LA Lacks Culture (Los Angeles, San Francisco: home, neighborhoods, theatres)

[jamills21]

Can someone please explain how LA has no culture? I have heard this, but the only thing I've heard people come up with is it's "an opinion", or "that's how I feel" Such a non-answer. So I really want to open this up to anybody who can explain how LA has no culture.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by jamills21

Can someone please explain how LA has no culture? I have heard this, but the only thing I've heard people come up with is it's "an opinion", or "that's how I feel" Such a non-answer. So I really want to open this up to anybody who can explain how LA has no culture.

It used to be a virtually universally held stereotype, and still is held by some. It derived from L.A. being a much newer city than the cities in the East, Midwest, or South, and a newer city than San Francisco and even Denver. It also had to do with L.A. neighborhoods not being as rooted as neighborhoods in other cities (obviously Latino neighborhoods were major exceptions to this, but those who held this perception generally ignored those - ethnic/racial prejudice played a role in this oversight).

L.A. may not have as much culture as it used to but it still has plenty of culture. It's going through a transitional phase right now, in which the old culture is dying, and the new culture hasn't really completely been formulated yet - but it is not a city without culture.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by majoun

It used to be a virtually universally held stereotype, and still is held by some. It derived from L.A. being a much newer city than the cities in the East, Midwest, or South, and a newer city than San Francisco and even Denver. It also had to do with L.A. neighborhoods not being as rooted as neighborhoods in other cities (obviously Latino neighborhoods were major exceptions to this, but those who held this perception generally ignored those - ethnic/racial prejudice played a role in this oversight).

L.A. may not have as much culture as it used to but it still has plenty of culture. It's going through a transitional phase right now, in which the old culture is dying, and the new culture hasn't really completely been formulated yet - but it is not a city without culture.

That's not really true unless one is talking about a few odd outs like St. Louis. Most Midwestern cities and even Denver were complete podunks until well into the 20th century, which probably explains why the built environments were so similar to LA years ago. Thankfully LA has evolved much more than the gridded sprawly places on the 'ol prairie.

[Mr. Zero]

When I think of the Annie Hall quote, it was made in a time before the Getty, before the LA Opera, before the LA Ballet, etc. There's much more high culture in LA now than there was 30 or 40 years ago, but LA's reputation has been slow to change.

[jm1982]

It doesn't make any sense.

Most likely the people from elsewhere complaining that L.A doesn't have culture have hardly bothered to explore any of the cultural spaces like museums, theatres,etc that L.A offers.

L.A is so big and has so much to do that even natives that were born here generally have only been to a small percentage of these places or events.

Hollywood (or parts of hollywood) and being the 'capital of Reality T.V" casts a shadow over the higher quality or high brow culture available in L.A .

I've had discussion before with people regarding L.A not having culture. One time someone stated that NY or the East Coast had culture because "There's a lot of long time italian families that have lived there multiple generations"
I said the same is true in L.A too , but it's more with hispanic culture.

I think partially there is some racism or ethnic superiority unfortunately when people form these 'opinions' .

Another thing is that when you live somewhere day to day , it's easy to take things for granted.

I would be willing to bet that there is hardly anyone that has truly exhausted all of the museums or other cultural venues in L.A

Just like there is likely nobody that has been to ALL of the restaurants and bars in L.A .
I have a bunch of places I've been meaning to check out that I still haven't been to.
There is of course 'churn' of places and places close/go out of business and new places open up.

A good way to find new places that have opened recently is here
Yelp | Search Businesses In Los Angeles, CA

[Mr_Geek]

Every place has a culture of some sort. It is not something that is had or not had. So are you saying you don't like LAs culture?

[Mr. Zero]

Originally Posted by Mr_Geek

Every place has a culture of some sort. It is not something that is had or not had. So are you saying you don't like LAs culture?

From my experience, when people complain about lack of culture in LA, they are usually referring to high culture.

[3shipguy]

I think LA's stereotype of being superficial is the root of the ignorant perception of lacking culture.

[Parker501]

Honestly, who even cares what other people say about LA?
I hear lots of stereotypes from folks back home and even people that live here.
I could care less - too busy out enjoying the weather, nature and nightlife.

[jm1982]

Originally Posted by 3shipguy

I think LA's stereotype of being superficial is the root of the ignorant perception of lacking culture.

True.
It's ironic that those that believe the stereotype or L.A being superficial or shallow ...are actually being superficial or shallow themselves.

L.A does not have a monopoly on superficial or shallow. Tons of people like that in NYC,SF , the South and even the good ole' Midwest too!

L.A has many people from other places too. So if someone feels that L.A lacks culture...what are they doing to improve the culture?

Someone that really cares about bringing more culture to L.A would put their money or efforts where their mouth is. Even if it's a small effort. Even if they can't build a new museum like Eli Broad. They can donate time or a little money to culture.