Quote of the Day
Filed under: Canadialand > Gay Gay Gay > Quote of the Day > Rufus Wainwright
"I'll never go back to ….Toronto. I can't stand it - the place drives me mad. I'm allowed to say this because I'm Canadian. I have friends there, I work there, but I find it really hard to like. I will have to go back there, but I wish I didn't have to. It's trying to be the New York of the Midwest. I much prefer Montreal."
- Singer Rufus Wainwright tells the U.K.'s Guardian
Posted: June 9, 2008 at 2:00 pm
VANCOUVER RULES!
Rufus used to have a lot of fans in Toronto. But he is the worse snob, he believes is own publicity. Toronto is a much more diversifed city than Montreal or New York (which by the way love them both). Rufus don't be rude you may need your Toronto fans one day. I wonder if you are really Canadian, we usually aren't so mean.
comparing montreal and toronto is like comparing paris and amsterdam.
completely different places with completely different charms.
every american from LA or NY i have met in TO has fallen in love with the place. rufus wainwright is a douche.
Rufus is talented but seriously needs to shut up.
Re: becks –
LOL hell no! Montreal hands down!
I like Vancouver tho ( montreal and vancouver are great)
But why in the name of god do we have to wait for the lil "walking light" to go across the street. SUCH a waste of time specialy if u dont see any car around and u are the only one on the corner of the street.
Vancouver people sure love to waste time standing in the corner of the street. lol
And also the ghetto near the "cafe amsterdam" is freaking scary.
Re: caroly – Even if your french sucks, you try right? The accent you guys have when you speak french is lovely and sometimes hilarious. We're not racist, just fed up of being tossed aside like we don't exist. But in the end, we always end up getting along very good.
I grew up in Canada and could not agree more. Montreal is sophisticated and cultured without trying. Toronto is full of posers and is needlessly pretentious. Although, Chinatown deserves a mention for great food.
Re: CANADA – Well, that's diversity!!!
Re: mimi –
mimi, I personally know a fair bit of French and enjoy visiting Montreal.
BUT, it is known that Quebec can make it difficult for English speaking people to communicate there.
Not too start anything here, but if you are the only province that dominantly speaks French in a country that dominantly speaks English…should you not make the effort to learn and know the English language?
I am proud of Quebec being a Canadian. I think it's great place and find it amazing that I can drive 5 hours and all of a sudden be somewhere where everyone is speaking French! I also agree that it's a great thing to learn French, but it does not need to be mandatory. To enjoy Quebec to the fullest, it does help! Let's face it…you also get better jobs knowing both languages!
I love Toronto through and through. It has so much to offer and everyone needs to agree with that fact. However, you need to love big cities.
I love Montreal as well, but Toronto is home and that's a great thing!
believe me when i say - we don't want you to come back roofy.
we'll be just fine without you.
besides there a million other guys out there in plaid shirts and american apparel sweaters who are medicore at their instrument who can replace you just fine.
luv you rufus!! you are absolutley right..
Montreal is a great Canadian city. But those who live there tend to turn their noses up at Toronto. Toronto is a great city and full of wonderful people.
Why are people hating on the french.
Im sorry but if u come to montreal A FRENCH CITY then expect us to speak FRENCH FIRST then we will try to accommodate u with ur own language.
Im sick of the hate the french gets.
French people trying to speak english for u = them being nice.
Its not cuz u dont understand them that it makes the french a snob and mean community.
Yes they do fight to protect their french because if it was for every tourist montreal would had became an english city.
But at the end english or french , it doesnt even matter because montreal will welcome u with a nice and yummy POUTINE :p
Toronto Sucks. Rock on Rufus for admitting it! Go Ottawa~!!
I'm a Montrealer. To level, I went to Toronto several times in the past and I found many pros and cons there. The only vice that I have towards Toronto are the suburban areas and their copy-paste generic shopping centers. Much like Montreal's suburban areas, it's getting to that level (if you reach over to the new parts of West Island, or South shore, it's suburbia hell). On the other side of the coin, I like to note that both cities do house an abundant amount of history and culture, of which suburban areas cannot match up with. That being said, the whole Montreal vs. Toronto debate is inherent in our history and it'll continue due to our connected history and our hockey teams.
On a personal note, I like to visit Toronto, I might even work there down the road. But Montreal houses a soul and love for its city that I haven't found anywhere else yet.
Re: Vikki –
montreal is not in ontario. know your geography before you talk =)
Having lived in both Montreal and Toronto… he's right. Montreal is so much more interesting and cultural. The only great time to be in Toronto is Pride Week. (Coming up soon!)
