Ask-Me-Button Samples

By Monika Becker    @MoniKanada   

A little while ago I told you about "Ask Me! Buttons“,  Vancouver’s way of welcoming our multi-lingual guests. These buttons are intended to engage our citizens with our visitors in a positive and caring way. Wearing the button with pride and smiling will encourage people to come to you for help with directions, advice, or just snapping a photo. Read more in Bonnie Sainsbury’s blog and go the City of Vancouver's web site for further details.

In the meantime I’ve personally worn these buttons on several occasions and have made lovely connections with people because of them. Sometimes people just start a conversation because they are curious about the buttons and what they mean, or they want to know how to pronounce the different languages on them. Regardless of what motivated these people to approach me – the outcome was exactly what I had hoped for: Connection with strangers, an opportunity to talk with them and to bring a smile to their faces – and mine, as a matter of fact. I always feel uplifted after having been in touch with another human being in such a positive and playful way.

Ask-Me-Buttons in English and French

If you live in Vancouver and would like to participate in the ‘Ask Me!’ program, you can pick up a button (one in each language you speak) at one of the following locations:

*  Tourism Vancouver – Visitor Centre (Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St.)
*  West End Community Centre (870 Denman St.)
*  Vancouver Public Library – Central Branch (350 West Georgia St.)

It’s not too late – go out and make some new friends – the easy way!

Want to see the buttons closer up and hear some language teasers? Click here to the right Ask-Me-Buttons Help Connect (My apologies for the limited quality of the video - it's the best my little camera could do! )

Monika Becker is the owner of Clear Directions – Consulting & Life Coaching in Vancouver BC, where she assists her clients in articulating and achieving important life goals with caring clarity, passion for possibility and soul-infused service. For more information please visit www.ClearDirections.tel