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<title>blogTO Recent Comments: GTA Tripping: Pacific Mall</title>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/feed/recentcomments/?13643</link>
<description>Comments recently made in this post on blogTO</description>
<copyright>Copyright 2009</copyright>
<lastBuildDate>Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:05:20 PST</lastBuildDate>
<item>
<title>BeMyBiatch</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Gee, if it was this shitty why is it so packed day after day? There must be something good about it? Stupid commentary following a stupid article.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c631751</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c631751</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 06 Jul 2009 13:23:06 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>SAM</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Wow. 
Firstly, if I wanted to have a laugh, id visit a comedy blog...not a Toronto-based journalist blog (where people flock to for informative facts on events, news and Toronto excentricities. 

Secondly, I think we should all go back maybe 6 years to when this mall used to be intollerate to non-asian customers. But now has grown into one of the most tollerate and multi-cultural malls in Toronto. I think its people who dont give something different a chance and overgeneralize their limited experiences to the whole, who create the others intollerance. 
Its people who are ignorant, intollerate and just plain impatient to new experiences be it cultural or just visiting a new place. 
Im not saying the author is culturally insensitive, he DID make the efforts to visit one of the largest chinese mall in Canada, and he DOES write blogs about foreign culture. 
I just think that he should have dug into his more insightful and culturally aware side for this particular article, rather than his shallow and uneducated side, which fuels intollerance on both ends. 
Overall, I give him credit for writing about a mall which is a symbol for Canada's multi-culturalism and Toronto culture, however he should have been more aware of the impact of writing about such a topic would offend and stir up people of all cultures, even if it is just a mall. 


]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c631047</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c631047</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 09:58:31 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Annalynne</title>
<description><![CDATA[
You know this guy has feelings, right? Get a grip. So you didn't like his article, why not rip him to shreds? Get a grip. 

]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628887</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628887</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:45:13 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Sealdah</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I thought that this was very well written, I'm a little biased though. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and now I know not to go to this mall. Thanks for the honest review. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628883</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628883</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 17:37:14 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Beth</title>
<description><![CDATA[
On the upper level there is a really great noodle place that is owned by a couple. He makes the noodles by hand right before your eyes by stretching the dough out and then twirling it and slamming it on the table. It is really neat to watch and the noodles taste fantastic!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628343</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628343</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 23:47:47 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Peter</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Well, I guess I'm glad I'm not the only one he inappropriately e-mailed ....]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628274</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c628274</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 19:41:57 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>mydens</title>
<description><![CDATA[
We forgive you Chris, dont cry.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627804</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627804</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 20:34:39 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Canchi</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Hey there... let me respond to your post bit-by-bit, since you seem so angry.

|    This is the last time I'll read anything written by this |author.
|    Well, may be I should stop reading anything from blogTO??

OK.

|    pho, is not anything from Hong Kong or Japan... 

I didn't say that pho was from HK or Japan. At all. 

|    I wonder what kind of Dim Sum you had...

I admitted that it was our fault for choosing bad places... I made fun of us, not the mall.

|    If you think taking such a long trip up north...

Uhhh... why are you treating this article as a Britannica entry? It was obviously just kidding around, a first-person travel story, not "serious."

|    Pacific Mall has alot more to offer, for example...

Sorry I offended you so much. It's JUST a story of my experience there, NOT a wikipedia entry.

|    Gundam, for someone who knows what it is...

|    suicide booth? really?!

Yeah! He said that it looked like a suicide booth, which is obviously a joke and obviously funny. Or, wait, you don't get it?

Thanks for the comments, but, seriously, you missed the point. It's just kidding.

Have a good weekend!

Chris 

To Chris: don't find it funny at all, and would prefer you to reply to my comment publicly. I don't expect anything on this site to be like the encyclopedia where they double check their material, or wikipedia where they have someone to edit what's wrong in their entries.
But I didn't know that I can't even expect something to be right on this site, sorry that I had such a high expectation from blogTO post.
didn't know that's too much to ask.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627797</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627797</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 19:57:38 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>guy smiley</title>
<description><![CDATA[
to Michael: 
"You're a idiot beyond words Chris. Get this guy off BlogTO...Ruining the integrity of the site!"
-----

Yeah..'integrity'.  

Dude, blogTO it's joke (albeit an exquistly rendered one).  Just savour the pretty pictures (this blog excepted) and skim past any words.  Otherwise, you're just gonna get your panties in a knot from all the lightweight content, misinformation, and non-reviews.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627771</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627771</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:42:48 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Wading In</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Woah, not sure why all the hard returns vanished from my post once I published it. Sorry for that.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627768</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627768</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:32:25 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Wading In</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Pacific Mall is great for certain things, but it does help a lot to have a guide the first time. There are times where I don't find anything of interest but it's a must-go place for certain things.

-If you're on the smaller side (think East Asian body types) it's a great place to find clothes and shoes for good prices. The food isn't the greatest in town, but there are places with good food and a few hidden jems. 

-As somebody else said, it's great to find household goods, especially things like rice cookers and hot water dispensers (high quality Japanese brands like Zojirishu are legitimately available for very competitive prices). 

-Electronics are a highlight too. Accessories for ipod, gameing systems (you could get the DSi from Japan months before it came out here) and cellphones are aplenty. 

-Candies from Japan and Hong Kong (ever had green tea and red bean kit kat?) plus dried fruit and crackers available in bulk. Walnut cakes or ice cream waffle bars made while you wait. Oh and some of those bubble tea shops also have fresh fruit smoothies and ices if you want to avoid the filling tapioca.

