Tag Archives: #sayhitoastranger

Say Hi To A Stranger – 3rd Edition August 21 – 23

14 Aug

SayHiToStranger2015PINKThe “Say Hi To A Stranger” Campaign returns August 21st – 23rd. We are pleased to see this event continue which was created by A Cue Creative Consulting. A large study conducted in 2012 by the Vancouver Foundation shows that socializing is challenging for many city residents. About one-third of respondents agree that it is difficult to make new friends in Vancouver, and that proportion jumps to half of respondents who have lived in Canada for fewer than five years.

For those unfamiliar with this campaign, the first Say Hi To A Stranger Weekend occurred on November 8 – 10, 2013 shortly after local writer Chelsea Pescitelli identified Vancouver as “anti-social” in her VancityBuzz article “Single in Vancouver: The Asocial Single Society.”  A Cue Creative Consulting responded with a video and blog post that spread online. They dared Vancouverites to say “Hi!” to strangers and tweet about their experience with the hashtag #sayhitoastranger. The A Cue Creative team discovered that Vancouver could be a social and open city, but needed a push to open up and start communicating. Along with the team being featured in mainstream media, approximately 200 people gathered at the checkpoints over the weekend, and more than 5,000 people engaged with the blog and on social media online. #sayhitoastranger trended on Twitter on Thursday, November 7, 2013.

We at IliveInEastVan.com were one of the many that participated in this initial campaign as we love the premise of encouraging social interaction on the streets of Vancouver. We fully support this great initiative and applaude Kaare Long and her team for keeping this discussion going. It’s easy to be complacent and just accept that ‘it is what it is’ or you can take steps to make a difference however small to make the City a better place. On August 21st, they kick off their 3rd edition of #SayHiToAStranger with an Opening Party at Grandview Park from 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm. You are invited to come down and say hi and learn more about the campaign. You will also receive information about their community partners who will be providing free food, drinks, gifts and other promotions to people who engage with street teams and receive a button and use the code phrase “Say Hi To A Stranger”. Their community partners in East Van include:

Bird on a Wire Creations, 2535 Main Street
Home on the Range Organics, 235 East Broadway
Magpie Vancouver , 3633 Main Street
Second Nature Home Boutique, 1827 Victoria Diversion
The Uncommon Café, 477 Powell Street

We ask you, will you say hi to a stranger?

Dr.SuessSometimes

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Say Hi To A Stranger: Second Edition February 13 – 15

9 Feb

SayHiToStranger2015We are pleased to see the return of the “Say Hi To A Stranger” Campaign which was initiated by A Cue Creative Consulting.  The first Say Hi To A Stranger Weekend occurred on November 8 – 10, 2013 after local writer Chelsea Pescitelli identified Vancouver as “anti-social” in her VancityBuzz article “Single in Vancouver: The Asocial Single Society.”  A Cue Creative Consulting responded with a video and blog post that spread online. They dared Vancouverites to say “Hi!” to strangers and tweet about their experience with the hashtag #sayhitoastranger. The Cue Creative team discovered that Vancouver could be a social and open city, but needed a push to open up and start communicating. Along with the team being featured in mainstream media, approximately 200 people gathered at the checkpoints over the weekend, and more than 5,000 people engaged with the blog and on social media online. #sayhitoastranger trended on Twitter on Thursday, November 7, 2013.

We at IliveInEastVan.com were one of the many that participated in this initial campaign as we love the premise of encouraging social interaction on the streets of Vancouver. Although some of the social interaction was via social media, what is being encouraging is face to face interaction saying hello and smiling to people on the street.  This year, the Say Hi To A Stranger Campaigns is being held February 13 – 15 to coincide with Valentine’s Day. According to Psychology Today, Valentine’s Day can add to the feelings of sadness and anxiety felt by adults who are single. Kaare Long, CEO of A Cue Creative Consulting and Project Manager for the campaign says “Vancouver is accused of being a cold city for meeting people, especially for singles looking for ‘love.’ Let’s change that perception. It’s not just a singles’ issue. If everybody gets on board, things will change, even if it’s just for one weekend. We want to encourage the dialogue — as long as there is dialogue, there is potential for change. We’re putting you to the challenge, Vancouver. Let’s warm this city up and make some connections!”

