Haters gotta hate (Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco: law, move to, food)

[Jenkay]

How do you hate a state the size of California? It's huge and incredibly diverse, whether you're talking about climate or culture.

California certainly looms large in the imaginations of most people in this country. At least Los Angeles, San Francisco, and to a lesser degree San Diego do. Nobody has a clue what the rest of the state is like. I bet nobody outside of California thinks of the Central Coast or the Redwoods or the amazing deserts or the central valley and the farmers that have lived there for generations when they think of "the Golden State". What people hate is the stereotype of "California", whatever that may be. To some it's the plastic, shallow Los Angeles, to some it's the hippy-dippy liberals in the Bay Area, and most people from "not here" think San Diego is a smaller version of L.A..

When you ask someone who's never been what they think of California, no doubt they'll be able to tell you some kind of story about what they think the State is like (be it positive or negative). Ask the same person what they think of Montana, or Idaho, and they'll likely be much more vague in their descriptions (if they're even heard of them- but don't get me started on Americans and Geography). It'd be interesting to see what people from different regions/social constructs say they "hate" or "love" about the California they're never seen.

All of which is my roundabout way of saying "this poll was stupid and vague and doesn't say a damn thing about anything no matter which state you come from"

[bradleyyo]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

How do you hate a state the size of California? It's huge and incredibly diverse, whether you're talking about climate or culture.

California certainly looms large in the imaginations of most people in this country. At least Los Angeles, San Francisco, and to a lesser degree San Diego do. Nobody has a clue what the rest of the state is like. I bet nobody outside of California thinks of the Central Coast or the Redwoods or the amazing deserts or the central valley and the farmers that have lived there for generations when they think of "the Golden State". What people hate is the stereotype of "California", whatever that may be. To some it's the plastic, shallow Los Angeles, to some it's the hippy-dippy liberals in the Bay Area, and most people from "not here" think San Diego is a smaller version of L.A..

When you ask someone who's never been what they think of California, no doubt they'll be able to tell you some kind of story about what they think the State is like (be it positive or negative). Ask the same person what they think of Montana, or Idaho, and they'll likely be much more vague in their descriptions (if they're even heard of them- but don't get me started on Americans and Geography). It'd be interesting to see what people from different regions/social constructs say they "hate" or "love" about the California they're never seen.

All of which is my roundabout way of saying "this poll was stupid and vague and doesn't say a damn thing about anything no matter which state you come from"

Yep it is definitely stereotypes. I've heard people in the midwest claim that THE WHOLE STATE is full of nothing but stuck up girls and 80 degree weather with beaches. I'm serious. That's seriously what they think.

[earlyretirement]

I definitely wouldn't put too much into these types of polls. I'd venture to guess that many of them probably haven't even been to California. There are also a lot of stereotyping going on for the entire State. Also, I think the other thing is what people mentioned.... many people are envious of those living in California.

[Clevelandgal]

As much as I have been a world traveler I oddly never visited Ca until 2005 (ironically San Diego), then a few months later SF. I imagined it would be way overrated and it was not my travel short list. And I admit I thought of CA as being full of airheads, shallow people and sprawl WITHOUT knowing firsthand. but my husband had 2 paid for conferences where he was presenting, so it was not skin off my back to check the place out.
I must admit I really liked it. Really only the sprawl part ended up being true (as it is in many cities also). SD was nice but given the real estate prices at the time, I wrote it off as way over rated. SF -well I was smitten, but it was pricey as well. Low and behold our circumstances changed and here we are. While my husband was over the moon to be moving here, It took me a little longer to warm up to the idea of moving to S. Cal (how cliche!)While I practically keeled over when he accepted a job with out discussing it further, I am now the one who shudders at the thought of ever having to leave.

[bradleyyo]

I can definitely understand some complaints I see about San Diego and as a native, I can be honest. I see so many "I can't wait to move to LA! SD is boring!" threads. well those threads used to make me annoyed but being that I am in my early 20's, I too am joining the crowd of young eager San Diegans wanting to experience Los Angeles. I think San Diego is beautiful and there are many things to do but I am seriously ready to move on to LA at least for a while. It's just so much bigger with way more to see and do.

[earlyretirement]

Originally Posted by Clevelandgal

As much as I have been a world traveler I oddly never visited Ca until 2005 (ironically San Diego), then a few months later SF. I imagined it would be way overrated and it was not my travel short list. And I admit I thought of CA as being full of airheads, shallow people and sprawl WITHOUT knowing firsthand. .

Clevelandgal,

Oh wow! 2005? But I'm sure many people are in that same situation as you described. Where they have never been and just think it's all overrated. I've seen the same thing said about certain cities. Then I'll ask if they have even visited and they say no. And I just laugh.

My wife and I rave about Paris as it's one of our favorite cities and we've spent the entire summer there a few times. I've had several friends tell me "Paris is overrated and too expensive". Then I'll ask them what area they stayed in and they admit they never went! LOL.

[bradleyyo]

"They hate us for our freedoms"

[Do a Barrel Roll]

Originally Posted by Jenkay

What people hate is the stereotype of "California", whatever that may be. To some it's the plastic, shallow Los Angeles, to some it's the hippy-dippy liberals in the Bay Area, and most people from "not here" think San Diego is a smaller version of L.A..

Originally Posted by bradleyyo

Yep it is definitely stereotypes. I've heard people in the midwest claim that THE WHOLE STATE is full of nothing but stuck up girls and 80 degree weather with beaches. I'm serious. That's seriously what they think.

And what I tend to notice ironically is that the main people who fuel the stereotypes of SF and LA are more often than not the TRANSPLANTS! Native Californians tend to be more on the normal side.

[tonyinsd]

Originally Posted by bradleyyo

Yep it is definitely stereotypes. I've heard people in the midwest claim that THE WHOLE STATE is full of nothing but stuck up girls and 80 degree weather with beaches. I'm serious. That's seriously what they think.

Stupid flyover country people. Don't they know that 80 degrees is too hot?

[bradleyyo]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

And what I tend to notice ironically is that the main people who fuel the stereotypes of SF and LA are more often than not the TRANSPLANTS! Native Californians tend to be more on the normal side.

Originally Posted by tonyinsd

Stupid flyover country people. Don't they know that 80 degrees is too hot?

They hate on us while eating food grown here, playing with their iPhone, searching Google, and watching movies from the most hated Hollywood. Not to mention while enjoying the standard of living that our evil state brings to the rest of the country via federal taxes, international shipping, and all associated benefits of having a state with an economy bigger than many countries tucked into the US economy. It's too bad our state is a political bad word, and its too bad it's mostly because of our lack of religious fundamentalism, and our tolerance (Gays,immigrants). Haters can stop eating our food so they don't catch the gay, which a friend of mine was warned against when he moved here from Texas.