The experience of relocating to a city in which you know very few people - if any - is a challenging one. As I was making the effort to meet new people and form relationships in Vancouver, I promised myself that the next time I encountered someone who was new to a city I'm living in that I would work hard to make them feel welcome. I'd go above and beyond the standard, "Welcome! I'm sure I'll see you around!" and actually spend time with that person. I'd include them in things my friends and I were doing. I'd call them to say hi. I'd introduce them to people. I'd go way beyond the standard of midwestern hospitality - I'd become an annoying, over enthusiastic, one-woman welcome wagon!
So naturally, this past Sunday I became a hypocrite.
Leaving an improv workshop downtown, I chatted with a girl who had recently moved to the city from the state of Michigan. We walked together back to the train, discussing the struggles of finding 'your people' in a new place and the perils of learning a new public transit system. As we parted I smiled and said, "It was great meeting you! I'm sure I'll see you around!" and I walked away.
It wasn't until I settled into my seat that I realized what had happened... I had become the person I promised myself I wouldn't be. Granted, there's nothing wrong with that person, but I wanted to be someone different. Instead, I was that distracted local who assumed someone else would help her out.
Turns out I was big on talk, but low on follow-through.
The upside - I've been telling myself - is that I will most likely see her again at a class/workshop/performance and have a chance to make good on my promise. Let's hope it's soon - I have a lot of 'new girl' karma to pay back.
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