[Meowjin]

Vancouver Foundation study finds Lotusland a lonely, isolated place | Daily Brew - Yahoo! News Canada (http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/vancouver-foundation-finds-lotusland-lonely-isolated-place-210758040.html)



Vancouver Foundation study finds Lotusland a lonely, isolated place

With its beautiful setting, relatively balmy climate and comfortable ethnic diversity, Vancouver's often held up as a model of urban livability.
But a survey by the Vancouver Foundation reveals that reputation may have fragile underpinnings.


The 70-year-old organization interviewed more than 3,841 residents of Metro Vancouver and discovered, among other things, that many people felt isolated among the city's splendour.
"We found that one in four people are finding it difficult to make friends in Vancouver and one in three people are lonely," Vancouver Foundation chief executive Faye Wightman told CBC News.
The study, done in April and May, also found that despite Metro Vancouver's celebrated ethnic diversity, almost two-thirds of those interviewed did not have any close friends from another ethnic group. And 65 per cent said they preferred to spend their time with people who are like them.



While many respondents believed all new immigrants and refugees would be welcome in their neighbourhood, some were prepared to rank which ethnic groups would be most or least welcome.
Almost a third of those surveyed refused to answer the question, while those among the roughly 30 per cent who did rated Middle Eastern, South Asian and Asian immigrants as the least desirable neighbours, CBC News said.
"What we'd like to do over the summer is just try to get underneath that and figure out why," Wightman said.


The survey's other key findings also found people's neighbourhood connections were cordial but weak. Most knew the names of at least two neighbours but little more. Most did not do simple favours for their neighbours, such as collecting the mail when they're away, and few have either visited a neighbour's home or invited them over.
"Anonymous people often speak the truths that they don't want to be associated with, sometimes with good reason," Vancouver Sun columnist Daphne Bramham commented.
"What they say can range from just plain stupid to offensive. But to dismiss even those comments would be to deny that occasionally there are grains of truth within them that need to be acknowledged and even addressed."


Some of the other responses were quite amusing, Bramham noted. Many respondents, living in a city on the edge of a wild, mountainous rainforest, wanted less rain and less wildlife.
"My favourite for sheer silliness was the people who wished for fewer hills," she wrote. "Yes, fewer hills!"


Not surprising.

A few months ago I attended a lecture on

Epigenetics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epigenetics)

done by some of the top researchers in their field. The Canadian government is putting a lot of money into this.

And they mentioned that if their research is right, there is actually a correlation how income levels and environment may explain why Vancouverites have a higher cortisol levels than other Canadians.

And on the note of loneliness.

Add me to that list.

It has a lot to do with the density of the city, how cliquey the city has gotten, and how unfriendly people have become when you want to introduce yourselves.

I've slowly been working on it, but I have such difficulty keeping in touch with people.

Being in college sure helped though. But my weekends are still pretty empty.

It also doesn't help with you get a reduction of hours and I just don't have the money to go out!

So what is it? Multiculturalism? Cliqiueness?

[i-VTEC]

:alone:

[smarv]

:alonehappy:

[Ronin]

Sorta true but at the same time, you have to be proactive about it. Vancouver isn't quite as welcoming as a lot of other places I've been.

For example, if I was never on RS, I would've never known SkinnyPupp, and in turn, I wouldn't know many of the internet and social media crowd here in Vancouver through our friends...maybe.

People that complain about lack of social interaction can't just expect people to get to know you if you don't take that first step yourself.

[Meowjin]

Ed you know me. I meet alot of "hongers" simply by the fact that I try to penetrate their culture and I get invited out.

Then they just sit there the whole night and speak cantonese.

[murd0c]

I have RS so I will never feel lonley:alonehappy:

[Spectre_Cdn]

:alonehappy: checking in

[TOS'd]

:alone:

[StaxBundlez]

Yah, if you didn't grow up here it can be hard to make friends; close friends. I agree that at times it's not the friendliest place if you don't already have some sort of establish roots here.

