When confronted with a high-maintenance tourist, Torontonians are kind, and refreshingly honest about the city’s attractions.

As an undercover fake tourist from Sarnia, that’s exactly what I’m looking for.

How’s the CN Tower?

“Enh,” said one businessman after I asked for directions. “I’ve been to the top of a lot of really tall buildings. They’re all the same.”

“Oh,” I said, a bit deflated.

“It is a really clear day. You might be able to see parts of the United States,” he told me.

While a nice honest assessment is helpful, Toronto Tourism, like an embarrassed mother, is reminding city dwellers to remember the four P’s when it comes to our summer guests.

They want us to be positive, proud of the city, proactive in helping tourists and prepared with knowledge. This is national tourism week. Pack your smile.

Armed with a map from 1998 and a large camera, I joined the ranks of Tilley-hatted men and women on Friday to see how the city feels to someone new.

Of the 25 people I talked with, three were ill-informed about directions, all were nice, and some were incredibly kind and excited to talk about the city. I interrupted people texting on their phones, people making deliveries and people listening to music. Only one person ignored me. Everyone else was eager to help, even if a few were woefully unprepared for the task.

One man who walked me out of the underground path, told me to just “walk north” on Bay St. to find Casa Loma.

Two young women running along Wellington St. tried to help me find the zoo before the walk signal changed.

“Oh, God,” they said, panting at the corner of Yonge and Wellington. “You need to go to Union Station and ask at the kiosk.”

One man on York St. looked at me with pity when I told him I wanted to see zoo animals downtown.

“What kind?” he said.

“A zebra,” I answered.

He said I could see farm animals on the island, and that it was really beautiful place to take pictures with the camera that was slung around my neck.

He then pointed out other attractions on my map: Chinatown, the entertainment district, St. Lawrence Market.

When I asked a paid duty police officer about Toronto Island, he told me it was “No Canada’s Wonderland.” That might not qualify him for a civic pride award, but the honesty is nice for confused thrill-seekers.

Satisfied with the help I’d received, I decided to try a new challenge to test how proactive Torontonians are.

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I went to the waterfront and pulled out my 1998 map. A few minutes passed. Some people looked afraid to get involved. I looked high maintenance with my map crumpling in the wind.

“Need directions?” asked Kevin Pope, sitting on a bench.

I told Pope I’m trying to get to the island, but can’t figure out the ferry system. He shows me where to go on my map and tells me the cost, and some of the attractions.

When I reveal myself as a reporter, Pope says he enjoys helping people.

“Why not (give directions)? We want people to like the city,” he said.

A few minutes later, I’m befuddled again.

A woman approaches with a walker.

“What are you looking for?” she asks in a light Russian accent.

I tell her I’m trying to get to the island. Elinore, 89, tells me to put away the map and she shows me where to go.

Lana Pesch, who helps me at the waterfront, says she’s terrible with directions but always tries to help. She thinks Torontonians are helpful as long as tourists make the first move. She almost asked me if I needed help, she says, but then I asked her first.

That brings me back to Hour One of my fake tourist expedition. A police officer struggled to direct an older woman to the GO bus terminal, and a young man about to cross the street intervened and pointed her in the right direction.

How nice.