He's not allowed to say that because he's Canadian. He should really only be "allowed" to say that if he's from Toronto - which he's not. Montreal people are such snobs. Montreal is the tiniest city that won't grow up - it's the Emo teenager of Canada without a job who whines about how no one understands. At least Toronto has a job and pays the bills.
This is the most ridiculous forum I've ever seen. Do you dumb canucks realize you're arguing over the better city? It's not like Montreal or Toronto will actually be declared the best city in Canada. Rufus likes Montreal??? Well good for him, then don't go to Toronto. They don't need to support your music if that's the case. And Torontonians…who gives a shit what these people are saying? You know what a great city you are, the culture and diversity of your city is awesome. And really trying to be like New York is a compliment because NYC is the bomb.
And from my standpoint it seems like the people that are attacking Toronto are the worst ones. They're pointing these big ole fingers at how rude Torontonians are but they are being the bigger jackasses. I don't get it…what happened to my friendly nation to the north?
Re: Dave –
You tell him Dave! =)
Stupid stuckup cunts .
Re: cait – Some french here are stubborn like hell. I agree. For tourists, they will take out their english but if you live here, you decide to move in a province that, at the base, was french and is being deleted slowly. Don't be surprised if we get mad when ppl don't even try to speak like us, our french language. Quebec city is not developped like Montreal, to them, we're people from the big city so, don't be surprised. So, being a french myself, a lot of French speak english and the ones that don't, just don't know what they're missing….english is international. We still need to protect our french but…
PROTECT YOUR ROOTS BUT DON'T HIDE FROM THE SUN!!! The whole plant will die!
Who is this guy! Toronto is one of the World's Great Cities….Hollywood North of Course we got game!
Re: cait –
First I disagree with u, I dont care if canada is owned by english people, the facts is QUEBEC IS FRENCH and to live here EVERYONE should speak french THEN learn english. And if that doesnt make u happy , just move to another city.
Second, as much as montreal is part of quebec. Montreal IS NOT QUEBEC so when people say FRENCH PEOPLE FROM QUEBEC give hard time to english people! Does this mean quebec as montreal or quebec as quebec?
Cuz this is 2 TOTALY different things.
I can even say that people from quebec city ( most of the time) hate the montrealers and vice versa!
I have the biggest CRUSH on rufus
its relly bad actually coz he could like yell at my grandma and screw my boyfriend
n i'd still be like oh rufus u sing s0o beautifully" lol
Okay, I'm from just outside Toronto, and to an extent I agree, downtown Toronto smells and whatnot, but this guy got his start here, no? Dont bite the hand that feeds you douchebag!
Could u guys stop thinking Montreal has this certain European "je ne sais quoi", because being French, I can tell u MTL is very much a northern american city. The only place I've been in Canada being "close" from the european atmosphere is Quebec City. I have lived in Toronto and I can say that it might look really cold in the first place, but the more u spend time there the more u discover what this city has to offer. Even being a french-speaking gal, I didn't feel like Montreal was the cool city a lot of people describe. That being said I only travelled there twice. Anyway, stop this stupid fight Canucks cos' u've got a great country with loads of different cities!
My sister-in-law was born there, now lives there and she hates it! Funny how although she speaks French fluently she cannot get passed the snobbery towards the English speaking. Some of us try and its still not good enough. So sad we should celebrate our cultures together no matter what, unite as Canadians not English or French. UNITY IS WHAT CANADA IS LACKING! Fools, imbécile!!
Everyone who's lived in both cities knows this!!!
MONTREAL kicks ass TO is crap
Fuck him…Toronto rocks…who the hell is he anyway?
Rufus! You're breaking my heart!
As an aside, I can't believe how many people here (like him nor not) have never heard of Rufus Wainwright…
Montreal hates Toronto, Toronto hates Montreal…so what's new?
In hockey this is so obvious, you can't even disagree it doesn't exist.
The reality: Both cities are unique and wonderful in their own way. Growing up close to Toronto though, I have to admit that we think our city is the shit and you better not think any different.
Montreal is completely unique culture to Canada, with great indie music, French culture and great laid backed people. I think it's all in the way you live.
If you like the buzz of the city, the clubs, the hype and all the rest - then Toronto is your place.
Rufus is a more laidback kind of guy who loves the French culture, it does not surprise me at all he prefers Montreal to Toronto.
All I have to say is…Vancouver is where it's at! Outdoors, culture, amazing weather and just beautiful!! (Except for the cost of living…that sucks!)
Montreal and Toronto are not comparable!
