OC (and SD) Culture (Los Angeles, San Diego: fit in, buying, camping)

[snb3]

Originally Posted by Brooklynite

The large Mexican immigrant population is a very decent and hard working group. IMHO however, they are often targets of racism (along with black people, of whom there are VERY few in OC). Asians are very polite and like to keep to themselves. Too bad they can't drive tho. That's about it, there really aren't any other significantly important (numberwise) ethnic groups represented in OC.

thats funny..kinda like that one former athlete/minister who said "mexicans have the gift of a large family & Japanese have the gift of making small tvs."

[missionhome]

Dakika,
I invite you to come check out our church down in Aliso Viejo. It isn't a bad drive from Irvine either. It is called Compass Bible Church and our pastor will challenge you and deliver a real message! It won't be the fluffy messages you will get at some mega churches and the people here are real.
Also, I want you to know that we aren't OC haters. I was raised in La Habra, lived on the east coast for about 10 years, and then moved back a few years before having our first kid. We like living here and think it is ideal for raising a family. Mission Viejo (where we live) is a lot different than the Newport area where it sounds like you are in. People in Mission Viejo are a lot more humble than Newport IMO. Being a family, we don't have the same problem as you do with trying to find a social scene. We aren't looking for night clubs and places to hang out like a lot of the young people that have moved here want. OC is not the first place I would go for nightlife, especially young nightlife. A lot of hang out places are full of older 35+ singles that are either divorced or have never been married. For the young and fresh 20's, not so much to do. If you want more entertainment, I would actually recommend LA or San Francisco. More young people live there than here. San Diego is probably better for finding people your age too.
If you get married and have kids, I think Orange County is a good place to come to. In my opinion the unmarried person should have a studio in the "big city" while the family has the house with a pool in the suburbs. Orange County is the suburb and I just don't know if you are to that stage in your life yet. You will get there, but I think the big city stage with lots of people you age is where you are.

[CLQ]

Originally Posted by Metzb1

"Culture" is a strong word perhaps for a 30 year old area, but there is certainly a unique vibe here. I grew up in southern California and have spent the past 11 years in South OC (Mission Viejo). If I had to choose one word (OK, a hyphenated word...) to describe the vibe here, it would be "self-absorbed."


I made a short list of pet peeves that I still have not become accustom to since moving here and sent it to my friends for a laugh. I've copied it here because it may help anyone thinking of taking the plunge. Here goes:


-If You are waiting for help at the store and someone else is ahead of You, just pretend like You were first. If You get called on it, just act like You didn’t notice the other person. It won’t seem unusual to anyone; they’re used to it.


-When waiting in a long line at the store, it’s OK to get impatient when people are in front of you, but make sure You ask all of Your stupid, irrelevant questions when You get to the front. What matters is You having to wait, not anyone else.

-When You and the rest of the mom’s group take all of Your kids to Starbucks for “playgroup,” You do not need to clean up after Yourself and Your inconsiderate, spoiled brats. There are people working at Starbucks to do that. Same applies to any fast food restaurant. Leave your mess for the next group. Who cares.

-Ignore everyone unless there’s something in it for You. If someone You know clearly sees You and heads toward You, put on the fake smile, act like you just won the lottery, and muddle through it. It will be over soon and You can get back to You.

-Just because they're your neighbors doesn't mean you wave or speak to them. Keep them at a distance. They might find out more about you than you want them to know. Pull your Lexus straight in to the garage and close the automatic door. That way, you won't risk an encounter. Trying to form relationships with your neighbors will be disappointing, so give up now.

-Cell phone calls are fine anywhere, any time. It doesn’t matter if You’re in line buying lunch. You can take a quick break from Your call to tell the cashier what You want. You don’t need to look at them or acknowledge them beyond that. They won’t look at You or even acknowledge Your existence anyway. Make sure you have a loud, annoying ringer and talk loud so everyone can hear your important business call.

-No “please” or “thank you” under any circumstances, ever. It is understood that if someone did something for You, You deserved it. Niceties are unnecessary and do not benefit You.

