Official "Seattle Freeze" Discussion Thread (Pacific: residential, friendly)

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by babs98019

There was an extremely pervasive attitude; we made our friends- we don't need anymore.

Trust me, it extends to adults, and it is pervasive in both SEA and PDX. Transplants, obviously, are better about it.

In my case, I have a distant cousin who was born and raised in West Seattle. I lived on the Eastside. I am white collar and a UW Master's grad. She is blue collar (actually clerical) as a function of her dropping out of UW, but it is something I've never touched on with her. The ONLY time she called me is when I was going to buy my townhome because I think one of my parents told her mom I was in the market. Not once did she nor her sibling call me in 3.5 years, but I think she had plenty of time for her West Seattle High friends. I mean, it could happen anywhere, but I found it especially pronounced in the PNW.

[PencilMeIn]

Ha! If you saw me on the street, you would think I was a stuck up, rich woman from Bellevue.....I'm not. Could be, I suppose, have all the right stuff....but that's for my pleasure not to impress anyone. I can't hide the Waspyness....the blonde hair and blue eyes kind of gives that one away. And I'm not particulary friendly especially to strangers. Always polite though. So are you saying I should fit right in?

Well, here's where I won't....no "flatline" talker here. Besides the fact that I use proper grammar (my Dad insisted on that)......I speak in what is affectionately known as Pittsburghese. Born and raised there....it's in my diction and mannerisms.

That being said.....I would like to offer a little advice for those who are so sensitive about defending Seattle. Your city is great in a lot of ways...so are a lot of other cities. People always made fun of Pgh....didn't bother me....it's my home and I love it and don't have to defend it. I love South FL.....most people talk trash about it. I don't care...I still love it. When I leave this area, I will tell people about all the positive things in Seattle....you have a lot to be proud of.

Get over it already.....suck it up...

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by samsmom

Well, here's where I won't....no "flatline" talker here. Besides the fact that I use proper grammar (my Dad insisted on that)......I speak in what is affectionately known as Pittsburghese. Born and raised there....it's in my diction and mannerisms.

Well, there you have it! If I met a WASP (such as you describe yourself) in the Seattle or Portland area and they were highly emotive (such as you describe yourself), I would:
(1) scratch my head, and then
(2) ask "WHERE ARE YOU FROM?"

[PencilMeIn]

Funny....and if you asked me to sit on my hands while I talk....I couldn't.

[Pittgal]

Originally Posted by samsmom

Besides the fact that I use proper grammar (my Dad insisted on that)......I speak in what is affectionately known as Pittsburghese. Born and raised there....it's in my diction and mannerisms.

Funny thing is everyone always asking me where I'm from when I use the words "pop, gum band, & nebby". I def. have Pittsburgese in my blood...never say "yinz" though, parents wouldn't have it either.

[Ira500]

Samsmom,
That's actually a great thing about Pittsburgh ( and Philly and Baltimore too)..You can have all the education in the world, but there's just something refreshingly unpretentious about the accent.

[MarketingGuy]

Interesting thread.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by MarketingGuy

Interesting thread.

Realistic thread.

[wannabeaTexan]

Originally Posted by samsmom

Ha! If you saw me on the street, you would think I was a stuck up, rich woman from Bellevue.....I'm not. Could be, I suppose, have all the right stuff....but that's for my pleasure not to impress anyone. I can't hide the Waspyness....the blonde hair and blue eyes kind of gives that one away. And I'm not particulary friendly especially to strangers. Always polite though. So are you saying I should fit right in?

Well, here's where I won't....no "flatline" talker here. Besides the fact that I use proper grammar (my Dad insisted on that)......I speak in what is affectionately known as Pittsburghese. Born and raised there....it's in my diction and mannerisms.

That being said.....I would like to offer a little advice for those who are so sensitive about defending Seattle. Your city is great in a lot of ways...so are a lot of other cities. People always made fun of Pgh....didn't bother me....it's my home and I love it and don't have to defend it. I love South FL.....most people talk trash about it. I don't care...I still love it. When I leave this area, I will tell people about all the positive things in Seattle....you have a lot to be proud of.

Get over it already.....suck it up...

The problem with this attitude is that this thread isn't talking bad about the city...it's about the people who are from here. A little harder to just get over it and suck it up. Of course natives are going to want to defend themselves...it's personal.

[jwb123]

I don't think the "Seattle Freeze" is about the people, like the natives. I think it's easy to get caught up in the "Seattle Freeze" as a transplant too, and that's why this notion of a freeze is so prominent that they are writing articles about it.

It's the PLACE, the culture - not the people, specifically.... (and no, I don't mean the supposed "scandinavian influence", give me a break! If you have never set foot in Ballard, you could live your entire life in Seattle and not see any evidence of Scandinavian influence.) It's the weather, and the work culture, the cost of living, etc that all add to the "freeze".

As a transplant (moved there from DC, but visited through family often) who has left - I can see a HUGE difference in how even I interact with people now that I am in an area that is more welcoming and friendly.

Disclaimer though - I haven't read this thread since the early pages.