success. Starting in September, we expect our employees around the world to be in the office, with flexibility to work remotely one day per week.' The Star contacted TD, CIBC, BMO and National Bank for their most recent return-to-office policies. National Bank spokesperson Alexandre Guay said each team has a different mandate depending on their needs — some employees work entirely in-person, while others follow a hybrid model. A CIBC spokesperson provided a similar statement. TD and BMO did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Last summer, the Star reported that Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow had met with several bank CEOs to discuss ways to get Torontonians back in the office at least four days a week, if not five, 'to make sure our financial district is vibrant.' She also said the banks had been calling on City Hall to 'set a good example and get all your workers back in.' With files from Bloomberg.
