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 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.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.