I'm not sure how the survey was done, but it seems like there are contributing variables that may have been overlooked. For instance, Asian cultures really keep to themselves, regardless of what's happening around them. Someone could get hit by a car and people may just watch and drive on by.. Another factor may be related to the rate of crime in the city. The pot culture here is pretty renown; with every 4rd or 5th house on the block being a grow show, anyone who looks remotely shady, people may keep away from. I don't know man.. This is just my observation.. tons of things can contribute to not wanting to interact with other people.

Epigenetics is an interesting field of study. The classic view of genetics is deterministic; it tells us that you are born with certain traits from ma and pap, and as you grow you’re bound to these genetic traits for life. This is true for the most part, but for diseases for example, ADHD, schizophrenia, rheumatoid conditions, autoimmune conditions etc. are supposedly not genetically predetermined. Epi means on top of; so epigenetics tells us that it’s not solely our genes that have an effect on who we are, but a large contributor is the environmental factor (how we’re raised, where, so forth). I’m not surprised that any of these people would engage in antisocial behavior or suffer from depression after being here for a long time.

[Meowjin]

ADHD is genetic.

[StaxBundlez]

ADHD is genetic.

Unless I garbled my biochemistry horribly, my understanding of it is, you may carry the gene, but you may never develop actual ADHD disease.

[MindBomber]

Some of the other responses were quite amusing, Bramham noted. Many respondents, living in a city on the edge of a wild, mountainous rainforest, wanted less rain and less wildlife.
"My favourite for sheer silliness was the people who wished for fewer hills," she wrote. "Yes, fewer hills!"

:seriously:

Why would someone desire the city to have less wildlife?

The hill thing is pretty odd too...

[Meowjin]

Unless I garbled my biochemistry horribly, my understanding of it is, you may carry the gene, but you may never develop actual ADHD disease.

ADHD is a disorder, not a disease. But you are right, although

It needs to effect various parts of your life like, work, relationships, school and finances.

ADHD is a disorder where the prefrontal cortex is shrunken and there is either a lack of dopamine to fill the receptors or a lack of receptors themselves.

I would say society as a whole can play more of a role attributing to ADHD with the advances in communications, internet, gaming etc, career choice, life circumstances etc.

[StaxBundlez]

ADHD is a disorder, not a disease. But you are right, although

It needs to effect various parts of your life like, work, relationships, school and finances.

ADHD is a disorder where the prefrontal cortex is shrunken and there is either a lack of dopamine to fill the receptors or a lack of receptors themselves.

I would say society as a whole can play more of a role attributing to ADHD with the advances in communications, internet, gaming etc, career choice, life circumstances etc.

ahh, sorry; disorder. It's funny you say that about society contributing to ADHD. We're living in one of the most intensely stimulating periods ever! You've got video games, tv, internet, smart phones, advertisements that tell kids how to look and feel. Expectations from your peers and family. How can kids these days not be distracted? Especially while these kids are in school listening to boring subjects!

[Meowjin]

I actually really agree.

But as an adult it changes. Imagine how bad impulsivity in terms of finances?

I got diagnosed when I was 25. After I read a few books on the subject from researchers, you begin to understand more and more of what it really is.

It's a very real thing, but it's so taboo, that it's hard for people to take seriously.

Then again, we push all mental disorders to the corner anyways.

[rsx]

Sorry but this is a silly study done by VF. I used to work there and we would get hundreds and hundreds of applications from various fields of interest asking for money to help out their non profit org. Even bursaries go a very long way especially for single parent students. These requests can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands, so any money disbursed still helps out these organizations.

Who cares if people are lonely, buck up and do something about it. Everyone's lonely every now and then. How weak are people??

[Meowjin]

^I don't understand what you are saying?

Your saying this is a non-profit that distrubutes money for various bursaries?

[spoon.ek9]

Ed you know me. I meet alot of "hongers" simply by the fact that I try to penetrate their culture and I get invited out.

