Recently, when I was back in Windsor, I decided that it would be a good idea to renew my license and health card there because the lines would be much shorter. When it was my turn at the Service Ontario counter, I walked up to the lady and told her I needed to renew all my documents because my birthday is coming up.

She looked at my license and asked me if I needed a change of address. ‘No,’ I said, ‘I still live in Toronto.’ The lady looked at me and asked if liked Toronto, which of course I responded, ‘Oh, yes, I just love it there.’ Then without a second of hesitation the woman looked at me straight-faced and said ‘I HATE Toronto!!!’

What’s that all about?

1. Did I ask her if she liked Toronto? No.
2. Did I care whether or not she had any opinions of Toronto? No
3. Did I tell her I hated her stupid puffy paint pumpkin sweatshirt? Once again…NO

For some reason, people all over the country feel the need to tell you that they HATE Toronto, the instant you say you’re from there. What is it about Toronto that compels non-Torontonians to purge their internal hatred about the city any time it’s mentioned? In fact, in 2009, Coors Light even ran a Vancouver campaign dissing Torontonians.

Why does everyone hate us? Toronto, is similar to every other major city; it has dangerous areas, it’s too expensive and the people can be rude. But who cares? Every place has their issues.

Yes, Torontonians are more likely to be blatantly vulgar to your face and your odds of a homeless person throwing a coffee at you are substantially higher than if you’re in small town Canada, but isn’t that what it’s all about? The city never sleeps, something is always going on, it never get’s completely dark and if a fashion trend is about to go through the country, it’s bound to start here…or Montreal.

Also, what’s to hate about a city filled with culture, the arts, multiculturalism and athletics. Here, there’s something to do for everyone. There are classes that you’ve never even heard of, professional sports teams, dodgeball leagues, free concerts, art shows, free community events, there are food fairs, drink shows, sex shows, car shows, dog parades, gay parades, plus there are even bars for every interest (ping-pong, bowling, board games, sex games…you name it,  we have it).

Yes, living in Toronto gives you no bang-for-your-buck, ex. $100,000 can buy you half of a 400sq foot apartment. But is living really about dying with money? I’d rather die with nothing, than to never have experienced anything.

Oh, and to the Vancouverites that talk smack about Toronto, keep this in mind: MEC is not a fashion statement, East Hastings is terrifying and your rent is more expensive.

Check out this documentary, Let’s All Hate Toronto.