Like any city, Vancouver has its own unique quirks and stereotypes. Sometimes it takes a foreign perspective to really see them.
The city sees many visitors from abroad and some have taken to social media to share the distinct differences they've noticed living in Vancouver compared to where they used to live.
Even fellow Canadians visiting this city have been taken aback by some very specific things, though Vancouverites would argue that they are completely normal.
According to foreigners who have recently moved to Vancouver, this is what the city and the people are actually like:
Starbucks is better in Vancouver
Though Vancouver does admittedly have good coffee, the Starbucks coffee chain specifically is apparently better in Vancouver.
Anything longer than a 10-minute drive is considered "far"
Vancouver is a walkable city, meaning Vancouverites aren't used to having to drive far.
Vancouverites are cliquey and fake
Even Vancouverites themselves say that locals tend to build their friend groups when growing up and in school and then stick to them, and are typically uninviting to new people - and it seems newcomers agree.
Vancouver is synonymous with the "clean girl" aesthetic
Vancouverites seem to be styled mainly by Lululemon and Aritzia, and according to one out-of-towner it's hard to not cave to Vancouver's mainstream 'clean girl' aesthetic.
No standstill traffic
There is traffic in Vancouver, but, as one person shares, it's always moving.
Comfort is style
Another aspect of Vancouver fashion is that a comfortable pair of matching sweats and a hoodie is considered stylish.
Crosswalk buttons are confusing
Walking around the pole to find the button just to cross a street is a daily struggle here.
Weed is everywhere
Vancouverites have fully embraced legalized cannabis with cannabis stores scattered throughout the city and weed being considered a Vancouver norm.
Vancouver has great food
Vancouver is known as a foodie city and Vancouverites have some of the best cuisine and restaurants at their fingertips.
Vancouver men have "no game"
Is Vancouver's dating scene as outlandish as it's social life? Apparently.
Vancouverites wear shoes to the beach
Taking one's shoes off prior to a nice stroll on a sandy beach may be the norm, but not in Vancouver. Since the beach is so accessible, locals can trek from beach to park within 15 minutes. So why bother?
Hiking is "no joke"
Vancouverites take the outdoors seriously and, with the many beautiful trails and views, hiking is essentially a sport in this city.
Thanking the bus driver
Vancouverites are so polite!
Vancouverites say 'eh' and 'sorry' a lot
Sorry! We're Canadian after all, eh.
@badgalcascas 10 things I’ve learned about #vancouver after living here for 4 months (as an #aussie 🇦🇺😁) pls don’t take this 100% seriously HAHA #fypシ #trending ♬ original sound - CASSIE 🦋
@madamlyka I’m sorry hahaha #fyp #foryou #canada #vancouver #internationalstudent ♬ pepas x memories juan diego viteri - Juan Diego Viteri
@alliscalbii #exchangestudent #exchangeyear #vancouver #canada #🇨🇦 ♬ pepas x memories juan diego viteri - Juan Diego Viteri