Then they just sit there the whole night and speak cantonese.

I have to say.. that's pretty freaking rude. Your "friends" should have the decency to speak in English and include you in the conversation. Especially if they are the ones who invited you to come out in the first place.

I come from Alberta so I can say that people here in general are a lot colder, self-centered and selfish. This isn't to say everyone is like this, but the general feeling I got was that people here are mainly concerned about themselves first. There are a lot of good people out there though, you just have to find ways to meet more of them.

Having lived here since '96, I have seen a lot and grown a lot. One of the first things I did was learn Cantonese so I could make some friends as well as learn my "native tongue". It's very true that you need to be willing to put yourself out there in order to meet more people. I think the key is to find good friends rather than build up a large group of acquaintances who don't really value you as a friend.

I'll put this out there too: I've met quite a few good friends just by using revscene. Some of these friends I have yet to meet in real life but you can tell by their character that they are the type of people you'd want as close friends.

And of course, many people are guilty of just being plain lazy and isolating themselves. On top of this, many new immigrants choose to stay within their group of immigrants and completely block out the rest of us.

[MG1]

ADD = Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention Deficit = cannot keep focussed, as in attention span of a gnat.......

What do these things have to do with being lonely in Vancouver again?




I um............ haven't taken my Ritalin in..........I forget. I think each time I'm off the meds, I end up logging in to RS, LOLOLOLOL

[SkinnyPupp]

I have noticed that most of the hk forums I go to have meetings all the time. Like at LEAST once a week. RS has a couple regular huge meets but that's about it. I don't know if it's a Vancouver thing, or the English language hk forums are filled with lonely foreigners.

That might be something to think about... I'm sure it wouldn't take too much effort to do little get togethers, where you just go out for dinner and or drinks.

Actually it reminds me of the old #hk+van IRC channel back in the late 90s. I met many people I am still friends with through those meets, including SG and my wife.

It makes you wonder if we have gotten that much more disconnected in just the last decade

[yray]

^hk is much easier to meet up tho, more things to do

I find it much easier to meet up with people in hk than vancouver, here meeting up people is like organizing a bday party. HK is 'hey, its happy hour, wanna go for a drink'.

[MindBomber]

I'm not sure how to put this without it coming across poorly, but as a race, are Asian people generally speaking a bit cold?

In complete honesty, I don't find Abbotsford or Langley to be cold at all. On my morning walk people always say "morning" or "hello" and smile as we pass; the door is often held open for me, and when I reciprocate, I always hear "thanks." The exception to the friendliness seems to be with most Asian people, which I don't quite understand...

Oh, to add, I hope no one complaining about the lack of friendliness is walking around with an unfriendly scowl. I smile and a quick "hello" to a stranger is infectious :)

I have noticed that most of the hk forums I go to have meetings all the time. Like at LEAST once a week. RS has a couple regular huge meets but that's about it. I don't know if it's a Vancouver thing, or the English language hk forums are filled with lonely foreigners.

When I first joined, there were never informal meets, but lately people seem to be getting together multiple times a week for random quick get togethers. It's a nice change, step away from the computer screen and speak to people in person.

[StaxBundlez]

I'm not sure how to put this without it coming across poorly, but as a race, are Asian people generally speaking a bit cold?

In complete honesty, I don't find Abbotsford or Langley to be cold at all. On my morning walk people always say "morning" or "hello" and smile as we pass; the door is often held open for me, and when I reciprocate, I always hear "thanks." The exception to the friendliness seems to be with most Asian people, which I don't quite understand...

Oh, to add, I hope no one complaining about the lack of friendliness is walking around with an unfriendly scowl. I smile and a quick "hello" to a strange is infectious :)



When I first joined, there were never informal meets, but lately people seem to be getting together multiple times a week for random quick get togethers. It's a nice change, step away from the computer screen and speak to people in person.

