I suspect the bad driving is largely due to the fact that most of the transplants are from small towns with largely unpronounceable names. These are towns with two traffic lights maximum and rush hour that is is more like a half an hour.
Given also the youth factor, most new residents here are barely into their twenties meaning they have been driving for less than 10 years you have the driving habits that are unique to Seattle.
There is the "polite" driver. This is the one who drives 5 mph below speed limit, rides the brakes and is very cautious at each corner and stops for pedestrians. They stop to merge on the freeway and seem to drive as if they are still in testing mode.
The next is the oblivious driver. They have no regard for lights (as they have never seen them) or for people or well other vehicles. Their vehicle usually a large SUV or truck they think they need in the urban setting for either cool factor or security is their armor.
The Yuppie mom on the phone. The growth of Seattle has led to much paring and breeding. They get their SUV or wagon and are so busy showing how busy they are being moms they neglect to follow rudimentary traffic laws or well common sense. Breeding does that to you, it must be the loss of hormones.
And finally the junker. These are assholes who well drive pieces of shit and just don't care. They live in dumps on Capitol Hill and frankly should just walk or use public transport. Two things in Seattle that seem to be non-existent despite the greenie weenie philosophy. But more on that version of social fascism prominent on the West Coast.
Seattle Drivers however really suck.
Saturday, March 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Doing Business in Seattle Really Sucks
Trying to get anything done in Seattle is impossible. I mentioned the service ethic - a non-existent one - and this relates to business in general.
Inherent laziness, stupidity, sense of entitlement or just arrogance leads to interesting encounters in the business world.
Take "biznik" it started here by a couple of individuals who felt networking the old fashioned way was just too inconvenient. Getting dressed in clothes and going out, shaking hands, speaking and well having social skills was too challenging. So they formed their version of the BNI pyramid scheme called Biznik.
It attracted the conventional Seattle slacker types - solo - entrepreneurs that they renamed "solopreneurs", fringe folks and some legitimate business people who thought hey this is free and not as scary as LeTip or BNI. Well many were members of those scary cultish groups so they used this as an opportunity to recruit new members.
Biznik modeled after Facebook or MySpace was too cool for school and you "friended" your network members, wrote acclaims, starred or commented on articles. Points are awarded and if you do a lot and of course are also willing to pay additional money you would be placed in a premium location on Bizniks first pages. WHATEVER.
Then there are conventional networking events from the Chamber of Commerce to of course the GSBA a LGBT networking version of the chamber.
What you get are people who sit there enjoy the drinks and the socializing and then you never hear from them again unless they want YOU to do something for THEM. There is never an opportunity to collaborate and work together its what you can do to make their life easier. I am amazed at how difficult it is to even make appointments for simple services. Even Yelp lists dozens of complaints regarding Doctors and Dentists who seem to make every request a challenge.
I recall a conversation with an Architect who was on a project in San Francisco and he complained about the work ethic that he found there. They started at 9 or earlier and often worked late. He was often required to provide daily updates and information and felt really put upon. He commented that here he felt "less pressure" and did not have to worry about his daily accountability on a project. GREAT.
I have dozens of examples first hand of being hauled to meetings and going nowhere fast. I am aggressive, assertive and intelligent. And that brings the conventional Seattleite to their knees. They cannot handle the direct inquiries and expectations that in most other cities are simple expectations of work.
Work in Seattle a dirty word. Which goes well with the standards of hygiene here. But that is for another Sucking post.
Inherent laziness, stupidity, sense of entitlement or just arrogance leads to interesting encounters in the business world.
Take "biznik" it started here by a couple of individuals who felt networking the old fashioned way was just too inconvenient. Getting dressed in clothes and going out, shaking hands, speaking and well having social skills was too challenging. So they formed their version of the BNI pyramid scheme called Biznik.
It attracted the conventional Seattle slacker types - solo - entrepreneurs that they renamed "solopreneurs", fringe folks and some legitimate business people who thought hey this is free and not as scary as LeTip or BNI. Well many were members of those scary cultish groups so they used this as an opportunity to recruit new members.
Biznik modeled after Facebook or MySpace was too cool for school and you "friended" your network members, wrote acclaims, starred or commented on articles. Points are awarded and if you do a lot and of course are also willing to pay additional money you would be placed in a premium location on Bizniks first pages. WHATEVER.
Then there are conventional networking events from the Chamber of Commerce to of course the GSBA a LGBT networking version of the chamber.
