New York and Toronto are both huge, diverse, cosmopolitan cities. They have lots of huge differences, but quite a few subtle ones as well. I live in Toronto, I visit New York all the time, and I love both cities very much.
- In New York, you get a straw every time you order a drink, and that straw is either wrapped, or has a piece of wrapping on the top. In Toronto, you rarely get a straw unless you order a cocktail.
- Some people in New York say stand “on” line instead of stand “in” line.
- When crossing the street, New Yorkers will stand in the road, and cross as soon as there are no cars moving, regardless of whether or not the light has changed. Torontonians generally wait politely on the sidewalk until the light changes (although Toronto cyclists could care less about traffic signals).
- Toronto convenience stores don’t sell liquor, pastrami sandwiches, or cakes (generally speaking).
- New Yorkers are used to being asked for money by homeless monologists and street performers on subway cars. Torontonians are shocked when asked for money on the subway, but have no problem when it is in a subway station or on the street.
- New Yorkers are, generally, annoyed by tourists. Torontonians are surprised by tourists. Both roll their eyes at suburban weekend warriors (aka “Bridge and Tunnel” or “905’ers”).
- When you feel a drip on your head in Toronto, you assume it is bird crap. When you feel a drip on your head in New York, you assume it is from an air conditioner.
- Yes, New York has Tim Hortons…but it is just not the same. I can’t explain it….Canadians know what I’m talking about.
- There are hardly any Puerto Ricans in Toronto, and fewer Dominicans (as far as I know). Also, the Hasidic Jewish population in Toronto is smaller and not as ‘yell-y’. There are not really ‘block parties’ in Toronto either. Toronto is just not as publicly loud as New York in general.
- In New York, you can routinely get beers in bars for $2 or $3, and mixed drinks are free-poured and hella strong. At the same time, some bars in Manhattan have outrageous prices for cocktails. Toronto is generally a moderate rip-off pretty much across the board.
—Photo dragontoller/Flikr
There may have been some New Yorkers present when American troops burned part of Toronto in the War of 1812, but no Canadians burned New York in the War of 1812. The war is a much bigger deal in Canada than it is in the U.S. Just a bicentennial perspective.