Washington DC is for young Interns, High Paid Professionals and Immigrants ONLY (credit, high school)

[titaniummd]

Originally Posted by claremarie

Hey Coldbliss....
I was the kid who took the AP classes, graduated at the top of the class, and was ridiculed by the "burnouts" who took easy classes, smoked behind the high school, and bragged about how wasted they got last night. So was my husband. One of the reasons we moved to DC 20 years ago is that it is full of smart people with diverse backgrounds who work hard at jobs they actually enjoy.

Many of our high school classmates, in one of those "normal" cities you admire, never went to college and are living down the street from the house in which they grew up because inertia is an extremely powerful force. They would really like to work for the state government because of the great benefits, and look ten years older than their actual age because they can't kick the smoking habit and are at least 30 pounds overweight. They've never been outside the country, never had a neighbor who speaks another language, and haven't been to a museum since their junior high school days. They watch lots of TV, don't read much, and care more about the local high school's football team than its SAT scores.
Some of those people move here, and find that the kids they used to make fun of are actually running the country, and it seems to bother them. Go figure.

My sentiments for the most part. It is unfortunate that there are so many who do not reach their full potential due to barriers (both internal and external). As I have heard someone in the military (Navy) say, "Choose your rate, Choose your fate".

There are many geniuses in this world but to move forward, their IQ must be tempered with common sense and learning from mistakes made in the past. There are a lot of (for a lack of a better term), idiots with degrees and excessive letters behind their name that exist in this world. Those are the types that have the delusions that they are infallible or are the highest authority or resident expert.

My main objective through my work is to bring my child up to her full potential and have some barriers knocked down already to alleviate the hurdles that I had to overcome (poor school district, lower socioeconomic status and 1st generation from an immigrant population).

By the way, I have donated my time and money for non-profit organizations (including helping the homeless - rather than the shortcut of giving whatever change was in my pocket) and I have not been too busy to help the community.

I grew up in a lower middle class blue collar town in the South and I have no desire to become complacent and languish in a 'crippled attitude' of self pity and low self esteem.

It is my ambition that has brought up and out of it. I didn't forget my roots but I just choose not to look back. It is not a matter of greed, it is a matter of pride and achieving one's potential.

The point is DC is a great place to live with a lot of financial and educational opportunities, wonderful places to visit, is the hub of many businesses and organizations, and the epicenter of the political engine that runs this country. There are those restricted by the 'glass barrier' and that is unfortunate. There are those who struggle to make ends meet due to lack of opportunities and bad luck.

Rather than languish on the external factors, focus on your personal goal, believe and achieve.

Nothing is wrong with a 6 or 7 digit income - except for more taxes to pay. I am sure that many will agree.

Further, rather than attack a particular demographic, do something to change it. However, I am guessing that it was the intention of the original poster to place a more 'tongue in cheek' satire on the conspicuous consumption and self centered types that make up a certain fraction of the population.

[SmerkyGrl]

Originally Posted by The_Fairfaxian

How about these cities:

Seattle
Minneapolis
San Francisco
San Diego
Chicago
Denver

All cities that attract intellectual people who overall aren't rude, stand-offish, or have their heads up their a$$es because they come from a rich family or got a degree from Princeton. Shall I go on.

So why aren't you there then? And I've been to at least 3 of those 6 cities you've named...you're dead wrong about the residents not being rude/stand-offish/have their heads in their asses. So so wrong.

[DCNative]

Originally Posted by SmerkyGrl

So why aren't you there then? And I've been to at least 3 of those 6 cities you've named...you're dead wrong about the residents not being rude/stand-offish/have their heads in their asses. So so wrong.

Which ones?

[SmerkyGrl]

Originally Posted by DCNative

Which ones?

Chicago, Seattle, SF, and then a long 3 day delay/layover in SD if you want to count that as one too.

[jimmydingle]

We also read all of your emails and know about those kinky websites you visit!

So are you saying that you AREN'T a "regular White American Born working man"? I'm confused. Are you one of those "United Nations people"? Is this Rush Limbaugh?

Originally Posted by questioner2

If I were a regular White American Born working man who worked in regular middle class job, I would never want to live in the Washington area. It is not for you. Culturally it is not for the average Americans.

Here are the people who will love Washington:

Immigrants who want to live within a United Nations of people of a hundred languages and cultures

20 Something Interns, Research Assistants and Congressional Aides

Career Centric people with Advanced degrees who want to work 16 hours a day and make a ton of money in jobs like Doctors, Lawyers, Business Executives, Scientists, Engineers, etc
===================
It is not for anyone else. To expensive and aloof.