I completely agree with you about the asian part. I'm Asian myself and living in Vancouver I've definitely noticed it. I'm not saying this to any individual Asian.. but the general population in the lower mainland as a whole.. When I go to school.. or out.. If I walk by an Asian or brown girl and smile, they'll look away quickly.. White girls always smile back at me.. Asian guys or brown guys.. all think I'm staring them down.. white dudes usually smile and nod or say, 'what's up?' Maybe asian south asian cultures are more timid.. fuck i dunno..

[SkinnyPupp]

I'm not sure how to put this without it coming across poorly, but as a race, are Asian people generally speaking a bit cold?

In complete honesty, I don't find Abbotsford or Langley to be cold at all. On my morning walk people always say "morning" or "hello" and smile as we pass; the door is often held open for me, and when I reciprocate, I always hear "thanks." The exception to the friendliness seems to be with most Asian people, which I don't quite understand...

Oh, to add, I hope no one complaining about the lack of friendliness is walking around with an unfriendly scowl. I smile and a quick "hello" to a strange is infectious :)



When I first joined, there were never informal meets, but lately people seem to be getting together multiple times a week for random quick get togethers. It's a nice change, step away from the computer screen and speak to people in person.

I could talk to you for hours about my theory of the Asian "bubble" (which probably happens to anyone growing up in an extremely crowded place) but I find that once you break the ice, everyone is open and social as they're going to be.

[Meowjin]

ADD = Attention Deficit Disorder
ADHD = Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder

Attention Deficit = cannot keep focussed, as in attention span of a gnat.......

What do these things have to do with being lonely in Vancouver again?




I um............ haven't taken my Ritalin in..........I forget. I think each time I'm off the meds, I end up logging in to RS, LOLOLOLOL

It just spawned in the thread, but we were talking about epigenetics.

[Hurricane]

I'm not sure how to put this without it coming across poorly, but as a race, are Asian people generally speaking a bit cold?

I could talk to you for hours about my theory of the Asian "bubble"

I don't post on revscene that often, but I post enough to know you two guys are borderline psychotic when it comes to defending perceived racial discrimination of any kind.

Did someone hack your accounts. Are are you both a couple of complete f####n hypocrites?

Just curious.

[SkinnyPupp]

I don't post on revscene that often, but I post enough to know you two guys are borderline psychotic when it comes to defending perceived racial discrimination of any kind.

Did someone hack your accounts. Are are you both a couple of complete f####n hypocrites?

Just curious.

What exactly did I say that was discrimination? :seriously:

I'm glad you don't post that often :rukidding:

[Hurricane]

What exactly did I say that was discrimination? :seriously:

I'm glad you don't post that often :rukidding:

Why don't you enlighten us with your Asian bubble theory?

If I posted anymore often I would have to deal with you - so I'm glad too.

[MG1]

Wait, is Hurricane the same dude as Majinhurricane? Or are we talking Meowjin hurricane.....

Bad enough trying to figure out who is seven eleven even odd..........

[Durrann]

I kind of agree Asians are cliquey in a way haha

[LiquidTurbo]

I kind of agree Asians are cliquey in a way haha

Every race is cliquey.

[murd0c]

People are scared to go outside there box these days and have a lot more comfort with hanging out with their close group of friends and are just happy that way. Every race hase there comfort bubble which that is mainly natural. It's really a sad way to live life if you don't experiance new things and just stick to whats normal for you and what you grew up or have become a custom too.

[nns]

Almost a third of those surveyed refused to answer the question, while those among the roughly 30 per cent who did rated Middle Eastern, South Asian and Asian immigrants as the least desirable neighbours, CBC News said.
Why them?

I can sort of understand about the South Asians though. My neighborhood is surrounded by them. Their kids play in the alley, scream across the alley to talk to each other, and eyeball me whenever I drive by. Would you see this with a neighborhood of Chinese, Vietnamese, etc families? YMMV, I guess.

