Me hunting for Fashionistas on Rue St. DenisThis weekend we were in Montreal shooting an upcoming episode of ChickChat TV. I have to say I was astonished at the differences between shooting in Toronto vs. Montreal.
Toronto is certainly fashionable, and you can't throw a stone without hitting an expensive handbag or high end pair of shoes, but there is a heavy reliance on designer name brands. Montreal is somewhat the opposite. A woman will look immaculate but rarely is there a telltale label to account for it. There is also quite a difference in the personality of the two cultures. I live in Toronto and don't consider myself outside of what I'm saying so please take what I am about to say as a constructive criticism.
Toronto is, to an extent, a city of 'Importanistas' i.e a culture with a distinct air of self importance. This is not to say they aren't important, but we tend to pretend we are more so than we may actually be. This may stem from lack of self esteem parading as confidence or it could just be a symptom of how busy we all are. We are a culture of busy. Within 10 seconds of talking to an acquaintace one of you will invariably tell the other how hectic your schedule is and the other will agree. As a result, an afternoon on Bloor street pulling aside Fashionistas results in a good chunk of rejections and even the use of "The Hand". They are too busy to stop, too nervous, and in some cases, too important.
ChickChat TV Fashion Wrangler extraordinnaire, Emily Dick takes a break for lunch in Montreal
In Montreal, Fashionistas were so happy to talk to us. Emily, one of our talent wranglers noticed that the French were so much more willing to stop and come and talk to her than Torontonians. A simple shout out got direct eye contact, a smile and a person willing to dodge sidewalk traffic to come over and find out what she wanted. Despite a language barrier in a few cases, they were willing to appear on camera and answer our questions. Would any of us Torontonians agree to an interview in French on a Saturday afternoon in the midst of shopping? I would suggest not. We would be too embarrased by our French, too busy or too disinterested.
My Dude Crew for ChickChat TV: Brad Dworkin (DOP), Geoffrey Webster (Production Manager/Motion Graphics)
I have often had strangers (men) shout at me when I'm walking down the street, "Hey smile!" I never know what to make of that. I consider myself a happy person and am generally content with life, but that makes me wonder what image I am projecting to the world. Do I come off as an Importanista? Am I the kind of person who would give someone The Hand when approached, even if I have no idea what it is for?
I've learned something valuable from Montrealers this weekend about being more open and approachable to people I don't know. The warmth we experienced from them this weekend was so refreshing and charming. We should never be too busy to smile or acknowlege a stranger. Who knows what could come of those chance meetings?
Toronto is certainly fashionable, and you can't throw a stone without hitting an expensive handbag or high end pair of shoes, but there is a heavy reliance on designer name brands. Montreal is somewhat the opposite. A woman will look immaculate but rarely is there a telltale label to account for it. There is also quite a difference in the personality of the two cultures. I live in Toronto and don't consider myself outside of what I'm saying so please take what I am about to say as a constructive criticism.
Toronto is, to an extent, a city of 'Importanistas' i.e a culture with a distinct air of self importance. This is not to say they aren't important, but we tend to pretend we are more so than we may actually be. This may stem from lack of self esteem parading as confidence or it could just be a symptom of how busy we all are. We are a culture of busy. Within 10 seconds of talking to an acquaintace one of you will invariably tell the other how hectic your schedule is and the other will agree. As a result, an afternoon on Bloor street pulling aside Fashionistas results in a good chunk of rejections and even the use of "The Hand". They are too busy to stop, too nervous, and in some cases, too important.
ChickChat TV Fashion Wrangler extraordinnaire, Emily Dick takes a break for lunch in MontrealIn Montreal, Fashionistas were so happy to talk to us. Emily, one of our talent wranglers noticed that the French were so much more willing to stop and come and talk to her than Torontonians. A simple shout out got direct eye contact, a smile and a person willing to dodge sidewalk traffic to come over and find out what she wanted. Despite a language barrier in a few cases, they were willing to appear on camera and answer our questions. Would any of us Torontonians agree to an interview in French on a Saturday afternoon in the midst of shopping? I would suggest not. We would be too embarrased by our French, too busy or too disinterested.
