Halifax is a town. It’s not a city. It doesn’t punch above its weight. It shouldn’t even try, it’s pitiful to watch. It’s at best an incestuous, corrupt, close-minded little village, where people are NOT friendly to outsiders or those who have come from away. It’s debilitated, it’s sub-par, and it’s full of folks with no ambition, who are proud of their mediocrity. —Moving to Ontario
This article appears in Mar 17-23, 2011.
Wow, you really got our number.
Don’t let the door hit you on the gunt on your way out.
Who pissed in your cornflakes? I’m from another province and have never had a problem. I’m proud to now call Halifax my home. I have ambition, and I’m slowly reaching goals. Yes there are close minded people, but you get them everywhere. I’ll be glad when you move to Ontario, I don’t need to hear you talk crap about Halifax anymore.
..well,stay clear of: oshawa,scarborough,hamilton,thunderbay,north bay,bellville,peterborough….. cityboy 🙂
As someone who deals with, on a daily basis, people from out of province, out of country and from around the world I can tell you that the most common theme of their feedback is: “wow, everyone here is so friendly!”. I hear this more often than not.
I happen to love my city. Do I wish some things were different? Sure. However, I like living in a place where I know should I be found lying on the street someone will stop to help, instead of just step over me and carry on with their day.
You think we’re unfriendly? Go give Calgary or Toronto a try. They don’t give a rat’s ass about anyone but themselves.
Halifax unfriendly…unbelievable, haven’t you heard about the group(s) of people introducing themselves to strangers around the commons area ?
Or all the friendly shootings around Roman’s Ave, Spryfeild, & around Gottigen St. The nice guy who has been going into South end Halifax homes & making sure the residents are sleeping ok…The young man who was firing his handgun right downtown outside Citadel High .
Yep ,O.B. you’ve forgotten all those friendly folks… how can you criticise Halifax ,when you’ve got wonderful people like these ?
Sorry More. You’re right.
Every city in the world has crime, and that fact negates all friendliness and kindness shown by the residents.
Fucking dipshit.
Hey come on More, just don’t focus on Halifax for the shootings. We got some of those friendly folks on the other side of the bridge.
I love Halifax. And I’m proud to say that I feel like a true Haligonian and will always want to live here. I may have to move away for a bit, but hopefully someday I can come back. I’ve had nothing but a great experience here…
Jesus, when will this troll stop?
It apparently hasn’t moved to ontari-ari-o yet. Go away vit you troll!
I love Halifax and Nova Scotia as much as the next person, but sadly it is a totally backwards place and as far as people being more friendly? Complete nonsense!
I didn’t know London or Thunder Bay were so luxurious.
are you one of my long lost, and want to stay that way cousins? fuck, i hope not. i thought i had rid the planet of the last one 2 years ago.
but hey, if you really don’t like it here, then seeya.and yes o.p., we are what we are, but you find me one place that isn’t worse than us, i fucking dare you.
Well you still have to pay for water(in a timely manner)….
Sorry, thought this was a Survivor Bitch.
brampton and mississauga too.. oh, and barrie… sarnia… kitchener…
Cross burnings, swarmings, crooked politicians, NO BEEP, shootings, snow, in-breds, drug wars, etc. Of course, all, well some of these are found in other Canadian cities also.
I can’t believe they used the term “come from away”. I lived in PEI for 3 years.
My ex father in law told me there was a man died at 95, moved to PEI from Ontario when he was 8. At the estate sale after the funeral people from his road were discussing why he didn’t go “back where he was from” to be buried.
NS has no “come from away” bullschitt. We are made of come from aways.
Be sure to look up Kay when you get there. You two should get along just great complaining about all the Ontario goofs you’re bound to meet. I’ll take my lovely HRM neighbourhood where complete strangers bid each other good day with a smile on their face.
