Why are people in Washington so pissed off? (Seattle, Vancouver: appointed, transplants)

[dolph09]

I'm from Texas (home of the original pissed off man with his bumper stickered pickup, loaded gun, and no-nonsense stare, the type of man you don't mess with). I've been all over the country.

I've recently worked some assignments in Vancouver, twice, and I've been to Seattle and the surrounding area both times. And I have to say, I have never encountered such pissed off people as in Washington. Which I am bit disappointed by because I love Seattle and have long thought of it as my ideal city to relocate to.

What is it? The weather? Bad economy? The sheer distance from everywhere else?

It's also a difficult place to get a feel for. Are the people liberal or conservative? Are they intellectuals or roughnecks? This too is surprising because one would think that, lacking the diversity of other places, Washington would have a particular culture. But if there is, I certainly didn't find it.

I get the suspicion that, underneath the superficial flag waving, people in Washington secretly despise the rest of the country. I wouldn't be surprised if some day the PNW forms its own country.

[Blackhawk4440]

"Are the people liberal or conservative?"

Neither. Soviet-Chinese style Communist sums them up best.

"Are they redneck or intellectual?"

They are mostly rednecks who consider themselves intellectuals.

"One would think Washington has a particular culture."

A lot of us who relocated here were fooled into thinking the same thing.

"underneath the superficial flag-waving"

I think you mean 'flag-burning'.

"people in Washington secretly despise the rest of the country."

I don't think they make much of a secret about it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the PNW someday formed its own country."

It would look like North Korea. That's why the US doesn't throw them out of the Union---because at least this way they can be somewhat controlled.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by dolph09

I'm from Texas (home of the original pissed off man with his bumper stickered pickup, loaded gun, and no-nonsense stare, the type of man you don't mess with). I've been all over the country.

I've recently worked some assignments in Vancouver, twice, and I've been to Seattle and the surrounding area both times. And I have to say, I have never encountered such pissed off people as in Washington. Which I am bit disappointed by because I love Seattle and have long thought of it as my ideal city to relocate to.

What is it? The weather? Bad economy? The sheer distance from everywhere else?

It's also a difficult place to get a feel for. Are the people liberal or conservative? Are they intellectuals or roughnecks? This too is surprising because one would think that, lacking the diversity of other places, Washington would have a particular culture. But if there is, I certainly didn't find it.

I get the suspicion that, underneath the superficial flag waving, people in Washington secretly despise the rest of the country. I wouldn't be surprised if some day the PNW forms its own country.

You think that's bad, you should go to San Francisco. In fact Seattle is very similiar to SF.

Too many fish in the tank. Too many people on the run in a rush. The quality of life goes down when you have too many people and the resources from jobs, real estate to food get used up faster.

[bad apples]

Many of them already want it to be called Cascadia and be separate from the U.S. It's a strange place indeed and I am so glad I don't live there anymore. There have been a few other threads on this topic but it is almost always met with fierce opposition from Washingtonians claiming they are the nicest people on the planet. Anyone from the south is going to experience major culture shock in that place, it was seriously weird how people act. I have regained my sanity now that I am back in a more civilized part of the country. If you are interested in reading a long drawn out thread regarding this topic look for the thread entitled "Bad Vibes in Western Washington." The lack of diversity and "Groupthink" is strong in the PNW, outsiders comments about the area, constructive criticism and new ideas will not be tolerated. Progressive on Marijuana and Gay marriage backwards on everything else. Washingtonians have ridiculous assumptions and stereotypes engrained in them starting at birth about other areas of the U.S. Californians are the most hated and the reason for all problems, next it's southerners responsible for diabetes then people from the North East who are just plain rude. People in the Northwest are North Necks and most of them are long time transplants from Minnesota another terrible place filled with really nice people(not). Folks in the northwest assume anyone who lives in the south has had their home ravaged by tornadoes at least once every five years and it was a trailer littered with rebel flags, McDonald's refuse, Budweiser bottles and a Dale Earnhardt shrine on the kerosene heater. To their credit I actually have family that fits this description, but at least they are happy. For an area that is supposed to be progressive it sure feels a lot like "The Hills Have Eyes."

Here are few examples of the local Provincialism.

http://www.camp666.com/washington.htm

[bad apples]

Originally Posted by Blackhawk4440

"Are the people liberal or conservative?"

Neither. Soviet-Chinese style Communist sums them up best.

"Are they redneck or intellectual?"

They are mostly rednecks who consider themselves intellectuals.

"One would think Washington has a particular culture."

A lot of us who relocated here were fooled into thinking the same thing.

"underneath the superficial flag-waving"

I think you mean 'flag-burning'.

"people in Washington secretly despise the rest of the country."

I don't think they make much of a secret about it.

"I wouldn't be surprised if the PNW someday formed its own country."

It would look like North Korea. That's why the US doesn't throw them out of the Union---because at least this way they can be somewhat controlled.

I really got a laugh out of this, thanks!

[waviking24]

We hate everyone. Im not kidding.

[nowhereman427]

I remember the big exodus from California to Oregon, Washington and Arizona back in 1991.

[thatguy950]

It is a miserable, close-minded place, and I am glad I'm out in a couple weeks. People here are "weasels" for lack of a better term, conniving, and I notice a lot of "mean-mugging" from all the little guys (I'm a large guy, but never noticed this anywhere else) with buzzed heads (particularly in Everett and Renton, among other areas). Don't agree with the asinine left-wing policies? GET OUT! New idea or way of thinking? GET OUT!

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by thatguy950

It is a miserable, close-minded place, and I am glad I'm out in a couple weeks. People here are "weasels" for lack of a better term, conniving, and I notice a lot of "mean-mugging" from all the little guys (I'm a large guy, but never noticed this anywhere else) with buzzed heads (particularly in Everett and Renton, among other areas). Don't agree with the asinine left-wing policies? GET OUT! New idea or way of thinking? GET OUT!

Get out from where?

[cdelena]

We live in an age where many in this country have decided they are victims; of one thing or another but it is always someone else's fault. This attitude is stoked by various movements, reporting, and legislation so it will vary around the country... right or wrong.

The PNW has it's own viewpoint that is very different from that in Texas (I have lived in both places) so it may be more apparent to you.