Anyone else trying to get out? (Seattle, Kent: movies, rooftop, living in)

[cobolt]

The disconnect theory is interesting. I grew up in Chicago. I will agree that there is a reserved mood among the north Great Lake states, but I'll also add that after some time, once these people get to know you, the barrier comes down. I'm not finding that here. It's like perpetual, peripheral relationships or vibes here don't seem to make that leap. And to me, this attitude permeates into everything: daily exchanges, shopping, driving, neighbors.

In CA I found people pretty open as well as in FL, the desert SW, and areas of the South. I lived in Tx for 13 years and I was surprised at the open nature of people. I think that's what kind of broke me out of my upper Great Lakes reserved attitude.

[toughguy]

I agree to a certain extent that some people around here need to lighten up....but the whole thing with off color jokes:

I will laugh at them if they are genuinely funny. But when it is Carlos Mencia "dun dun dun!" or Larry the cable guy type humor, it is just tired, unfunny, and appeals to the lowest common demoninator. It's not that I am offended that you are making racial or "un-pc" jokes, I just think they are stale and annoying. This may sound pretentious, but perhaps the generally high level of educational attainment and white collar employment sector predisposes us to higher plane of humor?

[wannabeaTexan]

Originally Posted by toughguy

I agree to a certain extent that some people around here need to lighten up....but the whole thing with off color jokes:

I will laugh at them if they are genuinely funny. But when it is Carlos Mencia "dun dun dun!" or Larry the cable guy type humor, it is just tired, unfunny, and appeals to the lowest common demoninator. It's not that I am offended that you are making racial or "un-pc" jokes, I just think they are stale and annoying. This may sound pretentious, but perhaps the generally high level of educational attainment and white collar employment sector predisposes us to higher plane of humor?

Or maybe you're just sticks in the mud.

[seattlerain]

If anybody here has ever lived in northern Europe, Sweden, Germany, etc you will probably notice a similarity. People are polite, but much more reserved than in other areas of Europe and the U.S. Personally I prefer it this way…

One thing I wish more people would realize is that that person sitting next to you at a stoplight, or walking in front of you at the grocery store, or living a few doors down from you is most likely a transplant from somewhere else.

So, combined with northern European influences and a large population of transplants and also a fairly transient population is it any wonder some people find “Seattleites” to be less open and reserved?

[toughguy]

Originally Posted by wannabeaTexan

Or maybe you're just sticks in the mud.

Maybe, but I doubt it. I just don't think fart jokes and/or fake good ole boy accents are funny.

[Pittgal]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

If anybody here has ever lived in northern Europe, Sweden, Germany, etc you will probably notice a similarity. People are polite, but much more reserved than in other areas of Europe and the U.S. Personally I prefer it this way…

One thing I wish more people would realize is that that person sitting next to you at a stoplight, or walking in front of you at the grocery store, or living a few doors down from you is most likely a transplant from somewhere else.

So, combined with northern European influences and a large population of transplants and also a fairly transient population is it any wonder some people find “Seattleites” to be less open and reserved?

I guess I see different people than you here in Seattle because to me there is a higher Asian influence here than European.

[danco]

Maybe, but I doubt it. I just don't think fart jokes and/or fake good ole boy accents are funny.

Seriously, after pulling a few fingers it just gets old.
Speaking of old, the winters are a little rough on arthritus...
but the rest of the year makes up for it.

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by toughguy

Maybe, but I doubt it. I just don't think fart jokes and/or fake good ole boy accents are funny.

Maybe Seattle proper is high brow, but more than once here on the Eastside, I've seen jackasses flying the confederate flag, including one guy who had a giant one flying from the bed of his truck, so the Seattle area has it's share of rednecks.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by cobolt

In CA I found people pretty open as well as in FL, the desert SW, and areas of the South. I lived in Tx for 13 years and I was surprised at the open nature of people. I think that's what kind of broke me out of my upper Great Lakes reserved attitude.

Every place you mention is a warm weather area where people have a modest amount of clothing to be comfortable (short pants, short sleeves, etc.). It makes for less inhibited people. The southern latitude is what all of those places have in common.

Even aside from the Great Lakes, it changes big time on the East Coast...from more temperate, and borderline obnoxious, New Jersey all the way up to Vermont and Maine, where it's a lot more stoic.

Personally, I don't have time for it.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by seattlerain

If anybody here has ever lived in northern Europe, Sweden, Germany, etc you will probably notice a similarity. People are polite, but much more reserved than in other areas of Europe and the U.S. Personally I prefer it this way…

Well, I don't/didn't and so do the people complaining. Thank you for reiterating the theory of the lacking interpersonal skills in the Seattle area. Mod: no need to cut, ok?

I don't like northern Europe AT ALL. I have been to the UK (overcast, expensive and boring) and Germany (too clinical). I have been to Italy, Spain, Greece and Portugal. Ah, yes, people who can emote, decibel levels that are higher, great food, temperate climate, and people who can laugh at life and themselves. From those kinds of people, we get movies like "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and "Moonstruck." The bottom line: those films were definitely not possible in Seattle but, rather, in ethnically charged Chicago and New York, where asking someone "What are you?" is totally acceptable whereas people in Seattle would take this the wrong way, cite you for your political incorrectness, get in their Subaru with its rooftop coffin, and drive off. LOL.