I’ve been on a few dates in Toronto recently, and I’ve noticed a pretty significant difference between my experiences dating in the US and dating here, particularly with Indian-born women.

In the US, I generally found dating to be more transparent, communicative, realistic, and reciprocal. People seemed more willing to communicate their expectations openly and put effort into getting to know each other.
In Toronto, I’ve had several experiences that felt very different.

For example, one date expected flowers on the first date. Personally, I see flowers as something a gentleman brings when he genuinely feels a connection or when someone has become special to him - not as an expectation on a first date.

Another person essentially gave me a checklist with points assigned to different qualities, which made the interaction feel more like an evaluation than two people getting to know each other with totally delusional thoughts.

In another case, someone told me she expected her partner to earn more than her and take care of the household financially, while she wouldn’t be expected to contribute financially.

I’ve had quite a few other experiences that I don’t want to get into.

My issue isn’t that people have standards; it’s the lack of self-awareness, realistic expectations, and reciprocal effort.

Sometimes, it feels like getting matches in Toronto has given some people an inflated sense of their own value, confusing attention with actual compatibility

For Indian immigrants who have dated in both the US and Canada, have you noticed a similar difference, or have I just had bad luck with the people I’ve met?

28F dating in Toronto. The dating scene has been rough it’s been hard to find quality men who match my lifestyle. I recently stumbled upon the books and bars dating event, they are a Toronto based social club and the event does look interesting but their use of AI posters and high price points ($170) make me skeptical. Anyone been to their events before? Is this a scam? Please share your thoughts!

I've been using dating apps for the past few months I've got matched some of them will talk to you and then they will ghost you or some of them once you showed interest they will unmatched you, like I'm tired with these apps and these types of people like I'm genuinely just want a real relationship but it's tiring haha does anyone experienced the same thing?

For context I’m male 24 asian

So I (F) moved to this city years ago and at the time I had a boyfriend. We broke up two years ago and haven’t rlly been in an actual date for about a year. I joined apps which honestly as you can imagine isn’t ideal in meeting someone who has an intention of actually dating. And after a while it gets exhausting and disappointing. How do people in this city actually meet someone?

Taking my gf to Lucie for date night and hoping to find a place nearby with live music and lounging options for after dinner drinks.
Have looked at the lobby lounge at Shangri-La but wondering if anyone has additional recommendations that provide a romantic/intimate setting!

Thanks all!

Hi! I’m a 26 (f) I haven’t grown up in Canada so I don’t have very many friends that I can hangout with. At my job everybody mostly keeps to themselves so I’ve become really anxious about meeting people and connecting with the right group. I haven’t also really been on an official dates. I would love to connect with friends or someone possibly and go to concerts, plays or do fun activities with! Would love to hear any suggestions or ideas on how to meet people in the city. Thank you!!

Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Just wanted to get some outside perspectives because lately I’ve been feeling increasingly disconnected from the society around me.

I’m 39, Italian-Canadian, born and raised with pretty old-school Italian values. I’ve worked hard, built a stable career, have my own home, and I’m at a point in my life where I’d genuinely like to settle down, get married, have children, and build a family.

I grew up believing in traditional family values. Loyalty, commitment, faith, respect, hard work, and being there for your family. I still believe in those things today. Politically and socially, I lean conservative, although I don’t make politics my entire personality.

But living in the GTA, I sometimes feel like I’m completely out of step with the culture around me.

Dating has been particularly frustrating. It seems increasingly difficult to meet someone who shares similar values and actually wants a traditional, stable family life. Sometimes I wonder whether my expectations are unreasonable or whether I’m simply looking in the wrong places.

I also feel like Canadian society has changed considerably over the years, becoming much more socially liberal. And look, people are absolutely entitled to live however they want. I have no interest in telling anyone how to live their life. I just feel like the values I grew up with aren’t nearly as common as they once were, at least in my experience.

I’m not miserable, and I have plenty to be grateful for. I have a good career, a home, family, and a comfortable life. But there’s definitely a sense that I don’t quite belong in the world around me anymore.

I’m genuinely curious whether other people in their 30s and 40s feel this way, particularly those who grew up in traditional households.

Have you experienced something similar? Have you managed to find like-minded people or a partner who shares your values? Or is this just a case of needing to expand my social circles?

I’m open to different perspectives. I’m not looking for a political argument, just an honest discussion.

Puking writing this. But seriously, when is it appropriate to have a talk around exclusivity? I know everyone is different, every relationship is different, but in general? And is it in a woman’s best interest to wait until the guy says something? Male perspectives are very much welcome.

The moderator from askTO asked me to bring this to this forum.

That's a genuine question. I'm new to Toronto and I'm looking for casual dates and friends with benefits, but it seems like people are only looking for long conversations and proof of affection..

From what I understand, the vibe here is to take it slow, get to know the person really well to feel safe...

What are the dating apps that people most commonly use in Toronto?

Hey everyone! Fairly new to Toronto and looking for some fun date night ideas. We've done the usual dinner and movie thing a few times, but I'm sure there's a ton of stuff around the city we're missing out on. I'm originally from New York where there's always something to do, but I'm having trouble finding the gems here.

What are some of your favourite date night activities in Toronto? Would love to hear some recommendations, especially places that aren't super well known.

