Downtown Vancouver Updates

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

What do you mean by traditional non-western clothing? I'm afraid to provide any examples because frankly I'm not very cultured in that sense

I just don't think people should have to wear suits to look presentable. In general, I think comfort should be more important than look, unless it's in specific situations, like industries where it's just the norm.

Seems overly restrictive to me. If you're in an industry with a significant amount of interaction, like advertising or finance, then sure, it's just expected at that point. But as an IT worker, or any generic white-collar office worker that sits at a cubicle all day, I really don't think suits are necessary. I think the Silicon Valley CEO look is more than appropriate enough for general office work without the inconveniences of formal wear.

Also, not really sure what's wrong with TransLink uniforms. They're uniform, functional and easily identify their job. How do train attendants in Japan dress?

Just out of curiosity, were you one of the people that was categorically against shorts in a thread from a long time ago?

I am not against shorts for casual wear on a hot day, so that wasn't me, and in some occupations they can still look professional if matched with the uniform (such as a postal employee or delivery person).

By non western I mean traditional Korean dresses, Japanese kimonos, traditional Kyudo uniforms, etc... These are all still worn for special occasions / formal photos / sporting events (such as the kyudo examples) and even some occupations. Not as comfortable as a t-shirt and shorts, but they sure speak volumes more.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

Professional uniforms?



Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/shimagua/7370316872

Police and fire fighting uniforms are one area where Canadian uniforms are better, and you actually indirectly proved my point that having formal well put together uniforms for professionals does add a higher level of professionalism.

Now, here are other occupations where Japan has us completely beaten when it comes to uniforms, an average railway employee:



Looks far more professional than anything at Translink.

They are essentially to the quality of airline captains and cabin crew attendants.

The same goes for banks and other such institutions.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

I am not against shorts for casual wear on a hot day, so that wasn't me, and in some occupations they can still look professional if matched with the uniform (such as a postal employee or delivery person).

By non western I mean traditional Korean dresses, Japanese kimonos, traditional Kyudo uniforms, etc... These are all still worn for special occasions / formal photos / sporting events (such as the kyudo examples) and even some occupations. Not as comfortable as a t-shirt and shorts, but they sure speak volumes more.

No, I don't romanticize that sort of dress. It's definitely cool, and is perfectly appropriate in traditional contexts. But as a modern form of dress, no, I would not advocate for it.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

No, I don't romanticize that sort of dress. It's definitely cool, and is perfectly appropriate in traditional contexts. But as a modern form of dress, no, I would not advocate for it.

And traditional contexts are formal settings, which is arguably the same as a 3 piece suit and a formal dress in the west. For an office group photo the image shown on the last page was pretty laughable. If I were to run a business I would really encourage at the very least for everyone to dress up a little more for such an occasion.

[Marshal]

Metro-One, you misunderstood. Our office is a bit of a fashion show of sophisticated well dressed young professionals. Suits, and there are many, fit in just fine. You just seem a bit too impressed with it.

Perhaps its a new money/old money kind of thing. If you didn't grow up with it, it may impress you more than if you did.

Its just like all the wealthy people I know who aren't impressed with money or most of what it can buy (like nice clothes). Or, like the over-educated . . . you know you have met a smart person when they aren't impressed by your or their degrees. The genuine ones all care about what they are doing. Dressing well matters, but its just habit . . . one knows what hits the mark.

So, don't assume that what a suit does for you, does the same for others. Perhaps, unlike your 'Maple Ridge' origins, many of us grew up with refined clothing, still dress with it, and aren't really impressed with ourselves over it.

And please note that I completely agree with much of what you are saying. If my staff showed up for an office photo dressed like those people, they would be sent home to change. But, this kind of image is important/necessary to our business - I don't expect that to be true of other businesses. A newsroom is a very different environment.

[Joat]

Another topic derailed by the trouble-making Japanophile known as metro-one.

[Metro-One]

Originally Posted by Marshal

Metro-One, you misunderstood. Our office is a bit of a fashion show of sophisticated well dressed young professionals. Suits, and there are many, fit in just fine. You just seem a bit too impressed with it.

Perhaps its a new money/old money kind of thing. If you didn't grow up with it, it may impress you more than if you did.

Its just like all the wealthy people I know who aren't impressed with money or most of what it can buy (like nice clothes). Or, like the over-educated . . . you know you have met a smart person when they aren't impressed by your or their degrees. The genuine ones all care about what they are doing. Dressing well matters, but its just habit . . . one knows what hits the mark.

So, don't assume that what a suit does for you, does the same for others. Perhaps, unlike your 'Maple Ridge' origins, many of us grew up with refined clothing, still dress with it, and aren't really impressed with ourselves over it.

And please note that I completely agree with much of what you are saying. If my staff showed up for an office photo dressed like those people, they would be sent home to change. But, this kind of image is important/necessary to our business - I don't expect that to be true of other businesses. A newsroom is a very different environment.

Okay, I may have misunderstood you a bit from the previous post. I am currently teaching in a high level high school (all the students wear uniforms, which I also lean towards...) so as their teacher not showing them the same professionalism as an educator would be a bit of a disservice towards the teacher / student relationship (and yes, high schools in BC should become a little more concerned with creating a sense of a business environment in my personal opinion. I love seeing the comradeship within the school that I teach.

So yeah, dressing nice for work doesn't necessarily mean a suit, but at least something that shows you have put some effort into your presentation.

