Don't think anyone really expected this during the Olympics especially with massive crowds every day all over downtown:

people high fiving with the police (I saw this last night and news articles report this too elsewhere) and people spontaneously thanking police on the street for providing safety, etc.
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/2...377/story.html

flash mob dancing
http://insidevancouver.ca/2010/02/26...e-city-part-2/

crowds breaking out spontaneously in singing the national anthem on the transit line, in the streets...even after an accident where 20 people were injured after they rushed at a wire barrier at a concert venue stage when musicians started to play. Before things got ugly, some people in the crowd broke out in singing the national anthem.

Geez.
I can't speak for other Vancouverites here, but from what I could see since we live downtown, was totally unexpected massive good spirits among so many people on the street. Community engagement and participation in many different ways during Olympics.

Who would have thought.