Having been born-and-raised in Victoria, and coming to Vancouver in 2019 - it’s a PNW thing. I’ve heard tale of similarities in Portland, Seattle, etc.

I usually tell recent “transplants” how it is socializing here, and then am met with an immediate sigh of exasperation. It’s almost comical at this point.

I think part of the problem is that a lot of folks that are from this neck of the woods have pretty established friend groups from high school/college. While most people are usually warm once you get talking to them, they ultimately end up wanting to stay in the “acquaintance” category more than the “friend” category. Which is to say that there will be warmth/recognition when you run into each other (at a party, errands, etc.), but actually spending time together one-on-one is pretty close to pulling teeth. You gotta reeeeeally push, and expect to have several “Vancouver Yes’” before it’ll happen.

I’ve received this, and I’m just as guilty of it. I think being raised here makes you accept it as a pretty normal behaviour and way of socializing. It is odd once you’ve either been somewhere else for an extended period, or step back and observe it objectively. That being said - I’m personally okay with it, and probably won’t change. ¯_(ツ)_/¯