I miss beep too, bluenoser 🙁
I think a lot of how one views its surroundings depends on how they, themselves TREAT their surroundings. I’ve lived in Ontario (Ottawa, which is kinda SORTA Ontario but not in a way (kinda like how Gatineau is like…fake quebec :P…but still) and have spent some time in other larger cities there (Toronto, for example), and I’ve never had anything but good experiences, however, as cocky as this may seem, I’m really fucking nice to people. Me and my poor poor french skills were even loved in Quebec. LOL (though, I think they might’ve felt sorry for me at the same time and taken pity on me :P).
I’m not saying halifax is the friendliest place on earth (visit the valley and you’ll see! I really noticed how nice folks were down there and maybe my valley upbringing is why I make it a point to be nice), but if you treat others well, they’ll be more inclined to do the same to you. 🙂
NO BEEP is now a universal condition:(
I have many fond memories of Beep. :'(
don’t forget sudbury and wawa. i know what you speak of wheelie, my family lived on pei for 40 plus years but upon their deaths they were still cfa’s. for nostalgia’s sake mr. blue http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_R3xG1nWrlY0/SseM…
Yeah the only way to fit in is to wear tight jeans and not shower for 10 days. Also make sure your daddy buys you a brand new SUV. But apart from all the deadbeat Ontarians populating the city, Halifax isn’t too bad. If you think people are inbred and unwelcome to strangers here, try visiting Prince Edward Island.
I didn’t realize anybody not in high school cared about “fitting in”. 😛
Our city usually fills up with douchebags around the end of summer, start of fall; oddly enough, about the same time all the kids from Ontario and ‘out West’ move in to go to our Universitys…
Also note the Drunken Rampage Destruction Level increases by about 588% in that week alone.
Okay, It’s time for me to come out of the closet: I didn’t like BEEP when it was around. It tasted kind of funky and smelt weird.
Ick.
Jees every time someone says they dont like halifax out comes the well dont let the door hit you on your way out, I don’t think it is the same person i’ve talked to a lot of people moving away from this city, and i’ll be joining them soon the way things are going, i’m tired of zero manufacturing, sitting on a trade thats absolutely useless here, and before you say oh retrain, why bother another 4 years when i can get a job easily in Alberta, BC hell even Manitoba.
Sure your all friendly people and i love that about here, i fell in love with the place but i do wish people would look around and feel open about relocation rather than slamming people who do like unwanted trash.
that sounds about right snoop, it’s the peachy flavour… i’ll take the tang please
Wheeliep…you are right almost all places have crime.
As for friendly people…Halifax hasn’t got all that many. Tyr walking down barrington Street any work day, smiling & attempting to be friendly with the people you see.
If you get a friendly reply back it’ll be rare. People are not friendly down there. try the same thing in Truro, you’ will find more friendly people there. I found the same thing out here in the sticks , while there are some who turn up their nose or scowl & ignore you many more say hi back…As for picking on HAlifax more than Dartmouth…same , same as they say in some Asian countries.
Suck six dirty dicks in a row OP. Don’t let the door hit your lardy Ontario ass on the way out.
More-
Whenever I talk to visitors from away, they always say locals go out of their way to be helpful with directions etc. I’ve even driven people to where they asked about, if it involved a cab ride or bus- just because. I realize some areas might seem a bit less friendly. After living in Toronto I wonder and dealing with the helpful and the pricks, I wonder if it has anything to do with the nature of Barrington. People with heads down, on their mission to get to work/where ever. I live up on Spr Garden, and I notice some people won’t make eye contact with homeless folks or anyone they think might “want something”.
I’m not being a booster for NS. I find people are more likely to be generous and helpful than not. But then I’ve found that in PEI and Toronto, where I’ve lived as well.
This is all up to our personal experience though, so I’m not going to forcefully argue it too much.
Enjoy the sun this week, Bitches!
I’m going to come even more out of the closet than you, Donk – I had no idea what Beep was…. So I’m thankful that I don’t know what it tastes like either! Ha ha.
*cough* it was snoopster sweetie
You SHOULD be thankful — once you get a taste of that sweet sweet orangey goodness your life is never the same. 🙂
Hay — wondering: wanna get together sometime for a coffee, ralmn? I know you were nervous about meeting us on Sunday, so maybe a smaller get together might be cool? Maybe FA would like to join us and have it “girls only”? Lemmie know 🙂
Whoops! Sorry ladies, I meant snoop. :p
that was post googling what it was… I got confused.
http://crossfitfire.com/site/wp-content/up…
Sure Pk, I’m up for that. Can you send your email again?
