Let's face it, in larger city centres, you don't go around smiling at everyone you see on the street. There are many reasons for this, but the bottom line is that it is a matter of personal safety. You never know what creeps are out there lying in wait. I am above average in the paranoia department due to my cop's kid upbringing, however, most females are pretty careful these days. Or maybe that is just me.
When I left my friendly, warm land of Nova Scotia the unfriendliness of the general public of British Columbia really floored me. In Halifax the standard stranger eye contact in public places etiquette seems to be:
a) Acknowledge other individual with a brief glance and quick closed lip half smile. Eyebrows remain level.
b) Keep face neutral, avert eyes. Continue briskly on your way.
c)If the person seems really sane a full fledged eye squint combined with a full closed lip smile may be appropriate.
Now, in BC the standard procedure is ALWAYS B. Never A or C. It just doesn't happen. When you are used to A and C, it is alarming at first. However you get used to it pretty quickly.
Yellowknife seems to have a scale all on its own in the stranger eye contact department. It is commonplace to have complete strangers execute a FULL teeth exposed, eyes squinted, warm faced smile. Imagine my complete surprise after the coolness of BC!
To this day, the friendliness and warmth of complete strangers still takes me off guard. I must say, it is another asset of this wonderful little place North of 60.
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About Me
- Natalie
- In May 2006 I left my cozy land of Nova Scotia to move to big, bad, beautiful BC to live with my fiancé. We married in October 2007 and now find ourselves living North of 60, sans the "luxuries" of the urban world, all in the quest of bettering his career and putting away some cash for the future. This blog chronicles my views of the North as well as the adventures of my two darling chihuahuas, Malcolm and Olivia, ages 2 1/2 and 3.
7 comments:
I say "Good morning" to everyone I pass by on my way to work. Mind you, there aren't many people on the street at 630am at -40.
I think a lot of people in BC are too high to make eye contact.
Living here reminds me of the old days, when people were friendlier, kids played outside and neighbours knew each other by name. That doesn't happen much down South anymore. When we arrived here, I was stunned to see kids outside, riding bikes, playing... I love the friendly aspect of this community.
Well you must have lived in southern BC then! I grew up in northern BC and it is super friendly. Honest!
:)
my apologies from BC. i hear it all the time.
born and raised in BC i guess i am used to it.
one specific rule you forgot.
if you see someone who, judging from appearances of course, looks similar to you and seems as though could be a potential friend...absolutely DO NOT smile, say hello or awknowledge. by not doing these things means you are interested and giving them a BC compliment!
it is ridiculously hard for locals to meet each other-as well!
anyways too bad i didnt run into you so i could have ignored you!
HA HA
i have been lucky enough to visit the Yukon a bunch of times to different communities and it is a whole other friendly world!
Kara, I lived in the Southern Interior! Loved the climate, but definitely a very "snobby" place!
Lisa, I totally agree... it was hard to make friends in BC. The friends I did make there are friends for life.
:-)
ah the regional slag fest! gotta love it!
I remember sitting on a skidoo in Northmart in Iqaluit once for photofunnies and having a very earnest 12ish looking boy saying scornfully "newbies".
BC wisen I must have been lucky because I have found folks in BC:: the treehuggers, the fisher folk, the islanders, the coasters, the back to the landers, the cowboys and the indians and even some of the suits to be very friendly, stoned or otherwise.
The friendliest place I have ever visited in Canada was Newfoundland. Bar none.
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