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I want to address each of the adjectives in the title one by one:
Hate: For people that hate the state, unless you underwent extreme physical or psychological trauma, why the hate? I understand not "clicking" with the culture or disliking the political climate or higher cost of living, but what justifies the hate? (I'm actually leaving this as an open-ended question.)
Rude: No doubt that there are rude people here. You'll probably encounter more in raw numbers in the major metropolises just because of the sheer population and density. However, even in the Bay Area, go to Clayton, Fairfield, Stinson Beach, or Half Moon Bay and you'll feel a lot more, uhm, decompressed! I would also have a hard time believing that Bakersfield, Visalia, Tuolomne County, Chico, Humboldt County, even much of Sacramento, etc. are "rude" places, but then again I've never lived there.
Worst: This will tie in to all of the other supplied adjectives. Worst in which way(s)? For every con I can list about California, I can list 2-3 pros. So, you just have to decide which set of positives you want to live with most or which set of negatives you can most tolerate.
Inconsiderate: Read my statement about "Rude." Yes, there are a lot of inconsiderate jerks in traffic; I've encountered them and just keep my cool. There are self-absorbed women who are gabbing away on their cell phones about God-knows-what in the Walgreens checkout line (and yes, women are the biggest offenders). However, I've met mean, inconsiderate people in "Heartland" states like Kentucky, Indiana and Texas, so unfortunately they're everywhere.
Nightmare: If you're trying to start a small business, then never mind that California has one of the highest percentages of workforce who is self-employed. It IS expensive and sometimes draconian, depending on the municipality, to get your small business up and running. That's our wonderful friends in government for you! However, if you remove yourself from the stresses of traffic and find ways to just enjoy yourself, then you'll enjoy California's diversity in pretty much everything good. Not such a nightmare to live here after all!
Decline: No argument here. Thank God California still has thriving startup and venture capital sectors in the Bay Area and a very strong statewide network of public and private universities. California's huge focus on generous social programs has distracted it from focusing more effectively on its educational, occupational and transportation infrastructures.
Dangerous: If you're an absolute Second Amendment lover, then California might not be the best state for you. However, inland California is generally much more tolerant and embracing of guns than Coastal California--and I am one of those believers that good people should own guns to deter the bad guys! On the other hand, away from the heavily gang-ridden neighborhoods of the major cities, California suburbs (i.e.: Fremont, Irvine, Palo Alto, Poway, Temecula) are some of the safest in the entire nation.
Negative: Read "Worst."
Impatient: I'm not gonna deny this, honestly. Even in "laid back" suburbs, some people just aren't afraid to lay into their horns. However, the same could be said for "friendly" cities in more "Heartland" states such as Louisville, KY and Cincinnati, OH. I think America with its self-imposed and mindlessly accepted new values of consumerism and strict focus on self-confidence is making us a more impatient, as well as narcissistic, people. (I'd like to live outside of the U.S. at some point to gain more cultural perspective.)
Angry: The only places I've been to in California where there seemed to be a lot of "angry" people were SF, Oakland and the westside of L.A. I can't say that California is much angrier than much of the country otherwise.
Welfare: Legitimate concern. How can California have one in nine Americans but three in ten of American welfare recipients? Really?!
My only real complaint that I personally have from my experience in California is the self-absorbed, arrogant, icy, unfriendly young women that seem to populate it, at least here in the Bay Area. Sure, there are a lot of flashy, arrogant guys here, but I can honestly say that the women take it to a whole new level of narcissism and just plain attitude. Check this out if you don't believe me: Why are the women in SF so unfriendly?. It makes for a very difficult dating scene for a young man that wants to avoid drama.
Other than that, I actually really like California. Why else do you think I moved here?!
Other than that, I actually really like California. Why else do you think I moved here?!
Actually, other than its governance and a couple of possibly related issues, I rather like California as well. Those ills that exist can likely be laid at the feet of Sacramento in most cases.
Complainers always outnumber the content. I suppose I could post topics about how happy I am here, but I don't want to encourage anyone.
Complainers on message boards may outnumber the content people, but only because the complainers typically use louder voices or the content are too busy being content or out living life off the grid to voice themselves.
In real life, I don't experience anywhere even near the number of complainers within a city (on either coast) as I do on C-D. There must be like 5 unhappy people in my city, and all they do is complain all day on C-D because I surely don't hear those complaints around town.
If my only knowledge of the cities I've lived in was what I'd read on C-D forums, I'd be very misinformed. Thank goodness I lived in those cities before I discovered the C-D forums so I already knew better. And the things some people say on C-D about cities I've lived in are so off base that I just can't even imagine that the person writing it has ever even stepped foot into the town they're talking about. It's like they're writing it just to start an argument.