What you get are people who sit there enjoy the drinks and the socializing and then you never hear from them again unless they want YOU to do something for THEM. There is never an opportunity to collaborate and work together its what you can do to make their life easier. I am amazed at how difficult it is to even make appointments for simple services. Even Yelp lists dozens of complaints regarding Doctors and Dentists who seem to make every request a challenge.
I recall a conversation with an Architect who was on a project in San Francisco and he complained about the work ethic that he found there. They started at 9 or earlier and often worked late. He was often required to provide daily updates and information and felt really put upon. He commented that here he felt "less pressure" and did not have to worry about his daily accountability on a project. GREAT.
I have dozens of examples first hand of being hauled to meetings and going nowhere fast. I am aggressive, assertive and intelligent. And that brings the conventional Seattleite to their knees. They cannot handle the direct inquiries and expectations that in most other cities are simple expectations of work.
Work in Seattle a dirty word. Which goes well with the standards of hygiene here. But that is for another Sucking post.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Seattle Service Really Sucks
In an economy and city where the predominant business is the service business its surprising how bad it is.
Most artists, students and other alternative types are frequently compelled to work as retail clerks, waiters, bartenders and the epitome of all Seattle gigs - Batista's. Being a Batista in Seattle is the pinnacle of success. In other cities you pull coffee, here you are akin to well being the King of the Bums. Not exactly illustrious but whatever.
Going to a restaurant, having a bartender speak to you other than grunts, having a waitperson who can manage to serve you without disdain is a herculean effort in a town known for its "niceness." There is a seeming attitude of inconvenience when you ask for something that the service person has never heard of. My favorite was when I asked for a Basil Hayden with a Ginger Ale and a twist of lime and the Bartender responded with "I have never heard of it." I go well see that bottle there with the words BASIL HAYDEN? Pour that into a glass, top it off with ginger ale and throw in a twist of lime. Its called a bourbon and ginger ale." The waitress laughed at my instructions and said "you have already had a few of those." It was 5 pm and I just come from work and was there for an EcoTuesday meeting.
That "you're drunk" is a common retort when you speak to someone out of turn - meaning out of them acknowledging you. Speaking out loud, speaking to a stranger, commenting on something random to anyone that is not a friend of yours is thought of as the act of a drunk person. There can be no further reason for that "outburst" other than being drunk.
In Seattle talking to strangers is well STRANGE. So that attitude even affects the service industry. You are "strange" to them so they don't feel compelled to to acknowledge you then some way they also can feel superior that they are above this hideous job of having to wait on someone. You notice this in bars, restaurants and coffee shops where if you have not been deemed a regular you will be disregarded and dis served. Its that simple. Its also why many bars and restaurants fail here. Those that make it do so by simply serving drunks. They are strange that way.
Service in Seattle it just doesn't exist it just sucks.
Most artists, students and other alternative types are frequently compelled to work as retail clerks, waiters, bartenders and the epitome of all Seattle gigs - Batista's. Being a Batista in Seattle is the pinnacle of success. In other cities you pull coffee, here you are akin to well being the King of the Bums. Not exactly illustrious but whatever.
Going to a restaurant, having a bartender speak to you other than grunts, having a waitperson who can manage to serve you without disdain is a herculean effort in a town known for its "niceness." There is a seeming attitude of inconvenience when you ask for something that the service person has never heard of. My favorite was when I asked for a Basil Hayden with a Ginger Ale and a twist of lime and the Bartender responded with "I have never heard of it." I go well see that bottle there with the words BASIL HAYDEN? Pour that into a glass, top it off with ginger ale and throw in a twist of lime. Its called a bourbon and ginger ale." The waitress laughed at my instructions and said "you have already had a few of those." It was 5 pm and I just come from work and was there for an EcoTuesday meeting.
That "you're drunk" is a common retort when you speak to someone out of turn - meaning out of them acknowledging you. Speaking out loud, speaking to a stranger, commenting on something random to anyone that is not a friend of yours is thought of as the act of a drunk person. There can be no further reason for that "outburst" other than being drunk.
In Seattle talking to strangers is well STRANGE. So that attitude even affects the service industry. You are "strange" to them so they don't feel compelled to to acknowledge you then some way they also can feel superior that they are above this hideous job of having to wait on someone. You notice this in bars, restaurants and coffee shops where if you have not been deemed a regular you will be disregarded and dis served. Its that simple. Its also why many bars and restaurants fail here. Those that make it do so by simply serving drunks. They are strange that way.
Service in Seattle it just doesn't exist it just sucks.
Seattle Dating Really Fucked
Seattle a town where social skills are about as non existent as a gay disco in Idaho it makes dating impossible.
