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Perhaps not all Chicagoans are the same. I'm a Chicagoan, and I'm with you Andrew. 1) I didn't pay *any* attention to that trial, I just didn't care much about it. 2) I'm extremely attentive to whats going on around the raising of the debt ceiling, I read all the news about it. If those f***ers in DC don't hammer this out w/out a default, well, I don't know what I'd do, but they are enormous dumbs**ts if they let that happen.
Likewise.
I think it will just take the OP a while to find likeminded folks.
OP - the bar Sheffield's in Lake View hosts an event called "Liberal Drinks" that might be a good time for you, some of my friends go periodically and have given it good reviews:
You might like Pilsen. It has a great neighborhood vibe with a lot of artists, intellectuals, and Latino families.
But unfortunately, there is no real approximation of the neighborhood that you are looking for in Chi. On the other hand, I have lived in the city for 10 years, 9 of which have been without a car. I sold my car about a year into living here and have not looked back. I used to walk or take public trans but last year bought a bike and now I ride it everywhere, even in the winter.
Chicago is a great city, but rather staid and midwestern still in most respects. The types of people that you are looking for do exist here, they just don't necessarily all live in the same neighborhood. I would suggest trying out different establishments in the city to meet people of like mind.
Here are some venues that you may like:
1. First Fridays at the MCA (Streeterville)
2. Second Fridays in Pilsen (Pilsen)
3. Funky Buddha Chicago (River West)
4. Green City Market - Farmers Market in Lincoln Park (Lincoln Park)
5. Myopic Books (Bucktown/Wicker Park)
6. Ukrainian Village has some cool streets.
7. Green Mill poetry slam (Uptown)
8. Andersonville has some funky, cool shops and interesting people along Clark Street
9. Graziano's sub shop (West Loop)
10. Chicago Cultural Center (downtown) has tons of great programs.
Thanks for the comments. A few things. 1-There is nothing wrong with folks discussing the Anthony trial, I just highlighted it as something socially/culturally foreign to me. While my colleagues here were all absorbed into the topic around the watercooler, the ones at home office were emailing back around budget drama. That is just an example of difference and a way in which I feel a bit isolated. I smile and listen while they go on about it, but I have nothing to contribute, and am not at all interested. Last week I tried to bring up Cantor/Boenher/Obama and was met with polite disinterest to that topic. We settled on talk of the weather People are VERY friendly and have welcomed me in my workplace, which is great. They have been very complimentary of my experience and workstyle which I appreciate. I just feel disconnected in some ways I felt very comfortable at home. I did not expect that. I knew it would be different but this has been more of a transition than I expected is all.
I have moved a few times, and found community fairly easily. I don't really care about restaurants, theatre, architecture, etc. I just want to find fcomfortable folks with whom to spend time, have conversation and laugh. That's all.
One thing about Chicagoans and Midwesterners in general is that they are fairly polite with their politics. Many won't bring their opinions into the workplace in order to be polite and not offend anyone. The people in my office are the same way. I'm like you and have been following the details of the debt ceiling debate very closely, and have very strong opinions about it. But I have rarely expressed it at the office, mainly because we have a very varied group politically and most of our conversations don't end well. I talk about politics with my close friends.
Check out Hyde Park, Evanston, Oak Park, Andersonville, Wicker Park/Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, Pilsen, and Lakeview for similar minded people.
There are PLENTY of people you described here in Chicago. Chicago is a liberal city with some very progressive areas, its just more quiet about it, and less in your face about it like the coastal cities. Its part of Midwestern culture, everyone is somewhat polite about that sort of stuff. Believe me, as a life long Chicagoan and hardcore liberal, it can get frustrating at time when people play coy about their opinions on first glance, but its not because they don't have them. Thy definitely do, they just prioritize interacting with you on a positive note over starting an immediate debate. Discussing politics, civics, and current events in Chicago is much more of a over beer and drinks conversation, not office water cooler.
I agree with you, discussing the intricacies of the Casey Anthony trial is a bit foreign to me too, but its water cooler conversation. Polite, kind of newsy, everyone is likely to agree with what you're saying, and there is little room for contrasting opinion. Same thing with the weather. Get used to talking about the weather in Chicago, its the safest topic for polite convos in the city.
Chicago and NYC are very similar in alot of ways, but they are still very distinctly different. There is alot that is comparatively great about Chicago compared to NYC like the Architecture, livability, cost of living, cleanliness, friendliness. One of those things may not be meeting people right off the bat with very verbal opinions, but you'll start to have conversations and you'll see that you have plenty in common with people.
man, I must live in an alternate reality, because the Chicagoans I know won't shut the hell up about politics!
The only thing you can do is try to sidetrack the conversation by bringing up some north side/south side divide that will distract everyone.
Depends what circle you run in and where you work. If you work with people from the city and work in a field related to government employ, you will hear it a lot.
One thing about Chicagoans and Midwesterners in general is that they are fairly polite with their politics. Many won't bring their opinions into the workplace in order to be polite and not offend anyone. The people in my office are the same way. I'm like you and have been following the details of the debt ceiling debate very closely, and have very strong opinions about it. But I have rarely expressed it at the office, mainly because we have a very varied group politically and most of our conversations don't end well. I talk about politics with my close friends.
Check out Hyde Park, Evanston, Oak Park, Andersonville, Wicker Park/Bucktown, Ukrainian Village, Pilsen, and Lakeview for similar minded people.
There are PLENTY of people you described here in Chicago. Chicago is a liberal city with some very progressive areas, its just more quiet about it, and less in your face about it like the coastal cities. Its part of Midwestern culture, everyone is somewhat polite about that sort of stuff. Believe me, as a life long Chicagoan and hardcore liberal, it can get frustrating at time when people play coy about their opinions on first glance, but its not because they don't have them. Thy definitely do, they just prioritize interacting with you on a positive note over starting an immediate debate. Discussing politics, civics, and current events in Chicago is much more of a over beer and drinks conversation, not office water cooler.
I agree with you, discussing the intricacies of the Casey Anthony trial is a bit foreign to me too, but its water cooler conversation. Polite, kind of newsy, everyone is likely to agree with what you're saying, and there is little room for contrasting opinion. Same thing with the weather. Get used to talking about the weather in Chicago, its the safest topic for polite convos in the city.
Chicago and NYC are very similar in alot of ways, but they are still very distinctly different. There is alot that is comparatively great about Chicago compared to NYC like the Architecture, livability, cost of living, cleanliness, friendliness. One of those things may not be meeting people right off the bat with very verbal opinions, but you'll start to have conversations and you'll see that you have plenty in common with people.
I tend to agree with this, people don't discuss politics at work too much. Of course there are always exceptions.
One thing about Chicagoans and Midwesterners in general is that they are fairly polite with their politics. Many won't bring their opinions into the workplace in order to be polite and not offend anyone.
QFT! not only is it a midwest thing, it's a white people thing. if we don't know you very well or think we may end up disagreeing, we're not going to go down the politics or religion path with you. unless we're drunk.
watch chappelle's "killing them softly" for a funny explanation.
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People are VERY friendly and have welcomed me in my workplace, which is great. They have been very complimentary of my experience and workstyle which I appreciate. I just feel disconnected in some ways I felt very comfortable at home. I did not expect that. I knew it would be different but this has been more of a transition than I expected is all.