I am truly perplexed as to why there is such a trend for such a negative attitude on C-D. It's stronger on some boards than others, largely in my opinion due to the moderators (some moderators simply tolerate less, and remove posts/close threads much more quickly than others - some bordering on overkill, too, but that's not my call). But, for the most part, it seems like the majority of the unhappy people in our country all own a keyboard and sit on C-D waiting for something to complain about or someone to yell at. It actually makes me sad.
What really gets me are the people that debate one word in a question, versus just answering the question. Answer it or move on. This isn't a debate. (This particular topic never happened, but as an example -- i.e. Question: Where can I recycle X in Z town? Response: Recycling is a waste of time because of blah, blah and you are such a stupid person for doing it because of blah, blah. >>>> #1, Could that have been said a little nicer and #2, That's great and everything but did the OP ask for an open debate on whether recycling was worthwhile? Nope. All the poor person wanted was a location. Even the most innocent threads seem to often turn into arguments. )
I began using C-D because I was looking for info about a move and stuck around because it gave me a way to communicate to the outside world quietly (so as not to wake anyone with my talking on the phone) while I was watching over sleeping sick loved ones who have since passed.
I have grown to enjoy talking to a few people here, but regret that I have to wade through all the negativity just to get to the few good threads. I have a low tolerance for negativity and complaining, though, as they accomplish nothing so some days it's just too much for me on C-D and I happily move on to other things (as I imagine the other content people do which is why their voices aren't heard against all the unhappy ones on C-D).
Last edited by SunnyTXsmile; 08-06-2012 at 03:17 PM..
Reason: typo
What really gets me are the people that debate one word in a question, versus just answering the question. Answer it or move on. This isn't a debate. (This particular topic never happened, but as an example -- i.e. Question: Where can I recycle X in Z town? Response: Recycling is a waste of time because of blah, blah and you are such a stupid person for doing it because of blah, blah. >>>> #1, Could that have been said a little nicer and #2, That's great and everything but did the OP ask for an open debate on whether recycling was worthwhile? Nope. All the poor person wanted was a location. Even the most innocent threads seem to often turn into arguments. )
I see that all the time, as in "What's a good part of (some city)?", which is followed by a slew of "Oh, (some city) sucks, don't move there!" (usually by people from out of state or who have done nothing more than drive through (some city) on the freeway.
The same thing happens in the food forum. Someone will start a topic about various ways to prepare broccoli and the "Oh, I hate broccoli" posts will outnumber the posts that address the OP.
Status:
"It's the first page of the 2nd chapter"
(set 4 days ago)
Location: Richmond, CA
8,314 posts, read 5,666,625 times
Reputation: 3474
Quote:
Originally Posted by SunnyTXsmile
Complainers on message boards may outnumber the content people, but only because the complainers typically use louder voices or the content are too busy being content or out living life off the grid to voice themselves.
In real life, I don't experience anywhere even near the number of complainers within a city (on either coast) as I do on C-D. There must be like 5 unhappy people in my city, and all they do is complain all day on C-D because I surely don't hear those complaints around town.
If my only knowledge of the cities I've lived in was what I'd read on C-D forums, I'd be very misinformed. Thank goodness I lived in those cities before I discovered the C-D forums so I already knew better. And the things some people say on C-D about cities I've lived in are so off base that I just can't even imagine that the person writing it has ever even stepped foot into the town they're talking about. It's like they're writing it just to start an argument.
I am truly perplexed as to why there is such a trend for such a negative attitude on C-D. It's stronger on some boards than others, largely in my opinion due to the moderators (some moderators simply tolerate less, and remove posts/close threads much more quickly than others - some bordering on overkill, too, but that's not my call). But, for the most part, it seems like the majority of the unhappy people in our country all own a keyboard and sit on C-D waiting for something to complain about or someone to yell at. It actually makes me sad.
What really gets me are the people that debate one word in a question, versus just answering the question. Answer it or move on. This isn't a debate. (This particular topic never happened, but as an example -- i.e. Question: Where can I recycle X in Z town? Response: Recycling is a waste of time because of blah, blah and you are such a stupid person for doing it because of blah, blah. >>>> #1, Could that have been said a little nicer and #2, That's great and everything but did the OP ask for an open debate on whether recycling was worthwhile? Nope. All the poor person wanted was a location. Even the most innocent threads seem to often turn into arguments. )
I began using C-D because I was looking for info about a move and stuck around because it gave me a way to communicate to the outside world quietly (so as not to wake anyone with my talking on the phone) while I was watching over sleeping sick loved ones who have since passed.