-It is only OK to acknowledge or talk to a complete stranger if You can sell them something or need something from them.

-Your definition of self comes from what You do, where You live, and Your possessions, not what kind of person You are. Appearances are everything. You are unlikely to ever have a conversation with someone from here that goes any deeper than these superficial subjects.

-Church is for networking and showing off your stuff. If the church doesn’t look like the Ritz Carlton inside, you must not be in South OC. Be prepared to shell out 10% of your salary to keep it that way. Remember, it’s tax-deductible, just like all of the other local church business ventures.

-You owe more on your house than it’s worth, but there’s a new pearl white Escalade with chrome 24’s and a DVD player and a black S500 in the driveway, lots of Tuscan furniture and nick-knacks your decorator picked out, motorized toys and go-peds for the kids so they leave you alone, and a $75,000 kitchen you never use because you only eat out.

-Nothing is what it appears to be. Nothing is your fault. Nothing is your responsibility.


Special South OC addenda to the California drivers handbook:

-When You are backing out of a parking space, You may put Your SUV in reverse and proceed without looking. Through traffic will stop to avoid hitting You. If they honk, act surprised and honk back. They obviously are not from South OC anyway or they would know better.

-You do not need to use Your turn signal, no matter what the circumstances, unless it somehow benefits You. Not even the cops use them. Others will swerve to avoid Your unannounced maneuver. Also, remember: The closer You cut it, the less necessary a turn signal is. If you signal to squeeze in, the person will quickly close the gap because he doesn't want to lose 1/2 second of time. What’s important is getting where You want to be right now.

-It is OK to run a red light. People from South OC do it all the time. Yellow is the same as green. Just keep driving. Once the light has actually turned red, You may still proceed through the intersection if You are less than 100 feet from it. Others will wait for You. The cops don't care because it's easier and faster to write speeding tickets.

-Points are awarded for being the first one at the intersection for a red light. You may take any measures required to be first. If You cut someone off to be first, make sure You take Your sweet time once the light turns green for extra credit.

-Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Hummer, Land Rover, Jaguar, Escalade. Less than three years old. That’s it. Nothing else makes You worthy of South OC. Exception: If You are under 18, it is OK to have a lifted crew cab F250 4WD. Your parents understand that You are young and they won’t mind shelling out $50K for Your toy. Your friends all have one and so should You.

-Although it is not posted as such, the actual speed limit on any freeway in South OC is 85MPH. Surface streets are 70MPH.

Of course, there are positives as well. Let me see......it doesn't snow and it's relatively safe...that's all I've got.

Needless to day, I'll move at the first opportunity

This is so true!!!

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by Metzb1

"Culture" is a strong word perhaps for a 30 year old area, but there is certainly a unique vibe here. I grew up in southern California and have spent the past 11 years in South OC (Mission Viejo). If I had to choose one word (OK, a hyphenated word...) to describe the vibe here, it would be "self-absorbed."


I made a short list of pet peeves that I still have not become accustom to since moving here and sent it to my friends for a laugh. I've copied it here because it may help anyone thinking of taking the plunge. Here goes:


-If You are waiting for help at the store and someone else is ahead of You, just pretend like You were first. If You get called on it, just act like You didn’t notice the other person. It won’t seem unusual to anyone; they’re used to it.


-When waiting in a long line at the store, it’s OK to get impatient when people are in front of you, but make sure You ask all of Your stupid, irrelevant questions when You get to the front. What matters is You having to wait, not anyone else.

-When You and the rest of the mom’s group take all of Your kids to Starbucks for “playgroup,” You do not need to clean up after Yourself and Your inconsiderate, spoiled brats. There are people working at Starbucks to do that. Same applies to any fast food restaurant. Leave your mess for the next group. Who cares.

-Ignore everyone unless there’s something in it for You. If someone You know clearly sees You and heads toward You, put on the fake smile, act like you just won the lottery, and muddle through it. It will be over soon and You can get back to You.