Where did you go?

What did you do?

Are you planning on going again?

Hey I am wondering if anyone has experience or recommendations on visiting Oasis? I got out of a relationship over 4 months ago, and haven't gotten intimate with anyone since. I'm a woman in my early 30s. I redownloaded my dating apps 2 months ago, been going on intentional dates in hopes to develop a connection, but have repeatedly been let down and not having much luck. All of my close friends in the city are married now, except for me. I am thinking of treating myself to some self-care, going out solo with the hope of meeting someone I'm attracted to. Any advice or suggestions appreciated - thanks!

Have you heard about an upcoming singles event and want to see if anyone else is going?

Have you gone to a recent singles event and wish to share a review of your experience?

Are you organizing a singles event soon and want to share the details? (Self promo is okay in these weekly threads only)

Please try and include details about the events if-when possible, especially if you are the event organizer. Date, location, cost-of-entry (if any), target audience, etc.

I am searching for some affordable and some expensive date ideas for November!

There's obviously a lot of “where do you actually meet people in Toronto?” discussion here.

I'm curious whether people find events where everyone has something to participate in — trivia, games, interactive shows, classes, etc. — noticeably better for meeting someone than bars/clubs where you're basically expected to approach a stranger cold.

For people who've actually met someone this way, what kind of event was it?

Where did you go?

What did you do?

Are you planning on going again?

I (F) matched with a guy on a dating app and really liked his profile. He seemed thoughtful and genuine, but when we met a few days ago, he was very different from what I expected—more superficial and with a bit of a player vibe.

I asked about his intentions, and he insisted he was looking for a long-term, meaningful relationship, so I decided to give him another chance and agreed to a second date. I thought texting in between would help us get to know each other, but we barely exchanged a few messages. That made me question how serious he actually was, and I ended up ghosting him before the second date.

Now I’m not sure if I did the right thing, and part of me secretly hopes he reaches out again.

I just don’t understand why people can’t be honest about what they want. Plenty of women are okay with casual dating or hookups, so why say you want something meaningful if you don’t? Why mislead and potentially hurt someone?

edit: The only reason I ghosted him was because I genuinely didn’t think he would care about what I had to say. I got the impression that he was a player who was probably talking to multiple people at once, and I didn’t want to embarrass myself by explaining how I felt to someone who might not even care.

Have you heard about an upcoming singles event and want to see if anyone else is going?

Have you gone to a recent singles event and wish to share a review of your experience?

Are you organizing a singles event soon and want to share the details? (Self promo is okay in these weekly threads only)

Please try and include details about the events if-when possible, especially if you are the event organizer. Date, location, cost-of-entry (if any), target audience, etc.

Hey, I'm trying to find a cozy & intimate spot for a first date and was hoping to get some suggestions. It's fine if it's busy and there's some music, long as we can hear each other. Dim lighting.

Bars/Cocktails for drinks - Friday Evening.

Area - Pretty Central, East of Spadina, West of Yonge, South of Queen.

I found some spots through google maps (Melrose, Bar 404, Liquid Courage, etc) - I'm just worried about showing up with no reservation. Most of them are booked, and it's already Thursday.

I'm not familiar with the scene so I could really use some help here.

So I’m a 29 F and I live in Toronto and I have a stable job and run my own business. However, I have never been in a long term relationship. I moved 3 countries growing up and changed like 13 schools (like barely spent 6 months in each private school I went to). Also graduated from business school.

Recently, I’ve been feeling really really weird about dating and stuff. I mean, I’ve never really given a damn before this, I was always locked in to my career and saw marriage as a downside for me (every relationship in my family is severely abusive and I’m no longer in contact with my family either) and I don’t want kids (which basically eliminates almost every man in my age group). But I went to a corporate gala last night and everyone was going home to their partners and I felt sort of sad and called my friend who told me that this feeling comes and goes and to get my priorities in order. Idk if I even want a partner (I love my apartment, I love building my business) or if my current team is making me feel super lonely cause everyone is coupled up. I also am working so so hard on trying to get my business off the ground, having a social life with friends, etc. That idk if dating is worth it for me.

I’m at a crossroads, I would love to have a healthy relationship and I do work out at a members club (it has mostly finance bros who are overworked and not very nice people). My passion is to grow and scale my business and really enjoy my life. I just don’t know - should I date? Should I have a bf? Am I missing out or is this sadness just FOMO? Please help.

Where did you go?

What did you do?

Are you planning on going again?

Curious to hear from anyone in a similar situation in Toronto: Am recently divorced, 40M with kids in sports & after-school activities. Co-parenting, work, and kids schedule is so overwhelming that trying to think about where or when I could meet someone cool let alone make the space to date them is seriously depressing me. It just doesn’t feel like it could ever happen.

I'm okay that my marriage ended, but now I’m left wondering less where to go from here and more thinking that wherever I go, it could be alone? Maybe I’m just out of the game or unfamiliar with the new one. But where does anyone find the time?

I, 28f, and a few friends are planning on going out either this weekend or next weekend. we were thinking of going to cherrys. Is This a good place to meet people (men) around the ages of 26-31? We’re Really hating the online dating scene right now and hoping to meet cute Guys who feel the same! What’s the demographic here and/or is there anywhere else we can go that you would suggest? Tysm in advance!