Vancouver, don't get it.
May 30th 2012, 4:41 am
#183
"In cruce vincam"
Joined: May 2010
Location: Mill Bay, Vancouver Island
Posts: 3,232
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I like Vancouver and Toronto too. I think at my age and time of life the pace of Vancouver and the West coast in general suits me.
May 30th 2012, 4:27 pm
#186
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
1. Do you find the built environment of the city to be attractive, do you have an appreciation for the architecture there? I found it slightly disappointing and felt that it detracts from the lovely natural environment. My idea was that, if someone was from somewhere with no greenery or water then they would be likely to really appreciate it. I, however, have no problem with the fact that others like the buildings and disagree with my view.
2. Do you feel that the travel time and expense involved to get to Paris (that's my example, but you are welcome to bring forth your own) is a negative point for Vancouver? Or does proximity to Europe not matter? Do you think that travel time and expense is a determining factor for immigrants from the UK? I don't know the answer, but I'd be surprised if being able to get home in an emergency did not have an effect on UK immigrants on the West Coast. Again, I'll not be upset in the slightest if no one else feels this is something worth noting.
3. Ethnic diversity. Here is what I had to say on that (yes, I know, it's lame to quote yourself but the second you mention diversity there'll be a poster tripping over themselves to spit out the word "ghetto" and get all upset).
"If Vancouver is cosmopolitan by West Coast standards then very good, having lived in Toronto I cannot help but compare the two and I found Vancouver much less mixed. Then again, it was a short visit and it's not a competition."
People jumped all over that in their eagerness for a good juicy bully session and an opportunity to out-sarcasm each other. But really, where I lived in Toronto was incredibly mixed. During the short time in Vancouver I noticed less of this, hence the thought that maybe we just hadn't wandered thoroughly enough.
Thinking back, the Skytrain from the airport had no non-white people in our carriage, the staff at 2 restaurants and a breakfast diner were all white as were the staff in a wine store and I'd guess that the staff at the hotel were maybe 50% white and 50% Asian (best guess, without interviewing everyone). I didn't notice too much at the time, but having been told that I am wrong to think this, I have reviewed my memory of the trip and I find this to be at odds with the part of Canada that I am familiar with. Is this a normal summary of the ethnic make up of Vancouver or is this some inexplicable oddity?
People get very uppity about "diversity" but surely it's ok to make an assessment of the mixture of people living in a place? As I said, a comparison with Toronto may not be fair but it's the only one I have. Is it ok to have the view that Vancouver seemed to me to be less ethnically diverse, and if not, why not? Once again, if people think that Vancouver is very diverse, I'm completely accepting of that.
May 30th 2012, 4:41 pm
#187
slanderer of the innocent
Joined: Dec 2008
Location: Vancouver, BC
Posts: 6,695
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
For someone who claims to be not taking this seriously, you sure get defensive, Ireland. My impression is you can give it but you can't take it.
Suck it up, buttercup.
Suck it up, buttercup.
May 30th 2012, 4:45 pm
#188
Beep
Joined: Jan 2009
Location: Here
Posts: 8,311
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Why not address the points you made above? You could just give your opinion, as I have given mine. I was genuinely interested to visit the place and gave, IMO, a balanced lay person's view based on that visit.
1. Do you find the built environment of the city to be attractive, do you have an appreciation for the architecture there? I found it slightly disappointing and felt that it detracts from the lovely natural environment. My idea was that, if someone was from somewhere with no greenery or water then they would be likely to really appreciate it. I, however, have no problem with the fact that others like the buildings and disagree with my view.
2. Do you feel that the travel time and expense involved to get to Paris (that's my example, but you are welcome to bring forth your own) is a negative point for Vancouver? Or does proximity to Europe not matter? Do you think that travel time and expense is a determining factor for immigrants from the UK? I don't know the answer, but I'd be surprised if being able to get home in an emergency did not have an effect on UK immigrants on the West Coast. Again, I'll not be upset in the slightest if no one else feels this is something worth noting.
3. Ethnic diversity. Here is what I had to say on that (yes, I know, it's lame to quote yourself but the second you mention diversity there'll be a poster tripping over themselves to spit out the word "ghetto" and get all upset).
"If Vancouver is cosmopolitan by West Coast standards then very good, having lived in Toronto I cannot help but compare the two and I found Vancouver much less mixed. Then again, it was a short visit and it's not a competition."
People jumped all over that in their eagerness for a good juicy bully session and an opportunity to out-sarcasm each other. But really, where I lived in Toronto was incredibly mixed. During the short time in Vancouver I noticed less of this, hence the thought that maybe we just hadn't wandered thoroughly enough.
Thinking back, the Skytrain from the airport had no non-white people in our carriage, the staff at 2 restaurants and a breakfast diner were all white as were the staff in a wine store and I'd guess that the staff at the hotel were maybe 50% white and 50% Asian (best guess, without interviewing everyone). I didn't notice too much at the time, but having been told that I am wrong to think this, I have reviewed my memory of the trip and I find this to be at odds with the part of Canada that I am familiar with. Is this a normal summary of the ethnic make up of Vancouver or is this some inexplicable oddity?