We’ve all heard the research about how important social connections are to our well being.  By social connections, we do not mean social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc), but face to face interactions.  Having said this, if social media interactions, bring you face to face, go for it!  But this weekend, it is about saying hi to a stranger face to face.  Even if you only receive a smile, scientific research supports that a smile alone will put you in a better mood states Dr. Michael Lewis, psychologist at Cardiff University. Who doesn’t want to be in a better mood? How great that you could so easily put someone else in a better mood.

During the ucpoming weekend, Vancouver businesses will create socially interactive environments and encourage residents to use the hashtag #sayhitoastranger on social media or use the code phrase “say hi to a stranger” in person in exchange for free food, drinks, gifts or other promotions. If you wish to participate in this weekend’s campaign, why not visit some local businesses participating in East Vancouver which include Bird On A Wire, 2535 Main Street, Mystic Masala, 1723 Grant Street, Home on the Range Organics, 235 East Broadway, Y’s Books, 4307 Main Street and Second Nature at 1827 Victoria Diversion.  Will you say hi to a stranger this weekend?

Dr.SuessSometimes

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Will You Say Hi To A Stranger? #sayhitoastranger

8 Nov

Dr.SuessSometimes

How often do you engage a stranger in conversation? Are you at the ready to offer visitors directions when you see them trying to read a map? I come from a background where small talk was encouraged and as such, have met some amazing people whether in this City or in my travels.

In case you hadn’t heard, and you’d be living under a rock if you didn’t, Vancouver doesn’t always receive the best reviews on being friendly. Particularly, as it relates to singles. One sex blames the other, but really there is no winner in that game.  

Let me ask, do you say hi to that person you don’t know, but pass regularly when say you are out walking your dog or just pass by on the street?  It seems these days, many individuals tend not to see what’s in front of them if it’s not a glowing screen. Unless they accidently bump into you, even then, they often don’t look up. 

I was at times a shy child that came to be less so as a teenager and later became fairly outgoing as an adult.  So I do think confidence and practice are part of talking to people you don’t know and putting yourself outside of your comfort zone just a little.   Having a dog, as I do, puts you face to face and in conversations with people you may not normally interact with.  So we are back to practice.  I have met many wonderful people in this City which are now friends through my pets, much like many parents have done with their children. But for those that are alone, whether young, senior or in between, or new to the City, it might not be that easy to talk to someone they don’t know. There is no shared common ground in many instances to initiate conversation.

We’ve all heard the research about how important social connections are to our well being.  By social connections, I do not mean social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, etc), but face to face interactions.  Having said this, if social media interactions, bring you face to face, go for it!  But this weekend, it is about saying hi to a stranger face to face.  Even if you only receive a smile, scientific research supports that a smile alone will put you in a better mood states Dr. Michael Lewis, psychologist at Cardiff University. Who doesn’t want to be in a better mood? How great that you could so easily put someone else in a better mood.

After some research, local company, a Cue Creative Consulting, has taken the idea of saying hi to a stranger out of the box.  This weekend they are directing a social media campaign “#sayhitoastranger” from November 8 – 10th.  They would like to see Vancouver break out of its social stigma and encourage Vancouver residents to be friendly, open, have fun and be part of larger movement to create a stronger community in Vancouver.  Some local businesses are participating in this campaign and offering incentives to those that do participate.  You can visit a Cue Creative Consulting’s website for a full rundown. If you would like to meet the team behind the #sayhitoastranger Campaign, they will be at The Portside Pub on Sunday November 10th 6:00 pm. So East Van, are you up for the challenge?    Say Hi To A Stranger, you could make someone’s day!

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