One of the ways, the only ways anyone "meets" is via the Internets. Yes Match, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid, Craigslist are all burgeoning at the seams with singles desperately seeking well no one.
Seattle men love their stuff. Their toys, their skis, their shit that shows how active and kool they are. Which when you look at their photos more closely many of them are overweight and desperately lonely odd for someone so busy skiing, snowboarding, boating or what have you. Of course the stuff is just that stuff that fills their empty lives and makes the feel well rich. But God forbid they want you to be a woman interested in their money despite the fact they write about how successful they are.
Fear of Golddigging, fear of women, fear of spending money and more importantly fear of actually meeting are the most common landmines of online dating. The reason being is that why they may be a 3 on the scale you best be a 10. And GOD FORBID you have a child. That is always their complaint that all the women here are baby mama's although they are divorced and have kids themselves that they remind you with great frequency that their kids are NUMBER ONE in their lives!!! Yes well then why did you not work harder on that marriage then?
The divorce is the penultimate event in their lives. They are angry about it and in turn angry about women. They accuse the State of hating men, they find any reason to complain about the women of Seattle being fat, ugly, narcissistic, boring, etc. Forgetting to look in the mirror the entire time. But aside from denial their CHEAPNESS is always essential.
If you do have the misfortune of meeting be it most likely at a Starbucks. They will rarely, if ever, buy themselves a coffee let alone you one. Its highly amusing as you can always spot them in their Tommy Bahama shirt, Tevas and baggy shorts sitting at an empty table. Not only no coffee they rarely rise or show a courtesy to the woman they so were aggrieved to meet.
Most don't however. In fact few even talk on the phone. Email, texts and vague offers are usually the method of communication. One man and I exchanged so many emails and texts over a month and then nada. I was dumped in an E-lationship without ever meeting. Yes that is the way in Seattle.
Then if you do meet expect to fuck immediately. Expect it to be bad. The fucking is usually accompanied by a lack of condoms (bring your own), bad music and awkward next day conversations or excuses. Good times!
Seattle dating is a minefield of losers, sad sacks and those who have no clue. Be it the weather, be it that most are IT professionals they have no idea how to act or treat each other let alone women.
When its difficult to make friends is it no surprise its impossible to find a lover?
One of the ways, the only ways anyone "meets" is via the Internets. Yes Match, Plenty of Fish, OkCupid, Craigslist are all burgeoning at the seams with singles desperately seeking well no one.
Seattle men love their stuff. Their toys, their skis, their shit that shows how active and kool they are. Which when you look at their photos more closely many of them are overweight and desperately lonely odd for someone so busy skiing, snowboarding, boating or what have you. Of course the stuff is just that stuff that fills their empty lives and makes the feel well rich. But God forbid they want you to be a woman interested in their money despite the fact they write about how successful they are.
Fear of Golddigging, fear of women, fear of spending money and more importantly fear of actually meeting are the most common landmines of online dating. The reason being is that why they may be a 3 on the scale you best be a 10. And GOD FORBID you have a child. That is always their complaint that all the women here are baby mama's although they are divorced and have kids themselves that they remind you with great frequency that their kids are NUMBER ONE in their lives!!! Yes well then why did you not work harder on that marriage then?
The divorce is the penultimate event in their lives. They are angry about it and in turn angry about women. They accuse the State of hating men, they find any reason to complain about the women of Seattle being fat, ugly, narcissistic, boring, etc. Forgetting to look in the mirror the entire time. But aside from denial their CHEAPNESS is always essential.
If you do have the misfortune of meeting be it most likely at a Starbucks. They will rarely, if ever, buy themselves a coffee let alone you one. Its highly amusing as you can always spot them in their Tommy Bahama shirt, Tevas and baggy shorts sitting at an empty table. Not only no coffee they rarely rise or show a courtesy to the woman they so were aggrieved to meet.
Most don't however. In fact few even talk on the phone. Email, texts and vague offers are usually the method of communication. One man and I exchanged so many emails and texts over a month and then nada. I was dumped in an E-lationship without ever meeting. Yes that is the way in Seattle.
Then if you do meet expect to fuck immediately. Expect it to be bad. The fucking is usually accompanied by a lack of condoms (bring your own), bad music and awkward next day conversations or excuses. Good times!
Seattle dating is a minefield of losers, sad sacks and those who have no clue. Be it the weather, be it that most are IT professionals they have no idea how to act or treat each other let alone women.
When its difficult to make friends is it no surprise its impossible to find a lover?
