Are people in the DC area just a different kind of rude?

[Anonymous]

I feel like there's a certain brand of obnoxiousness that is generally present in a lot of DC-area people, notably those who are originally from outside the area.

It's hard to describe.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely. So many “liberal” elitists.

[Anonymous]

Here we go again.

I came here from Paris, I've lived in many countries, and believe me, people are really nice here.

It all depends to whom you're comparing people to. I'm sure there are friendlier places, of course. But as capital areas go, hmmm... not so much.

[Anonymous]

Normally I'd challenge you to be more specific, OP. But today, I'll just agree. This down is full of nightmare people and I am so tired of them.

[Anonymous]

The whole no eye contact or acknowledgement when passing by people on the sidewalk drives me crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole no eye contact or acknowledgement when passing by people on the sidewalk drives me crazy.

This is not my experience at all in DC, but then most of my neighbors are longtime residents who have been here at least a couple generations. We acknowledge each other and say hi, even if we don't know each other. It's one of my favorite things about DC.

But the transplants, not so much.

[Anonymous]

I recently went to Texas for the first time. I’ve been living on the east coast for 15 years and growing up in a “Seattle freeze” zone. I was shocked by how nice people were. People here are cold and sometimes confrontational for no reason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The whole no eye contact or acknowledgement when passing by people on the sidewalk drives me crazy.

Pro tip - many people will smile back if you smile first.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. So many “liberal” elitists.

Ironically rude comment. Like off-the-charts rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Absolutely. So many “liberal” elitists.

Ironically rude comment. Like off-the-charts rude.

Right back at ya.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole no eye contact or acknowledgement when passing by people on the sidewalk drives me crazy.

This is not my experience at all in DC, but then most of my neighbors are longtime residents who have been here at least a couple generations. We acknowledge each other and say hi, even if we don't know each other. It's one of my favorite things about DC.

But the transplants, not so much.

Me neither. I am a transplant but I got trained fast when I moved to a neighborhood full of the folks this pp describes. All kinds of people say "hi" on the street. I LOVE my neighborhood but we don't have the power-hungry, strivers that people complain about on DCUM.

And that's the thing. People complain about the strivers but unless you're stuck in a job where you have to keep maneuvering all the time (or married to someone who is, e.g., Chasten Buttigieg), you really don't have to hang out with those people. There are lots of down to earth types who are happy to greet you when you see each other in the street.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The whole no eye contact or acknowledgement when passing by people on the sidewalk drives me crazy.

This is not my experience at all in DC, but then most of my neighbors are longtime residents who have been here at least a couple generations. We acknowledge each other and say hi, even if we don't know each other. It's one of my favorite things about DC.

But the transplants, not so much.

+1

[Anonymous]

It’s some kind of weird insecurity. I know exactly what you are talking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I recently went to Texas for the first time. I’ve been living on the east coast for 15 years and growing up in a “Seattle freeze” zone. I was shocked by how nice people were. People here are cold and sometimes confrontational for no reason.

+1

Absolutely. Too many insecure people in this area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s some kind of weird insecurity. I know exactly what you are talking about.

+1