-Just because they're your neighbors doesn't mean you wave or speak to them. Keep them at a distance. They might find out more about you than you want them to know. Pull your Lexus straight in to the garage and close the automatic door. That way, you won't risk an encounter. Trying to form relationships with your neighbors will be disappointing, so give up now.

-Cell phone calls are fine anywhere, any time. It doesn’t matter if You’re in line buying lunch. You can take a quick break from Your call to tell the cashier what You want. You don’t need to look at them or acknowledge them beyond that. They won’t look at You or even acknowledge Your existence anyway. Make sure you have a loud, annoying ringer and talk loud so everyone can hear your important business call.

-No “please” or “thank you” under any circumstances, ever. It is understood that if someone did something for You, You deserved it. Niceties are unnecessary and do not benefit You.

-It is only OK to acknowledge or talk to a complete stranger if You can sell them something or need something from them.

-Your definition of self comes from what You do, where You live, and Your possessions, not what kind of person You are. Appearances are everything. You are unlikely to ever have a conversation with someone from here that goes any deeper than these superficial subjects.

-Church is for networking and showing off your stuff. If the church doesn’t look like the Ritz Carlton inside, you must not be in South OC. Be prepared to shell out 10% of your salary to keep it that way. Remember, it’s tax-deductible, just like all of the other local church business ventures.

-You owe more on your house than it’s worth, but there’s a new pearl white Escalade with chrome 24’s and a DVD player and a black S500 in the driveway, lots of Tuscan furniture and nick-knacks your decorator picked out, motorized toys and go-peds for the kids so they leave you alone, and a $75,000 kitchen you never use because you only eat out.

-Nothing is what it appears to be. Nothing is your fault. Nothing is your responsibility.


Special South OC addenda to the California drivers handbook:

-When You are backing out of a parking space, You may put Your SUV in reverse and proceed without looking. Through traffic will stop to avoid hitting You. If they honk, act surprised and honk back. They obviously are not from South OC anyway or they would know better.

-You do not need to use Your turn signal, no matter what the circumstances, unless it somehow benefits You. Not even the cops use them. Others will swerve to avoid Your unannounced maneuver. Also, remember: The closer You cut it, the less necessary a turn signal is. If you signal to squeeze in, the person will quickly close the gap because he doesn't want to lose 1/2 second of time. What’s important is getting where You want to be right now.

-It is OK to run a red light. People from South OC do it all the time. Yellow is the same as green. Just keep driving. Once the light has actually turned red, You may still proceed through the intersection if You are less than 100 feet from it. Others will wait for You. The cops don't care because it's easier and faster to write speeding tickets.

-Points are awarded for being the first one at the intersection for a red light. You may take any measures required to be first. If You cut someone off to be first, make sure You take Your sweet time once the light turns green for extra credit.

-Mercedes, BMW, Lexus, Hummer, Land Rover, Jaguar, Escalade. Less than three years old. That’s it. Nothing else makes You worthy of South OC. Exception: If You are under 18, it is OK to have a lifted crew cab F250 4WD. Your parents understand that You are young and they won’t mind shelling out $50K for Your toy. Your friends all have one and so should You.

-Although it is not posted as such, the actual speed limit on any freeway in South OC is 85MPH. Surface streets are 70MPH.

Of course, there are positives as well. Let me see......it doesn't snow and it's relatively safe...that's all I've got.

Needless to day, I'll move at the first opportunity

Umm I've seen this before, it's from a website about Scottsdale, Arizona, you just changed "Scottsdale" to "OC"

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by san phlegmatico

I beg of you SoCallers, PLEASE enlighten me: What comprises the CULTURE of the OC (and San Diego County, if you are so inclined) areas of Southern California?

For the love of all that is holy, someone please defend the SoCal (*cough, cough*) culture! (It shall be a vain effort, I am quite certain, but I am nonetheless interested.) I am tired of being told that I don't understand the culture here, yet there is ne'er a salient point made to try to convince me otherwise. SPELL IT OUT FOR ME!!

No paid shills, por favor.

I forget where I read it, but it was an article about how the word "culture" is tossed around and misused by snobs, pretentious types, and phonies to make themselves feel intellectually superior to others.

