I’ve been a resident of Metro Vancouver for most of my life and a resident of the city for two years. There are little things that are super apparent about you that tell me that you’re not from around here or spend little time in the city itself.

This is all tongue and cheek and should not be taken at all as serious.

Transit

You run for the train presently idling at the platform despite the fact that the trains run every two to five minutes.

This means one or more of the following:

• You rarely take transit despite living in the region
• You’re on the Millennium Line and it’s off-peak, a weekend, or a holiday
• You’re from out of town

Even though you do not need to run, I still root for you making it for the train.

Be sure to not run into someone as they get off the train. That isn’t necessary I can assure you.

Also the train going away from downtown may not be going to Surrey if that is where you need to go.

On top of that, don’t hold the doors. It’s a bad idea.

Clothing

This one is super tricky.

One story I have is my then-girlfriend was visiting me from Texas and was woefully unaware of the our January climate. From October to March, you’re better off wearing waterproof shoes and best have a jacket and umbrella. In her case, she wore some chucks and had a jacket that was perfect for a rainy spring day but not one in winter where it is barely above freezing.

It only snows maybe two or three days out of the year and most of the time the snow disappears by the end of the day and if not, the day after.

However, her situation is just a funny story.

It’s harder to spot this situation instead of seeing a random couple wandering down Burrard on a Wednesday summer afternoon wearing clothing you’d find best-suited in some gated community in Palm Springs. That ball cap for an American hotel chain that is well-weathered or even just something on your person donning has an American flag just makes quite apparent you’re a tourist.

Wear what is comfortable! Just let it be known that we probably will figure out that you’re not from around here sometimes.

Gastown

Everyone loves to rag on this one, but here’s my take.

If you’re taking photos of the steam clock at Water and Cambie, you are absolutely a tourist or at a minimum an Instagram influencer (or trying to be).

If you’re the local that complains about it and you don’t live near there, just avoid walking along Water street near Cambie on a the weekend or any nice day in the summer.

The clock is fine and if someone likes it despite being built in the late 1970s, that is totally okay too. If you cannot accept that, once again avoid Water and Cambie if you are able to.

Closing

I am sure I can come up with other things but these came to mind earlier today and I felt like dumping this post here.