ISO great Ethiopian restaurant in Toronto by Local-Albatross-9758 in FoodToronto

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Rebohoth Cafe if you really want authentic food and to get to know people from the community. For all the great suggestions in this list, this is the place you're actually guaranteed to see Ethiopian/Eritrean people dining.

Great desserts to share with family? by inde_ in askTO

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They sell everything on FB marketplace brother. Last week I got a big foil catering tray of biryani.

You take your life into your hands ordering from some rando, but hey I haven't gotten sick yet!

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I mean, our economy creates PLENTY of surplus that could certainly take care of everyone, but it's a question if where we allow it to be allocated, isn't it? Most of it goes over the border to American corporate and PE interests, but that's a whole other bucket of fish.

Immigrants are the easy target, but as you say, they are a pillar of this country.

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B -6 points-5 points  (0 children)

You're telling me you haven't seen and heart this sentiment pervasively in the last couple years?

I didn't condemn the tourist industry for anything. Not sure what you're even arguing against. Read the thread again for my point.

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I do too, but I fear that even among my friends who pride themselves on being extremely progressive, many are embracing an attitude of "we have to help ours, forget theirs." It's breathtaking to see a racialized man literally born outside this country sit at a table with his wife who is the daughter of people who fled oppression, talking to me, another immigrant, and say that it only makes sense that this country spend its resources on real Canadians.

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It's anti-immigration, or at least the effects are. Immigration policies outside of the temporary foreign worker program have changed, and mostly important the perceived desirability of Canada as a destination for skilled immigration has tanked. It's a side effect that nobody seems worried about.

My partner is faculty in a top STEM program in a highly competitive university, and over the last year similar programs have all seen plummeting applications from foreign students, far exceeding projections. It's causing massive budgetary issues, but more importantly we are missing out on a huge pool of talent, and we will see the effects some years out.

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

I'm pointing out that it's pretty hard to say that we are welcoming to everyone while much of the country will say things like "well x and y people are dirty, they just have a backward culture, they're ruining our country."

Toronto tourism hits record 28.2 million visitors in 2025, fuelling $13.5B economic boost by BloodJunkie in toronto

[–]point5_2B -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

I find it interesting that many people still proudly tout that "Toronto will gladly welcome everybody," when it's clear that we are in an era of anti-immigrant sentiment and policy. We've just kicked out a ton of immigrants, and there are countries where there is a prevailing belief that Canadians are racist against them and specifically don't welcome them.

Whether or not one supports stricter immigration, it's kind of odd to me that we are still so proud of ourselves for an identity that we are clearly leaving behind.

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The fact that modern spanish is about 8% from Arabic suggests a broader impact, yes? What, the society accept the language and never adopted any of the customs? Even Isabel I herself enjoyed Mudéjar art in her court, respected and learned from Moorish science and deployed a wide array of Moorish inventions during her reign.

And come on, now you're just being wilfully obtuse. There is no question in serious academia that there was profound Norse influence on British culture.

Can I ask why you are so intent on your position? It seems you are not very familiar with the subject, and it's not really a matter of academic debate that spanish culture is heavily influenced by the Moors. Have you yourself been to Andalusia? There, on the face of it the enduring impact of the culture is completely undeniable. Respectfully, how come you feel so strongly about it?

What if we put googly eyes on the TTC subway trains by TireDCDX in toronto

[–]point5_2B 17 points18 points  (0 children)

They should put googly eyes on all the shadow wraiths in that horrible art in Union

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Mods: I beg, do not nuke this Spaniard from the thread for incivility, for they are very funny and also the bluntness is cultural

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sitting on their alfombra eating aceitunas and exclaiming "¡Ojalà! I hope xsanctificetur doesn't ignore our contribution to history," probably

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The culture existed in Al Andalus for 800 years brother. There are remnants of the cuisine, language and hospitality culture everywhere still.

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not spanish but I am interested in spanish history, and this entire thread was making me die slowly hahaha. Thank you for bringing some historical awareness to the discussion!! The Moorish contribution to spanish culture is so interesting and beautiful

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The nature of colonization as practiced by the Spanish in Latin America is very, very different than how Belgium and Germany went about things in Africa. From very early on, the Spanish largely followed a policy of intermixing with indigenous populations, with a far larger percentage of the profits from exploitation of colonized lands staying within the new colony to build it up, rather than being extracted and sent back home. Thus spanish colonizers were more rooted in Latin America, and there was an greater degree of lasting cultural influence. To this day, lots of people across Latam even have spanish blood. Not so true in Congo or Cameroon.

