what the fuck is it with everyone hating on Halifax??
—whatever
This article appears in Sep 3-9, 2009.
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I agree, Halifax has it’s problems, but they are not so many as to actually leave you with the feeling that you hate loathe and despise the place, for those who think Halifax is awful I suggest that you move to London UK for 1 year!, London is a beautiful city rich with history, but this is where it ends, it is a great place to visit but you really would not want to live and work here long term, it is filthy, expensive and over crowded with a great mass of very rude, aggressive, evil people…I miss Halifax!!
Well, when we add it all up there’s more violent crime per capita here than anywhere else in Canada, big stinkin’ cities included. Must be all the “friendly” Nova Scotians, eh? I think it has to do with their exceptional listening skills but I can’t be too sure.
QE2Guy, maybe it’s just CANADA that misses you.
A lot of us are very friendly, kay. I’m sorry you’ve only met assholes and its clouded you to seeing the good in the rest. People often surround themselves with like minded people. Maybe its time you find a new group. Hopefully with non judgemental, kind, tolerant folks like a lot of us actually are.
This is the bitch section, so Halifax appears quite bad here. You have to step out of the Bitch section and head on over to the Love section in order to set the balance right.
Or actually get off the computer once in a while add head out into the city.
^Hypocrite!
Kay- I have lived many places in the world, Halifax being the latest. I can very unbiasedly say that Halifax is my favorite by far. You want to see unfriendly people?! Take a walk down King Street in Toronto and see how many people give you the time of day. Or Montreal. Or if you want a REAL treat live in Boston where people look at you like you have two heads if you say hi. Halifax has it’s issues. But perspective is a great thing sometimes.
but if there was no hate, halifax would be one dull fucking city. you gotta admit that.no drive bys, no entertainment either, right. but maybe we do need more restraint on a few matters here and elsewhere.
I love it here. I’ve lived other places, considered living many others, but nothing is as wonderful as Halifax is for me.
Just wish the people who don’t love it would leave. 🙂
Usually, these negative types are people who see some problems and assume these problems are non-existant elsewhere and have a fairy-tale image of a place they once read about it or lived many years ago. If someone has never lived elsewhere and reads our local media, which is inherently negative as media always is, he/she will think the city is awful.
As for Kay not finding Haligonians friendly. Wow. Just. Wow. You must walk around with a scowl on your face or just generally output negative energy. I’ve never gone a day with having strangers talk to me in the store, on the street, everywhere, with kindness and good intentions. It’s a friendly, warm city. The fact that you find it otherwise speaks volumes about you, not the city.
On a side note, has anyone actually met “Kay”. Ever since I started reading these bitches I’ve had the feeling she’s not a real person, but rather a character somebody is having fun making up, for creative writing purposes or just to piss people off with homophobic theories. Just curious…
Bobby, I’ve lived in Toronto and a few other large cities and never have I seen such hunger for fighting and other derogatory behaviors. That’s not to say violence doesn’t exist in other places but the concentration of affected people here is astounding. Maybe it’s something about people finding drive-by shootings great entertainment for the evening news.
I agree with you, OP. I love Halifax and many of the residents (Kay excluded). You’ll always find jerks in every city (Kay) but the good people out weigh the rest. I especially love how random old people will say “Hi” when you’re walking down the street. It makes my day 🙂 *gives halifax a biiiig hug*
this town is awesome!
enough said.
I make a point to smile and say hi to people who look pissed off. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
i love halifax and its slushy ass winters too.
“I make a point to smile and say hi to people who look pissed off. Sometimes that’s all it takes.”
I do too, to a point. In theory, I would like to do it all the time (and I admire the people who do), but if it’s a perpetually pissed-off person, I just try to avoid them if I see them on the street. I don’t want to listen to their negativity. (I have a neighbour like this. I think she might be “Kay”.) I find I simply can’t smile or be pleasant around super-negative people. If I’m aroudn them too long, I almost start to feel pissed off too. (*Almost.) Sometimes that’s how I feel when I visit this site, but more often there are some amazing posts that either support my own viewpoints (hence the “amazing”haha) or open my mind to new ideas.
Everyone has their opinions, conclusion and experiences with this city.
Mine started out great 15 years ago, for some reason, this city, now, is full of assholes and rudeness. It’s actually more noticeable than other places that Haligonians claim to be so rude like Montreal and Toronto.
You want rude, go to downtown Halifax.
I don’t know what it is with people not saying good morning or smiling at you when you walk past them or don’t respond when you say it to them. Relax, holy fuck, I’m not gonna eat ya if you respond, better yet, I’m not even touching you with a 10′ pole, this is how horrible you are! I’m just being nice, like everyone should be.
