Adapting to Toronto culture
The moment you step onto Toronto's ground, you might experience a peculiar sensation. Luckily, by following our guidance, that feeling will quickly fade, and you'll soon embrace the identity of a genuine Torontonian. As you likely already know, Toronto is a city of immigrants. Consequently, many who proudly identify as Torontonians were once newcomers in a land full of opportunities.
Just like in any Canadian city or town, Toronto is a melting pot of cultures that its residents proudly connect with. If you don't embrace or try to understand these diverse cultures, adapting might be challenging. To truly fit in and feel at home in Toronto, don't hesitate to step out of your comfort zone and approach things with an open mind.
Shopping in Toronto
Your first cultural challenge upon arriving in Toronto is that grocery stores tend to close a bit earlier compared to most European cities. You'll need to adjust to daytime shopping. Make sure you finish your shopping and don't leave anything behind before 6 pm. Alternatively, explore this list of stores that remain open late.
Eating out in Toronto
Foreigners often have trouble finding their favorite dishes in local restaurants, leading to a quick yearning for familiar flavors. Being away from home, without family or friends, can quickly contribute to feelings of loneliness and nostalgia, possibly resulting in homesickness for many.
To counter this, consider finding associations and events in your community that bring people together. Explore restaurants that interest you or make connections with fellow compatriots. Occasionally, or even more frequently, organize gatherings to cook dishes of your choice!
What's politically correct in Toronto
As your stay progresses, you'll discover just how politically correct Toronto is. In other words, you need to be careful when sharing your opinions to avoid offending anyone's sensibilities. Torontonians, and Canadians in general, prefer to avoid conflicts. Raising your voice to express disagreement is not a common practice in Canada. Rather than speaking without filtering your feelings, it's advisable to think twice before speaking and maintain a gentle attitude. Torontonians value respect and aren't quick to criticize others. If criticism is inevitable, they often do it with a touch of humor or irony.
Toronto places significant importance on members of the LGBTQ+ community and their rights. In fact, the majority of Torontonians are pro-choice when it comes to abortion and acknowledge the reality of climate change. While not everyone may fully embrace political correctness or share the same beliefs as Torontonians, it's wise to maintain a politically correct stance and refrain from openly expressing personal beliefs and opinions.
The language barrier in Toronto
If you're not fluent in English, the language barrier could impact your integration into Toronto. English is the official language of Ontario, and it's widely spoken throughout Toronto. While you can receive service in French in public services, the same might not be true in restaurants, transportation, or stores. Therefore, learning English is essential. If you find yourself missing conversations in your mother tongue, make an effort to connect with fellow countrymen and women with whom you can communicate.
Socializing in Toronto
To avoid feeling lonely, try to make friends once you've settled in Toronto. Join clubs or other organizations that interest you. There's no shortage of leisure, sporting, and networking activities in Toronto, so make the effort to get out and about, as it's sure to do you good.
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