..i agree with the additional “cities” cept kitchener…mennonites,germans(giant oktoberfest)and hapn’n peeps..i like kitchener/waterloo muchly 🙂
prettykittylady@gmail.com. It’s my “dummy” account — I’ll give you the real one over there 🙂
you gave me a dummy email? i am crushed^^
did someone say ‘crushed dummy’ ?
http://www.partyvibe.com/forums/attachment…
damn it ! wrong pic.
http://www.showcase.ca/media/images/shows/…
I’m down for that idea PK and Ralm 😀
OP, don’t like it? Check out Expedia and pick up a one-way ticket to Libya. Speaking of outsiders, what’s the latest on those two international students who took the life of their child? Or the two boat people who landed in Vancouver last year and are now found out to be associated with a terrorist group? No wonder we don’t welcome them.
omfg..i agree again..:)
Well what do you expect when you approach city limits and the big sign says “Welcome to HRM” – the true translation for HRM is HARDLY RATES a MENTION.
Went for a walk on the waterfront boardwalk on Sunday, ended up at Historic Properties for a coffee, that place was deader than Kellys re-election hopes.
We all get defensive about Halifax, but if we were to be honest, it really is a big town that is stagnating, dirty and desperately needs a new Moses to lead us out of the wilderness.
There are people who are trying to make it a great place, but unless and until we get leadership from the city and it’s elected officials, we’re going nowhere.
We don’t have enough money for ANYTHING, we’re like a student living on maxxed out credit cards and our only revenue is by either further raping the residents or going cap in hand to the province or the feds.
There are great developers who have shown innovative designs, but they end up getting bogged down in endless hearings and muzzled by the Heritage Luddites.
I think it’s funny how people from NS have this writhing hatred for Ontario. It’s so exaggerated that really, it seems like nothing more than bitter jeleousy to me.
As someone who grew up in Halifax and now lives in Toronto, I can honestly say it’s no ruder a place. And many of the differences I do see are positive: a decent economy, great public transportation, lots to do, and a place where immigrants can feel they belong, for starters. Within a month of moving onto our downtown street, several neighbours introduced themselves and we were invited to a few parties; all without ourselves making any real effort (we expected the city to be unfriendly and so started off keeping to ourselves). I love that there are so many people from so many parts of the world; there’s alot more integration and multiculturalism (yes, it’s possible for both to exist at the same time) in Toronto than I ever saw in Halifax! On the downside, there is more wealth here and so the pressure to keep up is something that gets under my skin sometimes; but I blame the media more than the people for perpetuating this; there are lots of unwealthy people too. Overall, I love Toronto but I also love Halifax; for different reasons, and I’m proud to come from there. This whole hate-on for Ontario, however, is ridiculous and laughable. And for those of you who base your opinion of a province on a bunch of university brats; they’re brats everywhere!
Haeturs are always the most jeleous.
I agree, for the most part, Z. And, I actually felt safer walking around at 3am in Toronto than I ever have in halifax. I was staying in the Gaybourhood and went out with a friend to grab a large sum of cash and some foodstuffs before I had to head to the airport at 5am (no point in sleeping) and there were tons of peple out and about going to the clubs and I didn’t have that creepy feeling I do in halifax.
As well, everyone I’ve ever encountered, for the most part in Toronto or Ontario in general were very nice to me. Except the k-unt at pearson who decided she’d pick on me because the other security guy she was trying to flirt with was being all charming with me. Almost missed my damn bording call.
The only thing I will say is, I did get some bashing from some of the people I worked with — they’d trash talk the maritimes whenever they could. One was from Vancouver though, so I can’t blame Ontario for that one.
In any event, i don’t see what the big deal is. Then again, I thought everyone in Quebec was very friendly, even to little ol’ anglophone me, and they’re not known for taking to kindly to my type (especially since they tend to hate on fatties, heh).
