While Vancouver may be one of the most desirable cities in the world, a recent thread on Reddit highlighted that visitors may be in for some surprises when they arrive.
A discussion about culture shocks when visiting Vancouver included past visitors sharing their experiences when in the city.
Others chimed in with thoughts from friends and family about everything from the weather to fashion to locals’ penchant for standing in line.
How many international visitors come to Vancouver?
According to statistics from a 2020 City of Vancouver tourism sector profile, over 10 million people from across BC, Canada, and the world come to the city annually. Hundreds of thousands come for conventions, while others come on cruise ship stops or layovers.
Many make the trip to visit family and friends or to stop in for the award-winning cuisine.
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What culture shocks surprised visitors to Vancouver?
A discussion broke out in the Vancouver subreddit about what shocked Redditors culturally when they visited Vancouver.
The weather was a frequent topic of conversation.
“People don’t use an umbrella when it’s raining. Now I joined the group as well,” one Redditor said.
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“First time I visited from Toronto was in August of 2005. We were going biking around Stanley Park and I had jeans and a tee shirt on. My friend, who I was staying with, said ‘Aren’t you hot? It will be 25 today!’ I laughed so hard, having come from 40+ with 90% humidity. Then I moved here, and a few years later 25 felt hot to me,” added another.
Fashion was another culture shock to many, with one person sharing that a friend was surprised about how people here dress so casually while they were visiting.
“Yeah you can go to super fancy restaurants and people will be wearing sweats and hoodie, lol,” said a reply.
Multiple Redditors also highlighted the Downtown Eastside.
“DTES, 1994. From Toronto. Never saw anything like it.”
“From Halifax. DTES is culture shock.”
“Know what you mean, I’m well travelled and consider myself pretty unsociable but nothing can prepare you for the first time you see the DTES. Equally shocking is how quickly you get used to it.”
And the perennial conversation about tipping etiquette continued in the discussion thread.
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“I was chatting with a family from Australia. They said that tipping is crazy here — tipping being asked for everything,” said one user.
“The gall to ask for tips for non-table service,” said another reply.
There were some positive cultural shocks spotlighted, too.
“Thanking the bus driver, it’s so lovely!”
Another Redditor also commented on the courtesy of Vancouverites, though we’re not sure if it’s a compliment.
What are some of the Vancouver culture shocks that you have experienced? Let us know in the comments.