I'm sorry those jerks said that. Those are not good poeple to be around. I've never been to Seattle and I hope that's not the average mentality. That would make them the simpletons they think they are above.
David B. | Santa Cruz, CA | Report Abuse

Brook, I'm from Seattle and have lived here all my life and find what you and others have to say to be so true that I'm getting the heck out of here after 30 years. Seattlites claim to be open minded and tolerant but if you're not a left-wing, tree-hugging, Subaru driving Obamaniac you might as well be a NAZI to 80% of these folks. And, yes, most of them can't drive worth a damn either. That being said, a warm, sunny summer day in Seattle (which we do get more than people let on), well, there's nothing like it.
Mark | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

@David...thanks for your response. My husband and i have been considering relocating to Seattle and I have been so torn by the varying opinions of people on these blogs. But, you clarified what I figured was true for almost any city. I grew up in NYC, which people tend to characterize as a rude city, but I have some of the nicest most warm-hearted friends there. So, I think a lot depends on who you attract, what activities you engage in and how often you get out to meet like-minded people.
Jacinda | Tampa, FL | Report Abuse

Ha yeah it's funny in every other city that would make you a very popular girl :-) however in Seattle unfortunately the self-righteous professional yuppies that live there are very Xenophobic. Friendliness and genuine kindness takes a backseat to getting ahead, getting your own way and making money. The much-advertised "politeness" of Seattle folk is actually just a combination of fakeness and people taking themselves way too seriously. The hipsters in Seattle think they have an obligation to treat you like crap if you have "bad pedigree" ie. being from the south. Keep your chin up, kid!! Also, People here drive slow. Why? Because they are too busy trying to protect their brand-new Audi/BMW/Lexus. But they are still bad drivers even though thy drive slow. I have never been cut off so many times since I moved here. Also, watch out for people not letting you change lanes, as they'll zip by you carelessly as you are trying to change lanes into their lane.
Michael | Seattle, WA | Report Abuse

I know how you feel. I moved to Seattle in '81 from Florida. I was treated like I carried rope and a sheet in my car. It is common to meet people who seem to think there is no world east of the Cascades. A store clerk did say "people from the South are so polite" which is true, compared to Seatleites. I found the people, with a few exceptions, to be just like the climate - dull and cold. Traveling teaches you as much about where you are from as where you are and I left with a greater appreciation for Southern friendliness and hospitality. Enjoy all there is to do and the beautiful scenery, then move to where you would be happier.
Prudence | St. Petersburg, FL | Report Abuse

I completely agree with Michael's assessment of Seattle the people with money are self righteous (encounter enough of these #@!k's in their expensive cars). Seattle claims to be diverse and it is but if you are not part of the wealthy elite than your really no body here. They are very backwards here. Unfortunately it might take something like 9/11 to happen for these people to wake up out of their "nobody but me existence" (not saying it should or that I want something bad to happen here by any means). However, saying Washingtonians are self-centered, arrogant, rude or unfriendly is an understatement (not all, but a lot are). Great place to visit/vacation, think twice before actually living here. Met people from Washington when I lived in San Diego and thought they were some of the nicest people I'd ever met. They must of been happy to escape.
Shirley | Issaquah, WA | Report Abuse

I've been reading a lot of these posts and find that most of the negatives (rude people, horrid traffic, etc.) are things that can be said for almost any city. I grew up in Wisconsin, then moved to Montana and later Spokane. I also lived in Chicago for a short time. Now I'm in Oklahoma, so I've had an opportunity to live in a variety of locations and all seem to be about the same. It takes awhile to "fit in" anywhere. People say Tulsa is friendly, yet you'd be hard pressed to find anyone who knows their neighbor's name. Anyone with a Northern accent is a Yankee and/or communist and not to be trusted. Larger cities are going to be a little more liberal (Dallas and San Diego the exceptions) and most rural areas a little more conservative (Duluth and anywhere in Vermont the exception). But I've found that just about anyplace is hard to get to know people unless you happen to have something in common. Generally I found Seattle to be a friendlier than most, and Dallas as the most arrogant (yet I'm sure you'd find hundreds of Texans who wouldn't see it that way). But that's based on my experience. I've been spit on in Dallas becuase I was from up North. In Tulsa I witnessed a woman of Middle-Eastern decent being assaulted because she was, in their words, "a terrorist". Yet I saw more random acts of kindness in my short stay in Chicago than I would have expected. I'm not agreeing or disagreeing about whether Seattle is friendly or not, just that I see some good and some bad everywhere.
David | Tulsa, OK | Report Abuse