Things I have learned while staying in Vancouver.

Things I have learned while staying in Vancouver:

1. Unlike other cities, carrying an umbrella with you does not prevent it from raining.
2. People lift their umbrellas to a prescribed height when passing each other on the street. This intended courtesy results in men of above average height (me) living in constant fear of being poked in the eye.
3. Under no circumstances will mashed potatoes be sold at fast food restaurants. I'm not sure whether this is the result of a trade embargo with Idaho, or some sort of Canadian focus group, but neither KFC nor church's has mashed potatoes as a side option. Instead they try to pass off something they call Poutine. It's fries with cheese and gravy.
4. There are no paper dollars here. 5s and up. The rest is all coins.
5. "Choked" in Canada = "Pissed off" in America, which I'm told Canadians find vulgar as a term.
6. "Zed" = "Z"
7. "Poutine" = mashed potatoes and gravy.
8. "Sorry" = "Excuse me." Unless someone is in your way then you say excuse me.
9. There are either no leash laws, or they are not enforced, the dogs run wild and free here.
10. Vancouverites don't tuck their shirts in. Doing so immediately exposes one as a rube and an outsider. Don't ask how I found that one out.
11. Canadians think that Americans talk funny, when clearly, they are the ones that talk funny.
12. Vancouverites (unlike Ann Arborites) will actually stop their cars and allow you to cross the street when you're walking. The funny thing is though, they are not near as nice to other drivers. They are constantly honking their horns at one another, even though they barely speak to each other at all outside of their cars, and would never be that rude in any other situation.