[jimmydingle]

"I say DC is no more or less stupid/smart than any other metropolitan area, but on paper we look great."

Two weeks ago I was in South Florida arguing with a girl who worked at a nuke plant about global warming and the housing market (she's ready to buy and flip some houses LOL). She even felt that evolution was questionable.

Originally Posted by CookieToaster

I can see how statistically DC might have a lot of smart people, but I can't agree with the generalization that people work hard here for jobs that they actually enjoy. I think that is the case everywhere, and conversely a lot of people work really hard at jobs they hate (raises hand). Frankly, most people I know do hate their jobs but put on a smile when they go to work. The type that usually enjoy work also think Bill Lumberg was a great manager and man of the year.

Regarding your classmates, it seems to that you are judging them without knowing the specific facts in some cases. Maybe some of them are happy doing what you consider nothing. I could be wrong because I definitely know people exactly as you are describing, but if they are happy, who am I to laugh at their criminal record and 8 kids?

It's funny you mention the smoking and description of yourself in AP classes. I used to be exactly like you in that respect except that I always felt high school was so easy, I just showed up and slept through it. All the kids who constantly studied and tried for Harvard were the same ones who burned out in college while the "slackers" such as myself breezed through it. I knew I'd never be able to afford Harvard as I had to pay my own tuition, so why try? For me, it was more of a do as little as possible to get the 4.0 and save the effort for a good, but affordable college education. Lets be honest, high school is a joke in terms of mental challenges.

You reminded me of this mentality regarding "smarts" and "success that I grew up with that I've always hated. I'm not saying you were implying any of this but you got me thinking. Specifically, how does earning a college degree mean you are smart? I believe all it means is that you are less likely to be stupid, but by no means does it make you smart. If a person is indeed smart, it is usually obvious to anyone that spends time around that individual. Like respect, you can only earn it.

I interview people constantly with MBAs, Masters, and PhDs and you would not believe the level of stupidity I have witnessed. The majority of candidates are from the DC area and are applying for positions that require serious qualifications, so this does not speak well for DC. I believe it's not a DC thing, however. Stupidity is everywhere.

Further, the same applies to my coworkers and many of them have so called "genius" IQs (another meaningless stat), yet when it comes to real work, they are often useless. I suppose all the time and money people put into school creates a "free pass" mentality, which is even more evident when someone has an advanced degree. I've actually had people tell me they should get the job because they went to Yale.

Somehow, there is a mentality amongst many DC folk that this area is some sort of brain trust because there are lots of college degrees floating around. The overpriced and overrated private universities around here don't help the situation either. I say DC is no more or less stupid/smart than any other metropolitan area, but on paper we look great. Regarding the original post in this topic, I completely agree still because the mindset of this area combined with the type industries that exist here make it very hard to be comfortable around here if you care what others think. Just listen to any group of suburban parents around here talk about their kids and there you have it. If you don't care what other people think, then you'll be quite alright, but it's rare that people honestly can say they fit into that category.

[LIS123]

Originally Posted by coldbliss

Absolutely spot on!

You know the kind of people who come to Washington, DC? Here is the typical person in a nutshell:

Remember that kid who had to take AP courses in every subject?

Remember that kid who would cry and whine about getting an A- on a mid-term exam?

Remember that kid who strives for 10 extracurricular activities in one semester because it looks good on a college application?

Remember that kid who brags to his friends that his Daddy has pull with the college admissions office at some elite East Coast university?

Remember that kid who would make fun of the nerds, working-class students, bohemian artsy kids so he can share the jokes with his college-bound, preppy friends?

Remember that kid who told you that he knew at the ripe age of 12 that he wanted to be a corporate attorney? You could also insert doctor, corporate executive, investment banker, political adviser, economist here.

Remember that kid who only values his own opinion about the world because he thinks he is so intelligent and creative?

Remember that kid who thinks his ideas will change the course of history? Hmmmm...Washington, DC is a good place to make a name for yourself!

Multiply that Kid times 100,000! That's what you see coming to Washington, DC. I deal with these A Holes almost every day. I see them walking on the street every day while they fiddle with their Blackberries. They need to stay in constant communication with people because their ideas are too important to keep silent. They live and work in a complete bubble called Washington, DC. They could never survive Life in a normal American city like Chicago, like Pittsburgh, like Phoenix, like Dallas, like San Diego. They do not create wealth for a community. They do not volunteer for their community. They want to mold the world into their own vision. Money and power are the twin pillars of achieving this goal. The stench of money and power corrupt many people in Washington, DC. They become insufferable human beings.