It’s not going to hurt you to smile and give proper directions.
Not in this city only, but I love when you go to fat ass communities around the valley, with a population over 2000 and they tell you the nearest gas station is a half hour away in the next major town that has more of a population.
They do have grocery stores and mechanics, but no gas stations. You can tell the intelligence is dripping. I have to drive a half hour to get gas so I can use my car to get groceries that might be 5 mins away.
Talk about good community planning.
Also, in a previous post, a girl was downtown, with her friends, having a grand time, until a guy started bothering her, she said no several times, so he decided what better way to convince her that he’s not a douche bag, stomp her foot and break her toes.
How about the one that a guy spat in her face because she said no?
How about the douche bags working as bouncers, most not all, that think they’re all that around downtown?
How about the police force that does absolutely nothing?
It’s been 10 years since that high school kid that was murdered in a park in Dartmouth, and still nothing? It’s obviously a random act, I’d say related to some gang initiation.
Yes we have gangs here, plenty of them. You just don’t hear about them.
If you start hearing about all that, they’d actually have to work and do something about that, can’t have that now can we?!
Now the latest thing. Shell fish harvesting is halted because of bacteria from high sewage in the water, all across nova scotia. WOW, are we that filthy?!
Aside from all that, yes Halifax is a nice city 🙂 very friendly!
I love people making all these extreme statements on both sides, either saying that “Halifax is so awesome everyone is friendly, unlike Toronto where no one will even give you the time of day” or “Halifax sucks there’s nothing to do.” Both statements are wrong. I was in Toronto the other day actually and intentionally asked as many people as I could for the time of day, just to test the first quoted theory out, and guess what? Everyone I asked did, in fact, give me the time of day, most with a smile. This was in downtown Toronto and a variety of other neighbourhoods. People aren’t as friendly or polite as you’d find in Halifax, true, but that’s generally a bigger city vs smaller city issue I find. People tend to prefer to be more anonymous in bigger cities because there are more weirdos and such, and are generally in more of a rush because, well, it’s bigger and you need to be. I find with myself even, though I was born and raised in Halifax, when I go to bigger cities I get into “Big City Mode” and am also not as friendly and in more of a rush.
On the other hand, after having visited and lived in a variety of places around the world, Halifax does come out on top in my books as the best city in the world. Yep, not perfect, but the best city in the world. Great people, great culture, great history, great natural beauty, great schools, great restaurants, bars, and nightlife, good money if you can find the work (probably the biggest issue, mainly due to such a large number of highly educated people and high demand to live here), it’s clean and well-kept (goes back to the great people really), and you can’t beat the ocean! I’ve probably forgotten a few things that Halifax is awesome at because there’s just so many.
I love Halifax! I’ve lived in a few other cities, both big and small and I can honestly say there is no place like Halifax! It’s a beautiful city filled with great people for the most part. Of course we’ve got our pissed-off, narrow minded idiots like Kay, and our fair share of racists like Em. Hell we’ve even got our corrupt politicians like Ernie Fage and drug-dealer morons like Jimmy Melvin Jr. Despite all that I think this is an amazing place and will probably spend most of my life here. And to all you people that complain about what this city is lacking: instead of just bitching about it, do something about it!
Having lived in a fair number of other cities it is esay to confirm that ours is one of the best! But if you really want a treat try living on the Dartmouth side of the harbour…’at the end of the day I will return to the City Of Lakes’.
Agree, Oceanlady, Dartmouth is awesome! When I write “Halifax is awesome”, I’m including all the bits of HRM, which I guess can be seen as rude, but mostly lazy typing. I love Dartmouth for its lakes, the trails along the canal and lakes, Shubie Park, downtown waterfront, Dartmouth Commons, the urban wilderness park, McCormack’s beach, Lawlor Island, awesome ocean beaches, some awesome restaurants (Jamiesons, La Perla, Kabajis, etc.), the ferry ride to Halifax, Sullivan’s Pond…
The people that complain here about the unfriendliness of Halifax are spending too much time looking in the mirror.
I agree with Forestgreen, anyone who finds this city unfriendly must be putting out some pretty negative vibes. I run into more random friendliness in the run of a day than I do negative.
Kay seems like the type that goes through life expecting bad things and just sees negativity everywhere. You’ll never convince that type of person that there’s anything good out there. She seems(by her posts, don’t know if it’s her real opinions) homophobic, and also hates anyone who dresses differently, or looks different.In my experience, that kind of narrowmindedness breeds negativity. When you view the world through that small a window, the sights are always small.
Randomness:
A good number of those things you listed are not unique to Halifax. Inept police?Gangs? Asshole men? Yeah right, you’d never get that anywhere else, we’re just so unique that way here. By your reckoning, all cities are awful. So, where do you suggest living, you obviously hate the rural areas, too.
