helcat12

Absolutely so, which is why I am not judging Canadians by those people.

It does make you more vulnerable when you don't know the system and haven't got the contacts.

Also I think when you immigrate you are more emotionally vulnerable, as you have taken a huge step, you are understandably nervous and you want everything to turn out well.
You are a bit fragile and maybe take things harder than you might back at home in the UK.

Aberdeen_Loon

Many people from all over the world (including here in the GTA) feel that Toronto is a very difficult place to meet new people. For some reason, people tend to be very "cliquey" here. It's as if Torontonians aren't interested in meeting people and are quite content to stick to the people they went to high school or university with. Because I moved around a lot and have worked with a lot of introverts over the past few years, I find it difficult to meet new people even though I spent most of my life here (not that I don't have any friends, I would just like to meet more people and broaden my circle of friends).

Another thing my wife (who is from Northern Ontario) and I aren't crazy about is how you basically need an invitation written in blood months in advance here to get invited to someone's house. There seems to be little spontaneity (perhaps it's because of the distances and travel times).

I also remember when I worked in Scotland and started a new job it was quite common to be invited out for drinks by the end of the first week on the job. I miss that social aspect.

I am thinking about joining some of the expat meetup groups, but with my Canadian twang, I might be thought of as something of a phoney (I was born and went to university over there, but spent most of my life here). Nevertheless, I miss a lot of things about the UK, including the social life. Yet I'm not sure if difficulty meeting new people is a Canadian or North American thing, or just a GTA thing, as many people seem to think. Toronto is a great place, but it can be a bit cold (although people are usually at least superficially friendly and polite).

Lychee

I wonder if it's because Toronto, like many large cities in North America, is an immigrant society in the process of creating its own social culture.

Let's compare this with anywhere in the UK or Europe which have had hundreds/thousands of years to develop their own cultural norms.

Toronto has been a perpetual magnet for immigrants since the beginning. Its whole history exists as a transient city of people coming and going from all over the world.

While certainly people born and raised in Toronto may socialize with one another, I don't see this being any different than people who move to Toronto from elsewhere in Canada or the rest of the world, only socializing with the people who also come from where they're from. It perpetuates itself, but I don't see any particular group to blame.

I see it happening here in Vancouver too.

Zen10

I'd forget about that theory if I were you. Australian cities are all massive immigrant societies and they're the world's best at socializing - first names straight away and invites for office drinks, barbies straight away. From reading these forums it seems more of a US/Can thing to be honest - but cultural not individual. I know Canadians and Americans in Australia and they socialize no problems.

mudcat

I've been in Toronto for 3 months so far and I too am struggling to meet new people. I know a handful of people through my Canadian girlfriend however I'm stuck in a cubicle at work and people don't talk much so it's a dead end.

Take a look at http://www.torontossc.com/ and go on kijiji and search for "tssc" - you could take up a new sport with a sports and social team.

I took up beach volleyball, it doesn't require much movement and is normally followed by a few beers.

helcat12

wow! that sounds like a great hobby!

dbd33

There's a court in the park opposite our house, people play there every evening. They don't look quite as one might hope.

Zen10

My number one must-have when it comes to partaking in sport.

mudcat

It was at the top of my list . . .

JonboyE

My #1 requirement for a sport.

ninaDGBCA

I feel the same about Ottawa. Cliquey and very hard to aproach. I've 3 little girls and thought it would be easier to meet people through the kids but it is not. Like you said it's making plans 3 weeks in advance. My OH misses the Friday after work drink etc. So it might be a North American thing. I miss the social aspect and humour. In the moment I am wondering whether people from the Maritimes are more social and aproachable. Is it worth changing Province, giving it more time or going back? Last is not really an option I guess.

Zen10

I'd be interested to know what it's like in Europe because it isn't like you describe in Britain or Australia. I'd like to know if it's just a NA thing. Like I said though I know NAs in Australia and they're good fun.

ninaDGBCA

I've lived in Munic, Hamburg and Manchester UK. People in the south of Germany love to socialise i.e. beergardens etc. in the north they are "colder" and less outgoing. Manchester was great fun. Great humour, pubs and lovely friends. Shame the economy is so bad and jobs are rare. And the constant rain
If it hadn't been for my husband getting a much better(therefore living in a better and safer area), safer (in terms of keeping it) and more enjoyable job over here I would have loved to stay in the north of England. Maybe Yorkshire.

Zen10

Very interesting about Germany - just the sort of insider stuff I was hoping to find! Only been to Yorkshire once and had a great time in the pubs there.