Official "Seattle Freeze" Discussion Thread (Bellevue, Starbuck: motel, work)

[41Willys]

HockeyMac18 great post!!!! You just shed some "sun light" on Seattle!

I'm on my way out the door but had to tip my hat to you! Again, great post!



(BTW, the Red Sox beat the curse by finally beating the Yankee's. )

[Rage]

Yes HockeyMac18 it was a good post............if I may point out an observation, Another well known city (country) that is known for a reserved and staunch manner is London England. Their reserved nature is well known pretty much through out the USA. When considering their location on the map their Lat is 51n 30, whereas Seattle is 47n 30........in essence or approx 270 miles difference as far as N/S geographical location. Now you say so what............but their weather appears to be similar to Seattle, the culture of Seattle seems to have stemmed originally from Nordic similar to London's.

I agree with the weather tie in personally.........the weather coupled with the cultural nature. But really bottom line is, does it matter. It is what it is..........like it or lump it. And all the surveys, pissing and moaning, wishing and hoping isn't gonna chance it. So you either accept it or waste your time wanting it to change. Personally when I come there I'll just accept the culture as it is.............there are great times and individual rewards in every situation...........but then you have to learn to accept it. My time is precious, so I don't want to waste it trying to wonder why it is what it is..............

[41Willys]

I think it was a geat contribution to the thread, rite on target!!

[samsmom]

Please just tell me they have a sense of humor out there....reserved I can handle...not being able to laugh at oneself I can't!

Rage mentioned the reserved nature from England...but isn't that where some of the best humor has come from too? The witty, intelligent humor. Seattle probably just has a higher IQ than other places.....which tends to make people more reserved or maybe skeptical and seem less friendly.

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by HockeyMac18

I do wonder sometimes why Seattle gets singled out so often. I'm not saying that some phenomenon that is described by people on these forums/in the newspapers doesn't exist (because after all, there is something going on if they feel the need to write an article about it)...but reading/listening to the descriptions of this "freeze", I really don't see anything about this behavior that is that drastically different from the behavior of people in most other Northern cities (probably with the exception of Manhattan and some other cities on the East Coast known for their loud...ness (is that a word?)).

In my visits to Seattle, I've never experienced anything that would catch my attention as being extremely out of the ordinary in terms of personalities...but then again, I'm from the North, and it might just be something I'm used to and/or I would have to live somewhere with a vastly different culture to notice it. I am by no means claiming to be an expert on this subject (so please shut me down if I'm way off on anything here...I won't be hurt if you call me out on anything)...so, please don't view me as an expert in Seattle culture.

But, what I do know is that the behaviors that people tend to describe as being associated with the Seattle "freeze" (reserved, want to stay indoors in the winter on the computer, reluctant to make many friends outside of a solid circle of friends, etc) aren't exactly, in my eyes, unique to that city in any way. I'm not trying to say whether I think this is behavior is "good" or "bad"; I just think Seattle gets unfairly singled out regarding this topic.

As an aside, there is a trend I sometimes see on these boards: Seattle being singled out as the worst place to live (whether it be related to weather or the "freeze"). Sure, it's never directly said in such a way, but it's often implied (whether it be on purpose or not). The reality, on the other hand, is that there are many places that have similarly dreary winters and similarly reserved/introverted personalities throughout the population...And so, I wonder then: why does Seattle get singled out so often (and I don't just mean on these boards...it's just popular belief (sometimes fueled by ignorance) that it rains/is cloudy every single day in Seattle, when of course this isn't totally true)? I'm not trying to start any arguments/flame wars: I'm genuinely curious.

I do want to make it clear that I'm not trying to belittle people's bad experiences in Seattle (because I do feel awful for people that are just downright unhappy there), nor am I trying to say you're "wrong" for feeling unhappy there (I'm sorry if this is how I come off...it's sincerely not my intention). I'm also certainly not trying to paint a picture of a city that doesn't exist because people deserve to know the truth about a place they're considering moving to for the rest of their lives (I definitely believe in truth...which, when you think about it, is what my whole rant is really about)...

But at the same time I do enjoy some perspective in respect to the rest of the country, and so I wonder: what is it about Seattle that, despite it's not-so-unique characteristics when compared to other notable Northern cities, makes it stand out? Is it because there are so many transplants there? Or is it because many of these transplants come from places that are drastically different in both culture and weather? Or is it because this opinion (that Seattle is downright depressing and unfriendly) is pervasive within the culture and, whether it's true or not, people fall into these patterns because it's easy to do so? Could it be kind of like when a sports team thinks it's cursed and can't win (Cubs are a good example of this)? I know that analogy is kind of out-there...but what I mean is, even though there's no rational reason they can't win, the belief that a curse exists "gets in their heads" and adversely affects their behavior (possibly preventing them from playing as well as they could and causing them to lose). Is something like this occurring?...Or Is it a combination of everything I described? These aren't rhetorical questions...I really don't know. Like I said, I'm genuinely curious and I would enjoy discussions on this. But...I'm really straying off topic, and I apologize... as such I'll shut up about this now.