Seattle Really Sucks
I am starting this blog because well I had nowhere else to go. The I Hate Seattle site is dominated by the very kind of person she rages about. A truly angry and unhappy person I fear becoming since moving back here.
I hear a lot about the natives of Seattle. They are clearly an urban myth or well have faded so into the woodwork they are invisible. Some of the localites are pretty easy to recognize. Over 40 overweight, unattractive, self involved, lacking in intelligence and prone to wearing fleece usually emblazoned with a sports logo of some kind. Conversation starters usually begin with "where did you go to high school?" Or "how about those dawgs/cougs/hawks" I am never quite sure if they are talking about the Westminster Kennel Club, a woman of a certain age dating a younger man or the Eagles, as in birds not the group.
When you profess ignorance or desire to not digress your conversation back to the 70s where they are still clearly ensconced, the weather is next up and by then you see the ubiquitous glazing of eyes the distancing of the stare over your head somewhere and an immediate desire to end the coversation on their part. Familiarity breeds contempt and in this case familiarity does not even occur and the contempt has already begun.
I call it a type of social retardation. Back in the 70s the popular Andy Rooney-lite columnist was Emmet Watson. He raged against the "Californication" of Seattle and started a KBO - Keep the Bastards Out" acronym. The fear was rising property taxes/prices, increased traffic and people who were well friendly.
They came, they saw how bad it was and left. Yes the weather brings you down but the quality of life and the people who live here are the real culprits.
Seattle has not been a haven of natives for quite some time. It is 60% transplants. And not interesting urban transplants from cool urban cities like Chicago, NYC, Boston, Miami... no from Rochester Montana, Blaine Washington, Quilchut and other really dying or dead cities. The ones from the urban havens that are here are pretty horrified, stay to themselves, complain and I assume leave. I never really meet them except on occasion and I think they have resigned themselves to a life of isolation and desperation.
Its the place I live now.
The point of this blog is to rage against this city that yes I grew up in but more to remind people that they are not alone. This place is really really bad. And there are really really bad elements to every city but this one well it has all the elements of total negativity. Not a positive element within it. Sorry but this much is true.
Now for the haters of well haters like myself GET YOUR OWN BLOG or go harass the sad and crazy "heartbroken" at I Hate Seattle. I well aware of the thin skinness and denial that the "locals" have about their version of Nirvana. Well that band is dead and so is this city.
I hear a lot about the natives of Seattle. They are clearly an urban myth or well have faded so into the woodwork they are invisible. Some of the localites are pretty easy to recognize. Over 40 overweight, unattractive, self involved, lacking in intelligence and prone to wearing fleece usually emblazoned with a sports logo of some kind. Conversation starters usually begin with "where did you go to high school?" Or "how about those dawgs/cougs/hawks" I am never quite sure if they are talking about the Westminster Kennel Club, a woman of a certain age dating a younger man or the Eagles, as in birds not the group.
When you profess ignorance or desire to not digress your conversation back to the 70s where they are still clearly ensconced, the weather is next up and by then you see the ubiquitous glazing of eyes the distancing of the stare over your head somewhere and an immediate desire to end the coversation on their part. Familiarity breeds contempt and in this case familiarity does not even occur and the contempt has already begun.
I call it a type of social retardation. Back in the 70s the popular Andy Rooney-lite columnist was Emmet Watson. He raged against the "Californication" of Seattle and started a KBO - Keep the Bastards Out" acronym. The fear was rising property taxes/prices, increased traffic and people who were well friendly.
They came, they saw how bad it was and left. Yes the weather brings you down but the quality of life and the people who live here are the real culprits.
Seattle has not been a haven of natives for quite some time. It is 60% transplants. And not interesting urban transplants from cool urban cities like Chicago, NYC, Boston, Miami... no from Rochester Montana, Blaine Washington, Quilchut and other really dying or dead cities. The ones from the urban havens that are here are pretty horrified, stay to themselves, complain and I assume leave. I never really meet them except on occasion and I think they have resigned themselves to a life of isolation and desperation.
Its the place I live now.
The point of this blog is to rage against this city that yes I grew up in but more to remind people that they are not alone. This place is really really bad. And there are really really bad elements to every city but this one well it has all the elements of total negativity. Not a positive element within it. Sorry but this much is true.
Now for the haters of well haters like myself GET YOUR OWN BLOG or go harass the sad and crazy "heartbroken" at I Hate Seattle. I well aware of the thin skinness and denial that the "locals" have about their version of Nirvana. Well that band is dead and so is this city.
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