Toronto is a much bigger city and more business oriented, it has become more n more American. However Montreal being a french province and mixed with so much diversity it has become more and more of a european city, plus the ppl are more laid back and hippy oriented…
If you want to have fun and Party plus enjoy great food Montreal is the place!
If you want to build a great career Toronto is the place!
It all depends of what you are looking for..
Re: jean –
ohhh I am talking more about Quebec City. Sorry, I should have put the "City" there when I was talking about it. I have still had some problems in Montreal, but Quebec City is where I had my bad experiences. I had one young woman working at a store I was shopping at actually laughing at me when I tried to talk to her. I cannot put together French sentences very well and she was making fun of me and would not even bother trying to help me. I left the store and they lost business.
I have a great time in Montreal every time I go. I go at least twice a year.
I do stand by Toronto because I work there and spend a lot of time there and love it, but I am agreeing Montreal is great too. It just pisses me off when I hear people there speaking English and then as soon as I try to speak to them, they act like they only know French and pretend they do not understand me. I just ignore people like that and enjoy the rest of the city!!
On a postive note with Quebec City…if you want to see a place with wonderful history and beauty…it is a great place to see. Just be prepared that most people would prefer you speaking French when you are there!
we don't want him here anyways!
Toronto is great, Montreal is great and NYC is great. They are great for different reasons and every place has their bad points.
Toronto is amazing, I have no idea what hes talking about. Montreals amazing too though.
Fuck you Dufus!!!!!!!!!! no one in T Dot even knows who you are..or wants you here….stay where the fuck u came from hhahah frenchies!!!
i love how only people from toronto are actually getting up in arms over this. Toronto is a horrible city to live in with arrogant useless people who are so self obsessed with actually living in toronto when its actually a dive. if toronto was the last place on earth to live… i'd rather die.
Wow. Arguing over who lives in the "best" city…you people are pathetic.
Re: cait –
Yah montreal and quebec city are not the same thing.
Most of the people from quebec city now living in montreal will tell you that the people from quebec city are rude.
Iv been to quebec a few time and they not only make fun of u if u dont speak french but also if u dont look "french"
Its pretty lame for a city with so much history.
They even see montrealers ass sell out for speaking english ( or at least trying)
But something everyone should expect from a big or small city : rude people
( its not something coming ONLY from french people)
Re: Butch – how can toronto with 2 million people be more diversifyed than NYC are u people in CANANDA DRINKING MOOSE PISS????
Good on him. Toronto is a toilet.
Re: Vikki – don't have to be the best city to be a capital! Toronto is the Ontario Capital cause it's the biggest city! BTW Montreal is in the province of Quebec…that's why it's not the capital in Ontario! The Capital of Quebec is Quebec city. The oldest city in North America…Geography 101…..
Re: Vikki –
Obviously you are a moron. Toronto is the captial of Ontario, and Quebec City is the captial of Quebec. Montreal clearly cannot be the captial of Ontario because it is located in a different province. Toronto is the captial because of its history and because of commerce, and population. We only have 10 provinces, can it be that hard to keep it all straight?
As someone who lives in Toronto, I agree that it is a soul-sucking city. I am Canadian, born and bred and have lived all over this great land - but I agree - Montreal is such a beautiful city. Warm, vibrant, giving and fun!
Torontonians are all about money and capitalism, and the ugly skyscraperes and condos blocking the waterfront will tell you that!
So, if he hates it so much, and drives him insane, please, do us lovely Torontonians a favor and NEVER, NEVER, NEVER step foot in the T.O. again!!!! we don't need people like you around here.
Re: don –
Don U ARE THE ONE who is probably drinking dead old people piss!
2 millions people in nyc! SO WHAT!
For all u know the 1.5 million out of the 2 million could easly be red neck trailer trash and .5 million of diversity!
listen, I've lived in the midwest, Montreal, Toronto and NYC, and what right does some dickhead who was born in New York City (Not Canada!!!!!) have to disrespect Toronto when he doesn't even live here! No one bought your damn album Rufus, including Torontonians and Montrealers, so suck it up!
Toronto does suck!….love Vancouver
Toronto is a great city, but a lot of Canadians hate it for some reason. I think that if you go to a city with so many preconceived notions about how the people will be and the atmosphere is, then you will look for those things. I don't understand where he is coming from. But I agree with a lot of the people who say that Montreal is different. The heart and soul of the cities are essentially different. Toronto is more business, less charming. To find the charm you have to look on a local level, in the small communities that form Toronto, from the Danforth to Chinatown. Montreal on the other hand has that certain je ne sais quoi. Toronto is like the older brother, a little more mature, a little more business, but kinda boring. Montreal is the popular younger brother, law student by day, DJ by night. But overall, the hatred that Rufus conveys in his comments… I just think that they are unfounded. Toronto is a lovely city, if you can get past the exterior and crappy Tourist sites and encounter the city on a local level. Montreal on the other hand…Well Montreal is Montreal, a beautiful, diverse city, that just doesn't have that offputting reputation like Toronto.
