Derail - Calgary vs. RoC (Orchestration & Trolling)

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by geotag277

Montreal has always been doing it's own thing. I don't think it makes sense to "compare" Calgary to them in any meaningful way. We have our own history and our own future. Montreal has theirs. At the end of the day they are two great Canadian cities which have bright futures ( and a few cranky citizens )

Exactly. We aren't Montreal and never will, but the again who cares? Montreal will never be Calgary either. I'm very happy with Calgary thanks.

[Deepstar]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

I notice it's mostly Montreal guys who have a big hate on for Calgary, and I think it's mostly because we are doing so well and they can't accept that the culture-less little hick town on the prairie is becoming a major cosmopolitan city that actually rivals theirs. Plus we have a way better skyline

Yes, Mostly Quebecers\Montrealers and a few from Halifax. While Montreal is doing well for the most part it's kind if like an aging Hollywood actress. They're Sofia Loren and we're Scarlett Johansson. The glory days are behind them and makes a good historical read while we are busy writing our own story.

[Jimby]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Exactly. We aren't Montreal and never will, but the again who cares? Montreal will never be Calgary either. I'm very happy with Calgary thanks.

I'm happy with my past growing up in Montreal and my present in Calgary. No comparisons because what's the point, and no regrets.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Yes, Mostly Quebecers\Montrealers and a few from Halifax. While Montreal is doing well for the most part it's kind if like an aging Hollywood actress. They're Sofia Loren and we're Scarlett Johansson. The glory days are behind them and makes a good historical read while we are busy writing our own story.

This made me smile couldn't have said it better myself. I'm proud to call myself a Calgarian, regardless of me being a transplant, and I have no plans on leaving. In 3 months, Calgary will officially be the longest I've ever lived anywhere other than my hometown.

[O-tacular]

Originally Posted by geotag277

Wow the comment section of that article is ridiculous. Looks like the anti Calgary sentiment is everywhere these days. Keep on hating haters, we'll be doing our thing.

Wow. I love how people talk about Calgary as if it is physically part of the oil sands.

[Dmajackson]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Yes, Mostly Quebecers\Montrealers and a few from Halifax. While Montreal is doing well for the most part it's kind if like an aging Hollywood actress. They're Sofia Loren and we're Scarlett Johansson. The glory days are behind them and makes a good historical read while we are busy writing our own story.

To be fair the the biggest hater from Halifax seems to hate every city.

I personally am happy that Calgary is doing well and I can watch the progress from my balcony. I don't consider myself a Calgarian since I am a transplant and will almost certainly move back East when the time is right but none the less I am still happy for Calgary.

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by O-tacular

I think with Quebec in particular Calgary is viewed as the antithesis of all that is Montreal and old Canada. We're the up and coming, they are the past. They have stagnated, we are growing.

I get to spend a tremendous amount of time with such people. The defensiveness comes out the recognition that most of their wounds are self-inflicted, didn't really serve any purpose or further the nationalist agenda and there is no way back.

There is one guy I have to deal with who is an ex employee of three different companies that relocated to Calgary over the course of twenty years. Rage issues doesn't even begin to describe where this guy is at.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by Policy Wonk

I get to spend a tremendous amount of time with such people. The defensiveness comes out the recognition that most of their wounds are self-inflicted, didn't really serve any purpose, further the nationalist agenda and there is no way back.

There is one guy I have to deal with who is an ex employee of three different companies that relocated to Calgary over the course of twenty years. Rage issues doesn't even begin to describe where this guy is at.

A friend of mine found himself in Quebec during the last referendum. As luck has it, his trip was on the same weekend, where a bunch of Canadians travelled to Quebec in a show of national unity.

During the weekend, my buddy happened to be in a lounge where there was a table of separatists. In a weak moment, he had the waitress bring them a bottle of Champagne and a handwritten note.

When the bottle arrived, Greg said they group was pretty chuffed and maybe even a bit smug that some Anglophone thinks he can win them over with a bottle of champagne.

As the note was passed around the table, there was a noticeable change in their mood. They would read the note, and then look at my friend and he would smile and raise his glass in salute. His note read, "I hope you win."

He says the champagne sat for a awhile before they decided to drink it.

[Habanero]

I can think of three. One that hates everything, everyone knows who that tool is, and a couple of others (one that's from Halifax but not living there) that have a dislike to Calgary and Alberta in general. Nouv*******e, and Some***123. Other than those three guys I haven't noticed any hate on for Calgary from the Halifax side. With Montreal and Quebec it just goes with out saying that you have to have a dislike of Calgary.

It also seems to be a language thing. I know lots of English Montrealers that live here and are fine with Calgary, yet I have yet to meet a French Canadian from Montreal that has liked it here.

Originally Posted by Dmajackson

To be fair the the biggest hater from Halifax seems to hate every city.

[Policy Wonk]

Originally Posted by Ramsayfarian

As the note was passed around the table, there was a noticeable change in their mood. They would read the note, and then look at my friend and he would smile and raise his glass in salute. His note read, "I hope you win."

He says the champagne sat for a awhile before they decided to drink it.

I understand the sentiment, but I don't think the having the socialist basketcase that an independent Quebec would inevitably become in our midst would be considered an improvement by anyone after the fact.

