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What I’ve learned about life on the West Coast!

My husband, Paul, and I moved from England to Vancouver 12 months ago for a change in lifestyle and culture. We first visited this beautiful part of the planet in 2004 and returned many times to the city and to Whistler over the years. Our best experience so far has been our wedding in Whistler in 2008….we took 21 years to think about it…and it was definitely worth the wait!!

Here’s 5 observations from my experiences to date in Canada.

1. Canadians are very friendly, very positive and empathetic.

They show a genuine interest in who you are and want to know your story. Most have a story to share too. It still surprises me that almost everyone I talk to has a family connection with Britain in some way. Actually, I think what most surprises me is the number of people who know their family origins. I couldn’t even tell you the names of my cousins!

2. Canadians are almost as fixated with the weather as the Brits are.

In England people will talk about the weather when they greet you, or default to the topic to fill a lull in the conversation. Here it seems the subject could sustain an entire news programme. Though, to be fair, in BC you have “proper” weather. English weather-speak doesn’t really compare!

3 Given the amount of coffee consumed, I am surprised by the pace of decision making!

A strange comment from me, perhaps, given the length of my “engagement”! Maybe it’s because people are so amiable and relaxed; they seem to enjoy the social aspects of meetings and will happily invite you back several times before an outcome is agreed.

4. Informational interviews work and networking pays off.

From my (short) experience, I have found people to be very generous with their time and information. Vancouver seems to be a small place in terms of the business landscape and, given the hidden job market (not too unlike England), it pays to spend time getting to know people. Perfect for an extravert like myself!

5. Canadians are very accepting and respectful of others ‘culture.

I have never felt under pressure to lose my English identity or conform to Canadian values, in fact people seem to appreciate differences. No doubt it’s this diversity that makes Canada unique and, to me anyway, the ‘best place on earth’.

Hazel Morley, Associate

www.maximumimpact.ca