Things about Vancouver that suck.
I feel the need to start writing some generic articles about living here. Just reporting on my activities is a little boring. I thought a good subject to start with, now I've been here a while and the honeymoon is definitly over, is things I don't like about Vancouver/Canada.
First up, the money for three reasons. Including taxes in the listed price is apparently optional here and tipping is nigh on expected. Something that looked cheap at $2 becomes $2.75 after a 15% tip and 15% taxes. Not very fun. The other thing is the need for having the right change. I've had to go in to a store and ask for change at least half a dozen times in the past fortnight so I can use the bus. Last but not least, why the hell did they have to make 1c and 10c pieces so similer. It's a pain in the ass.
Next on the things I don't like is the bums. Not the previously mentioned super bums. I'm a fan of street theater. No, the bums that piss me off are the ones who approach me whilst I'm trying to DO shit and ask me if I have any spare change, and then just put on a pathetic act in the hope I'll fork over some change. Sorry bud, but all my change is allocated for things that acctauly entertain or beneifit me.
Last but not least, Starbucks. It still grates on my nerves that I have to see one on every danm corner. Twice as much now I know that the coffee there really isn't that great. It gets sickenly busy there at the weekends too...bleh.
I feel the need to start writing some generic articles about living here. Just reporting on my activities is a little boring. I thought a good subject to start with, now I've been here a while and the honeymoon is definitly over, is things I don't like about Vancouver/Canada.
First up, the money for three reasons. Including taxes in the listed price is apparently optional here and tipping is nigh on expected. Something that looked cheap at $2 becomes $2.75 after a 15% tip and 15% taxes. Not very fun. The other thing is the need for having the right change. I've had to go in to a store and ask for change at least half a dozen times in the past fortnight so I can use the bus. Last but not least, why the hell did they have to make 1c and 10c pieces so similer. It's a pain in the ass.
Next on the things I don't like is the bums. Not the previously mentioned super bums. I'm a fan of street theater. No, the bums that piss me off are the ones who approach me whilst I'm trying to DO shit and ask me if I have any spare change, and then just put on a pathetic act in the hope I'll fork over some change. Sorry bud, but all my change is allocated for things that acctauly entertain or beneifit me.
Last but not least, Starbucks. It still grates on my nerves that I have to see one on every danm corner. Twice as much now I know that the coffee there really isn't that great. It gets sickenly busy there at the weekends too...bleh.
posted by Titch at 5:17 pm
5 Comments:
Speaking of pathetic acts...
Bum: "Please help me out sir, I'm 20 cents short for my train ticket."
Me (in enogh of a good mood for social experiments): "Here you go."
Bum (after a moment of thinking): "Sir, I haven't eaten for three days."
As for Starbucks, it's a fact that compared to the British Americans haven't a clue about hot stimulants.
Well, IMHO if that is all you have got to complain about you don't know when you are well off!
I guess you will soon get used to doing the tax sums in your head, but agree that it is much better to know the final price before you purchase, Guess it is like the States where local taxes vary so manufacturers can't print a final price on the product. However, retailers should put price labels that give the cost, tax and cost+tax so you know what the gross figure will be.
You will get used to people asking for money - it is just a fact of city life and you have to just deal with it. My personal policy is that if anyone speaks to me I will reply and say something like no sorry while keeping moveing, but I can't do that thing of pretending they don't exist and haven't spoken to me - somehow makes them less of a human being pretending they don't exist - so I will always reply even if only to tell them I'm not giving money.
Starbucks tea is EVEN worse than their coffee - to be avoided if at all possible. You clearly need to find some other independent coffee shops or better chains to frequent. If it is coffee you are after check out the Italian cafes as they tend to be far better at making coffee over here in the UK. And just as McD's reign of terror is on the wane so will that of Starbucks as consumers start to see sense.
But don't let any of this stop you from recounting your impressions and thoughts about the place as it is interesting for your avid readers.
And BTW when are you going to tell us about the new place?
Who are you living with and what are the other people like and what do they do? Where roughly are you situated? What is the house like?
Am I the only person who had to look up what 'IMHO' meant?
Apparently it means 'in my humble opinion'.
So now I know.
Your getting seriously ripped off if your paying 2.75 for a 2.00 + 15% +15% product. Do the maths, it just dont add up.
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