We get it, you hate the city and the people who live in it. You don't have to be cruel about it. Some of us like it here and just feel empathy for homeless people in our neighborhoods and maybe try to do things that might help them longterm. But yeah, if I see a homeless person I will make contact with them and say hello or wish them a good day (and they do the same for me all the time, even when I'm telling them I don't have any money for them). Because we live in a society and these are people. What is wrong with you? |
DP. I am not a publicly-friendly person by nature but I make a point to be friendly, especially in my neighborhood and especially when I'm out with my kids. Most people are friendly, particularly to my kids. Without exception, older people are always friendlier than younger people.
We frequently encounter homeless people in our neighborhood. How we interact with them really depends on the situation. If there's a man sitting on a bench yelling at people or to himself, I won't say anything as we pass. If the person is sitting quietly, I'll usually look at them and nod my head and smile. If they ask for money, I'll respond to them. They are people, too, and I feel that it's important to acknowledge them instead of ignoring them. But I won't engage with someone who appears to be having a mental health issue, especially not when my kids are with me. |
So just the conscious ones? |
I agree. It saddens me when people can't find their niche here in the DC area and/or convince themselves they don't want to be here, and then put up barriers which may deter others from being friendly. So then they convince themselves that they are indeed right, that everyone's rude and hostile. It's just not the truth at all. |
I've basically been here most of my life and I'm white. People in black neighborhoods are just friendlier across the board than in whiter areas. Not sure why that is but people in black areas tend to go out of their way to be friendly and hospitable. Good luck finding that in Chevy Chase. Of course there are exceptions but that's always been my experience.
Prior to 16, I grew up outside LA (Pasadena) in a neighborhood where everyone waives to fellow drivers and to people walking down the street. I've never lived anywhere here where that's remotely close to the norm. DC people tend to be insular and in their own world. When I go back to Pasadena to see family I'm always caught offguard by strangers saying hi to me when I walk down the street (residential areas - that doesn't happen downtown). Honestly I think it's nice plus it's a good way to establish a quasi-neighborhood watch. Anyone in retail loss prevention will tell you a good way to prevent crime is to make verbal contact with people. Maybe if we did more of that in DC we'd have less theft and petty crime. |
This is a good way for a store worker to get themselves accused of racism. |
PP here. Ever been to the Nordstrom Rack or Off Fifth downtown? There's usually a security guard or employee at the door to say hello to people. They aren't there just to provide hospitality. Retailers know that a would-be thief will think twice about stealing when an employee engages with them. Either overtly or subliminally, that person knows that someone is watching even when all that is said to them is "hello" or "welcome." The body language a person shows in response can tell a lot. It's only racist if the guard only says hello to the BIPOC people which I have never, ever seen - especially since like 99% of the security guards here are BIPOC in the first place. |
It is the type “As,” the strivers, the people eager to step on others as they try to climb the .gov or .mil ladder. |
NOT if they speak to EVERYBODY. |
the theater kids move there- the SGA presidents move here. |
+1 |
LOL y'all ridiculous. No DC native is forced to stay here. What you are saying comes off as jealousy. You moved here from your po dunk town in the middle of nowhere USA and left your family to make more $$$ here. You drove up the house prices and lessened affordability for those that have lived here their whole lives. It's actually quite narcissist of transplants to move their whole life here for a buck leaving behind so many loved ones. DC natives stay here to be close to family because we value family and those who saw us grow up. Also a lot of government agencies aren't central to DC proper. Plenty of them in the burbs you seem to despise. |
You are not entitled to a certain quality of life by being in a certain zip code. You sound resentful that you have been unable to keep up, which is really not that hard to do in this land of government funded milk and honey. |
You bumped this thread to narrow it down to military and gov? Ignoring all the lobbyists in DC? |
Who sys I've been unable to keep up? I feel for my dc though and all the homeless that have had it rough due to the ever increasing prices driven up by transplants. You are not entitled to cone here to talk smack about my USA. And people when you weren't invited here from your po dunk town usa. |