What makes a Vancouverite?

I've been officially "back" in Vancouver for eights months now. For those of you that don't know, or are new to my blog, let me give you the abbreviated run down to where I come from:

Aug 1991 - Sept 2009: Fort St. John, BC
Sept 2009 - April 2011: Victoria, BC 
June 2011 - Aug 2011: Rossland, BC
Sept 2011 - March 2012: Maple Ridge, BC
March 2012 - Present: Vancouver, BC 

This does not include the time I spent in Rossland, Port Alberni, Shawnigan Lake, Kelowna, New York, or California, which could be considered extended vacations, continuation of studies, acting gigs, or temporary moves. 

So though when you add up the months I've had an official Vancouver address it equals 15, if you subtract the time I went away to Rossland, it totals 12 - therefore: Happy One Year Anniversary of Being a Vancouver Resident to me. 

But being a Vancouver resident does not make me a Vancouverite. 

So what defines a Vancouverite from a Vancouver citizen? I turn to Google for answers:

[urbandictionary] a person residing in Vancouver (okay, check)
[urbandictionary] the luluemon-clad, Starbucks-drinking, BMW-crashing, sexy Asian MILF version of the Martha Stewart personna (hmm...)
[urbandictionary] A former Torontonian/Calgarian/Montrealer (uhh... everybody is from somewhere. 39.6% of Vancouvers population were born outside Canada. So... there's that)

[tourismvancouver] You know you are a Vancouverite when:

• You wear polar fleece to a business meeting (what?)
• You walk by the Art Gallery and wonder where the belly-dancing lady is (again... what?)
• You own a mountain bike, a snowboard, and scuba equipment, even if you've only used them once (fair)
• You can pronounce Inukshuk properly and you know what TimBits are (Oo! Oo! Pick me!)
• You prefer espresso and biscotti over coffee and a donut (How about a latte and chocolate croissant?)
• You're just as likely to go to Dim Sum on a Sunday morning as a diner (mmm...)
• You live in less than 500 sq feet and couldn't be happier (I am quite satisfied with my 860)
• You own seasonal Gore-Tex pieces but not an umbrella (I had to look what Gore-Tex was)
• You wear jeans to the Vancouver Opera (not true. I went to Tea last night and everyone was dressed quite nicely!)
• You have at least one item of clothing made of hemp (sounds itchy)
• You know the Hot Buns guy at Wreck Beach (no but I know the pina colada freezie girl)
• You live within a three-block radius of five Starbucks (this has nothing to do with a person's character - this is just what anyone gets living in any city)
• You know the back route on the Grouse Grind (there's a back route?)
• You know at least ten (aspiring) actors (or 100... and hey! I resent that)
• You know what a Japa Dog is (knowing and eating are two separate things...)

[huffingtonpost] How to piss off a Vancouverite:

• Call us sore losers, bad hockey fans, or snobs (*rolls eyes*)
• Refer to yourself as a "hipster" OR make fun of "hipsters" when you are one (true) 
• Point out that it rains a lot (no shit...)
• Ignore umbrella etiquette (I love the rain)
• Ask us if we like "BC Bud" or do yoga (we aren't ALL blazing yogis)
• Smoke or litter in public (don't hate us for caring)
• Say Nickelback is from Vancouver, that your "from Vancouver" when you're not, or that the people are mean (c'mon people...)
• Complain about: the beaches, the traffic, the expense (ugh...)
• Be a douchebag on a bike (another ugh)
• Rollerblade the Seawall when you don't know how to do it (wait - there are people that do know?)
• Call it "No-Fun Couver" (I've never heard that...)

The above article is actually really awesome and you should all read it.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/kate-siobhan-havercroft/how-to-piss-off-vancouverite-vancouver_b_2920840.html



I should also note the several references that people from Toronto are "wannabe New Yorkers" that dress "gay", hate the outdoors, and like to take pictures of themselves. This reference has obviously come from someone that has never tried to walk down Granville St on a Friday night.


So am I a Vancouverite? I dunno. I live here. I love lululemon and fancy coffee and care about the environment, the way I look, and consider food to be a hobby on top of being a source of nutrition. I think this is the most beautiful city in the world and can't even fathom living anywhere else in all seriousness. On the other hand, I don't care about the Canucks (or really, hockey in general but if I must choose - Go Habs Go!). I don't get yoga, and every time I meet a vegetarian or fake celiac [people who refuse to eat gluten but aren't actually allergic] I want to punch them (I like you as a person... I just don't understand your choice). I shop at NoFrills because I need to save the money for my acting classes and any extra money I can spare at the end of the month goes into a jar that I use to treat myself in trying a new, trendy restaurant that probably specializes in local, organic products and BC wines.

When I left Rossland after my first summer there in 2011, I was sad to leave the little hippy town I had grown so fond of. I arrived in Maple Ridge and was disappointed to discover that Vancouver wasn't the thriving community I had cracked it up to me. Then I realized I was living in Maple Ridge. This ordeal was what prompted The Happiness Project - I wanted that blissful feeling back. When a friend in Kitsilano had a room open up in her house, I jumped at the chance. I never thought I'd be able to afford to live here, but here I am! I spent three months here before I had to go back to Rossland and that's when I discovered that Rossland wasn't the same without the group of people I had shared it with the first time. I missed Vancouver and now that I am back, I have no desire to leave again. Have I rediscovered that feeling of bliss that I felt sitting on the beach of Gyro Park in Trail? Yes, I have. The other day I was lying on a towel at Kitsilano Beach, reading a book in my bikini (in May!), using my iPod to drown out the obnoxious conversation between two Guidas (Gweeda? Gweedette? Whatever) and I had the thought, 'This is the life'. My life is certainly harder than it was a year and a half ago. I'm broke and I'm confused as to where my career is headed and whether anyone will ever want me as their wife, but somehow the energy in this city alone keeps me going. And I truly believe it takes all sorts to contribute to this place we call home. We need the Kitsilano snobs, the Main St hipsters, the Granville St FOBs and Guidos, the westside yogis, the eastside blazers, the UBC hockey bros... It's what makes Vancouver Vancouver. 

Until next time - this Vancouverite is signing out. 
Cheers.