Overgeneralizing stereotypes of Washington (Seattle, Port Angeles: vs., beaches, ferry)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Seattle is on the ocean...

I've had long-time Seattle residents say that to me. Clearly, these were not people who have actually driven to the ocean, 5 hours away.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I've had long-time Seattle residents say that to me. Clearly, these were not people who have actually driven to the ocean, 5 hours away.

Maybe true if driving to Kalaloch via Port Angeles. If avoiding the morning rush, and not stopping along the way, you can probably make it to Ocean Shores or Westport (125 miles?) in three hours. You could do it in close to two, if averaging 60 mph, but that's a pipe dream these days.

[pnwguy2]

Washington is a very diverse state with different political views from west to east. However, it should not be understood that every western WA person is liberal, and every eastern WA person is conservative.

I think we tend to get wrapped up in these stereotypes more than that they merit.

The State votes poltically left, due to population on westside, but the entire State is more balanced.

I, personally miss the days of Henry Jackson, former WA US Senator, who was a democrat, but was a moderate, and seemed to serve the entire State. We need more Henry Jackson's.

[elkotronics]

I've had long-time Seattle residents say that to me. Clearly, these were not people who have actually driven to the ocean, 5 hours away.

Ruth, the second to last time we Iived in eastern Washington there were plenty of people in Moses Lake (where we lived) and in Brewster and Wenatchee (where I worked) that called taking a trip to Seattle or the Puget Sound area "the Coast."

I would always say that La Push is the Coast. They'd look at me with faraway eyes. It really puts those people in the same category as those who think New Mexico is really in Mexico or Washington is the nation's Capitol, that is true, but they were surprised there's a state named Washington! Hey, there's this D.C. thing after the nation's Capitol that distinguishes it from the state of Washington.

[pikabike]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Washington is a very diverse state with different political views from west to east. However, it should not be understood that every western WA person is liberal, and every eastern WA person is conservative.

I think we tend to get wrapped up in these stereotypes more than that they merit.

The State votes poltically left, due to population on westside, but the entire State is more balanced.

I, personally miss the days of Henry Jackson, former WA US Senator, who was a democrat, but was a moderate, and seemed to serve the entire State. We need more Henry Jackson's.

The US as a whole and every state needs more moderates, period. Feels like there is less and less chance of agreeing or even comproming on anything, anymore. I see it at all levels, from municipal, up through county, state, and federal.

Yes, not every western WA person is liberal, though in some towns it feels like they are leftist/extremist liberal.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by elkotronics

I've had long-time Seattle residents say that to me. Clearly, these were not people who have actually driven to the ocean, 5 hours away.

Ruth, the second to last time we Iived in eastern Washington there were plenty of people in Moses Lake (where we lived) and in Brewster and Wenatchee (where I worked) that called taking a trip to Seattle or the Puget Sound area "the Coast."

I would always say that La Push is the Coast. They'd look at me with faraway eyes. It really puts those people in the same category as those who think New Mexico is really in Mexico or Washington is the nation's Capitol, that is true, but they were surprised there's a state named Washington! Hey, there's this D.C. thing after the nation's Capitol that distinguishes it from the state of Washington.

Although I hear it less often these days, probably due to the increasing number of transplants who don't get it, but to native people from Eastern WA, people from Western WA have always been "Coasties". Doesn't matter if they are from Bellevue or Ocean Shores.

[mayfair]

Since Puget Sound is made up of salt water (vs. a big body of fresh water like Lake Michigan)--that is probably why it's referred to as "on the ocean" by people from out of the area.

[WeezulMaster]

Originally Posted by NW4me

I often think it would be cool if the northern third of the state (everything north of Sacramento) was a state unto itself. I added up the numbers once: the territory would be about the same size as Pennsylvania, the population would about equal to Idaho's. Presumably Redding (population 100,000) would be the state capital -
it's the largest city of this predominantly rural region. As a state of its own, it would no longer have the mistaken identity of being lumped in with LA & SF.

Not to hijack the thread, but a quick aside about this: This idea is known as the "State of Jefferson" in Northern California. Locals would love it for pretty much the same reason you gave, as well as water rights. As a former Reddingite, I would actually support the act as well. But it's not liable to happen any time soon.

[509]

Originally Posted by mayfair

Since Puget Sound is made up of salt water (vs. a big body of fresh water like Lake Michigan)--that is probably why it's referred to as "on the ocean" by people from out of the area.

Definition of COAST: the land near the sea.

IF it is SALT WATER...it is part of the Coast. Thereby, making everybody in Puget Sound a COASTY.

Why don't you guys want to be Coasties?? Do you hate Long Beach that much??

Being a Coasty has nothing do to with the ocean.

[pikabike]

In New England, a Coastie is a Coast Guard worker.