People get very uppity about "diversity" but surely it's ok to make an assessment of the mixture of people living in a place? As I said, a comparison with Toronto may not be fair but it's the only one I have. Is it ok to have the view that Vancouver seemed to me to be less ethnically diverse, and if not, why not? Once again, if people think that Vancouver is very diverse, I'm completely accepting of that.
1. Do you find the built environment of the city to be attractive, do you have an appreciation for the architecture there? I found it slightly disappointing and felt that it detracts from the lovely natural environment. My idea was that, if someone was from somewhere with no greenery or water then they would be likely to really appreciate it. I, however, have no problem with the fact that others like the buildings and disagree with my view.
2. Do you feel that the travel time and expense involved to get to Paris (that's my example, but you are welcome to bring forth your own) is a negative point for Vancouver? Or does proximity to Europe not matter? Do you think that travel time and expense is a determining factor for immigrants from the UK? I don't know the answer, but I'd be surprised if being able to get home in an emergency did not have an effect on UK immigrants on the West Coast. Again, I'll not be upset in the slightest if no one else feels this is something worth noting.
3. Ethnic diversity. Here is what I had to say on that (yes, I know, it's lame to quote yourself but the second you mention diversity there'll be a poster tripping over themselves to spit out the word "ghetto" and get all upset).
"If Vancouver is cosmopolitan by West Coast standards then very good, having lived in Toronto I cannot help but compare the two and I found Vancouver much less mixed. Then again, it was a short visit and it's not a competition."
People jumped all over that in their eagerness for a good juicy bully session and an opportunity to out-sarcasm each other. But really, where I lived in Toronto was incredibly mixed. During the short time in Vancouver I noticed less of this, hence the thought that maybe we just hadn't wandered thoroughly enough.
Thinking back, the Skytrain from the airport had no non-white people in our carriage, the staff at 2 restaurants and a breakfast diner were all white as were the staff in a wine store and I'd guess that the staff at the hotel were maybe 50% white and 50% Asian (best guess, without interviewing everyone). I didn't notice too much at the time, but having been told that I am wrong to think this, I have reviewed my memory of the trip and I find this to be at odds with the part of Canada that I am familiar with. Is this a normal summary of the ethnic make up of Vancouver or is this some inexplicable oddity?
People get very uppity about "diversity" but surely it's ok to make an assessment of the mixture of people living in a place? As I said, a comparison with Toronto may not be fair but it's the only one I have. Is it ok to have the view that Vancouver seemed to me to be less ethnically diverse, and if not, why not? Once again, if people think that Vancouver is very diverse, I'm completely accepting of that.
Personally i don't see much cultural diversity. In fact i don't really see much diversity at all with the staple "look" being White or Asian. Culturally most seem to want the big house, big car, comfortable "keep up with the jones" lifestyle. I do notice more older Asian men spit on the streets so maybe that adds to diversity
May 30th 2012, 4:59 pm
#189
Assimilated Pauper
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
vij's restaurant seemed a landmark in diversity; Indianish food delivered by an all white staff.
May 30th 2012, 5:15 pm
#190
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
So, it would appear, this debate has descended into a discussion over whether Vancouver has as many brown people as Toronto.
What about brown immigrants from, say, England, how do they affect diversity?
In this day and age, who cares?
What about brown immigrants from, say, England, how do they affect diversity?
In this day and age, who cares?
May 30th 2012, 5:18 pm
#191
Assimilated Pauper
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2005
Location: Ontario
Posts: 40,018
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I suppose I care. Mildly, more than I do about 99s, less than I would about having to drive a hardtop car. I like to be in a place with a range of people and variety of food, I think it makes life more interesting.
May 30th 2012, 5:23 pm
#192
Just Joined
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Why not address the points you made above? You could just give your opinion, as I have given mine. I was genuinely interested to visit the place and gave, IMO, a balanced lay person's view based on that visit.
1. Do you find the built environment of the city to be attractive, do you have an appreciation for the architecture there? I found it slightly disappointing and felt that it detracts from the lovely natural environment. My idea was that, if someone was from somewhere with no greenery or water then they would be likely to really appreciate it. I, however, have no problem with the fact that others like the buildings and disagree with my view.
2. Do you feel that the travel time and expense involved to get to Paris (that's my example, but you are welcome to bring forth your own) is a negative point for Vancouver? Or does proximity to Europe not matter? Do you think that travel time and expense is a determining factor for immigrants from the UK? I don't know the answer, but I'd be surprised if being able to get home in an emergency did not have an effect on UK immigrants on the West Coast. Again, I'll not be upset in the slightest if no one else feels this is something worth noting.