That last point really applies to anybody these days. Did people forget that it's rude to stare at others? Keep your eyes on yourself.

[danned]

we are lonely..............

[Durrann]

Every race is cliquey.

maybe cliquey is a wrong word...maybe like not as welcoming as other races? haha

[SkinnyPupp]

People are scared to go outside there box these days and have a lot more comfort with hanging out with their close group of friends and are just happy that way. Every race hase there comfort bubble which that is mainly natural. It's really a sad way to live life if you don't experiance new things and just stick to whats normal for you and what you grew up or have become a custom too.
In my experience, the groups that get together in HK are from all races - white, indian, pakistani, chinese, and more. But maybe they themselves can be considered one group of world travelers?
maybe cliquey is a wrong word...maybe like not as welcoming as other races? haha
I disagree with that... Everyone has a 'barrier' they put up, no matter what race. Some people are just cunts and will not 'welcome' other races. But that has nothing to do with their race - those people are just cunts.

[melloman]

Vancouver is a anti-social city. Period.

I can try to strike up a conversation about anything on the skytrain/bus/walking, and nobody wants to talk to you. I end up talking to bums/homeless people more because they want to talk. The "normal" person walking down the street can't give a flying fuck about what you want to say, or who you are.

Another reason why all the guys bitch and moan that "Vancouver Women" suck. :thumbsup:

[spyker]

Why them?

I can sort of understand about the South Asians though. My neighborhood is surrounded by them. Their kids play in the alley, scream across the alley to talk to each other, and eyeball me whenever I drive by. Would you see this with a neighborhood of Chinese, Vietnamese, etc families? YMMV, I guess.

That last point really applies to anybody these days. Did people forget that it's rude to stare at others? Keep your eyes on yourself.

The one thing I noticed about socalled tough guys and how to tell them apart from the real tough guys.

The real pussies stare people down,that's all they can do,they are too chicken shit to start a real fight let alone win one,so all they can do is win a looking contest.

[jpark]

I'm not sure how to put this without it coming across poorly, but as a race, are Asian people generally speaking a bit cold?

In complete honesty, I don't find Abbotsford or Langley to be cold at all. On my morning walk people always say "morning" or "hello" and smile as we pass; the door is often held open for me, and when I reciprocate, I always hear "thanks." The exception to the friendliness seems to be with most Asian people, which I don't quite understand...

Oh, to add, I hope no one complaining about the lack of friendliness is walking around with an unfriendly scowl. I smile and a quick "hello" to a stranger is infectious :)



When I first joined, there were never informal meets, but lately people seem to be getting together multiple times a week for random quick get togethers. It's a nice change, step away from the computer screen and speak to people in person.

not trying to generalize everyone living in abbotsford, i even have some good friends and previous co workers that i was close with that resides there. However, once in a while when i stop by any fast food restaurants/gas stations or any public places in abbotsford, i get random stares/glares from a lot of white folks like i just came from the outter space, cant speak for langley though, as i never really go there.

i must also conclude that i also live in maple ridge and have been living here for while, and although the asian population is minimal compare to many cities in vancouver, i generally dont get that uncomfortable feel as oppose to when im in abbotsford

[Tapioca]

The Sun is running a weeklong series on this subject. Typically I take opinions on newspaper sites with a grain of salt, but I would say the majority of responses are in line with the study.

People like to blame housing costs for everything including the lack of friendliness here. However, it doesn't cost anything to at least say "Hello" or to flash a smile. I live in an apartment building and I try to at least say hello to people in the elevator. However, I often see people buried in their phones. It's quite sad really.

Anyway, there is of course the stock/noobie meet coming up next week. Perhaps all of the forever alone people should come out. I'll be there greeting all of you and will be ready to chat about cars and current events.

[punkwax]

Team America: World Police (6/10) Movie CLIP - I'm So Ronery (2004) HD - YouTube

[MG1]

Did people forget that it's rude to stare at others? Keep your eyes on yourself.