And nice to see that you are still around Joat, sucks I couldn't come to the Christmas party this year

[Skygazer]

Aside from a few specific people, the clothing in that staff photo doesn't look particularly egregious to me for an average (not lawyers, executives, etc) office job

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

And traditional contexts are formal settings, which is arguably the same as a 3 piece suit and a formal dress in the west. For an office group photo the image shown on the last page was pretty laughable. If I were to run a business I would really encourage at the very least for everyone to dress up a little more for such an occasion.

The difference is that traditional ceremonies don't occur 5 days a week.

[WarrenC12]

There is a big difference in what people consider to be acceptable business attire regionally. Having worked all over the US, suits are mandatory for most of the east coast. But if you do so at some meeting in the South, they can get offended by it. The classic "you think you're better than me?" problem.

I'm glad to be on the west coast where things are a little more relaxed. When you're traveling or having important meetings, sure suits are great. But when you go to an office and people are wearing suits while they sit at desks and talk on the phone all day, it's laughable.

[jollyburger]

^^ The uniforms are nothing special, I just think you have a hat fetish.

[doorguy]

i just cannot believe you people are talking about clothing on this site.

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by Genauso

Postmedia (Vancouver Sun, The Province) have reportedly gone from 1000 employees 10 years ago, to 100 employees a year ago, to about 75 employees today.
It looks like the entire remaining staff can fit into one of their conference rooms.

200 Granville St is right next door to Waterfront Station, great location.

Amazon was mentioned as being one tenant seeking 100,000+ sq ft in large floor plates.

The owners of Postmedia seem to have decided to do less and less, and will run the newspapers with a local skeleton crew until bankruptcy. Either way, there is more space available today and very likely Postmedia will soon move to another location.

Postmedia just needs to die already. It's a joke that Vancouver has two dailies that basically print the same stories and you add the National Pest and its three papers printing the same articles by whatever journalists are left. Postmedia overleveraged and now they want a government bailout so they can keep giving conservative hacks like Rex Murphy and Conrad Black a mouthpiece, too bad so sad, just fold already!

[Vin]

Originally Posted by doorguy

i just cannot believe you people are talking about clothing on this site.

Lol. Not a lot of upcoming developments to report in Vancouver I suppose.

[Joseph K]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Postmedia just needs to die already. [...] They want a government bailout so they can keep giving conservative hacks like Rex Murphy and Conrad Black a mouthpiece, too bad so sad, just fold already!

Word. The only media left standing should be those narrowly fitting your political leanings. #sarcasm

In all fairness, newsprint has been struggling for the last two decades, and both The Globe and Mail and Toronto Star haven't been spared with massive layoffs and budget cuts. Then again, I yet have to meet a Conservative who would rejoice were either of these papers to close shop. Funny how plurality of opinion and freedom of speech isn't cherished as dearly by the left.

Anywho, sorry for sidetracking

[204]

Originally Posted by whatnext

Postmedia just needs to die already. It's a joke that Vancouver has two dailies that basically print the same stories and you add the National Pest and its three papers printing the same articles by whatever journalists are left. Postmedia overleveraged and now they want a government bailout so they can keep giving conservative hacks like Rex Murphy and Conrad Black a mouthpiece, too bad so sad, just fold already!

The National Post is as left-leaning as any other paper. Those Murphy and Black are exceptions. Heaven forbid we have diversity of opinions.

A few years old, but still accurate: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion...-a-conservative-newspaper-174833901.html

[LeftCoaster]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Do you feel the same way about all traditional clothing around the world, or do you romanticize non-western formal attire? (I find this to be a common hypocritical stance from those who don't like traditional western formal clothing)

I must say this is one issue where I have to side with the Canadian forum over the Vancouver one.

Ontario (Toronto) and especially Quebec (Montreal) have found a far better balance in fashion (formal and casual) than Vancouver has. Even Calgary at least has some sense of identity with their mix of suits and cowboy fashion.

Hmm I normally agree with you on a lot of your points but I'm going to have to go ahead and say you're way off base with this one.

suits are falling more and more out of favour, not just in Vancouver, but here in Toronto and I can only assume Montreal. Ties were the mainstay, even just a few years ago when I started working, now I'm one of the very few in my office on Bay St who still wears one. And Calgary, a lesson in good fashion? I have a lot of good things to say about Calgary, but it's one of the worst dressed cities I've ever been to. I swear they try to find the worst fitting suits available.

As for that pic of the postmedia staff, I don't know what you would expect from the staff in a branch office of a dying industry at a struggling company. Suits are the least of their concern these days.

[csbvan]

Originally Posted by 204

The National Post is as left-leaning as any other paper. Those Murphy and Black are exceptions. Heaven forbid we have diversity of opinions.

A few years old, but still accurate: http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion...-a-conservative-newspaper-174833901.html

Irony, or do you just hold extreme, fringe views? I don't know anyone who would ever, even for a second, suggest that the National Post is left-leaning. Unless we have abandoned all understanding of the political spectrum as it has been defined over the past several decades.

The National Post is to the right of centre as The Toronto Star is to the left.

[Vantage]

I can't believe you all have spent a whole page talking about clothing.

[retro_orange]

Originally Posted by Vantage

I can't believe you all have spent a whole page talking about clothing.

Believe it. This is also likely not the first time.