I have grown to enjoy talking to a few people here, but regret that I have to wade through all the negativity just to get to the few good threads. I have a low tolerance for negativity and complaining, though, as they accomplish nothing so some days it's just too much for me on C-D and I happily move on to other things (as I imagine the other content people do which is why their voices aren't heard against all the unhappy ones on C-D).
+1 I agree and used to wonder why all the negativity too. Then I remember, many message boards attract a certain type of person, not just C-D although this seems to be the epicenter. Now I just used it for a source of free entertainment or something to do when I'm bored.
+1 I agree and used to wonder why all the negativity too. Then I remember, many message boards attract a certain type of person, not just C-D although this seems to be the epicenter. Now I just used it for a source of free entertainment or something to do when I'm bored.
I particpate in a number of forums covering a wide range of topics. Among those I've found C-D to have the Lion's share of these types of posts/posters. Most other forums people discuss their area of interest with maybe some back and forth at times. But nothing super negative and contentious like on here. If enough ppl happy with their state leave C-D, all that will be left will be the trolls battling it out over stupid stuff which really helps no one including the owners of this site. Its really unfortunate that its gotten like this. What's the point of litterling the forum with all these negative threads which server no purpose whatsoever?
California's like the biggest, strongest male who walks into a bar full of drunken little guys... eventually, everybody wants to fight him, and the ones who can't screw up the courage to fight, they snipe from the sidelines.
California's like the biggest, strongest male who walks into a bar full of drunken little guys... eventually, everybody wants to fight him, and the ones who can't screw up the courage to fight, they snipe from the sidelines.
I liken it to the armchair quaterbacks sitting back in a lazy boy with a beer and a donut yelling at their sports teams to get with it! They feel as though they have all the answers and need to proclaim to the world why everyone is an idiot but them. Obviously the value of such threads is very low.
I see that all the time, as in "What's a good part of (some city)?", which is followed by a slew of "Oh, (some city) sucks, don't move there!" (usually by people from out of state or who have done nothing more than drive through (some city) on the freeway.
The same thing happens in the food forum. Someone will start a topic about various ways to prepare broccoli and the "Oh, I hate broccoli" posts will outnumber the posts that address the OP.
Yup. That sounds about right.
P.S. That drives me nuts.
I don't mind tangents (I'm probably the queen of tangents - and if you think I'm bad with that, you should see my family lol). It's the rest that bothers me (people talking about things they know nothing about and, even worse, the complainers). I complain (typically about complainers); I try not to, but I'm only human. However, some people on here seem to do it as if being negative is their job. I hope they find a new "job" soon.
Excellent post. I think the majority of the complainers are not doing well economically, and that accounts for their grumpiness.
Really? You truly believe that? Of course, its your limp wristed liberal views on things. The world is great. Life is great.
I make over 150K a year in Kalifornia. I am one of the dreaded "public employee's." I shall retire at age 51, making very close to 100K a year; for the rest of my life. With a 2.7 % cost of living increase every year. My medical shall be paid for, for the rest of my life. My wife? Well, she is better then me and will make even more. Yes, she is another dreaded, "public employee."
We will move to Europe and live the rest of our lives, making a combined income, of close to a quarter of million dollars, of YOUR tax dollars. I am NOT doing poorly economically. The exact opposite. I shall be retired, for 12+ years, living the good life, while your stuck in some cubicle complaining. If not YOU, it shall be MILLIONS of others in this god forsaken state.
I complain and whine, because I see a great state going down the tubes, because of your social programs. You give away more then you make and you have no clue what you are talking about.
Kalifornia SHALL fail. It may take time; I don't deny that. However, it SHALL fail. It is the social welfare experiment of socialism. Those programs are already dead, dying, and the cities/counties all over this state are hurting from the limp wristed liberals wanting it all. Soon, this state will be the first into bankruptcy, even though there is no mechanism in place for it. Kalifornia shall find a way.
Me? I'll be gone and you will be here. Paying for me. Thank you. Thank you for not shaving your armpits, and being the liberals you are. You have given me everything and you? You will get nothing.
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However, if you remove yourself from the stresses of traffic and find ways to just enjoy yourself, then you'll enjoy California's diversity in pretty much everything good. Not such a nightmare to live here after all!
)
I agree and used to wonder why all the negativity too. Then I remember, many message boards attract a certain type of person, not just C-D although this seems to be the epicenter. Now I just used it for a source of free entertainment or something to do when I'm bored.