Also: yay, FA! I FB’d you about it. I invited RC as well. She’s going to get back to me when she has a better idea of her schedule 🙂 I’m excited!
yay for bitches summits!
it’s like a mensa meeting for beeeatchers..:)
Hay, I’m available all weekend, ladies, this weekend and next, so I’m good for whateves. We should invite zed too since he missed this past weekend. He can be one of the girls! HAHA.
what part of the country are you in these days, marty? ontar-ria-rio? we’ll have a special summit pour toi if you return east 😀
yea..back in my boyhood town…and someday i’d like to be one of the girls too..PK…i’ve got a hat..it’s say I’m a beeeatch! 🙂
I’m going to need enough notice to have time to find a dress that will fit me….
Skirts work well for those “hard to fit” body types 😉
I’m sure I have something in my closet you could borrow. 😀
Meh, I won’t be wearing a dress, z3, so don’t feel like you have to dress up either! ;p
no dresses allowed…i don’t have a boyhood home marty, but if i did, that is very sexist. girlhood sounds so much better *chortle*
HA. I ain’t dressin’ up either. I just find the impending visual of zed in a dress/skirt amusing. Especially if he throws on some red lipstick. I have some clinique buttershine in “cranberry creme” that would probably look pretty hot on the ol’ zedster.
wouldn’t that be too ..intense for a al fresco soiree PK…i would go with something lighter and fresher for the zed-o-later.. and perhaps ..a elizabeth ashley frock…just say’n 🙂
I did acquire a new MAC lip colour in “politely pink” this weekend that’s a bit more subtle and might suit the occassion a bit more — it’s a lustre, so some sheen, but not too much. Perfect for the zedman.
Should be complimented by a neutral eye though — something in a combination of browns. A nice golden blush would finish off the look very nicely.
Would work well with my tulip skirt, black flats and new coral off the shoulder top. Shoes probably won’t fit, but I’m sure he could squeeze into the rest of the attire.
..OMG..he’ll look fabu..i’m so jealous..it’ll be the event of the season ..:)
wait…. what the fuck??!?!?!!
I’m no tranny!
and especially not pink!
Hay, you started the dress talk, mister!
Srsly though, come with us for coffee or whatever this weekend 🙂 You don’t HAVE to wear a dress.
you an idiot OB the definition of a city is: A town of signifigant size, with importance either commericailly, culturally, or geographically. Iqualiuit nunivuit is alot smaller than halifax, but it is the capital city of nunivuit. we are the capital city of NovaScotia. better luck next time
Z, it’s not only us that hates Toronto, it’s the whole country. Yancouver and Montreal doesn’t get the hate Toronto gets. Maybe it’s because Toronto thinks it has a hockey team.
guess this idiots never been to ontario… its worse there… what a dummy… Halifax is awesome… i love this town.. woot woot… this town is better off now, were down one more dummy… adios zeek….
I would like to come to the BitchesBitches Summit too. Ladies love me. (blush)
It’s true, we do!
I’ll keep ya posted. 🙂
i just skipped over the comments on this one cuz i knew theyd make me mad lol. but wow op. your post definetley has some merit.
Wow. I am frankly stunned by all the vitriolic responses here.
Had the poster said that he (or she) was returning to England or France, I doubt there would’ve been even a quarter of the hate I see here. Honestly, would there?
What is it with Nova Scotians and Ontario? I never encountered such intense disdain (or hatred) when in Newfoundland, New Brunswick or even Quebec. While Canadians in general love to bash Americans, in Nova Scotia the hobby seems to be to bash Ontario, with a particular emphasis on Toronto. What did Ontario or Toronto ever do to you?
I have to say that I can definitely understand where the poster is coming from. While people here may be friendly to each other in a supermarket check-out line, or at the doctor’s office, it is extremely difficult for a non-Nova Scotian to make any real friendships with Nova Scotians.
I’m not talking about students in university, but people in their 30s, 40s and 50s. How many of you, who are Nova Scotians in that age group, can honestly say that you’ve opened up your social circle to non-Nova Scotians? From my experience in the past 2 years, the grand total is zero.