All I know is I have a ton of friends back in the NYC area which is supposedly full of "culture" and they go to the theatre, opera, symphony etc far less than we do. They just live and exist in their little neighborhoods and that's it.

So much for the "culture" of other cities.

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by sirwinston73

I forget where I read it, but it was an article about how the word "culture" is tossed around and misused by snobs, pretentious types, and phonies to make themselves feel intellectually superior to others.

All I know is I have a ton of friends back in the NYC area which is supposedly full of "culture" and they go to the theatre, opera, symphony etc far less than we do. They just live and exist in their little neighborhoods and that's it.

So much for the "culture" of other cities.

Then your friends have no reason to live in NYC and should move out, or maybe they are home bodies and enjoy the culture that comes in neighborhood?

I lived in Manhattan and I can say I was doing things like concerts, street fairs, museums, Off-Broadway shows, Broadway shows, Brooklyn live music bars...Pakastani Night clubs, Indian music shows, Guyanese Dances....Meat Packing District World Known clubs like Cielo and Apt playing artists from all over the world.

These are things that just don't exist in OC. NYC IS definitely full of different cultures and it is very easy to find. My Building in West Village had about 20 different countries represented that my wife and I met, it is amazing how much NYC has to offer thru the eyes of a foreigner and how many places they can take you in NYC that you wouldn't have given a chance as an American. It is very interesting and different.

[John23]

I live in LA, and dont get down to oc very much (maybe 4-5 times a year).

The culture of OC.....just about what everyone else has said, plastic, vanilla, sterile, honestly...you'd think people might be eaten alive by all those big box retailers. Wow, are there alot of them!

The culture is pottery barn, banana republic, ikea, best buy.

It's certainly not, chinatown, little italy, meatpacking district, the met (oc'ers might think it's a store!) or anything like that.

If you went to a mall in boston or seattle, the conversations might revolve around sports, the red sox, maybe local politics.

If you go to South Coast Plaza, the conversation probably revolves around armani exchange, gucci sunglasses, the sale at bloomingdales. Someone in boston or phili could be wearing a baseball cap thats weathered, worn out......but they don't care, it's loyalty to the team, its perseverance, sacrifice, it's well loved.

In the oc, you wouldn't find a cap like that! It'd be thrown out. Get the armani baseball cap, designed by Giorgio himself

You could sum up the culture as new or packaged.

The cubs would never last down there.

Its still got alot of positives. It's very safe and clean. There are worst places to be. But it's not cutting edge, sophisticated, cosmopolitan.

[CLQ]

Culture is all the knowledge and values shared by a society. It is hard to have culture is a society where many just keep to themselves.

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by Mach50Thunderdart

I lived in Manhattan and I can say I was doing things like concerts, street fairs, museums, Off-Broadway shows, Broadway shows, Brooklyn live music bars...Pakastani Night clubs, Indian music shows, Guyanese Dances....Meat Packing District World Known clubs like Cielo and Apt playing artists from all over the world.

These are things I don't particularly enjoy or have any reason to do. That somehow makes me inferior to you? Or stupid?

Sorry but this kind of judging is exactly why "culture" has come to be the catchphrase of elitist snobs. Somehow my lack of desire to go to a Pakistani night club or Indian music show makes me "uneducated" and "ignorant."

As for things to do, we just check event calendars for the area. Today we woke up with nothing to do and looked on OCRegister.com and found two different San Gennaro festivals, an international festival in Irvine, a couple of harvest festivals around OC, etc. People who claim there's "nothing to do" are just ignorant or lazy or making it up. Sorry but there's plenty to do here and with great year-round weather there's *MORE* to do than in other cities.

[california_guy110]

I just don't get why New York City always comes up in discussions about Orange County or southern California in general, they couldn't be further apart and still be in the U.S. and they really have nothing in common, I just find it funny when there are probably a lot of other places that New York city could be compared to and a lot of places SoCal could be compared to but comparing them to each other just doesn't work, they are opposites.