The Term "Cali" for California-Natives Opinion (Los Angeles, San Diego: shops, beaches)

[lily4]

It's exactly about proving something to someone because that's the only argument people have used as to why they hate Cali. It's always "NATIVES DONT SAY IT!!!!11!!! BLARG!!" The implication of course being that if you say it, you're not a native and that somehow makes you less in their eyes, or at least that's how some people are acting in the thread.

No, not at all. Most native Californians just think people who use Cali sound like they are trying too hard to be one of the cool kids. It isn't that being from someplace else makes them less than. Native Californians have nothing to prove, just saying that, in general, if you use "Cali" it tells the natives that you are not from California.

[mjlo]

Ugh, It's true. As a confirmed non-Californian who lives in one of those fly-over places I can validate this. When I hear someone reference "Cali" it's usually a tell tale sign that they have never actually been there, and are definitely trying too hard. Pretentiousness annoys me anyway, and it's all I can do to not tell them that they wouldn't know a true Californian if they came and sat on their face. The next thing the name dropper usually does, is try to pass the Jacket they bought from Target as being from Nordstrom or something.

This has long been a peeve of mine so I couldn't resist throwing my two cents in.

[jamrpmarm]

Originally Posted by lily4

No, not at all. Most native Californians just think people who use Cali sound like they are trying too hard to be one of the cool kids. It isn't that being from someplace else makes them less than. Native Californians have nothing to prove, just saying that, in general, if you use "Cali" it tells the natives that you are not from California.

So if native Californians have nothing to prove, why are most of the ones here the ones saying, "I'm a native and I would NEVER say it." You're trying to prove something by labeling yourself in your argument.

Besides the circle of bros this one apparently surrounded himself with (Cali=brospeak), everybody else must have got sick of hearing "Cali".

Maybe it will be a cool thing that goes over better in Flyover Country, and bros and chicks will dig it. Best of luck with that.

Nice generalization there "brah." Let me get this straight, because I've defended people who say Cali and have made arguments as to why no one should care who says what, that makes me a "bro" and clearly uneducated in your eyes? Sure, whatever dude. Oh, wait, is that too bro for you? Let me unslang it for you: You're a twit.

Um, you got run out?

Clever. What is this the Old West where we still run people out of towns? If you're going to be snarky, at least be in the right century when you do it.

No. You do care. That's the only reason you posted on this thread.

And nope. I care about the fact that there are people who seem to be treating Cali as if it's an affront to their heritage and have such a visceral reaction to it and clearly hold the attitude of "if you say Cali, I think less of you."

[jamrpmarm]

Originally Posted by mjlo

Ugh, It's true. As a confirmed non-Californian who lives in one of those fly-over places I can validate this. When I hear someone reference "Cali" it's usually a tell tale sign that they have never actually been there, and are definitely trying too hard. Pretentiousness annoys me anyway, and it's all I can do to not tell them that they wouldn't know a true Californian if they came and sat on their face. The next thing the name dropper usually does, is try to pass the Jacket they bought from Target as being from Nordstrom or something.

This has long been a peeve of mine so I couldn't resist throwing my two cents in.

Ahahahahahahaha *deep breath* ahahahahahahahahahahaha

So you're going to say pretentiousness annoys you, and then say you have to try your hardest not to be pretentious right back at them?

Hello pot, my name is kettle, I believe we've met.

[Fran66]

Calling California 'Cali' is ignorant. It's like calling The City "Frisco". Only tourists use it.

[scgali]

Originally Posted by sacite

The first time I heard "Cali" was when Dre and Tupac used it in the song "California Love" in the mid-90's. It is a slang term rather than a gague of one's "native" status. Of course other people picked it up and started using it after pop artists (or rappers) put it out in the mainstream. This is how pop culture works.

If you are born and raised in CA you are sounding both dated and desparate for "native" status by complaining about this. This entire state is a hodge podge of people from everywhere. They bring their own culture, slang, food etc with them when they come here. Our diversity IS our single most identifiable trait. So, you.are not being a good Californian if you start acting provincial with correct words to use here, etc. Beyond that, slang and english language in general is constantly evolving. You can whine about peoole using words like "Cali" or "twerking" lol, but it's not likely to change anytime soon.

Come to think of it I think this when we started saying it. Because of the song in high school and it just sort of stuck - with that group of friends anyway. We probably regress back to high school immaturity when we get together and so still say it. It's fun for us but I'm sure would sound weird to others.

[nslander]

Originally Posted by jamrpmarm

And nope. I care about the fact that there are people who seem to be treating Cali as if it's an affront to their heritage and have such a visceral reaction to it and clearly hold the attitude of "if you say Cali, I think less of you."

So, you don't care what others think about how you present yourself, but you do care what others think about how you present yourself.

One sign of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposing ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function. Another is the ability to realize when it defeats your own argument.

[lily4]

Originally Posted by jamrpmarm

So if native Californians have nothing to prove, why are most of the ones here the ones saying, "I'm a native and I would NEVER say it." You're trying to prove something by labeling yourself in your argument.

The OP asked native Californians what they thought of the use of "Cali". So, some natives answered the question. Most don't like it. Just answering the question, not trying to prove anything.

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by lily4

The OP asked native Californians what they thought of the use of "Cali". So, some natives answered the question. Most don't like it. Just answering the question, not trying to prove anything.

Oh wait! This is correct.
Why is it here?

[Tulemutt]

Originally Posted by jamrpmarm

Clever. What is this the Old West where we still run people out of towns? If you're going to be snarky, at least be in the right century when you do it.

Why? What difference does it make what century I'm in? Clever is clever. Whenever. And in my case, always.