r/askvan

It's April. The sun is shining. The distant sound of a Cactus Club Bellini being poured echos throughout the streets. And Vancouver is getting outside to soak up the vitamin d we've been deprived of for the last five months.

For the first time since sunset on October 21st, 2025 you feel...happy again.

The issue? You have no bae for summer and you'd rather drive backwards down a one way street with a bike lane than download-and-delete Hinge for the 36th time since Covid.

Something I've been hearing more and more from men is that they want to strike up conversations in public, they want to meet friends and romantic connections organically, but women's rejections can be brutal and they also don't want to come off as creepy. Fair enough. I see you. I wish to fix this problem.

I am also hearing more and more from women that they are open to making the first move, but since women typically aren't socialized to initiate conversation, they're unsure where to start. Or they've tried to put themselves out there and start a conversation, but the man looks at them with a blank stare and a one-sentence reply, so they assume the guy isn't interested or that maybe they're not showing interest clearly enough. Women also do not want to be creepy.

So, gentlemen, how do you want a woman to start a conversation with you on the streets and establishments of Vancouver this summer? What would actually help? What introduction or conversation starter would give you enough to work with?

Note: we're talking about an average woman in a realistic situation in public where both parties are a little nervous about rejection, not some fantasy Angelina Jolie character who struts in slow motion with background music and gives you the perfect charming blockbuster pickup line and then you say the perfect line in response that makes the whole bar chortle and cut scene. NO! We are all NORMAL AVERAGE MILDLY AWKWARD PEOPLE HAVING NORMAL AVERAGE MILDLY AWKWARD CONVERSATION!

Additionally, where would you be open to being approached? Cafes, gym, beach, on a walk in the park? And are there any places or signs you don't want to be approached in that moment?

Hey everyone, I 28 M finally decided to stop smoking weed after about 6 years of continuous daily use. This is day 1 for me.

I’m not gonna lie, I’m a bit nervous about what’s coming next — both physically and mentally. I’ve heard about sleep issues, mood swings, cravings, etc., but I want to hear from people who’ve actually gone through it.

What were the first few weeks like for you? When did things start getting better?

Also, what helped you stay consistent and avoid going back, especially during cravings or boredom? That’s something I’m a bit worried about.

For context, I work out regularly and I’m trying to improve my overall lifestyle, so I really want this to stick.

Any advice, personal experiences, or even harsh truths would really help. Appreciate it.

I’m from a creative background (graphic/ux) and looking for a new career. I’m 28 and not looking for something that’s extremely physical. Long term, physically and mentally, I know I’d be happier in an admin role, versus something like skilled trades. I’ve thought about social media management, medical office or dental admin, legal assistance, but only have experience in design and customer service. I’m not great with numbers or math, so accounting and bookkeeping is off the charts. I’ve applied to recruitment agencies, but so far have only gotten hospitality/events shifts. What careers can I consider?

Hi everyone! We’re traveling with our 7-month-old for the first time (to the US with Delta) and feeling a bit nervous.

I had a few questions and would really appreciate any advice, especially from anyone familiar with YVR:

• Can I babywear through security?
• Am I allowed to babywear
• If needed, can I request a pat-down instead of going through the scanner?
• Is there a family or priority line at YVR security?
• Can I babywear during takeoff and landing? I’ve seen mixed responses online
• Right now we have a window + middle seat, and someone else is in the aisle. Has anyone had success asking for an empty row or maybe even the bulkhead seats at check-in or at the gate?

Also, if you have any general tips for flying with a baby or anything specific to YVR (security, boarding, quiet areas, etc.), I’d love to hear them.

Thank you so much!

Single, early 30s and considering moving from London to Vancouver (at least for up to 2 years potentially). I’ve been in the UK for over a decade and extremely comfortable. Kinda in an in between stage of life - not ready to settle down, but not really interested in nightlife or bars/clubs. A bit burntout, lost and looking for a new adventure.

I typically have not been an outdoors person (if anything I’m a homebody that’s used to big city convenience) but I love the PNW and this type of nature and would like to try more activities in nature. I guess I’d be looking for a steady pace, but not boring.

Has anyone of similar age moved to Vancouver? How was your experience? What were the pros and cons? Was it easy meeting people and making genuine friends?

Was my first time doing it and it was absolutely incredible. What a great event! Everyone was so supportive and friendly, it turned out to be a beautiful day and I felt so accomplished afterwards. Awesome way to bring people together. How was your experience from yesterday?

Got quoted $980 for a wisdom tooth extraction and filling at Highgate dental burnaby.

I sadly am unemployed right now, on employment insurance and absolutely no benefits. CDCP can’t assist right now either since applications are closed and will open on June 2nd.

I’m in pain. Any reccomendations would help!

Me and a few friends were talking about dating in Vancouver, especially since we've seen some posts here asking "where do I find my man???" and one of them came up with this idea.

She pitched it as a regular improv class but with "meet cute" scenarios, and since improv provides a safe space to fumble, it sounded like a great idea to play around with flirty scenarios or, at the very least, have fun trying out improv with a group of people.

However my other friend said "this sounds terrifying" since she's more introverted.

I'm on the fence, leaning towards it being a good idea since since I'm more extroverted, but what I'm curious about is the type of people this will attract. I think it's a really cool idea from that perspective because people who are more creative/expressive and have similar values related to this would sign up (probably). Like, your average joe isn't gonna wanna randomly sign up for this 🤣🤣

What do you guys think? And would anyone want to join?

