Moving to Seattle as a Non Liberal (Bremerton, Lynnwood: 2015, living in)

[cmswazey]

We're not in total disagreement, peequi. I'm sure that bringing up politics would cause flak. But just the accent alone? I don't think so.

[jakebarnes]

Originally Posted by Flightoficarus87

I think that as long as you're not trying to push your political views onto others (As you say you do in your original post anyways), you should be fine .

IMO, the city of Seattle itself leans very liberal (modern liberalism), but many long-term residents/natives within the greater Puget Sound area (Esp. further out from Seattle) seem to come off as more libertarian-ish to me (Rather socially liberal, but more fiscally conservative/conservative on a few other issues). The leadership of folks like Murray and Sawant is starting to make me wonder if I fall more into the latter camp, but that's a conversation for another day .

I always thought I was liberal too but Sawant and Murray (and most of the city council) has me rethinking it.

[Xanathos]

Originally Posted by Solay75

I'll be visiting Seattle in a few weeks and after reading this thread I'm a bit concerned I'm going to be a bit shunned based on the southern drawl that comes out of my mouth. I'm not a conservative but come from a conservative state and don't want to be judged based upon that fact before I even have a chance to present who I am, not just the state where I live. I was excited to go to Seattle and explore the city and chat up the locals, but some of the posts on here have me thinking some of the locals may not want to chat with me. ☹️

The locals aren't going to avoid talking to you because of your drawl. They're going to avoid talking to you because this is a city where nobody wants to talk to anybody else or have meaningful interaction. It's a very passive aggressive area in which you can get some basic surface/small talk out of people, but they're secretly trying to plan their exit from the encounter.

[Algiz]

Originally Posted by Solay75

I'll be visiting Seattle in a few weeks and after reading this thread I'm a bit concerned I'm going to be a bit shunned based on the southern drawl that comes out of my mouth. I'm not a conservative but come from a conservative state and don't want to be judged based upon that fact before I even have a chance to present who I am, not just the state where I live. I was excited to go to Seattle and explore the city and chat up the locals, but some of the posts on here have me thinking some of the locals may not want to chat with me. ☹️

So many different opinions on Seattlites! Here's mine - Depending on my mood, I can be blindingly bright or deeply within myself, but most of the time, I'm pretty even and accessible. What I put out, I usually get back. When too bright, too enthusiastic, I tend to stun people into silence. When deeply within myself, I notice people leave me alone. But when I'm not at either extreme - where I am most of the time - people are polite, willing to help out in many situations, kind, and often initiate a little chat or give a welcoming smile as we wait in line.

Even when they find out I'm a "dreaded" Californian, they continue to treat me kindly. I think it has a lot more to do with how you present yourself than anything else. Go in open-hearted, and I bet you'll be pleased with what you get back.

[CrazyDonkey]

The general tenor is live-and-let-live. People, on the right or the left, trying to dictate what people should think or how they should live, are the exception. On the other hand, don't expect tolerance of intolerance.

[Flightoficarus87]

Originally Posted by Xanathos

The locals aren't going to avoid talking to you because of your drawl. They're going to avoid talking to you because this is a city where nobody wants to talk to anybody else or have meaningful interaction. It's a very passive aggressive area in which you can get some basic surface/small talk out of people, but they're secretly trying to plan their exit from the encounter.

OP, Sadly, this is true to some extent. If you come across one of the "chilly" types here, don't immediately assume it's your accent or anything like that putting them off, it's just kind of a social custom here. Best to just not invest too much time in someone giving you the cold shoulder, and try your luck w/someone else, who may hopefully be friendlier.

Originally Posted by jakebarnes

I always thought I was liberal too but Sawant and Murray (and most of the city council) has me rethinking it.

It's more so that I question a lot of things about the current leadership than a full-on shift of my political views. Most people would probably consider me far from being conservative, but even I think Murray and the city council is getting a little out of control with matters such as new/increased taxes (despite additional tax revenue already coming in from skyrocketing land/real estate values), and throwing money at problems that won't be solved with money alone/require more thoughtful long-term solutions.

[peequi]

What on Earth is all this talk about Seattle being unfriendly, passive aggressive, fake at being friendly, etc? I agree it isn't the most open and welcoming city, but it really isn't that bad. But I never lived anywhere else. Still I really think sometimes this Seattle Freeze idea is a bit over hyped.

[NWarty]

Originally Posted by peequi

But I never lived anywhere else.

I think that's your problem right there

[peequi]

Originally Posted by NWarty

I think that's your problem right there

But so many Seattle folks are not native Seattle folks, many from CA, TX, China, India, etc. In most cases these transplants agree that Seattle isn't that bad in terms of the friendliness. However I do recall some mid westerners mentioning the Seattle Freeze.

[lostsoul2015]

Well let me tell you.
I am from the UK. I have always liked the welcome I get when I am in Seattle.
Fast forward a few years, I recently moved here. However there is always the Seattle freeze with the opposite gender that I am experiencing. Perhaps I am too ugly and the goalposts have changed yet again with unrealistic expectation and you have to meet an unrealistic criteria just to say literally "hello"

seems its easier to be gay and hold hands than it is for a straight guy to meet a woman.

It actually is making me feel down. There are a number of reasons why I wanted to move here and this was certainly one of them to find and build a future together with someone. No effort being made, pre-judge. It's ridiculous. no wonder there are so many single people these days. Fact.

makes it even more difficult for someone who does not drink.