Forum Index
»
Off-Topic
I don't fit in here but can't move-- words of encouragment
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
This is exactly what I was thinking. |
Anonymous
|
OP, have you thought about moving to another part of DC? People assume that the whole area is like their neighborhood. I was so much happier when I moved out of Georgetown into a lower income neighborhood east of the park. People are much friendlier. Life is more easy-going. I actually grew up in a small town and there are aspects of my neighborhood which are quite like living in a small town. Strangers say "hi" on the street, for example.
Or maybe you could get involved in some institutions that would bring you together with less uptight people -- a religious institution (church, synagogue, mosque, etc.) or a volunteer gig. Good luck, OP. |
Anonymous
| I'm a nanny who moved here a few months ago and I don't like it either. I'm from a small town too so I get what OP is saying. If you aren't from a small town then you just don't get where she is coming from. So many of you say well invite people over and stuff but it's not that easy. In a small town people speak to you and you feel like everyone is your best friend but here in the city people are rude and self centered. I think you would have to be from a small town to understand the small town mentality. It's a very comforting and safe feeling being in a small town. |
Anonymous
|
Maybe it depends on your neighborhood? Some of the grown women in mine think they are still in high school. That could be a factor. |
Anonymous
|
In the high plains of Wyoming, no matter how good of a year you had, you would never, ever, ever, ever treat yourself to a Mercedes GL class SUV. That would be putting on airs, because nobody needs a $70K vehicle. You sure as heck wouldn't show off to your neighbors about the awesome years (aka, bonus!) you had.
Yeah, but then again, in the high plains of Wyoming you might get tied to a fencepost and left to die for the crime of being a gay teenager. So you know, there is a tradeoff. |
Anonymous
|
I agree with the recent PPs who point out that it's probably zipcode dependent.
Anybody here from the Fair Oaks area? Show of hands? Because I suspect that if you are, you'd probably consider yourself "DC", and the Census Bureau would definitely agree with that. HOWever, I was there visiting the other day from my largely stuck-up zipcode in the District of Columbia, and it was astonishing how different everyone was from my home zip, and frankly, they were nicer. Same goes for the area of Lothian, Md. which I think is part of the MSA, or metropolitan statistical area of DC. The many people I know in Lothian are more similar to the people I know in Wisconsin than the people who surround me in my largely -- but not entirely, you rabid sticklers -- snobby/harried/status seeking DC zipcode. |
Anonymous
OP, I live in Cheverly, and it's nothing like you describe. It's friggin' Mayberry here, 1.5 miles from the DC border (in a good way).  I think you need to look for a neighborhood where you feel at home.
|
Anonymous
Yeah, but then again, in the high plains of Wyoming you might get tied to a fencepost and left to die for the crime of being a gay teenager. So you know, there is a tradeoff. Excellent point, to say the least. |
Anonymous
I hate to say it but you're so off. I understand exactly what you're saying. I really do but the point is that all those other PPs were suggesting you should change your frame of mind since it didn't sound like you were wanting to uproot your family and you loved your jobs. Those were your OWN words. So, no need to come back and bash. They didn't say you were the problem but that you could view things different if you so chose. So, i will be mean and say you are the problem if you cant even see peoples good intentions. You are looking for fault. |
Anonymous
Where, for instance? And have you actually lived there? And you know this as a fact, or is it conjecture? |
Anonymous
| PP here, forgot to add: could you please also explain why you would prefer those areas? |
Anonymous
THat's not actually what your post said. In your original post, you mentioned several times how uptight everyone is, and that you have a "hard time connecting with people because everyone is so superficial and uptight. ANd it's not my employer, it is the area in general. Even in the 'burbs where we live it's constant competition and uptight personalities " Sounds not like DC bashing, but like bashing of pretty much everyone that lives here. Now admittedly I'm definitely competitive and would probably fit your definition of "uptight", assuming you define that as someone who is successful and has everything and everyone on a schedule. I seriously doubt we'd be friends if our paths crossed, since most of my friends aren't the "small town type" I inferred from your post. So I'm obviously one of the 5 million here with the problem. But that leaves you 4,999,999 others who probably aren't-many of whom posted words of encouragement to you. My advice to you is pretty simple: find a job you like less in a place you like more, preferably outside the beltway. |
Anonymous
|
I'm another one who didn't think posters were being mean at all, just direct. Not sure what to tell you, OP. If you hate it here, you SHOULD move. A successful career doesn't matter. I think DC takes some time to get used to, but after 10 years of being here, OP, I'd think you would have found a better group of friends.
I do think it depends on where you live in this area. Some areas are not at all pretentious, but some are horribly so. I will admit, I am biased. My parents moved here when I was 5. I grow up in a small neighborhood in NoVa and love it here (having spent the bulk of my 20s living in other areas). I like the diversity. And I truly believe that there are LOT of nice people here, and that maybe you could try to expand your horizons a bit and join a club or take a class, etc. You may be surprised. |
Anonymous
NP here, too. I agree with this PP. Attitude is everything. If you have a positive outlook and enjoy the things that you like about this area, you'll feel better, OP. And I also agree that a lot of the posts were constructive before you listed your "Hahha.." post, OP. (I didn't read the posts after that except this one I quoted.) People are just trying to help you. There are a lot of good people out there. FWIW, I grew up around here. I have found that I have a lot less close friends now that I'm married and have kids. A big part of it is because of this time in my life -- kids and family take a lot of time, and I don't have that much time to spend with friends anymore. So, it might be, OP, that you are having trouble with finding friends or friendly people because when people have their own families, they just don't spend as much time with friends anymore. Take stock in what you are grateful for, and you will feel better. |
Anonymous
| PP here. I meant to quote "trust me, if you feel like an outsider, you'll be one. The outside world rarely changes at all; perspective changes everything." |