What is this "we" business Vancouverites keep saying.

Seriously talk for yourself, I'm not afraid of the boogie man.

A thousand times YES!! It's only for people who clearly have no intention of actually socializing with other humans! I can understand if it's a playoff game or something but it seems like every single bar / lounge nowadays has multiple big-screen tv's that are inescapable. As a non-sports person it's very off-putting and I also think it's contrary to the entire idea of a "pub", which is supposed to be a public house for people to engage socially with other people, not with another f'ing screen! I am giving up going to pubs entirely since the invasion of tv where even having an actual conversation with a human being is becoming harder and harder.

it's more like what they play on tv at the bar, TV can be pretty social, it gives people something to talk about, world events games and stuff. i thought it would be a good idea for bars to play oscar nominees in the days following up to the oscars. But yeah watching poker is pretty dull.

Conversation seems like an endangered species these days.

I went to a cafe recently and it was full. And silent. Everyone was staring into their phones and laptops. Me and my friend were the only ones talking and we felt like the odd ones. I really miss random conversations and it seems like the only people who do this are the 50+ year olds who grew up without the crutch of devices. So, thank you random 50+ year olds who make witty lighthearted comments to others on the city and who show how verbosity is and always will be boss.

We really don't talk---not most of us, anyway

Today I was taking the bus back from UBC (that new bus loop is terrible), 99 B-Line, and I counted 56 people, _none of whom were talking_. It was creepy. A guy got on at Sasamat with a cellphone. Still no talking other than that. We went all the way to Granville before two people who were talking to eachother got on.

Thankfully, taking the bus back from metrotown, I ran into an affable drunk!

It's a universal remote that discreetly turns off most TVs. I know someone who put one to good use in a sports bar during the playoffs.

What if you're in Vancouver on a business trip and you really just want to eat dinner outside your hotel room, but are exhausted and don't want to socialize?

TV in the bar is a staple of bars and tv shows about bars.

A sports bar is where you go watch a tv that is not tuned to reruns of Greys Anatomy and if you tell someone to get you a beer, you are not given a withering look.

I'm happy to talk to you after the game though geez

You can add in the declining numbers of porches and stoops where people would go to wind down and actually say Hi to their neighbours out on their evening walks.
It's far too easy for any establishment to get a liquor licence with too many booze pushers chasing the same dollar.
The RIO recently screened 1984.
For those who have never seen the movie the Vancouver Public Library has a restored copy of Metropolis just in case you want to see a version of Vancouver today. Pretty clear who's who.

Must be bored right now to post a confession this lame & frivolous