My Dude Crew for ChickChat TV: Brad Dworkin (DOP), Geoffrey Webster (Production Manager/Motion Graphics)I have often had strangers (men) shout at me when I'm walking down the street, "Hey smile!" I never know what to make of that. I consider myself a happy person and am generally content with life, but that makes me wonder what image I am projecting to the world. Do I come off as an Importanista? Am I the kind of person who would give someone The Hand when approached, even if I have no idea what it is for?
I've learned something valuable from Montrealers this weekend about being more open and approachable to people I don't know. The warmth we experienced from them this weekend was so refreshing and charming. We should never be too busy to smile or acknowlege a stranger. Who knows what could come of those chance meetings?
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5 comments:
This is interesting, Ali. Funny how a friend and I were constantly discussing this over the past couple of days. As a Torontonian, I feel that "air of importance" from other people, but I also think that it has something to do with safety and protecting oneself (or.. one's wallet for that matter).
Fashionistas who walk by may be afraid that you are trying to sell them merchandise that they do not need or sign up for something that which may result in never ending piles of spam or junk mail (because most of the time, that's why someone will approach us here). This has taught us not to trust as easily, especially when they just want your wallet!
I think shyness is also another factor. People are afraid to look "unpolished", because everyone always looks perfect on television. But who is really perfect in real life?
Many of us are also always afraid that others are trying to screw each other over. It's a sad reality, but whenever someone approaches me, my first reaction is I think: what does he/she want from me? Money? A membership to something I've never heard of? My phone number?
An interesting thing about "Toronto culture" that I have discovered going to school in a Toronto university is never do we ever stop a stranger on the street just to say, "Hi, how are you?"
This always comes as a shock, surprising to people for that matter. No stranger should ever approaches you, unless they want something from you. And coming from living in such a big city, you think to what your Mother has taught you when you were little... "Don't talk to strangers!"
Another factor may be the culture of Torontonians, we do not always sit back and enjoy life like the French. Everything gets rushed, and in that case we may only have 1/2 hour or so to share a coffee with our best friends. This is unfortunate, because I find that some people can let career and money take more place than lifelong friendships and relationships.
I am a simply sharing my thoughts and observations on Toronto city life, so please do not take offense to any of this. In a strange way however, I find that they make Toronto unique and distinct in their own beautiful way...
- artist
I totally agree, Artist! It's true I think a lot of people think we are trying to sell them something and meanwhile we're interviewing them for a show.
The self-conscious thing and the worry about fraud, con artists, etc is true. But in the 8 years I have lived in Toronto I have never been robbed or had anything bad happen to me from meeting someone on the street.
I think the important thing is to treat each other with dignity. You don't have to stop when someone calls you over, but at least look at who is speaking to you (so at least you can figure out what they want) and smile/acknowledge them. You don't even have to break your stride.
In Winnipeg where I'm from, it is common practice to wish a stranger good morning or to smile and nod at them as you pass them on the street. When I first moved to Toronto I did that but people gave me weird looks.
I have a deep appreciation for the people who appear on our show. I don't think I would have noticed these differences as much had it not been for the filming. The society shapes us to behave a certain way. Toronto society is about being uber careful and rushing from meeting to meeting. There's nothing wrong with that, but we should add a few smiles along the way.
I have noticed this too. I love Toronto but think it is one of the least friendly cities in Canada. Not that people are mean, just not as you say open.
Hey ChickLit,
Thanks for the open and interesting comments...to an adopted Montrealer you guys seem bizarre, frankly. I live in Montreal and go to Toronto for business about once a month and I was raised in NY. To keep it simple, I find Toronto is wayyyy too self-important, and Montrealers are just comme il dit, "relaxe." I think people in Toronto need to work less, drop the princess routine (you too, boys), and get drunk / stoned a little more and just have sex. I promise you'll speak French AND English better after. :)
Oh, and please don't generalize about 'the French'. Not all Montrealers are the same - though I'm sure that's not what you meant - and not all Montrealers are even French-Canadian!
Good points, Tedk :)
Yes, not everyone is the same. I was making overall observations. I had certain perceptions of Toronto before I moved here and now find most of those to be inaccurate.
Still, I think every city has a certain persona or vibe and overall I found Montrealers to be refreshingly warm and open.
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