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Part of it is weather-related. Especially in the winter, there is a fast-paced, somewhat rushed/unfriendly hustle and bustle (people are rushing and don't look super friendly) when commuting and riding public transportation. Similar to what you would see in NYC or other NE cities (Philly, Boston). It's not that Chicagoans are naturally unfriendly; it's more a factor that when it's cold, you are naturally more on-the-move and aren't super happy about it. Although, overall, Chicagoans are friendly. Somewhat direct, but still friendly. These are broad generalizations of course.
I"ve always thought that "hustle and bustle" attributed largely to northern cities is simply the fact that its too cold to even stand outside for large portions of the year. Has nothing to do with the actual people or their personality types.
Really? I've been here 20 years and Chicago definitely isn't a "where did you go" "who do you know" "what are you wearing" kinda place. It's more of a "when does the party start" kinda vibe.
I was in DC and NYC with friends of friends over the years and I'm always caught off guard by everyone who kept asking where I went to school, who I work for, etc. I was like - who cares where are the drinks??
For a big dense corporate city Chicago definitely seem to swing more to working to live/play instead of living to work. Half day or full day Friday's off in the summer are widespread, decent vacation, overtime is not automatically expected. People just want to relax and have fun. If you're a live or die work person or all into what everyone is dressed in or where they went or where they work expect to get a lot of eyes rolled at you.
I agree with this, and if we're solely talking the city, outside of maybe the culture of U of Chicago in Hyde Park, I'd agree with you that name dropping Alma Maters is rare.
However, if we expand this to the whole metro area, you will definitely find local types who do care about where you went to college, your connections, your other credentials etc.... specifically in the "Older money" wealthy suburbs like Highland Park, Lake Forest, and Hinsdale. Of course, this is a very small sub-section of the greater metro area, but it's still there. Even then, this level of "where did you go to school" is still VERY minute when you compare Chicago to places like DC, NYC, and oh my, Boston. I would agree with Wizard of Radical though, this does seem to be a bigger trend with boomers, and seems to be dying off with newer generations. Chicago definitely seems to get more laid back with every changing year.
I think Chicago is definitely more fast-paced (especially when it comes to work culture) and has more of a "get it done" attitude but is more friendly than LA.
LA I think is just a slower-paced city in many ways, so I guess it's more laid back?
People from LA and SoCal are really friendly, it's just the people in the entertainment/instagram/music industry that come here from all over and now litter this city like the plague that give it a bad name.
Laid back in general terms means to be chill, not uptight, and have less stress. Interesting that you struggle with that definition while I struggle to understand a definition for fast-paced.
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