General Urban Kitchener Updates and Rumours

[danbrotherston]

Ok cool thanks,  So you have a good perspective.  I am not going to argue with you at all that there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is coming thankfully.  I just get frustrated when people that dont even frequent the area chirp about how crappy it is..  But I respect your comments.  Thanks for answering.

Inversely, I get frustrated when I get scolded for speaking negatively about the area I live in by people who visit it, but don't also live here. I'm aware of the great shops, restaurants, and other conveniences. I'm unhappy with the area in spite of these, not out of ignorance of their existence. In fact, that's the primary reason I have an account here, to understand the roots of my problems, and how to make things better, which involves being critical.

I also don't center my life around consumerism (though I know many do), whereas many visitors to the area have a shop as a destination, and so probably place a much higher value on the shops making DTK a "vibrant" place.

Anyways, this isn't directed at you, as you've clearly just stated you're willing to accept or respect alternative first-hand perspective. I just wanted to post my own thoughts on "outside" opinions.

I don't know if there is a specific example you are speaking about, but I'll give my perspective on the previous exchange and in general.

It is absolutely the case that people (and I and everyone here are people), can be defensive about things in our lives, especially things which we are used to hearing spoken negatively about, often without merit, or at least, without knowledge or understanding.  It takes trust to have a critical conversation.  I do think we do have that trust here, but one must still be delicate in their conversation.

While I didn't reply, I did have the same response as Rainrider...and while I would try to be open to having a critical discussion, I think describing it as an "armpit" which is not a criticism just a, as Rainrider put it, 'chirp' was rather off putting in terms of having an actual conversation.

Anyway, we're all people and all have our little quirks, faux pas, etc. I'm glad we can have an honest discussion about it.