Why are people in DC (Tenleytown, AU Park, Friendship) so mean and rude

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There is a disproportionate number of miserable, frustrated people in this area who have realized they haven't accomplished what mommy and daddy thought their coddled asses would achieve. All ages. It's pretty obvious, and it's pretty funny to watch their reactions and lack of graciousness. It's not about you, it's about them. Take it as funny.

I agree, DC is the worst for manners, especially young white people. I am white but grew up in europe, young americans 'manners are appaling. Older people are much better but they are not valued in this culture ( or lack thereof). Sad really...Then they look down on african-americans who I find more genuine and less petty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are more self absorbed/entiteled/pissed off/call it what you want people here than not. Inconvenience them - it's good for them. Especially if they are on their cell phone. It's actually quite fun!

ha ha ha love it i agree with you

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

There are more self absorbed/entiteled/pissed off/call it what you want people here than not. Inconvenience them - it's good for them. Especially if they are on their cell phone. It's actually quite fun!

ha ha loveit and agree with you ....

[Anonymous]

This thread seems to be collectively having its period. I know I am. This too shall pass.

[Anonymous]

at the salon getting a pedi yesterday, this well-dressed attractive woman proceeded walk in, on her blue tooth - in full blown conversation, made zero eye contact with the technician, sat down, gave the woman her hands and continued on with her VERY LOUD AND PERSONAL conversation about her dating life!

rude beyond words....

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There is a disproportionate number of miserable, frustrated people in this area who have realized they haven't accomplished what mommy and daddy thought their coddled asses would achieve. All ages. It's pretty obvious, and it's pretty funny to watch their reactions and lack of graciousness. It's not about you, it's about them. Take it as funny.

I agree, DC is the worst for manners, especially young white people. I am white but grew up in europe, young americans 'manners are appaling. Older people are much better but they are not valued in this culture ( or lack thereof). Sad really...Then they look down on african-americans who I find more genuine and less petty.

Wow stereotype much? Go back to Europe and be rude with the rest of them loser.

[Anonymous]

I was transferred away from DC to a couple of years. In my new town, I was amazed that people like the postal carrier, the bagger at the store would actually presume that I was interested in getting to know them. People who passed me on the sidewalk made eye contact and said hello, and I'd look behind me to see who the heck they were looking at. It took a solid year before I got used to this, and found that my life was enriched by knowing the people surrounding me.

But I don't think that people there are fundamentally different from Washingtonians. The difference is that the work day there ends at 5 or 5:30, and everyone makes their 10 minute commute home. If that extraordinary pressure of commute, kid pick-up, meal preparations, errands were magically lifted, it's amazing what nice people we'd all suddenly become.

But I wonder what explains the phenomenon of the English? Doesn't matter how stressed Londoners are, they're just unfailingly courteous (to your face -- we all know what snobs they are in private) and pleasant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was transferred away from DC to a couple of years. In my new town, I was amazed that people like the postal carrier, the bagger at the store would actually presume that I was interested in getting to know them. People who passed me on the sidewalk made eye contact and said hello, and I'd look behind me to see who the heck they were looking at. It took a solid year before I got used to this, and found that my life was enriched by knowing the people surrounding me.

But I don't think that people there are fundamentally different from Washingtonians. The difference is that the work day there ends at 5 or 5:30, and everyone makes their 10 minute commute home. If that extraordinary pressure of commute, kid pick-up, meal preparations, errands were magically lifted, it's amazing what nice people we'd all suddenly become.

But I wonder what explains the phenomenon of the English? Doesn't matter how stressed Londoners are, they're just unfailingly courteous (to your face -- we all know what snobs they are in private) and pleasant.

This is so true. British culture is more homogenized--you have Africans, Indians, Arabs, West Indians and they are all very assimilated culturally, they speak with British accents, consider themselves British (even if the whites don't see them that way Everyone strives to be as "typically British" so there is a cultural standard. This completely not the case in America, where most groups are always trying to differentiate. I think a lot more blending of cultural values would be beneficial in our country. My father's family is Swedish and to very great dergree I think, the reason the Nordic cultures seem more successful and harmonious is because they see themselves as culturally homogenous. (Of course they marginalize their small minorities--Eritreans, Ethiopeans, etc., but they are so outnumbered they don't have as much influence.)

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this has come up already (haven't read all 6 pages), but my theory about the Tenleytown area is that there is a large proportion of meopausal-age women who are just grumpy. I'm worried I'm becoming one ...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The rudest people in Whole Foods I've encountered are white French speaking people. They behave often like rude children which looks pretty stupid.

It is only zat zey told us zat we could not bring ze darling leetle dog into ze store. So narrow minded and boorish of ze Americains.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We did the reverse move and moved in to DC from Va and We've noticed over the years that the people here are so unfriendly. In McLean people smile at you in Giant, or start a conversation in Total Wine, but watch out you might get run over in the Upper Wisconsin Whole foods parking lot or cut off trying to get an item in Friendship Safeway aisle. What gives?

They aren't really happy being city slickers. The pollution, small houses, lack of parking, crime, and generalized stress are getting to them, but someone is telling them they should be happy to live there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:"What kind of rudeness are you talking about? Are you just upset that other shoppers aren't looking to make a personal connection at the supermarket or wine shop? Are they actually shoving you out of the way or just not humoring your leisurely pace by moving around you to get what they need from the aisle with a measure of efficiency?"

I was thinking the same thing! Some people just move at a brisker pace than others; doesn't make them rude.

I was also thinking this. Hell, whatever supermarket I'm at, whether it's Giant, WF, Trader Joe's, Sniders, whatever, I'm usually in a rush and not looking at it as a social event. So if I don't smile or make small talk to people, does that make me rude? I never thought so, but maybe all my fellow shoppers are calling me a bitch behind my back. As long as I can get in and out and on with my life, I don't really care if you think I'm rude, to be perfectly honest.

[Anonymous]

Huh. I think all of you who are encountering such rude people in NW DC should move slightly north to Silver Spring. My neighbors are awesome and everyone says hi and is nice and polite. It's like the Lake Wobegon of the inside-the-beltway burbs.

[Anonymous]

Not sure if this has come up already (haven't read all 6 pages), but my theory about the Tenleytown area is that there is a large proportion of meopausal-age women who are just grumpy. I'm worried I'm becoming one ...

YES!!! yesyesyes. Also up near the Friendship Hts metro and the Conn. Ave / CCDC corridor.

Honestly these women are a warning sign to me, too. I can see how this evolves (right in front of my eyes) so I check my behavior more frequently.

[Anonymous]

This should not be confused with the blueblooded blue hair ladies of Spring Valley and Forest Hills who just look down on you because they are in fact better than you.