Are Prince Edward Islanders friendly?

I don’t think Islanders are particularly any worse or better than anyone else, we just have our own set of neuroses, strengths and weaknesses. In many senses the Island is an extremely friendly place - if I needed roadside help I’d rather it be here than anywhere else. We’re community minded, willing to pitch in, and many other good things. But then we can also be also judgmental gossips anchored to the past by hierarchies like religion and patronage, totally capable of everything Dr. Coull describes. I blame some of the more negative traits I have seen on patronage. It’s hard to think that the patronage system hasn’t had an adverse effect on the island psyche. A system that punishes and rewards people for things largely outside their control - sounds like the opposite of what society is supposed to do. Entitlement, tribalism, bitterness, revenge - patronage has been poisoning the well here for a long time. I don’t think being brought up to believe in the principle that your group of people is better or more deserving than others is a good thing. It’s a cheap way for politicians to make the powerless feel powerful, and it undermines any chance of having a true community.

Islanders are like birds, little flocks, lots of squawks. Some are like seagulls, you wouldn’t want to hang out with unless you like wrestling over pieces of dead skunk carcass (the island economy is like a dead skunk carcass). Others are more cheerful, but shy. Many are migrational, making the social scene smaller in winter. Some, like Peter, tweet!

Despite the pretentious attempts of Charlottetown and Summerside, PEI is very rural in its physical composition and in its outlook. Society is built upon family relationships and socializing is focused around this concept. It is very difficult for those outside this society to break in. My parents moved to PEI in the 1960s with the air force so I have only 1 generation born on PEI. It was great going to school at CFB Summerside where all the other kids of service personnel were in the same boat. But they’re gone and I’m left here and have only a handful of Island friends. My parents have even fewer - their neighbours have never really accepted them. Oh they wave and carry on conversation, etc. but they can’t break through. Same thing happens in other rural areas too. I’ve heard that Fredericton, Truro, the Annapolis Valley, Miramichi, etc. are all very clannish. It’s just the way it is. Not much we can do about it. But you have to accept the fact that this is very very entrenched and you will always be on the outside looking in, even if you live here.

As an Islander living in Ottawa I can tell you Islanders are friendly. This does not mean they will take you into their inner circle and expose their souls to you in the first 5 minutes. Islanders are friendly in that they look you in the eye and acknowledge you when passing on the sidewalk. Islanders will greet you with a smile and say Good mornin’ when you first arrive at work. Islanders will exchange jokes and pleasantries in the supermarket check-out. In Ottawa most people avoid eye contact are somewhat taken aback if you speak to them. The normal facial expression is look of misery or boredom most of the time. It’s not that Ottawans are bad or nasty people; it’s just that they’ve lost the small town / rural culture niceties that still thrives on the Island. As for “come from aways” who whine about not being accepted; what kind of relationships do you want? The shallow, job / socio-economicaly based relationships built in a highly mobile urban culture or the complex and deep ones built up over generations in a more traditional family centric culture such as that found on PEI? For many Islander the party started 200 years ago, if you just arrived you can’t expect to interrupt and but in on everyone’s conversation mercerright away! Yes there are plenty of nasty arseholes on PEI… we’re not all nice but it’s easy to know who to avoid, they’ve been arseholes for generations!

I wouldn’t say unfriendly as such, although I can appreciate how someone could get that impression. I think it’s more to do with being suspicious. With so many people coming and going for short visits (tourists) and short stays (people who move here and then change their minds) then there is a healthy reservation about embracing new people. I will say that islanders are polite, and approachable, and that what people need to understand is that The island is a fantastic place, and it is a very place to fall in love with, but making a living here is very hard indeed. I had an experience shopping in Morell in the off season, where I had to virtually give my DNA to buy a box of wine, and was viewed with immense distrust in the co-op and grossly overcharged for not being local, and not having a ‘number’. Now some people would class that as unfirendly, but to me it’s symbolic of one of the many things that makes me love living here. People can talk about the red cliffs, Anne of Green Gables, lobster suppers, the magnificent beaches etc. But nobody dares to mention that part of the special magic of The Island is the fact that that Islanders are completely and utterly bonkers. And I love them for it. Don’t ever change!

Being from "away", I agree with many of the comments made by others on this site. I have been discriminated against and so has my husband. It's next to impossible to get established here and find a job; doesn't matter how experienced you are or your educational background. I was told, point blank, when I applied for a job "during these hard economic times, Islanders come first; the jobs go to them". I was so hurt by this comment, I was lost for words. It was rude and totally insensitive. I don't want EI stamps, I just want to make a living, afterall, I am Canadian, 13 generation Canadian......and......my ancestors come from the Island, so, what's the bloody problem!!!!

Yes Islander’s are of the most unfriendly people I have ever met. I don’t know if it is decided rudeness or simple ignorance but if you weren’t born and raised on the Island and expect to make new friends then good luck. Don’t get me wrong, they are pleasant in passing and even engaging when they are taking your money but the rare genuinely friendly Islander is a rare find. It could be because of the they have been Isolated for so long and it has degenerated the gene pool and resulted in some social retardation. Here is an approach that I try (just replace the word dog with islander) How to Become Friends With an Unfriendly Dog It’s always unpleasant to deal with an unfriendly dog, especially one that happens to live next door. Learning how to become friends with an unfriendly dog isn’t all that difficult if you know what motivates dogs to be friendly in the first place. Instructions 1.Step back and watch the dog from afar. Dogs are pack animals, and each one has a specific position in the group. Some are leaders of the pack, while others are followers. If there’s only one dog in the household, that dog can either become a follower of his owner, or he can dominate the household. This is where you run into problems. If the dog thinks of himself as the pack leader, he may find you threatening. So the key to making friends is to show your assertiveness and assume the role of the leader of the pack. Keep eye contact with the dog and hold your ground. Stay at a safe distance, but show him that you’re there to stay. 2. Tempt the dog with treats. Food is usually a great way to make friends with an unfriendly dog. A bag of biscuits may be all you need to strike up a lifelong friendship. If that doesn’t work, consider a game of fetch. 3. Let him sniff you. If the dog isn’t growling or acting aggressively, extend the back of your hand to the dog for a sniff. This is a non-threatening gesture that lets the dog get used to you on his terms. 4. Allow him to call the shots. If the dog licks your hand when you let her smell you, proceed to pet her gently. If at any time she appears agitated, end the play session and try again some other time.