I don’t hate Halifax — I’d just like to be able to get a decent job in my field of study.
Although, I’ll be the first to admit Halifax is boring as shit. I’m pretty much bored to tears on a daily basis around here. Last time I went to Toronto the feeling of extreme boredom washed right the eff over me as soon as we landed at Stanfield.
You bitches… kay came here with an expectation of friendly. That’s NOT what I found. I feel like I’m stuck in a XXX version of the Twilight Zone where self-obsessed alcoholic bullies rule the world… that’s does NOT make me narrow minded OR a racist. It makes me one you! Bitch on!
It’s not like Nova Scotia’s reputation as being a friendly province is some conspiracy concocted to lure people here kay. It’s a reputation that’s been spread by people that have come to visit our province.
nevermind, the geniuses at Tour Nova Scotia invented that bullshit. It’s propaganda and you know it! This is a place where you can get stabbed sitting in your car in a parking lot, parked and gapping it.
TDF, “… homophobic… hates anyone who dresses differently, or looks different”
Are you out of your mind? What the hell are you talking about?
I’ll not go the gay race with you today but, to be clear, pick your partner because I don’t give a rat’s ass who you fuck. Why should I? I don’t embrace a gay lifestyle. Boohoohoo. Get over it! Go be happy with yourself and with your partner of choice. You don’t need my approval.
If you are a boy dressed up like a girl, yeah, you’re going to turn my head and others too since gender is NOT a thing of the past nor will it be any time soon but to say I have a problem with what you wear… you don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I’ve witnessed more petty behavior from “grown up” Nova Scotians than I did in grade 5!
I think the biggest problem in this city is the cattle-like mentality of its people and their various selective input disorders carted around by massive undeserving ego’s and most of them tainted daily by some awful addiction. I hate this place.
Go. Just go. The grass is always greener kay, so please make your way towards greener pastures. I have a feeling our pastures will look a lot greener without you.
Wow kay, really out-done yourself today haven’t you? I hope you don’t poop a little when you type that hard on the keyboard. You can’t leave this province, where would we be without knowing that you are at home picking “comment” fights with people on the Coast website? Besides, by the sounds of things, you haven’t been outdoors in years.
What a typical Nova Scotian response, “if you don’t like it then leave!”
No problem solving just pure denial. Mooooo
And what’s your motto kay? “If you don’t like it, whine, bitch, complain, and don’t do a damned thing to improve the situation”?
And please find a new phrase other than “typical Nova Scotian”. I swear to god you sound like broken record every day on here. Do you ever have any new thoughts enter into that closed-minded little head of yours?
I keep waiting for Nova Scotia to surprise me better than it did my first year here.
As for a motto.. I’m a problem solver by trade.
Be nice people. kay is from the friendliest city in the world – Calgary – barf.
Yup, spoken like a Nova Scotian who’s never left the province, Bro. Good ‘n
I swear to god when I envision kay, I can’t help but picture a professional wrestler who’s been cast as a heel. Preening in the ring and taunting the crowd, feeding off of the boos.
Difference is, the pro wrestler is getting paid a million dollar salary to do it, and doesn’t actually believe one iota of the drivel coming out of their mouth.
Kay on the other hand…
you’d be better off picturing me as a girly girl, such a strange sight that may be in this town…
Kay,
All I’m going to add is that I really think it’s a shame that you’ve only seen the nasty side of things here on the East Coast during your time here.
I’ve mentioned here before that I used to work for Social Services (here and in Alberta), so trust me, I have seen ALL the gross, evil shit that goes on in even the “quaintest” town—and that stuff really is the same everywhere.
I’m not asking you to buy into the Tourism propaganda of kilts and bagpipes and gruff-but-lovable down-home folk. The “charms” of Nova Scotia are much deeper and more subtle than that. It’s very, very hard to describe—you have to be willing to look beyond the surface, and you have to see people for who they really are.
I know you have employees, and I am sure that is trying even with the best team (good help being hard to find) but I really think if you spent time getting to know people as they really are they wouid surprise you. (That’s my job coming through again—I am professionally obligated to seek out the better side of people, even if I need a pick axe and a miner’s lamp to find it.)
I do love Halifax, and Nova Scotia, but I didn’t love either of them right away. It took time for the place to grow on me. And yes, it has flaws and imperfections, and there are many, many things that need to be improved. But it’s a really cool place to live and after living here for 15 years I wouldn’t live anywhere else in Canada. It’s “home” in a way nowhere else can ever be.
Good luck in your quest.
