Seattle rude

[susandennis]

There's this thing - yep, it's a thing - about Seattle people being cold and rude. I've heard it since the day I got here. I've lived all over the country and Seattle has always seemed more friendly and less rude than most places. (Ok, Minnesota is way more warm and friendly but in an almost creepy way.)

My thought has always been that the perpetrators of this thing are generally cold and rude people themselves and my experiences have born that theory out. I just experienced a flaming example.

A couple of months ago, I was in our lobby looking at my mail when this guy I've never seen - very muscularly large guy - knocks on the door and tells me to let him in. Not asks, mind you - his words were "I don't have my key, open the door for me." I told him that I would go find the manager for him. He screamed and hollered and created a major ruckus before I could even stand up and turn to go find Scott. It was, actually, a little frightening.

I could not find Scott and went back up to my unit via the stars to avoid the lobby and this guy.

I actually even sent Scott a note to let him know in case this guy was a Real Case of something.

Just now, I went down to get my mail and when the elevator door opened for me to go back up this large guy, unshaven in a hoodie (but not young) just stood there without moving so I could not get in. I waited and he didn't move and then I said 'I'm going up'. Finally he moved a little and then proceeded to berate me:

"That day you would not let me in is the meanest thing that ever happened to me. You would not even listen to me. I had my drivers license."

I said "I'm sorry, but I did not recognize you..."

"Well, it was very mean and you are hateful - Seattle is such a mean and cold and unfriendly place..." he finished as he moved on out and the doors closed.

I beg to differ Mr. Asshole, but if you are right, we have people like you to thank.

Comments

[viridescence13]

Asshole indeed. Driver's license has nothing to do with it...if you don't recognize him, why would you take the risk of letting someone into your building who may not belong there? That's not rude, that's just common sense.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Nah, people here are plenty friendly. You just have to get to know us first. I've noticed that Seattle folks tend to keep to themselves more, but that's fine by me. I hate when strangers are up in my face with their fake friendliness. I'd rather be left alone.

And the same thing happens at my building too. People are always hovering at the front door trying to get in, and I know they don't live there. If I see them, I go around to the back door.

[susandennis]

I've found that here in Seattle, you get what you give. And I'm with you about the fake friendliness. I spent mucho years in the South. ugh

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Exactly! It freaks me out when I'm minding my own business and some friendly person just starts talking to me. It's mostly because they're nosy and want to know everyone else's business. I'd much rather live in a place where people don't do that.

[susandennis]

Yep. In the 20 years I've lived here no one has ever asked me who my Daddy is or what church I belong to. In many places still in the South, you can't get 20 words in without answering those two questions. I love that no one in Seattle gives a shit about either one of those things.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

Right? I would never think to ask questions of strangers, but then I don't really give a F...

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

As a leasing manager for a huge apartment community, I can tell you most of the crime that happens comes from people letting people they don't know into our buildings. I tell my applicants to never let people in unless they known them or can see their keys in their hands.

[badrobot68.livejournal.com]

They do that here too, even though signs are up everyplace telling us never to let unknown people in!

[padiwack.livejournal.com]

Assholes abound everywhere. :-/

[mrdreamjeans.livejournal.com]

No disrespect to the people I know in Minnesota, but Seattle is a much friendlier place in general. Houston is known for its friendly people and not much else.

[laciann.livejournal.com]

If that's the meanest thing that's ever happened to him, I'd say it he's had a pretty nice life so far!

[howeird]

Not letting in someone who has no key and is not someone you know is smart, not rude. He knows how intimidating he looks, and he's abusing it. Not finding the manager in, I might have gone back and told him the manager wasn't in, and asked if he had a cell phone he could call someone with.

[susandennis]

I actually would have done that had he not screamed at me. But as it was, I wasn't going near him again. Actually, had he been polite, I might have even let him in.

[catmomma.livejournal.com]

Growing up in LA I thought Seattle folk to be downright chatty. I felt human warmth up there that you do NOT get in LA.

And your neighbor sounds like a psycho

[johncomic.livejournal.com]

20/20 Hindsight: if only your first response had been, “I'm sorry, but your loud violent behaviour instead of offering to show me your licence, scared the crap outa me...”

[xxloreleixx.livejournal.com]

In that situation I would've done the same thing.

rude rude rude

[(Anonymous)]

Don't ever get into a cab with a middle eastern driver in Seattle. Rude and I thought I was going to die on the freeway from his driving. Then he demanded a five dollar tip for each suitcase...I told him he had to be nice to get a tip from me...so here is my tip, be nice to people if you want a tip.