Go Rufus! Love him. Quebec rules!!
Here's a thought: if you don't like it (I don't care whether you're talking about Montreal or Toronto) don't friggin' live there!!! No one is forcing you to live there, and the people who do most likely don't care to hear you rag on their city. It makes YOU look bitter and hateful, not the rest of us.
Toronto has great things, and not so great things. Montreal has great things, and not so great things. Canadians need to stop hating on other Canadians.
As for Rufus…good luck selling tickets to another show in Toronto, not least because you're geographically retarded.
So sick of people saying Toronto wants to be New York. As one of the biggest cities in North America, Toronto doesn't need to be like any other city but itself.
Of course that's the first complaint most people from other parts of Canada have about Toronto, because they can't think of a more intelligent way to put down a city whose denizens are hard working and fast moving. You never hear people from Toronto say that Montreal just wants to be Paris. Why, because it's moronic.
he's so right. montreal is way better.
go habs go.
Uh…First of TO isn't in the mid-west, second it's nothing like NYC and never will be, third, it's a great city; it's what you make of it, fourth Montreal is trying to be the Toronto of Quebec so his preference for Montreal is just plain stupid.
But at least he's staying away because he doesn't like a city. I can respect that. What I can't stand if people in Toronto that hate Toronto. If you don't like it LEAVE!
whatta doucheeeee
boo hoo…..so one more over rated, talentless bore doesn't like it here. whah whah!
don't come back then…..stay in NYC or montreal, toronto doesn't need you!
lol what an idiot. Toronto is not in the mid-west. Other Canadians hate Toronto because they know that Toronto's a better city.
Re: craigc – hmmm last time i checked there were 8.5 million people in nyc and to break it to u 89% of nw york city is ultra liberal sp please from wall street to the many HOLLYWOOD staRS THE HIGHEST Consentrations of BILLIONARES in the world here in nyc and THE FINANCIAL CAPITAL of the world AND ONE of the 4 command centers THA RUN THE WORLD …… BEING A GAMMA world city SO BITCH PLEASE….NYC IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL COMPARED TO TORONBORING and MONTREAL HAS A FLAIR THATS UNIQUE WHAT DO U GUYS HAVE A WANNABE NEW YORK no other city can BE NEW YORK GET UR OWN SHIT…
who the hell is this guy??
what an asshole.
Toronto finds you very hard to like too rufus.
rufus is 100% correct.. i lived there for 12 years and know the overall culture well and there IS this 'big fish in a small pond - we're the new york of canada!" vibe to the place. once you leave there and go anywhere else, people in other big cities are "where IS toronto?," and could care less about the city. nice to hear him spout the truth! go rufus, go!!!
Re: kimble –
Ah oui? Va dire ca aux 30,000 francophones qui habitent a Toronto. Franchement, enleve ta tete de ton cul avant de parler…
Who is this guy?
Toronto doesnt like him anyway
He's absolutely right…
I'm a dual citizen, and I grew up in Toronto and NYC. I actually find that people in toronto are frigid, unapproachable, and all attitude without anything to back it up. I've encountered friendlier people in New York's 'snobbiest' neighborhoods than I have in Toronto. Montreal, on the other hand, is genuinely friendly, lively and beautiful.
He clearly doesn't know Chicago is the New York of the midwest, I should know I'm a New Yorker who's been to Chicago
Toronto is full of snobs and girls who might be pretty if they stoppoed walking around in gym clothes with messy buns— when they havent been to the gym! They tuck their pants into their socks, and are even known to wear socks and sandals. montreal, on the other hand, is full of intelligent people who put themselves together well.
Toronto is a loser town, for losers.
Montreal rocks.
and so does Rufus.
Rufus is absolutely right. Out of all the Canadian cities, it is Vancouver and Montreal who are distinct, have character and no other city in the world are like them where as Toronto is generic, lacks character, more suburban than urban and is boring. People are not friendly or outgoing there compared to NYC just miserable. Toronto needs a change badly.
Rufus, you poncey queen, Toronto doesn't want you either crabby bitch.
