Plastic?? (San Diego, Santa Cruz: fit in, credit card, house)

[TaJasMi]

Why do people use this term so loosely?
What does that even mean?
Is everyone really only upset that people have nice cars etc.?
(If that is all that is then SD must be pretty nice if these are the only things people have to complain about.)
If someone could explain this to me that would be great.

[AliceT]

How is it used?

[TaJasMi]

They use the term in negative ways like
"oh I hate SD b/c everyone is so plastic"
I have seen it so much, so I want to know why it is a bad thing.

[AliceT]

Used in that way, the term is derogatory in the sense people in SD are putting on a happy face when they are anything but. It is not related to cars or possessions they hold. It has nothing to do with credit cards nor affluence except they put on airs that they are well-to-do but are just average Joes.

"Plastic" indicates the people are your garden variety of regular people but pretend to be something they are not. A nice car has nothing to do with it. It's an attitude.

For example, a person who flips burgers for a living might leave his house wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase. He is plastic because he is trying to look like an executive with an office. He wants people to think he is something other than what he is. He is being plastic.

[FunkyMonk]

The term "plastic" is often used to describe the people of San Diego, as well as the city itself. When describing the people. It refers to the way people look, present themselves, speak, dress and act.

The meticulously polished appearance that is made to look flawless and sharp that is the norm around here very plastic. The way people act is plastic in the sense that lots of people carry themselves with this sort of stiff seriousness and professionalism all the time. Like they all think they're a big shot and have this sort of serious, arrogant demeanor. The way people dress is plastic in the sense that people's outfits are often all the same, strictly follow trends, are brand new and perfectly clean, always.

The people here exhibit very little individuality, character or expressiveness overall. So you have a bunch of perfectly polished, serious, arrogant people who all dress very similar in perfectly clean clothes. And then you add all the the things mentioned previously, and there you have it, plastic.

I've been hearing that word to describe SD for years. It's so true. It's a very Pleasentville sort of thing. A big fake facade.

[FunkyMonk]

Originally Posted by AliceT

Used in that way, the term is derogatory in the sense people in SD are putting on a happy face when they are anything but. It is not related to cars or possessions they hold. It has nothing to do with credit cards nor affluence except they put on airs that they are well-to-do but are just average Joes.

"Plastic" indicates the people are your garden variety of regular people but pretend to be something they are not. A nice car has nothing to do with it. It's an attitude.

For example, a person who flips burgers for a living might leave his house wearing a suit and tie and carrying a briefcase. He is plastic because he is trying to look like an executive with an office. He wants people to think he is something other than what he is. He is being plastic.

Exactly. Everyone conforms to the same image. Like a bunch of plastic dolls.

[TaJasMi]

Ok so I was totally wrong about that. Thanks for telling me. Going to start college there in SD real soon so I wanted to understand how people really are down there.I left the south for Seattle thinking people would be friendly up here but not so much...so plastic may also equal...not so friendly??
I always was under the impression that people were generally open-minded,friendly and laid back....do I need to expect something different???

[AliceT]

People are people no matter where you go. Some you'll like and some you won't. Just be yourself and be eager to meet new people.

[FunkyMonk]

Originally Posted by TaJasMi

Ok so I was totally wrong about that. Thanks for telling me. Going to start college there in SD real soon so I wanted to understand how people really are down there.I left the south for Seattle thinking people would be friendly up here but not so much...so plastic may also equal...not so friendly??
I always was under the impression that people were generally open-minded,friendly and laid back....do I need to expect something different???

People here are friendly IF and only if you blend in around here with your appearence and put on the uniform of supposed affluence and prestige. You gotta act Hollywood around here to get respect. Personally, I don't try to fit in at all, I refuse to play that game. So San Diegans look at me like i'm crazy for not being "fashionable".

You'll meet plenty of people, it's easy to strike up conversation around here, just don't expect much depth out of them. Just think Hollywood and that's pretty close to where it's at in SD. And the idea that So-Cal people are laid back is totally false. So-Cal was laid back up until about the 70's, then it became so urban, busy and crazy that it's now just a stressful, fast-paced city. No more laid back beach vibes.....Go to Santa Cruz for that these days.

I know that Seattle rudeness you describe. More like a shy, withdrawn rudeness. In SD it is more of a competetive, dominating, passive-aggressive rudeness.

[FunkyMonk]

Originally Posted by AliceT

People are people no matter where you go. Some you'll like and some you won't. Just be yourself and be eager to meet new people.

I've heard that many times before. But the vibe of a place has a HUGE effect on things. People are different in different places. Just compare NYC to a small midwest town for example. You'll encounter totally different people.