What brings these types of people to DC? I, typically, think of these folks going to NYC, London, etc.

[mnmarty03]

Here's a question..

If someone chooses to continue living near where they grew up after high school, gets a job that pays their bills, and continues on living that way for the rest of their lives - why is that bad?

A lot of people here have made these type of people (which are quite common I think) sound like they are worse people than those who choose to move away from their hometowns.

Case in point:

- My sister and her husband live within 20 miles of their parents. They are both nearly 30 and work your typical working class jobs -- which they both absoluately LOVE. In addition my sister is starting up her own business, and doing well at in the first 2 months. They have been married happily nearly 10 years, are active in their communities (he is a member of Knights of Columbus. she is a member of Women of Today) and get all of their bills paid each month. The only debt they have is for their trailer, which will be paid off in 3 years.

- I graduated college in 2007. I have experience in my field (which is very competitve), have studied abroad for one year while in college, and am $30,000 in debt from school and credit cards. I can't get a job in my field right now and am currently living with my parents (I'm 23). It took me a month just to find a production job to pay my bills while I try to find a position in my career. Now I'm planning on moving to the East Coast to work and volunteer in my field in the hopes of getting my foot in the door and increase my job chances in the future. Washington DC is one area I'm considering.

Which in your opinion is better? A lot of people would say me, because I am going after my dreams and am ambitious. I say NEITHER!!! I'm so proud of my sister and brother-in-law for all they have done and continue to do. They too have plans for their future, but none of them include moving to a large city someplace. I have accomplished some dreams and will do more of that.. but I'm also WAY in debt and have plenty of my own problems/issues.

The point I'm trying to make is that everyone is different. Not everyone can be ambitious and move to a big city or have a neighbor who speaks another language. Not all people want that. Some people genuinely love where they grew up and want to stay near their families. Some people love their working class jobs. Some other people would never be content staying near their families. Everybody is different and that difference should be embraced, respected, and praised. The world runs because of all the different people in it - we can't all be the same.

[Bluefly]

Originally Posted by mnmarty03

Here's a question..

If someone chooses to continue living near where they grew up after high school, gets a job that pays their bills, and continues on living that way for the rest of their lives - why is that bad?

A lot of people here have made these type of people (which are quite common I think) sound like they are worse people than those who choose to move away from their hometowns.

Case in point:

- My sister and her husband live within 20 miles of their parents. They are both nearly 30 and work your typical working class jobs -- which they both absoluately LOVE. In addition my sister is starting up her own business, and doing well at in the first 2 months. They have been married happily nearly 10 years, are active in their communities (he is a member of Knights of Columbus. she is a member of Women of Today) and get all of their bills paid each month. The only debt they have is for their trailer, which will be paid off in 3 years.

- I graduated college in 2007. I have experience in my field (which is very competitve), have studied abroad for one year while in college, and am $30,000 in debt from school and credit cards. I can't get a job in my field right now and am currently living with my parents (I'm 23). It took me a month just to find a production job to pay my bills while I try to find a position in my career. Now I'm planning on moving to the East Coast to work and volunteer in my field in the hopes of getting my foot in the door and increase my job chances in the future. Washington DC is one area I'm considering.

Which in your opinion is better? A lot of people would say me, because I am going after my dreams and am ambitious. I say NEITHER!!! I'm so proud of my sister and brother-in-law for all they have done and continue to do. They too have plans for their future, but none of them include moving to a large city someplace. I have accomplished some dreams and will do more of that.. but I'm also WAY in debt and have plenty of my own problems/issues.

The point I'm trying to make is that everyone is different. Not everyone can be ambitious and move to a big city or have a neighbor who speaks another language. Not all people want that. Some people genuinely love where they grew up and want to stay near their families. Some people love their working class jobs. Some other people would never be content staying near their families. Everybody is different and that difference should be embraced, respected, and praised. The world runs because of all the different people in it - we can't all be the same.

One's not necessarily better or worse, but if you're interested in engaging in the geopolitical realm, I've found the people who have traveled and work in that realm are far more interesting to talk to about it.

I've found people are typically smarter in DC than most other cities. They at least think about issues of the world more. It's not a brain trust, per se, but there are a lot of smart people. Just my experience, though.

[DvlsAdvc8]

The Matrix has you. Nice to see so many people are choosing the red pill.