What's wrong with Californians?

Question

I was recently on a trip to the East Bay and North LA. I am from Oregon. Californians never say hello to passing hikers or walkers. and service in stores and restaurants in surly at best. You don't have to be like hippie friendly, but come on. Was I just going to the wrong places or are they all really like that?

I gave them the benefit of the doubt when they elected Schwarzenegger. It is kind of funny though to hear in political ads "Governor Schwarzenegger."

I don't hate Californians either. I just think they are less friendly than Oregonians.

Answer 1

I'm a Californian, myself... and I have to admit- I agree with you. I went to France twice and once to Spain... and they're SO friendly. They would always say hello when passing by on the sidewalk and everything. I loved it so much. When I came back, it was the same sh*t all over again (the same rude behavior...). Californians are just like Parisians in France (in my opinion, only the provincial French are polite... Parisians are rude.). They both don't care about brightening up the atmosphere by saying hello to their passers-by. I suppose it's because of the Metropolitan areas. Probably there's so much crime and such low morale in those areas that people grow paranoid and think that if they say "hello" to someone, they'll be a serial killer.(1)

Anyway, blah...
I still say hello to people when I see them. And what's weird is... they become dumbstruck, as if it's totally new to them. Most smile a huge smile right on back and say hello, too. :-)

There's not enough friendliness out there, these days. :-(
People usually don't care about others to even give them the time of day. :-( That's why I get so thrilled and giddy whenever I meet someone new who says hello back. :-p

Lol, I'm a weirdo.

Answer 2

Some may seem rude or even say things which are not ok but they don't mean it. I think Californians from the very north are a bit unfriendly if I can say so, but usually people, especially teenagers, from San Diego to Los Angeles are really humble, and I don't say that because I live here, I do truly think that.

Answer 3

I agree with you completely about the aloof nature of Californians - at least in urban areas like San Francisco and Los Angeles. We do often present a false face of either apathy or disingenuous superficiality.

As a native Californian who has lived in Canada, Germany, and the Pacific Northwest...I must say Californians can be extraordinarily arrogant, rude, and selfish sometimes (just look at the way we drive!). We certainly aren't particularly trusting of strangers, whether they're customers or merely passing by. And genuine friendliness is replaced instead with curt, quick, and often pre-programmed responses to questions.

But than again, you also have to look at the context...

California can't really be compared to Oregon, culturally. It's a much more complicated creature

Oregon's population is homogenous (mostly white...and even within that blanket category: mostly Anglo and German) and more intimate (3 million). There's only one major urban area (Portland). Everyone's pretty much on the same page when it comes to standards of politeness and appropriate behavior.

California popluation is heterogenous (no majority racial/ethnic group) and it is crowded here (37 million and counting). There are at least 4 major urban areas, and most of the people live in those metropolises (Los Angeles Five County [17 million], San Francisco Bay Area [8 million], Sacramento Metro [2 million], and San Diego Metro [2 million]). With a population like that, you cannot have too many expectations of (or about) each other.

So...Californians have taken a very practical approach to this reality by simply not caring about others, minding their own business, and staying emotionally guarded... at all times. It's a survival mechanism. Of course, it comes off poorly when visitors come to our state and notice how everyone tunes other folks out.

Answer 4

I'm glad that you don't hate Californians.

Anyway, Southern California, near tourist areas, tend to be like that, since people come-and-go and there's no need to consider the passing faces and views. Suburban, middle class areas that are away from all that, are more neighborly. Northern California, I feel, has that same tone.

I work all over the state, and it is as pleasant as you make it. The only problem is the fear that people that take the time the smile at you on the sidewalk are selling something or about to rob you... happy travels.

Answer 5

I'm a native Oregonian but now live in Wa state and I know what you mean. However I feel when I've ever been in LA everyone has an agenda...IF they are the least bit freindly. Not the place for me. But I aws in San Fran two weeks ago and people where soo friendly! And happy to boot! I dont dislike anyone beacuse they are from a paticualr place, but I do notice a difference in people in those two Ca cities....I'll stay right here. I love it!!!

Answer 6

I'm from Canada, and I've found that too. Actually one time a friend and I were at a phone booth at a 7-11 in North CA and while we were on the phone the store was robbed at gunpoint. Now that's something you don't see back home.

I've met a lot of very nice people from California, but I think they're somewhat standoffish until you meet them. My boyfriend is from LA and he said that people there just mind their own business. It's nothing personal, it's just how it is. I'm used to people saying hello to me while I walk my dog, or am hiking, so it was strange for me when I first went to CA. I think if the only thing I had eaten in 3 days was a grapefruit, I'd be surly too. ;o)

I think the farther north you go, the friendlier the people, but hey, I'm completely biased on that one. :o)

Answer 7

Well, I'm from California and all I can say is in city area's especially, saying hello to the "wrong" person might just get ya shot. Thats why alot of Californians are apprehensive to greet strangers, unless you in a small rural town where the settings are real casual and DO have a friendly atmosphere....

Answer 8

If you keep looking down on us "savage" Californians, we will wage war on Oregon. Our state is already huge (if we were our own country we would be the 7th richest in the world) but we wouldn't mind a bit more land... even if it is all trees and complainers like you.

Don't judge a state by one trip. You judge our state on the two extremes? East Bay and LA? I bet everyone says hello in Portland. I bet Portland is the number 1 city of brotherly love in the world.

Get off your high horse.

Answer 9

Oh noo
There are lots of friendly Californians!
It usually just depends on personality or what city.
The city I live in here in California is pretty friendly to basically everyone. There's just a few people here and there that are just like =[

Answer 10

I was in L.A. a couple of months ago and my boyfriend and me went to a restaurant. We were left there for 15 minutes and no one came to us to ask what we wanted to eat and so on.
I met some rude people in a lounge we went to and I didn't have a great impression. But, you know, a couple of days are not enough to judge.
Perhaps I'll visit Oregon next time ;)))