[PPAR]

I just chalk up the Calgary haters to "tallest poppy" syndrome and move on. Fact is Calgary is at a very interesting stage of urban development- something all of Canada should celebrate.
In the early years of Canada, it was assumed that the prairie provinces would develop a major urban centre to join Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal as the urban lynchpins of the country. At the time it was assumed that centre would be Winnipeg, (this led to the great Winnipeg land speculation boom of the early 20th century). Well that never worked out- primarily because of war and depression, but also because of a chance of geology that drew people towards Alberta. We now find Calgary on the cusp of graduating from a second tier city in Canada to become the central place of the prairies. In typical Canadian Fashion it is the New York Times and Manchester Guardian that are the first to acknowledge the evolution.
Calgary now has the same population as Vancouver did in the early 1970's. It was the during 80's onwards that Vancouver evolved into a much more interesting and cosmopolitan city. I am very hopeful Calgary will show a similar blossoming.

[Chadillaccc]

Originally Posted by PPAR

I just chalk up the Calgary haters to "tallest poppy" syndrome and move on. Fact is Calgary is at a very interesting stage of urban development- something all of Canada should celebrate.
In the early years of Canada, it was assumed that the prairie provinces would develop a major urban centre to join Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal as the urban lynchpins of the country. At the time it was assumed that centre would be Winnipeg, (this led to the great Winnipeg land speculation boom of the early 20th century). Well that never worked out- primarily because of war and depression, but also because of a chance of geology that drew people towards Alberta. We now find Calgary on the cusp of graduating from a second tier city in Canada to become the central place of the prairies. In typical Canadian Fashion it is the New York Times and Manchester Guardian that are the first to acknowledge the evolution.
Calgary now has the same population as Vancouver did in the early 1970's. It was the during 80's onwards that Vancouver evolved into a much more interesting and cosmopolitan city. I am very hopeful Calgary will show a similar blossoming.

Awesome post Makes a lot of sense. I hope you're right!

[SteveP]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

Awesome post Makes a lot of sense. I hope you're right!

Totally agree

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by PPAR

I just chalk up the Calgary haters to "tallest poppy" syndrome and move on. Fact is Calgary is at a very interesting stage of urban development- something all of Canada should celebrate.
In the early years of Canada, it was assumed that the prairie provinces would develop a major urban centre to join Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal as the urban lynchpins of the country. At the time it was assumed that centre would be Winnipeg, (this led to the great Winnipeg land speculation boom of the early 20th century). Well that never worked out- primarily because of war and depression, but also because of a chance of geology that drew people towards Alberta. We now find Calgary on the cusp of graduating from a second tier city in Canada to become the central place of the prairies. In typical Canadian Fashion it is the New York Times and Manchester Guardian that are the first to acknowledge the evolution.
Calgary now has the same population as Vancouver did in the early 1970's. It was the during 80's onwards that Vancouver evolved into a much more interesting and cosmopolitan city. I am very hopeful Calgary will show a similar blossoming.

The Vancouver metro area actually had a similar population to Calgary's metro in 1981:

1981 1,169,831 +13.8%
1991 1,602,590 +37.0%

But then grew hugely in the 10 years to follow. Anyone know if that was purely due to some other cities being included in the metro, or if the improvements during the 80s really sucked in a large number of new people?

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

The Vancouver metro area actually had a similar population to Calgary's metro in 1981:

1981 1,169,831 +13.8%
1991 1,602,590 +37.0%

But then grew hugely in the 10 years to follow. Anyone know if that was purely due to some other cities being included in the metro, or if the improvements during the 80s really sucked in a large number of new people?

My guess is the thought of the Brits' lease expiring on Hong Kong was the biggest reason for Vancouver's growth in the late 80 and throughout the 90's.

Now a lot of that money is moving back and probably kicking themselves for leaving in the first place, there has been mad money to be had in China.

[Chadillaccc]

I wonder if constant berating and "trolling" by Mtl forumers is what caused Vancouver forumers to basically all stay in the Vancouver section? Few, if any, of them venture into the Canada section... likely out of fear of bruising some eastern sensibilities and subsequently getting the whip from all the douchey meanies.

[Spring2008]

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

I wonder if constant berating and "trolling" by Mtl forumers is what caused Vancouver forumers to basically all stay in the Vancouver section? Few, if any, of them venture into the Canada section... likely out of fear of bruising some eastern sensibilities and subsequently getting the whip from all the douchey meanies.

I wouldn't worry about it. At first I thought it was just Edmontonians who were obsessed with us, now it seems a good portion of the rest of Canada is too. Must be doing something right.

I think part of it is Calgary's aggressive, pro-business, pro-innovation, high-achiever attitude that is seeing by the ROC as non-Canadian in some ways and even as a threat.

[DLLB]

Originally Posted by Deepstar

Yes, Mostly Quebecers\Montrealers and a few from Halifax. While Montreal is doing well for the most part it's kind if like an aging Hollywood actress. They're Sofia Loren and we're Scarlett Johansson. The glory days are behind them and makes a good historical read while we are busy writing our own story.

Bang on Calgary is a great city and anyone who says it isn't is just jealous!

[DLLB]

Originally Posted by Calgarian

Nobody post that in the Canada section!

Sad but true. This says more about the idiots that put Calgary down that just about anything else we could say.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by Spring2008

I wouldn't worry about it. At first I thought it was just Edmontonians who were obsessed with us, now it seems a good portion of the rest of Canada is too. Must be doing something right.

I think part of it is Calgary's aggressive, pro-business, pro-innovation, high-achiever attitude that is seeing by the ROC as non-Canadian in some ways and even as a threat.

This love to boast about Calgary's aggressive, pro business, pro innovation, high achiever attitude may be seen as a threat by some but,for the most part, is no different that the president/prime minister proclaiming their country the best in the world. This attitude exists in just about any business boardroom across Canada and to believe it is any different in Calgary is selling your potential short.

Of course Calgarians should take pride in becoming a major business hub for the world wide resources market but, also understand the fundamental limitations of a resource market and why it can be perceived as a lower order business.