Well-Being

Vancouverites Say Hi to Make the City Friendlier

Can slapping on a nametag make it easier to make friends in the city? A group of Vancouverites set out to find out

By Matthew Gauthier /

Credit: Matt Gauthier

Vancouverites made the city more friendly on February 8 during Say Hi Vancouver

Vancouver may have a reputation for being unfriendly, but Say Hi Vancouver is setting out to change that

Many people say Vancouver can be a difficult place to meet new people and make friends. Shelley Koorbatoff has experienced that for the last two years, but she wants to change that.

On February 8 she organized “Say Hi Vancouver”  to encourage Vancouverites to say hello those they encounter along their daily commute. To ease that process, she handed out name tags as a way for Vancouverites to be more approachable.

Her team members, Eileen and Andi, got a first-hand experience, below, at what it can be like trying to approach people and say hello on the streets of Vancouver. What do you think? Is Vancouver an unfriendly city?

Matthew Gauthier

Matthew Gauthier