-the very latest eyeglass frames by all the top companies around the world again at competitive prices

-The bootleg DVD places either had a list you need to ask for or only open early or late in the day to avoid cops. Those stores are great if you want to watch whole seasons of TV shows and only have Rogers or Blockbusters outrageously expensive per disc (rather than per season boxset) rental costs.* You can also get good quality conterfeit designer bags at stores in P-mall if you ask.

-Stuffed toys, pillows and various other things for Japanese cartoons (get a giant Totoro like my friend!)

-There are also some fully legitimate stores with some hard to find stuff. You can get brand name sports shoes and gear (mostly soccer equiptment though); brand name cameras ranging from Cheki (a polaroid type camera made by Fuji) to professional grade; an amazing selection of high quality knives (want a cleaver big enough to chop up that pesky dead body?); the aforementioned Japanese ceramics, etc. 


*Funny story, a friend and I were at P-mall and I came out of a DVD store to find her giving directions/advice for the mall. We talked about the bootleg DVDs. He thought the store he went to was Music World (they used Music World bags) and seemed puzzled when we said no, that's a legitimate retailer. He was genuinely surprised to hear that everything he bought was illegitimate and the stores weren't exactly legal. I couldn't believe he came to P-mall not knowing about the bootleg trade, then bought them for 7 for $20 and didn't think there was anything fishy going on!]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627767</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627767</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 17:31:35 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Born&amp;RaisedInTO</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I've never been to Pacific Mall - never had any interest.  But now I do!  The contraversy surrounding Chris's visit and the 67 comments (lol) has intrigued me.  Because of that, I think Chris's post did its job :)]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627665</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627665</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:58:09 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Gloria</title>
<description><![CDATA[
I'm not sure most people familiar with Chinese cuisine would be terribly worried about cow cartilage (if it was even there). Offal is a common dish or ingredient in tons of Asian dishes. 

I thought some of the "humourous" asides were off-key -- strippers = heartbreakers; JFK reference = dated?; women = not permitted to have nerdy interests (or is it that the nerdy ones don't have boyfriends to be annoyed by?) -- but hey, it must float someone's boat.

I don't own a car, and I still in a million years would not try to get from downtown to any suburb on the TTC, unless it's sitting on a subway stop. Nothing is ever worth that. Offer to buy a friend lunch and pay for the gas if you really want to go. 

Did you try anything stirfried? I find Chinese food courts can be awesome for that, fresh and with that wok flavour -- definitely not pho or dim sum (!!). If you ever go again, get a noodle stirfry.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627583</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627583</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:54:48 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>SomethingBetterToDo</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Good lord are people ever sensitive. ]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627576</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627576</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 09:16:12 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Jonathan</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Haha - that pic from the store that just sells those $2-$6 balls with toys - I've probably spent like...$500 there over the last few years. I actually still have a garbage can full of unopened ones ...

Um...long live PM?!

jonathan@blogTO]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627441</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627441</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 00:51:58 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nick</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Chris should try the spicy fish balls. Dee-lish.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627424</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627424</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:23:06 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Nick</title>
<description><![CDATA[
What a horrible article.  Starting from the line 1 of this article, it was clear that the author/reporter had preconceived ideas of the whole experience.  Firstly, if you're going to write an article about a Chinese mall, don't be so narrow-minded. Secondly, do some research before you head up there.  

Having food court dim sum is probably not a good idea.  Having pho in a Chinese mall is an even worse one.  And making snide remarks about arcades and karaoke, all of which are popular in Asian culture, shows the author's lack of respect for the culture and narrow-mindedness.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627418</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627418</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:01:04 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Peter</title>
<description><![CDATA[
That's fine, Jerrold, but there should be a difference between an amateur post on one's own personal blog and a piece of professional writing (I assume you paid Chris) on a more service-oriented blog like this one.

A piece like this needs to be more than just representative of the writer's experience; it should also show some signs of being well-informed and researched.

By all means, do not remove the post. But why not edit it? Why not ensure it gets bubble tea right the first time around? Why not challenge the suggested notion that Pacific Mall is unique in discouraging indoor photography? (Who has a no-photo policy in a mall? Everyone!)

For that matter, why didn't anyone tell poor Chris about any of the more decent spots to eat? It's like he was set up to end up impaled on his own ignorance.

And it's making him punchy. He has sent two insulting e-mails my way (I'll have to stop using my real address here, if it's not safe to) over my relatively benign comments.]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627415</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627415</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:49:33 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>Elle Driver</title>
<description><![CDATA[
Yes, the post was not well-researched. The writer had huge expectations, was left disappointed, and it effected his objectivity. He dwelled too much on the negative aspects of the mall - problems which are common in almost EVERY major mall (crime, annoying mall-cops, sub-par food court meals.) But I know Reynolds is capable of writing entertaining pieces (his search for "Exotic Meats" around T.O. was a GREAT read.) And although this article was weak, the demands for it to be taken down are a little excessive. 

I'm ambivalent about the mall itself (I prefer the sights and aromatic smells of old Chinatown) but I have to give the mall a few props:

1) If you pay by cash, some of the stores won't charge tax. You just have to ask nicely. You can also bargain with stores to give you a deal. (But it helps if you can speak the language, or bring someone who can.)

2) There's a fantastic store on the top level that sells beautiful but inexpensive imported Japanese cook and dish ware. I love the stuff at Sanko, but the selection at the Utsuwa-No-Yakata is unbeatable. (And for you picky purists out there: yes, it's a Japanese owned store.)]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627333</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627333</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 17:28:47 PDT</pubDate>
</item>
<item>
<title>airyloft</title>
<description><![CDATA[
This article belongs in your personal blog and not on this site.
]]>
</description>
<link>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627328</link>
<guid>http://www.blogto.com/travel/2009/06/gta_tripping_pacific_mall/#c627328</guid>
<category>Toronto, Travel</category>
<pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 16:47:58 PDT</pubDate>
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