I have invited over my neighbours (who are Nova Scotian), colleagues (again who are Nova Scotian) and other acquaintances (again who are Nova Scotian) on several dozen occasions, and how many times do you think I’ve ever been invited back? Again, in the past 2 years, the grand total is zero.
Similarly, how many of you, who are Nova Scotians in their 30s, 40s or 50s have invited over someone from outside of the Maritimes, so that they wouldn’t be alone on Thanksgiving or New Year’s Eve? I certainly never received any invitations.
Now compare this to the number of fellow “outsiders” who’ve reciprocated, or invited me back over. It’s a 1:1 ratio or even better. How else can I interpret that compared to zero reciprocations or invitations from the Nova Scotians?
I think people here need to look inside and try to understand themselves a bit better, before launching into knee-jerk vitriolic tirades at anyone who criticizes the friendliness of the locals. It is not one troll who writes all of these complaints – there are quite a lot of us who feel excluded, ignored and unappreciated. Contact any of the major moving companies and ask them how many Brits are moving back to England, as opposed to moving into Nova Scotia, and the reasons why – and then I think you’ll start to realize there is an issue here.
Or speak with any of the Americans who come off the cruise ships in the summer their opinion about race relations in Halifax and Nova Scotia. You will be surprised to learn, perhaps, that many of them feel that race relations in Nova Scotia are 20-30 years behind the United States.
Oh any by the way, for full disclosure, I was born in Ontario, but have never lived there.
LOL, trust me, Nova Scotians get this treatment from other Nova Scotians on many occassions, it’s not just you ranafarmonk. And for what it’s worth, I’ve invited non Nova Scotians to spend xmas and holidays with my family and myself so they wouldn’t be alone.
But you know who are the worst of all? The Cape Bretoners. You try being friends with one of those fuckers. They’ll stand you up then steal your burger whenever they get the chance. *shakes head*
I’m fed up too. Mostly because I love this city. Well, I used to. Now I’m starting to hate it. I feel it has potential to be a really awesome city but it’s just so bogged down with with opposition to any sort of progression and the people who run this place are useless idiots and the ones that don’t seem to be so useless and want to help the city, can’t seem to get through all the red tape to actually do anything. But I know these things can be found in most places. I’m really just sooo sick of it though. The people who live here, I don’t really have an issue with. Sure there are idiots and people stuck in the 50s but that can be found anywhere. What about the couple that gave away millions of dollars in lottery winnings to charity? We so easily forget about those people but will remember the cross burners forever. But still, I can’t wait until I finally get out of this dead end city and maybe in the year 2150, we’ll have our first sky scraper if humans haven’t resorted to eating each other by then. Maybe soon I’ll get outta here, maybe pick up an alcohol addiction and move to BC; it’s treated as a disability there! Do they get disability pay? Lawl.
Worst thing about Cape Bretoners – 1 on 1 you could be talking to a Rhodes Scholar with plummy Oxford type English. Get 2 or more in a room together and it’s like the cumulative IQ drops 60 points, the brogue comes out and it’s all “Howze she goin’, bye” You half expect them to duck into a phone booth and come out wearing a ballcap, mackinaw jacket, track pants and unlaced greb work boots.
“Tis CaperMan me sons. To Pogey and Beyond!”
>; )
that last time i visited some charming lady used the term *squaw* yeesh
ranafarmonk – try joining a club or some sort of asociation, you’ll find people are more gregarious in those situations.
On the other hand, if nobody has invited you out/over in the past two years….maybe you’re the problem.
@Hugo Phurst, done and done. And as mentioned in my posting, I am getting invites and reciprocations, but only from other outsiders. To any Nova Scotian, I’m invisible or simply not worth the effort. Thanks btw for suggesting I’m the problem, that’s really constructive and helpful!
AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA I love you, Ivan. That was great (but wait: try being in a room with more than 2 FRENCH Cape Bretoners… *shakes head* my family reunions sure are… interesting — half the time I just smile and nod my head. Who knows what i’ve said yes to :|)