What I learned from Vegas was made apparent when I returned to Vancouver. I was walking down Robson Street today and within 20 minutes, 3 people gave me a genuine warm hello and greeting while being friendly. (Let’s be honest, if you have travelled anywhere in Canada and North America, you know that Vancouver is somewhat friendly, and not nearly as spontaneously friendly as most cities in North America!)

Anyway, it hit me that this happened all the time in Vegas (and not just the strip), and was one of the reasons why I appreciate the place.

Anyway, enough explaining, as I promised in my last blog, here’s what I learned from Vegas

1. Say hello and greet people warmly and with class.

I witnessed people from all walks of life, and will all different personalities, greet people in their own way, and with a style that said welcome. There is a reason why Vegas is known as welcoming to all who come there. If you want to do business differently in Vancouver,  greet people and say hello to others in this way. Trust me, if you do, you will be as presentable and inviting as Vegas is to its participants.

1. Be old school.

The first time I heard honey and sweetheart being referred to people, I was a bit shocked as I forgot that people could use these words without being sexist, and I was nowhere near a gay convention.

I saw older classy gentlemen, guys in T-shirts, hotel and restaurant staff, younger beautiful women, and all kinds of accents and skin colour use this expression when helping people (mostly helping women), and use it with such class and style that it was devoid of offense or sexism. I saw people open doors for people, assist others in where they needed to go, and be aware of others around them.

I saw old school gamblers help newbies, and I myself was taught a few approaches to poker by an old school gambler who assisted me and helped me for no reason except to be courteous.

People did these things for no reason other than THIS is what you do for others.  Do this when working with others, and you will be in a class that exudes style like Vegas does.

1. Be respectful, Leave with the person you brought.

We all know about the reputation of Vegas-and let’s face it, it’s true.  People go for more than just the gambling, which includes everything from Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to those whose tastes are as unique as the city itself.  That being said, everyone in Vegas has a quiet understanding that respecting others is key. I was amazed at how non-chalantly and open people were about talking about Vegas as a whole, and how it was natural to have a neighbour or friend that worked in a non-traditional industry. I witnessed on both the strip and in Vegas outside the strip, divergent groups of people not blink an eye when something or someone was not quite the norm. In fact, when there was interaction, it was done with respect.

Be respectful of everyone whom you interact with, and you will be able to leave others with a sense of respect no matter where they are in their life.

What struck me the most though was how different the atmosphere was here in Vancouver and Las Vegas. Yes, we have the Olympics going on, and our downtown is finally alive and vibrant like it can be, and if we chose it to be as we continue to create this city.  But, will we let our character out after the Olympics are over-and be the city we can really be? In Las Vegas, every night is a party on the Strip, the shows are larger than life, and it is because they chose it to be. They are a city in the middle of the desert-and yet, each person knows they live in a city that goes big or goes home, and that they themselves add to the character of the place.

I chatted with a variety of people in the US, and I asked each person from Las Vegas 3 questions:

1. Where do you live?
2. Why do you live there?
3. What do you think will happen in the next 2 years?

One realtor told me how sad it was to see Nicholas Cage moving out of the neighbourhood due to personal matters, one business couple told me how they love to spend time in the Red mountains around Las Vegas, while another retail manager told me how proud he is to have grown up in East Vegas (the side of town where REALLY crazy stuff happens) and how he still lives there.

They also all told me how they would live nowhere else, how beautiful it is to have coffee in the morning looking at the mountains, and how East Vegas is changing, and about the waterpark and the theme park coming to town.

Las Vegas has been hit hard-one couple bought their home at 355K and it is now worth around 215K. The casinos and related businesses have laid some people off, and local businesses are watching every penny.

Yet, there is a vibrancy and belief that they can change things, and that each person has the ability to do it.

I spoke with a variety of people from all walks of life, from rich to poor-and I was amazed at how classy and old school they were in their manners and their ability to make you feel at ease. People in Vegas come there from all over (kind of like Vancouver), yet exude a certain style unique to Vegas, and still keep their individual character.

No matter how tough the economic and social situation is, they wake up each day ready to be themselves and make the most of their day.

In my next blog, I will explain what I learned in Vegas, and why that may be important for you to know to generate more possibilities in your life.

The reason that I set up this blog is twofold; to share my ideas, knowledge and research on personal and business development, at the same time, you can also share your ideas, knowledge and research on personal and business development.

The themes of the blog are the same as the foundation for all of my coaching: passion, purpose, vitality and intelligence.

All ideas, comments, and suggestions are welcome.

Have fun!