I must agree with Rotten Berry
I lived in Edmonton over the 20 years ago, just when West Edmonton mall was new and things seemed to be really thriving. People also seemed so helpful and friendly.
I went back half a year ago to visit and I was so disappointed with the new Edmonton I had come to discover. Edmonton has certainly changed over the past 20 years. I brought my partner with me and she could only echo the same sentiments I had while we were there. As Rotten Berry said, and 'no, we were not looking for trouble, mind you I lived in Edmonton before and it was such a beautiful city, that is, people and scenery', Edmonton is just full of the most rude people. We are a couple that love to give smiles and enjoy talking to complete strangers but we only found two people in the time of our whole stay who would even reciprocate our friendly intentions, that was one lady at a bus stop who gave us directions and one young lady in a clothing store. As for everyone else it was a DISASTER. I've never met such rude people in my life, bus drivers, people at Petrol stations, all staff working in the service industry, just rude, rude, rude. I'm not Edmonton bashing, just disappointed at the culture change I've noticed take place over 20 years. I got better help and assistance in FRANCE. And France is supposed to be re-known for rude people, it came nowhere near the type of rudeness I experienced in Edmonton.
As for an above comment which talks about moving to Edmonton from Montreal, I can say one thing for sure and that is, Montreal is ruder than Edmonton. I found Montreal to be anti-multiculturalism. They may have different cultures, but there is certainly a dominant culture in the fabric of that society that does not like anyone who does not speak French. Don't worry you'll feel right at home in Edmonton, I feel sorry for people who are moving to Montreal from Edmonton. They won't be liked down there.
Once again, I really miss the old Edmonton. No where in this world had I experienced such rude service and attitude (oh apart from Montreal), and as for that Tim Horton's, that's where the majority of the rude people hang out!