Official "Seattle Freeze" Discussion Thread (credit, rain)

[movin'on]

Seattle is one of the places I've considered moving to, but reading this thread has really given me pause. As a single female I would be looking for friends and reciprocity, even though I am an introvert. I do keep to myself most of the time, but would be miserable (I think) living in a place where I had to do all the reaching out with no return invitation.

To top this off, I am one of those Scandinavians (100%) from Mpls, so now I am really confused, although I did leave Mpls many years ago and would never return there. I do agree about the MN Nice thing and I've always preferred East Coast people as they don't waste your time and you know where you stand.

I moved to AZ from CA (SF) and ever since I set foot in this state I've been very unhappy (I miss water). So...now I am REALLY confused but I do appreciate the fact this thread is here.

[azoria]

We moved to Seattle a couple of months ago from overseas and previously from other places in the US.

So far, I am in complete agreement with the 'freeze' article. Already on several occassions I have used the word "insular" to describe Seattle-ites. But it could be worse and if they want to believe their little corner of the world is the ultimate in blissful existance, fine with me. I'm a whole person with or without them everywhere I go.

I'll definately take their politeness. Very welcome change after years in second and third world countries. Love the politeness.

[jimmytheh]

Some of you people need to get around a little more. I have lived in NY, Philly, Atl., and now in much hated Boston. Nobody likes anybody anywhere. People are strange!!! Stay away!!! Anyway, I am heading back to Seattle in Oct. to see ND play the Huskies. 4th trip in the past 3 years or so. Love it out there. I am also going to spend a week down in Portland. I will be moving next spring to either of those 2 places. Alot of you people don't realize what you have out there. I travel quite a bit. I meet people wherever I go. I have met alot of pritty cool people out in Seattle. It is rather simple. If someone gives you the so called freeze kind of vibe, you probably wouldn't really want to hang out with them anyway. I have been checking out these threads for quite some time, QUIT WHINING!!!!!!!! Somebody will ask a legit question, and more times than not it turns into a WHINE FEST!!!!!! Grow up and live a little!!!!!

[jimmytheh]

Some of you people need to get around a little more. I have lived in NY, Philly, Atl., and now much hated Boston. Nobody likes anybody anywhere. People are strange, stay away!!!!!!!! I can walk into my building, say hello to the people sitting on the stoop, and I get no reply. Makes me laugh. Anyway, I am heading back to Seattle in Oct. to see ND play the Huskies. 4th trip out there in the past 3 years or so. Love it out there!!! I am also going to be spending a week down in Portland. I will be moving to either one of those places next spring. Alot of you people don't realize what you have out there. It's God's Country!!! Who cares about the weather. Generally it sucks everywhere, except San Diego. I travel quite a bit. I meet people wherever I go. I have met alot of cool people in Seattle. It is rather simple. If someone gives you the so-called freeze kind of vibe, you probably wouldn't want to hang out with them anyway. I have been checking out these threads for quite a while, alot of useful info, but, QUIT THE WHINING!!!!!!! Somebody will ask a legit question, and more times than not, it turns into a whinefest. To much negativity. Later!!!

[Luv4ThePaws]

My husband and I were very excited about moving to Seattle, from Charlotte, NC, to be closer to my recently-widowed mom in Coeur d' Alene, ID. We thought Seattle would be a nice choice, easier for my husband to get a job (he's in media) than eastern WA or ID but still within a 5 hour drive of my mom for weekend trips. We want to have kids in a couple of years and would love a welcoming community. Although we have friends here in Charlotte, my husband more so since he's a native, I find the South to be very gossipy and sometimes back-stabbing. I have never encountered so much fake-friendliness since moving here although at least we have couples to do things with, like bbqs. We were hoping Seattle would be a place we could live for the next 30 years, raising kids and making friends. This whole "freeze" thread has us so worried that we aren't sure if we should even move now. But, I really would like to be closer to my mom... I can handle the gossipy nature of the South but I don't know if I could handle the coldness of my neighbors and lack of friends.

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by Luv4ThePaws

My husband and I were very excited about moving to Seattle, from Charlotte, NC, to be closer to my recently-widowed mom in Coeur d' Alene, ID. We thought Seattle would be a nice choice, easier for my husband to get a job (he's in media) than eastern WA or ID but still within a 5 hour drive of my mom for weekend trips. We want to have kids in a couple of years and would love a welcoming community. Although we have friends here in Charlotte, my husband more so since he's a native, I find the South to be very gossipy and sometimes back-stabbing. I have never encountered so much fake-friendliness since moving here although at least we have couples to do things with, like bbqs. We were hoping Seattle would be a place we could live for the next 30 years, raising kids and making friends. This whole "freeze" thread has us so worried that we aren't sure if we should even move now. But, I really would like to be closer to my mom... I can handle the gossipy nature of the South but I don't know if I could handle the coldness of my neighbors and lack of friends.

I don't believe in this whole "Seattle Freeze" thing, never have...never will.

As in any big city with lots of transplants and somewhat of a transient population it may take awhile to make friends...however you will eventually make friends. I believe this to be the case nearly everywhere in the country today.

IMHO,the "Seattle Freeze" exists only in the minds of those that choose to believe in it...

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

I don't believe in this whole "Seattle Freeze" thing, never have...never will.

As in any big city with lots of transplants and somewhat of a transient population it may take awhile to make friends...however you will eventually make friends. I believe this to be the case nearly everywhere in the country today.

IMHO,the "Seattle Freeze" exists only in the minds of those that choose to believe in it...

Right...It's all make believe.

That's why you have an overwhelming response from people who DO experience it, BOTH locals and transplants.

That's why this thread has gone on as long as it has.

*As if* the only people who experience the freeze are those who haven't "lived a little" or who have never been "anywhere else." I say those who HAVE lived and HAVE been elsewhere notice it because they have more to compare it to. Those who are "blind" to or "dont believe" the freeze are usually those who grew up here, moved here when they were younger, or came from a similar "freezish" type place.

It's okay though...those fingers in your ears while singing the 'la la la" song seems to be working well for you.....

[seattlerain]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Right...It's all make believe.

That's why you have an overwhelming response from people who DO experience it, BOTH locals and transplants.

That's why this thread has gone on as long as it has.

*As if* the only people who experience the freeze are those who haven't "lived a little" or who have never been "anywhere else." I say those who HAVE lived and HAVE been elsewhere notice it because they have more to compare it to. Those who are "blind" to or "dont believe" the freeze are usually those who grew up here, moved here when they were younger, or came from a similar "freezish" type place.

It's okay though...those fingers in your ears while singing the 'la la la" song seems to be working well for you.....

Thank you!

[Topaz]

Originally Posted by cobolt

It's okay though...those fingers in your ears while singing the 'la la la" song seems to be working well for you.....

Seriously! The "it doesn't exist if I personally have not experienced it" attitude would be laughable if it weren't so patronizing and annoying.

Good for you if you have found a strong sense of community and camaraderie in Seattle. But don't tell the rest of us that we are delusional if we found the culture to be uniquely difficult.

[jwb123]

A response like Seattlerain's is true to Seattlite fashion... Narcissistic and insular!

"If I don't think it to be true in my little world, it must not be."