Or does anyone else have ideas? I guess you would call this a "dating event" 🤣

my girlfriend and I just finished our last exam today, and later tonight we just want to unwind, & walk around near the seawall of yaletown and maybe up to english bay. after the sun sets, is there anywhere with a nice ambience, that isn't revolved around drinking, and we could go to just relax with like a tea or something? (pls not breka tho lol) or maybe a place with chill live entertainment like jazz or folk music

thanks!

Hi there, I'm posting this in a few different places and would be grateful if anyone could point me in the right direction. My aunt, a trans woman living in Vancouver, needs to move into a seniors' care home at some point in the coming year, and she's concerned about the fact that (as far as we can tell) there are no care homes dedicated to, or with significant resources dedicated to, LGBTQ seniors. Are there any programs or organizations that we might not know about that could help us figure out some good options for her? Does anyone have any experience with this? (I don't live in Vancouver or in BC, I'm just trying to help her from afar!) Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Me and a bunch of buddies are trying to find a spot (preferably downtown, Olympic Village or close by) that will play hockey on Friday but will explicitly have sound on. We’ve been to a bunch of spots with TVs (Score on Davie, Brewhall, etc) but none have agreed to turn the sound on. I’m told UBC’s Sports Illustrated bar has sound, but if possible we’d love somewhere closer to the locations above.

Hey everyone, I’m planning to meet my girlfriend at Peace Arch Park (I’ll enter from Canada side, she’ll enter from U.S. side). We’ll stay inside the park and leave the same way we entered from Do border officers usually check IDs or question people inside the park? Is there any real risk I should be aware of?

Please advise!

Thanks!

I'm looking to move out of the parents house for the first time, and I'm wanting to live closer to Downtown to experience city living. I also want to live somewhere where there's more people that are around my age.

I am in my mid 20s and working professional (not a student)

I checked out Olympic Village which is a convenient location for me, but it feels like people are a lot older? Mt Pleasant feels similar, which isn't objectively bad, but I do feel a bit out of place and wonder if I'll be able to find a community.

Where do all the people in their 20s live?

Maybe Kitsilano due to the proximity to the beach and UBC, but the location is a little far for my work and my hobbies. Or maybe in Yaletown? I don't work downtown so it's also a bit of a pain for commuting.

Hello everyone. I’ve been living in Van for a few years now but haven’t thought about dog ownership until very recently. I moved here from a country where most people don’t leash their dogs so I wasn’t surprised about it here either. I’ve definitely seen all these warning signs at parks but thought that there must be something I’m not understanding. Like right now I’m at this park just off Broadway in Mount Pleasant and there are at least a dozen dogs here and all of them are running around freely and there are lots of people in the park.

I’ve done some searching and as far as I understand it’s illegal in pretty much all parks aside from some super small fenced off areas here in East Van. Do all those people just don’t care and nobody enforces the laws? Also it seems a lot of people on Reddit are very upset about this.

My question is also what’s the point in getting a dog here if it cannot get any exercise or fun unless you go out of your way to drive out of East Van to one of those bigger off-leash parks? All the ones nearby are tiny. and I think there are none in Mount Pleasant. But it seems people just don’t care and let their dogs run free or play fetch in pretty much every park I go to. So if you want to follow the rules your dog will be always leashed by your side at all times. Is that correct?

Mine would be the Muhammara from MishMish on Fraser Street

Considering doing Coast Mountain Circle Loop (Vancouver -> Whistler -> Pemberton -> Lillooet -> Fraser Canyon -> Hope -> Vancouver).

Any tips or suggestions please? Would this be worth it in May over 2 days and is this safe?

Thanks!

I’m a UBC student and now that I’m done with finals I want to go on a hike 🥺

I’m athletic so a challenge would be fun, but my issue is how to get to the hiking spot since i don’t have a car (and would prefer public transport)

I was debating taking a bus to Squamish and doing a hike there, but is it worth it(+ what do you recommend), or is it best to go someplace closer?

I’m also a biiit worried about bears— i don’t have bearspray but i have enough bells and i’m planning to go with a friend

Thank you!

I’m a 42 year old woman. Fit, healthy, fun and outgoing. Where are you all meeting people? I don’t go to clubs, but I love the outdoors. All I hear is join a sports team. I don’t really play any sports so that would be a travesty. I’ve tried the dating apps but the never work out. Any advice where to go, and how to meet people?

What are some of must order dishes? Are their steak good?

Can anyone help with the answer to this scnerio.

Today I was flying a kite with my son (we are mixed Black) at a local park today when a lovely Cantonese-speaking woman from Hong Kong gifted us her kite reel because her kite was broken. It was so kind and my son loves the new reel!

However, things got a bit "paparazzi" ish when she asked for a selfie with us and I said ok not to be rude and return the kindess. She then started taking videos of us raising the kite, even asked to help raise the kite and she seemed very happy doing it.

The interaction felt 100% genuine and sweet, but as a local, I’m not used to strangers taking selfies with us and filming us. Is this a common cultural norm for Cantonese/Chinese persons here in the city? I’ve heard this happens to people who look "unique" or "different" in various parts of China, and I’m curious if this was her way of showing appreciation or if it's just a common social habit I'm not familiar with.