Why do people say that San Franciscans are rude? (Los Angeles: top school, college)

[BarcelonaFan]

I am visiting San Francisco from LA and I have to say it is by far the most beautiful, easy going and friendly city I've been to in Cali. I kept hearing all this talk from Angelenos about how rude the people in San Fran are but the total opposite is true. San Franciscans are very open, approachable, and up for anything. So far I've met several people, gotten phone numbers, hung out with people that I just met.

That's what I've been missing since I moved to LA. Meeting people in LA is like pulling teeth. I'm a vet social guy and growing up in Texas I was used to going out with a friend not knowing where we would end up because Houston is kind of like SF where you just randomly meet people, make friends and see where it takes you. Since moving to LA though I keet thinking all of CA was rude, cliquish and off putting. In LA if you're not a part of someone's clique then they will think you're a weirdo for being so friendly. You can't just go out and meet ppl. You have to meet them at work, your apt complex or church or some social group. When you up out you literally stick with that group the entire night.

I've been missing that whole outgoing sociable atmosphere. Thank You San Franciscans for being that and more! You guys make me wanna drop LA like a bad habit and move to SF.

Is what I described normal for SF or did I just get lucky on a trip?

[bmw335xi]

I agree with you.

That's one of the reasons I chose San Francisco over Los Angeles when I decided to move to California.

[ccm123]

I agree with you also. I lived in Southern California for over 20 years (moved there from the Bay Area for college) and while, I enjoyed it a lot, found that many folks in Southern California will decide based on your external appearances, whether to make friends with you, or not.

As you said, LA is all based on cliques and many times, folks of different races, socioeconomic classes do not socialize together.

San Franciscans can come sometimes come across as elitist, but as a bunch, are definitely generally more friendly and approchable than most folks from LA.

[MikeNigh]

I don't find them to be rude but it does seem that they follow more rules more strictly then the average american. IE I've gotten yelled at a few times for stopping partially over the cross walk. Also they seem to drive 5 mph under the speed limit.

They're blunt not rude, just like any other heavily dense / urban area. Otherwise friendly, approachable and easy to talk to. For me the awkwardness is it still being car culture despite the density level. I think the car culture keeps san franciscians from really creating a defining culture / character and makes for a kind of socially awkward penguin meme type effect.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by MikeNigh

I don't find them to be rude but it does seem that they follow more rules more strictly then the average american. IE I've gotten yelled at a few times for stopping partially over the cross walk. Also they seem to drive 5 mph under the speed limit.

They're blunt not rude, just like any other heavily dense / urban area. Otherwise friendly, approachable and easy to talk to. For me the awkwardness is it still being car culture despite the density level. I think the car culture keeps san franciscians from really creating a defining culture / character and makes for a kind of socially awkward penguin meme type effect.

That's it. But in Socal bluntness is often considered rude, at least in San Diego where I lived. I still have lots of friends in San Diego and I often have to switch modes when talking to them.

[BarcelonaFan]

I think that's mostly common in towns with a lot of top school college grads who tend to be A types or a bit weird. The "elitism" is really just typical young urban professionalism. The rules are essentially to keep the city as it is, kind of like if they suspect you're being rude or out of line which most ppl are prolly not, they will preemptively strike by putting you on blast.

[Ruth4Truth]

People say that about SF because they have some other axe to grind. It's refreshing to have someone post what my experience has been: friendly, fun, easygoing. I vote we turn your post into a "sticky".

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

People say that about SF because they have some other axe to grind. It's refreshing to have someone post what my experience has been: friendly, fun, easygoing. I vote we turn your post into a "sticky".

[MaggieZ]

I never had rude people cross my path in San Francisco. If you go downtown even, everyone may be in a hurry but I didn't encounter any rudeness. There may be rude tourists though. But you'll get them no matter where you go. I love San Francisco and the people there are part of it.

[MikeNigh]

Originally Posted by MaggieZ

I never had rude people cross my path in San Francisco. If you go downtown even, everyone may be in a hurry but I didn't encounter any rudeness. There may be rude tourists though. But you'll get them no matter where you go. I love San Francisco and the people there are part of it.

When I was in the wharf I had this opinion. Tourists who aren't used to a lot of people and act ignorant because they think they're entitled to their space.