Yeah, I forget to do that myself, but what can you do when your neighbour's 26 year old daughter is so hot, she'll melt your popsicle. :fullofwin:

Tanning out back......... hells no I ain't moving. No mountains or lake view where I live, but..........


One day while washing the truck, she comes out in an outfit I cannot begin to describe........... I totally forgot I had a hose in my hand. LOL

[spyker]

Yeah, I forget to do that myself, but what can you do when your neighbour's 26 year old daughter is so hot, she'll melt your popsicle. :fullofwin:

Tanning out back......... hells no I ain't moving. No mountains or lake view where I live, but..........


One day while washing the truck, she comes out in an outfit I cannot begin to describe........... I totally forgot I had a hose in my hand. LOL

Summer RS meet at your place?

[rsx]

^I don't understand what you are saying?

Your saying this is a non-profit that distrubutes money for various bursaries?

VF is a non-profit org that manages a fund, I think they call it an endowment fund, they then use the income generated from the fund to provide grants to various fields of interests, eg: animal welfare, arts&culture, etc.

It's a very good way of giving.

Bursaries is not part of the fields of interests, per se, it's grouped it with HMR (health medical research) they have various colleges that they work with and allocate x amount of bursaries per college/year

[GLOW]

I have to say.. that's pretty freaking rude. Your "friends" should have the decency to speak in English and include you in the conversation. Especially if they are the ones who invited you to come out in the first place.

I come from Alberta so I can say that people here in general are a lot colder, self-centered and selfish. This isn't to say everyone is like this, but the general feeling I got was that people here are mainly concerned about themselves first. There are a lot of good people out there though, you just have to find ways to meet more of them.

+1 on rude. seen that before and i hate it.

+1 again on the general attitudes of people here. i've live in alberta as well - and other provinces. boy the difference is astounding.

[MindBomber]

I don't post on revscene that often, but I post enough to know you two guys are borderline psychotic when it comes to defending perceived racial discrimination of any kind.

Did someone hack your accounts. Are are you both a couple of complete f####n hypocrites?

Just curious.

No, I'm not a f####n hypocrite.

I'm simply stating my unbiased observations, not criticizing.

One could logically reach the conclusion that those residing in densely populated urban areas are less openly friendly and polite towards the general population because of the high level of energy and time that would need to be expended. If a person makes an effort to extend a friendly greeting, or polite gesture, to a significant percentage people who they do not have an association with aside from proximity in a dense urban area it would require a great deal of energy and time. Therefore, people in dense urban areas reserve friendliness and politeness for those to which they have a more significant connection. Likewise, anyone who has spent a significant amount of time in very rural areas will likely testify to the friendliness and politeness of people. Although the association two people may have in a rural area is also limited to proximity, there are so many fewer people the energy required is much less and therefore acceptable.

+1 on rude. seen that before and i hate it.

+1 again on the general attitudes of people here. i've live in alberta as well - and other provinces. boy the difference is astounding.

I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a Alberta to British Columbia difference, more like, Alberta to Richmond, Vancouver, Burnaby difference. I've lived all over British Columbia, I can say with confidence, the generally unfriendly attitude is not or not nearly as present in the interior and valley like it is in Vancouver and the immediately surrounding areas.

not trying to generalize everyone living in abbotsford, i even have some good friends and previous co workers that i was close with that resides there. However, once in a while when i stop by any fast food restaurants/gas stations or any public places in abbotsford, i get random stares/glares from a lot of white folks like i just came from the outter space, cant speak for langley though, as i never really go there.

i must also conclude that i also live in maple ridge and have been living here for while, and although the asian population is minimal compare to many cities in vancouver, i generally dont get that uncomfortable feel as oppose to when im in abbotsford

Interesting.