On topic: I've always felt that winters in general make people more reserved and introverted; but despite this I do feel "people are people"...meaning no matter where you are, you're always going to get reserved people and you're always going to get outgoing people (our genetics have to play some role in our personality, ya know...). The percentages of these types of personalities may vary depending on location, but I do feel no matter where you are, or no matter how reserved you feel a place is, you can always find someone outgoing and willing to make new friends. At least, that has been my experience in my short life. I'm sure others would disagree...this is just my opinion after all. What do you all think? Thanks for reading

I think the fact that is does drizzle a lot in Seattle that it contributes to people staying inside more then average, thus giving in to the myth of Seattle housing reserved people that stay inside and keep to themselves. Maybe that's not a cut and dry analogy of "the freeze" myth but I'm sure it's one that contributes as a few others do.

[VeronikaW]

It's interesting. My husband and I moved here from Southern CA. I have a friend from high school who also moved here, a few years before we did. He moved to Vashon Island. Before we moved here, he told us about how wonderful the people are here. How friendly they were, and so much less phony than people in CA. My husband and I were really looking forward to moving. We had nice neighbors in CA, but we didn't know many of them.

Then we moved here. Mind you we moved to the East side, which my friend thinks makes the difference, but we were sorely disappointed. We have neighbors on one side that seem like a normal family (mom, dad, three young kids). Any time I've seen the dad outside and I say hello to him, literally he grunts at me, and says nothing. If we're both driving up the street, he will race me to get the better parking space in front of our townhomes. WTF? I've never done anything to him, but let me tell you, I'm starting to think hanging pictures and vacuuming at midnight might be fun.

The only friendly people in our little row of townhomes are the children. The children always smile and say hello back when I greet them. The adults all look sort of terrified/appalled that I'd actually say hello to them.

Now, if you go out to a restaurant or to a store or something, the service staff is always super super friendly. I mean the people at Starbucks will ask what your plans for the weekend are, they'll give you tips on stuff to do, and just be so peachy keen friendly, and it's frustrating, because you know if they were your neighbor, they'd just be grunting at you on the sidewalk. It's almost like they spend so much time at work being phony nice, that once they're not working they can't be bothered anymore.

I notice when I go to Bellevue Square, if I walk down the mall smiling at people, they look at me like I might be an escaped prisoner from an asylum. In fact last time I was there, smiling my little face off at everyone (because I'm enjoying making people uncomfortable since they can't be bothered to be nice back), only one person smiled back and said hello, and that was one of the janitorial staff members.

Anytime my husband and I encounter someone in our neighborhood that returns our greeting, we give each other the knowing "they're obviously not from here" look, and unfortunately we don't get to do that very often, as our greetings are rarely returned.

*shrug* But there's not much we can do about it. Except to keep smiling.

V. =)

[chris]

Over-analyzing it will just bring more frustration, you just have to accept it for what it is and make the best of it. Even with Seattle's forcasted increase in population by 1 million, it's not going to change the underlying reasons that make it what it is.

My take on the reasons for the freeze perceived persona in natives (in order of significance):

1: Overcast weather/dreariness 9-10 months out of the year.
2: Predominate industry is tech. Techies prefer computer communication.
3: Seattlites had a good quality of life, and resent that it's being lost.
4: Cultural/ancestral influence

All of these things put together make for a unique combination that doesn't exist in many places. People who visit and then move here who are disappointed might need to give it time, and stop hoping people will change to accomodate what they are used to. Seattle is what it is, and if it were just like every other place, it wouldn't be Seattle.

[martina26]

I have lived here for 25 years and never heard the expression "Seattle Freeze" used. But its a true thing! People here are very reserved and arent friendly and dont smile at you and are very "snooty" if that is the word to use. I notice when I go to Eastern WA its a whole other world. I have no clue why people here act like this. I have noticed I can have a freeze too, maybe I learned it from living here. Good thing I am moving in 2 months!

[vnodak]

I moved here two years ago and agree with all the comments. It has been my experience that it depends on the area you are in or go to. Their are definately areas that have so called clicks---I am better than you attitudes---cultural diversity. I am sure the weather and cultures contribute but is this not just an excuse for unfriendly behavior. I grew up in the midwest and this kind of thing did not exist. In a few years I plan on moving but in the mean time I go out of my way to be friendly to all. I work in healthcare and I try to make everyone feel like they are my best friend. I am hoping it will spread. So I send smiles and I hope you have a great day to all of you.

[41Willys]

Gathering info from other threads, "the freeze" must be fading away. It's only in certain area's as opposed to everywhere. So maybe all the transplants/Californian's are helping to fragment "the freeze"?