Torontonians suck balls. Ive never met a cool one, and frankly, there must be something in the water there, because they all look like they've just drank something sour. TORONTO SUCKS. i hate people from toronto because they are loud, obnoxious, and have no style. Socks and sandals, whoohoo.
Re: Dan –
My sentiments EXACTLY! Especially around the Annex.
Re: kimble – …yes…we are one big "bioled" potato with no salt….
Re: Jisms –
Jisms is a cum-guzzler that defends a crap city.
To all of you who live in Toronto and say you hate it, then why don't you just move!!! The reason why Toronto gets such a bad rep is because of haters like you who talk so much shit! I'm sure Montreal will be happy to house all you dip shits and then they can have all that negative energy your polluting the Toronto city streets with! DON'T HATE ON AN AWESOME CITY! And to Rufus Wainwright….don't come to Toronto if you hate it. I know for a fact that we Torontonians won't be missing out if you don't come!
What an Ass but it's so expected! Toronto is the only real city in Canada therefore hated by all other residents, especially those from Quebec.
wut a fag… come to canada and say it biatch
its alright you asshole stay where ever you are because we dont want you back here:) please… send for your things asshole!!!
Well I live in Toronto now, I'm a flight attendant here…. but…
I mean, Montreal is way better than Toronto. You can't even compare.
If you want to build a career, come to T-Dot.
BUT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE FUN and see a truly unique place, go to Montreal.
Everybody who's been there knows.
Peace
You Suck. Winey fuck.
Don't call yourself a Canadian. Real Canadians do not bad mouth our major cities to the media you prick!
toronto is gorgeous. What in the world are you talking about? i can't think of a better city.
I live in Toronto and I somewhat agree with Rufus. Toronto is full of suits, posers and hicks who move to Toronto thinking it's a big city. It's definitely lacking something. Montreal has charm and soul..Toronto is full of uptight WASPS. What makes the city somewhat interesting are the immigrants that move here.
what is the point of posting that perez? that is one persons opinion. YOU are not from canada so don't put this kind of stuff up there. It gives Toronto a bad name, when infact it is a great city.
woohooo! go montreal!
Toronto is for tools, go Montreal!!!
STFU, Rufus. Toronto is better than you.
People like myself who live in Toronto love it and you're obviously a brain dead twit. Toronto is the hub of Canada. Of course Montreal is different. It's more like a European city, while Toronto is more comparable to an American city. So why the hate? I'm ashamed that a fellow Canadian would say such a thing.
On a more positive note, I guess you won't be here too much since you hate it. We don't want ya, so I'm glad you're embracing Montreal!!!
Learn your geography Rufus. Toronto isn't the "midwest" and while you're at it, fuck off. Don't bother touring to Toronto in the future if you hate it so much.
many celebrity prefers Montreal … it's so nice and wonderfull city. Thanks Rufus… Montreal is the best!!!!
a city is a city who the fuck cares…every city has things that are good about it and things that are bad about it…this is so lame people hating on each other cuz of the city they live in grow up!
I LIVE IN MONTREAL!!! WOOOT!!! LOLL
montreal est vraiment une ville cool
the next popstar is from montreal too
i heard he's the male britney spears
go see him
w w w . myspace . com / steevefoster
Rock on Rufus, you are so right. It's nice that someone in the public is finally brining it to light
Montreal is by far superiour to that stinkhole Totonto!
I LIVE IN MONTREAL!!! WOOOT!!! LOLL
montreal est vraiment une ville cool
the next popstar is from montreal too
i heard he's the male britney spears
go see him
w w w . my space . com / steevefoster
I love Toronto! Don't get me wrong…I think Montreal is a beautiful city too, but this is my home and as far as the friendliness of the people…well he obviously hasn't had to speak to any quebecois over the phone like i have. Rude. Rude. Rude.
what a fucking ass face… who the fuck are you anyways? no one knows you or your music.. TORONTO IS BOMB… it's the most multicultural city in the world.. it's great and fun… and most importantly the people are sincere and kind.. i live in toronto .. so he can SUCK IT.
what a douche bag
Re: julita –
are you fucking kidding me? you call this guy a celebrity? no one knows who the fuck he is.. and no one fucking cares because this guy is FUGLY. and so is montreal! YAY TORONTO!
Try making it in Canada elsewhere dickhead!. You know why you have to come back to Toronto…because you can't make it anywhere else in Canada. Because you need Toronto. Toronto is the best city Canada. Ask Perez, he knows this.
Asshole…who the hell is this guy anyways? Please don't come back to Toronto! We don't want youl
i love this guy i feel the same about toronto~ montreal kicks toronto ass big time. much nicer here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BRAP!
Who is this guy?