3. Ethnic diversity. Here is what I had to say on that (yes, I know, it's lame to quote yourself but the second you mention diversity there'll be a poster tripping over themselves to spit out the word "ghetto" and get all upset).
"If Vancouver is cosmopolitan by West Coast standards then very good, having lived in Toronto I cannot help but compare the two and I found Vancouver much less mixed. Then again, it was a short visit and it's not a competition."
People jumped all over that in their eagerness for a good juicy bully session and an opportunity to out-sarcasm each other. But really, where I lived in Toronto was incredibly mixed. During the short time in Vancouver I noticed less of this, hence the thought that maybe we just hadn't wandered thoroughly enough.
Thinking back, the Skytrain from the airport had no non-white people in our carriage, the staff at 2 restaurants and a breakfast diner were all white as were the staff in a wine store and I'd guess that the staff at the hotel were maybe 50% white and 50% Asian (best guess, without interviewing everyone). I didn't notice too much at the time, but having been told that I am wrong to think this, I have reviewed my memory of the trip and I find this to be at odds with the part of Canada that I am familiar with. Is this a normal summary of the ethnic make up of Vancouver or is this some inexplicable oddity?
People get very uppity about "diversity" but surely it's ok to make an assessment of the mixture of people living in a place? As I said, a comparison with Toronto may not be fair but it's the only one I have. Is it ok to have the view that Vancouver seemed to me to be less ethnically diverse, and if not, why not? Once again, if people think that Vancouver is very diverse, I'm completely accepting of that.
1. Do you find the built environment of the city to be attractive, do you have an appreciation for the architecture there? I found it slightly disappointing and felt that it detracts from the lovely natural environment. My idea was that, if someone was from somewhere with no greenery or water then they would be likely to really appreciate it. I, however, have no problem with the fact that others like the buildings and disagree with my view.
2. Do you feel that the travel time and expense involved to get to Paris (that's my example, but you are welcome to bring forth your own) is a negative point for Vancouver? Or does proximity to Europe not matter? Do you think that travel time and expense is a determining factor for immigrants from the UK? I don't know the answer, but I'd be surprised if being able to get home in an emergency did not have an effect on UK immigrants on the West Coast. Again, I'll not be upset in the slightest if no one else feels this is something worth noting.
3. Ethnic diversity. Here is what I had to say on that (yes, I know, it's lame to quote yourself but the second you mention diversity there'll be a poster tripping over themselves to spit out the word "ghetto" and get all upset).
"If Vancouver is cosmopolitan by West Coast standards then very good, having lived in Toronto I cannot help but compare the two and I found Vancouver much less mixed. Then again, it was a short visit and it's not a competition."
People jumped all over that in their eagerness for a good juicy bully session and an opportunity to out-sarcasm each other. But really, where I lived in Toronto was incredibly mixed. During the short time in Vancouver I noticed less of this, hence the thought that maybe we just hadn't wandered thoroughly enough.
Thinking back, the Skytrain from the airport had no non-white people in our carriage, the staff at 2 restaurants and a breakfast diner were all white as were the staff in a wine store and I'd guess that the staff at the hotel were maybe 50% white and 50% Asian (best guess, without interviewing everyone). I didn't notice too much at the time, but having been told that I am wrong to think this, I have reviewed my memory of the trip and I find this to be at odds with the part of Canada that I am familiar with. Is this a normal summary of the ethnic make up of Vancouver or is this some inexplicable oddity?
People get very uppity about "diversity" but surely it's ok to make an assessment of the mixture of people living in a place? As I said, a comparison with Toronto may not be fair but it's the only one I have. Is it ok to have the view that Vancouver seemed to me to be less ethnically diverse, and if not, why not? Once again, if people think that Vancouver is very diverse, I'm completely accepting of that.
Vancouver to London is 9.5 hours flight, Toronto to London is 7.5 hour flight; along with the time spent in the airports, there's really not much in it, both are a fair way from the UK.
Last edited by shhhh; May 30th 2012 at 5:26 pm.
May 30th 2012, 5:30 pm
#193
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
I don't know what your problem is, in general and in particular with anything that I have said, I really don't. You seem to have no substance in any of your replies, yet you seem fully equipped to tell me all about what I think. You don't ask, you just seem to assume. You also seemed to infer that I was being sarcastic, some snide little comment like that earlier in this thread but you were wholly incorrect. I was genuinely interested and asked actual questions...somehow you see this as sarcasm. It's odd behaviour for an adult but a classic example of how people are just mean on the internet.
May 30th 2012, 5:31 pm
#194
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: South of Calgary
Posts: 13,374
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Please don't come to Calgary during the time of the Stampede. You may leave thinking that Calgary is populated with cowboys and cowgirls and that the only food availabe for Caglarians to eat is pancakes, hotdogs and burgers
May 30th 2012, 5:34 pm
#195
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 2,139
Re: Vancouver, don't get it.
Thank you for answering. It would seem, then, that the extra time and expense is not a factor worth considering for you.