Abbotsford is quite racially and socially diverse and friendly in my experience, but there's no disputing the (declining) presence of a white christian community that is unwelcoming and judgemental. Even I've experienced the random stares/glares from that community. Working on job sites ran by Mennonite contractors I would always get those looks, once I actually got chewed out by a Mennonite drywaller (Mennonites in construction are easy to spot, they wear dress clothes) for talking to a attractive female neighbor at a job site. :lol

[Mr.C]

I've lived, so far, in Cleveland, Rio de Janeiro, and Vancouver.

Vancouver is far and away the most unwelcoming city. No shit, really. We knew all our neighbours in Cleveland, and we frickin' got invited to birthdays, parties and events. Mind you, we were Latinos living in an upper class white-collar neighborhood.

Rio de Janeiro, well, people are really friendly (unless they want to steal your shit or kill you). But overall friendly.

Here? Shit, unless you are part of the major, uh, 'ethnic groups', you're pretty much screwed. I rarely see a group of, say, Indians, Filipinos and Chinese hanging out together. Everyone is all very segregated.

[jimzilla]

:alone:

[Mr.HappySilp]

Part of it have to do with technology.
I mean 10years ago when ppl aren't listening to thier ipods, whatsapp, or using thier smart phone is a lot easier to strike conversion with someone on the street.

Now, ppl have thier earphones a lot of timnes, texting, checking FB, twitter, etc on thier smart phone while not paying attention to the streets or even want to talk to anyone at all.

[Meowjin]

What the fuck is this shit all about?

Every fucking thread started by MajinHurricane turns into a patheic pity party. "Oh poor me. I'm MajinHurricane and you all should feel sorry for me."

Fuck you.

I posted about a topic I felt strongly about and had an opinion about. I do this about anything I have an opinion about.

You're right though, I'm a pretty big pussy online.

Fuck you.

[Tapioca]

Here? Shit, unless you are part of the major, uh, 'ethnic groups', you're pretty much screwed. I rarely see a group of, say, Indians, Filipinos and Chinese hanging out together. Everyone is all very segregated.

As a Chinese guy who doesn't quite "fit the mold", I would say that there's just as much snobbery within ethnic groups as there is between ethnic groups.

[spoon.ek9]

not trying to generalize everyone living in abbotsford, i even have some good friends and previous co workers that i was close with that resides there. However, once in a while when i stop by any fast food restaurants/gas stations or any public places in abbotsford, i get random stares/glares from a lot of white folks like i just came from the outter space, cant speak for langley though, as i never really go there.

i must also conclude that i also live in maple ridge and have been living here for while, and although the asian population is minimal compare to many cities in vancouver, i generally dont get that uncomfortable feel as oppose to when im in abbotsford

This is how I felt many times in Alberta and also in the states the last time I went for dinner (at an Applebee's). This is also part of the reason why I love living in the lower mainland because we see such a large diversity of people that seeing a race other than your own is the norm. Back when I lived there, being openly ridiculed because of your race was fairly normal.

+1 on rude. seen that before and i hate it.

+1 again on the general attitudes of people here. i've live in alberta as well - and other provinces. boy the difference is astounding.

As I've stated above, Alberta has it's own problems too. But yes, when speaking of the non-racist Albertans, they are much friendlier and welcoming than people here in general. The asian population in Alberta has increased quite a lot from what I hear so I hope the amount of racism has decreased.

As a Chinese guy who doesn't quite "fit the mold", I would say that there's just as much snobbery within ethnic groups as there is between ethnic groups.

I've been that guy before too. Didn't quite fit in with the hongers, didn't quite fit in with the other crowds. Eventually you find your way and it's important that people out there understand they have to keep trying and put some effort into it.

[MrGoodbar]

RS meet to break the lonely cycle.

[too_slow]

^can we have an RS food meet instead? I would like to check out some of the 'hidden gems of the city' known to some of the resident foodies here

[LiquidTurbo]

^can we have an RS food meet instead? I would like to check out some of the 'hidden gems of the city' known to some of the resident foodies here

They wouldn't be 'gems' if they were shared with the masses.. :troll:

[Durrann]

Yeah, I forget to do that myself, but what can you do when your neighbour's 26 year old daughter is so hot, she'll melt your popsicle. :fullofwin:

Tanning out back......... hells no I ain't moving. No mountains or lake view where I live, but..........


