What do you do if if a friend asks you for restaurants or other locations at a city to try? If you just share a general review like “well the food is good and the staff are nice,” you know he would probably not be interested in going there. But if you start highlighting what you actually like about that place “try their muffins, you will never find something like that anywhere in the city” He will probably to show us an try the muffins.
Toronto city is becoming an increasingly vibrant location where multiculturalism is happening and evolving to become an essential part of the city’s vivid identity.
I moved to the city around three years ago and took my part-time job with me which required me to write reports from home. As someone who cannot stand staying at home for a full day, I used the advantage of being located on Bloor Street West, one of the most vibrant and continuously changing streets in the city, and started reporting from cafes in the Down Town and the West End areas.
This is where my local guide skills where evolved. I was experiencing not only the cafes and restaurants while working, I was getting in touch with the staff, sometimes make friends with them, and trying different varieties of food and drinks. I also like local businesses because they try to stand out and provide different presentations, colors, decorations, food varieties and atmosphere.
I am a sort of person who likes to share what he likes with others. As I like to try new locations, it would be cool to share my discoveries with other google maps users. At any place I visit, I notice that most of the guides focus on general evaluation, which is great. But I would like my reviews to stand out a by considering the users as friends asking for recommendations.
Back to the muffin example, if the local shop does good muffins, they will read my comment and keep on making them good, people will come and try them out and enjoy the experience and everyone will be happy. Well why not?
I use the same thing for recommendations regarding green areas in the city: Parks, hidden gems like conversations areas and ravines. As shown in the photo here, I decided to share that in addition to the beauty of Humber River Park (Entienne Brule Park), there is a lot more to it such as informative signs regarding the history of the location or area.
I enjoy being a local guide, and I believe I will keep doing what I am doing despite recently having three kids and starting a full time job.