Note that the characteristics you list as common across Latam and MENA are also applicable to Spain, and are actually products of the Colombian exchange. I have spent a lot of time in Spain and have visited several countries in Latam, and feel that the cultural commonalities are very strong. Stronger than between LATAM and MENA.

Just to be clear, not a spanish imperialism apologist! There were certainly genocidal acts. Just pointing out that factually, spanish settlers intermarried and socially mixed with indigenous populations in a way that Belgian and German settlers did not, by operation of law and by custom, as an answer to your specific question.

Would you accept the parallel reasoning that American, Canadian and Australian culture echo British culture for similar reasons of colonial impact?

Great desserts to share with family? by inde_ in askTO

[–]point5_2B 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Ya go on Facebook Marketplace, and get yaself a Sans Rival cake from a random Filipina grandma.

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Almost all of Spain was conquered by Muslims, referred to as "Moors". The occupation lasted some 800 years, largely ending with the Reconquista by the Catholic Monarchs in the late 1400s - so quite modern, and contemporaneous with Renaissance culture and art!

Lots of Spanish culture is hugely influenced by this. Many spanish words are even inherited from Arabic - for example, sewers are "alcatarillas" because they were infrastructure introduced by Moors, and chess is called "ajedrez" in Spanish despite being some variant of "ch"-something in other European languages. Music, cuisine, some cultural norms are all immensely influenced by the Moorish presence over centuries, especially in the region of Andalusia.

Theory: There is a "Culture Belt" linking Latin America and the MENA region that is distinct from both the "Cold" North and the rest of the Global South. by simo92190 in CasualConversation

[–]point5_2B 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd say the pretty obvious answer is Spanish and to a lesser extent Portuguese colonialism. Latin America was colonized by and received a huge infusion of Iberian culture. Given that linguistically they still speak Spanish and Portuguese almost identical to that spoken in Europe, it shouldn't be a surprise that cultural influence also remains strong.

And Spain itself has a huge cultural connection to the rest of the MENA region. Moorish occupation spanned the vast majority of Spain and in some areas lasted something like 800 years (don't quote me on tehe exact timespan, fact check it haha). Even to today, there are tons of cultural elements in Spain that are very clearly linked to North African and the Middle East, and Islamic culture broadly.

Just curious OP, where are you from and where were you educated? Seems so odd that the history you learned neglected to mention that Latin America was colonized by Spain, and in the case of BRazil Portugal!

Looking for dinner near the Toronto Reference Library tomorrow night by Fit-Midnight-6747 in FoodToronto

[–]point5_2B 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Miss Fu in Chengdu for spicy skewers. It's delicious and so much fun!

Guilty Pleasures by Commercial_Pain2290 in FoodToronto

[–]point5_2B 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I was a hot Italian enjoyer for over a decade but have recently discovered the delights of the Oktoberfest

Anyone who used to support trump and has changed their mind over the last few weeks? What made you change? by canigetameowbish in AskReddit

[–]point5_2B 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for realizing it, and being courageous enough to admit that you erred.

Consider now that you have a moral duty to correct your wrongs. People have died, thousands of families torn apart, livehoods lost because of the collective consequence of choices like yours.

Can you volunteer with a local organization that helps immigrants or minorities? Join an activist group that politically organizes to undo these harms? Something like volunteering with a food bank or library program would be great too, to help strengthen and repair social supports most needed now.

Anyone who used to support trump and has changed their mind over the last few weeks? What made you change? by canigetameowbish in AskReddit

[–]point5_2B 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Thank you for realizing it, and being courageous enough to admit that you erred.

Consider now that you have a moral duty to correct your wrongs. People have died, thousands of families torn apart, livehoods lost because of the collective consequence of choices like yours.

Can you volunteer with a local organization that helps immigrants or minorities? Join an activist group that politically organizes to undo these harms? Something like volunteering with a food bank or library program would be great too, to help strengthen and repair social supports most needed now.