One day while washing the truck, she comes out in an outfit I cannot begin to describe........... I totally forgot I had a hose in my hand. LOL

i'm trying to imagine this in my mind....LOL

can i come over on a hot sunny day?

[Mr.Money]

Part of it have to do with technology.
I mean 10years ago when ppl aren't listening to thier ipods, whatsapp, or using thier smart phone is a lot easier to strike conversion with someone on the street.

Now, ppl have thier earphones a lot of timnes, texting, checking FB, twitter, etc on thier smart phone while not paying attention to the streets or even want to talk to anyone at all.


This is me...the ipod with music playing... :okay:
i blame it on the Fucking Bums asking for a dollar & it gets annoying.

And Vancouver has a fucked up Vibe...so many people looking ahead in their own world never paying attention to the opposite sex....A Few but i know a majority will never strike a conversation on the streets unless its asking for Directions around the city.

Restaurants are one of the places i only notice people will feel comfortable enough to talk & relax.


Every race is cliquey.

x2 you see most in groups only speaking their home country language & Once and awhile you can hear some speak English.

[MG1]

i'm trying to imagine this in my mind....LOL

can i come over on a hot sunny day?

Italian women are so fine........

olive tanned skin, ftw

She is so friendly too. Says hi to me all the time with big smile and cute fluttering fingers wave. Trying hard to describe her without being disrespectful.

In fact, the whole neighbourhood is so friendly. Everybody greets each other...... joggers, complete strangers, even the local bag lady is friendly. It's a great neighbourhood. It is Burnaby, though.

As I said in another thread, I say hi to everybody - it becomes contagious at work, at home, anywhere. To guys, it's the ol' guy nod of the head, to women it's the smile and a quick wave........ if she's hot, I do the up and down check her assets after she passes by, thing. If caught looking, a nice smile of approval, LOL. They usually smile back. Hot chicks know guys check them out and the best compliment they can get is a guy checking them out......... at least that's how I see it. Maybe it's the harmless dirty old man look that I have, hee hee.

[Yodamaster]

I have two really good friends, some people think that you need more than that.

People forget that really knowing one or two people is more fun than trying to vaguely remember a lot of them.


What I'm actually frustrated with is the fact that a white guy like me has such a hard time with white women....

> :alone:

[7seven]

I might be in the minority here (no pun intended), but the group of close friends I hang out with is pretty diverse. I'm chinese, my girlfriend is white, majority of my close friends are white, a few other asians and east indians.

I find on the streets of Vancouver, people are really set in their own world just focused on getting from point a to b, that can come across as unfriendly, I will admit I have been guilty of this myself. I've had randoms stop me on the street to engage in conversation, but I honestly had no time. But I find when out on down time at Kits beach, bars, lounges and pubs, people are generally friendly and will engage in convo with you and get to know you. Personally I always sit at the bar of lounge/pub/resto if I can, I find people are way more open engaging with strangers at bar seating rather than if you got your own table/high top/booth.

[MR_BIGGS]

The neighbourhood I grew up in and where my parents still live is so diverse. Most families that live there, have been there a long time. You have Italians mostly on the corner lots, lots of Chinese, handful of East-Indians and then a bunch of other mixes.

There are three elementary schools 5 mins of each other, a park, seniors centre and recreation centre all within walking distance. Everyone knows each other, and theres always the handwave, or the head nod or the smile when you walk by them on the street. It's not uncommon to be walking home and the guy on the corner lot is watering his garden and he strikes up a convo with you for like 30 minutes. Or waving at the old lady that lives down the street, talking about her grandchildren..etc etc.. Even the younger families, who have just recently moved in are welcoming and friendly.