Kudos to you, RubyJane, for taking the time to eloquently describe the beauty of Nova Scotia to kay. I don’t have the time nor patience for it. It’s like talking to the effing wall. I swear, my blood pressure rises when I see that stupid muffin.
Easy, tiger. Have a burrito and a beer and I’ll stalk to you in the morning…
Ok, so why was my comment deleted? I never suspected that the Coast approved of censorship. Was it when I said that Halifax was very white?
So much for liberal minded newspapers, huh?
Hah, stalk me in the morning
I love Halifax. The place is beautiful and the people are dolls. But remember this: Your actions teach others how you wish to be treated.
Oh, and I’ll be in the city tomorrow! WATCH OUT. 😉
kay I had the unfortunate expeience to have been posted to that hell hole called Calgary for four fucking miserable years. They people were rude, didn’t know how to drive in the snow, and even worse is “The Greyest City in The World”, Edmonton. The only thing Alberta has is oil and it’s looking like if the environmentalists get their way, that will be heavily curtailed.
Thanks Ruby. Really.
Don’t get me wrong. Calgary used to be a lovely city. I left it and not because everything was peaches and cream.
And, I must agree, Edmonton takes the cake where ugly is concerned.
Hey, I know how we can refer to her…..chuckle……….no, not ‘chuckle’………..Smee is chuckling………How about………..SPECIAL KAY!!
It fits!
She’s soooo special!
(please, no reference to special Olympics implied or intended)
me too I like it here too!
Halifax, a giant beer parlour by the sea. Great place to visit, erm, unless you like music, theatre, ballet, accessible waterfront (No, Murphy’s don’t count, lol) clean beaches, good public transport, friendly cops, no racism, no homophobia and the lack of pick-up trucks from the suberbs cruising around hooting at the prostitutes (but not spending any money)…
There are better parts of NS once you pass 25, and no longer consider “draft night” and a $2.99 “burger” the highlight of your week…
I like Lunenburg
Aaaah, Edmonton. Home of all that my youthful heart desired.
We used to call it “Down South.”
I sure do miss that Waterpark at West Edmonton Mall. Sigh.
Oh, oh, oh, and the REAL Mongolian Food Experience. If that ever reopened I would WALK to Edmonton from Halifax to have their Green Onion Cakes, Hunan Noodle, and Szechuan Beef just one more time . . .
Just for you Smee, kay got “special”. The bitches ought to have a lovely time with this one. Bitch on. Bitch on.
Oh, and thanks again, Ruby. You got me thinking Canery Row’s oysters rockafeller, Smugglers Inn prime rib, The King & I and those perfect Thai sticks with (real) coconut rice… favourite haunts from cow town… for breakfast!
The things I like about Halifax: The trees, the lakes, the houses, the elder Haligonians who will chat, or say hello even though you’ve never met them before, and… baD mR fRosTy… I ain’t leavin’!
The things I like about Halifax: The trees, the lakes, the ocean and LTWWB
I’m quite fond of the donairs.
What I love about Halifax, is that I don’t have to live there.
That when I do have to go there, its never ceases to show me, once again that moving out of Halifax to the country was one of the best things I’ve ever done.
-and by show me, I mean, the difficulty finding parking. Ticket nazi’s standing by meters just waiting for the last few moments of ‘paid for time’ to elapse, so you can really ‘pay’. Traffic crawling behind buses, people darting out into traffic without looking, at intersections, from between parked vehicles. all the “lovely” sidewalk patio’s that have been set up…by covering up parking places ! Plus let us not forget the ever growing legions of panhandlers .
I like watching the Meter Maids take out their tape measure to see if you’re parked too far from the curb.
Stalk of the morning to you, Heathro Babe!
Watching meter-maids take out their tape and measure the distance sounds like a grand idea for a first date.
Of course, Toronto, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver all have free parking on the streets and have absolutely no Parking Enforcement staff. They also have extremely cheap paid parking areas. If anyone believes this, I have a couple of bridges for sale.
Too cool Kay!! High five babe…..just for Smee?……..now I fell special too……shucks…….I’m in a flutter.
That is such a big big improvement over the steaming muffin…….well done….etc…etc.
Exactly what “lakes and ocean” do Haligonians enjoy anyway?
That stinky cess-pool you call a harbour, lol? A few scattered water reservoirs inside the city limits accessible only by dog-shit ridden hiking paths filled with manic bi-cyclists and signs telling you not to fish?!
The REAL Nova Scotia is not seen in Halifax, with its mob-rule of panhandlers and parking tickets, any more than the real England is seen by a visit to that dirty, over-crowded and massive ‘United Nations’ of the Southeast, London…
“”Don’t get me wrong. Calgary used to be a lovely city…”
Yeah, until they put the railroad through, and it was all downhill after that…