Which city is less friendly or snobbier, Boston or Seattle? (live, state)
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People on here always say people in Seattle aren't friendly, but at the same time, I've never had any bad experiences dealing with people there for the most part. It's more so people are reserved. It's different for me perhaps, because I've had a built in network of friends in Seattle since I moved to Portland and started going there frequently. The whole "Seattle Freeze" thing often seems to boil down people who transplant there--and are surprised that other transplants are sort of snobby and that people don't like to stop for random chitcat. Or that people are friendly on the outside but unwilling to invite you into their social circles. But in the case of supposedly unfriendly locals--if you've lived somewhere your whole life on the other hand--you don't need to just befriend random strangers when you've got friends you've known since high school. I just find Seattle to be a more reserved sort of place.
I actually found people in Boston to be very friendly on my trips there. Actually overly helpful--I mean people on several occasion just volunteered help if we were lost or couldn't figure out a ticket machine. Chatted with a bunch of old school Boston types at bars and hockey games and they were fun to shoot the shat with... Last year my girlfriend and I got stuck in Boston for a night coming back from Italy after a late flight caused us to miss our connection and lost our luggage--and despite a crappy situation every we talked to in Boston was sympathetic--even a couple people at a pub bought us beers--which we later repaid the honor by buying a round ourselves. Though I'm just speaking from being a tourist on several trips there--I don't know if it's just where I've ended up in Boston, but I'd say that I've been to plenty of cities that are far less friendly. I just liked the straightforward sense of humor people sort of had about things, there's not a lot of BS...
So, I guess I'd say Seattle is less friendly. Though on the other hand, I'd say a lot of times people's own pre-conceived notions or their own attitudes can play heavily into whether a place comes off as friendly or unfriendly. I mean I always heard New Yorkers weren't friendly before I'd actually been there--but I've always had a great time chatting with people, who wanted to chat--you just accept that not everyone is going to be gregarious and many people just want to ignore everyone else--but that's just part of being in a large city. On the other hand I grew up near San Francisco and I've had to deal with more a-holes in the Bay Area than most places I've lived or travelled to--though it's not as if I don't have tons of friends in the area as well, but once you get down into the weeds of a place, perception can be notably different.
In Seattle, if you're sitting at a bar or something, it's very likely that your neighbor will start talking to you or won't think it's wierd if you start making conversation. This is different from Boston or San Francisco, in my experience. But, it's true that in many cases Seattlites can be reserved. Friendly but reserved, if that makes sense.
Washington State in general has friendly people and they are more outgoing once you leave Seattle. I would say people in Massachussets on the whole are not as friendly. Great people, just keep to themselves more.
In Seattle, if you're sitting at a bar or something, it's very likely that your neighbor will start talking to you or won't think it's wierd if you start making conversation. This is different from Boston or San Francisco, in my experience. But, it's true that in many cases Seattlites can be reserved. Friendly but reserved, if that makes sense.
Washington State in general has friendly people and they are more outgoing once you leave Seattle. I would say people in Massachussets on the whole are not as friendly. Great people, just keep to themselves more.
From my experience, I would think Boston. I was so afraid about the Seattle Freeze, but then realize it was overhyped. People I spoke with were friendly, and I engaging in a lot conversation in bars and in the hotel I was at. I guess I understand because I am reserved also and do not need to hang out with people most of the time.
If I can have a friendly conversation with you that is enough for me as I do not like to open myself up to people easily.
I had more friendly conversations in Seattle than I have ever had in a so called overfriendly city like Chicago.
Visitors don't have problems here. If you move here, then you will have problems. Trust me on this one. The Seattle freeze is real. Ask any Native from Seattle and most will tell you that they love the money generated from tourism but not as much as they love it when the tourists leave. Huge difference.
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Boston is more snobby, but friendlier than Seattle.
Actually the snobbery is among the old wealth and descendants of Puritans, not the general population which is quite friendly in Boston.
Or so go the stereotypes.
The upper level professional workplaces in Boston are definitely stiffer, more formal than Seattle. For example programmers, accountants, etc.
To tell you the truth, I never found much difference at all between the two cities in the lower socioeconomic spheres. Ordinary people pretty much the same.
Boston is more snobby, but friendlier than Seattle.
Actually the snobbery is among the old wealth and descendants of Puritans, not the general population which is quite friendly in Boston.
Or so go the stereotypes.
The upper level professional workplaces in Boston are definitely stiffer, more formal than Seattle. For example programmers, accountants, etc.
To tell you the truth, I never found much difference at all between the two cities in the lower socioeconomic spheres. Ordinary people pretty much the same.
Agreed about the socioeconomic spheres. But I think in general Seattlites are friendly in terms of having conversations with strangers, but are reserved when it comes to revealing much beyond a superficial level.
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