People

One of the biggest cultural differences here are the people and how they interact. They have their good and bad points (doesn't everyone).

On the good side, the people here are very tolerant and accepting. I have never lived in a place where there was so much respect for diversity. When you go out to dinner, there are people of all races and ages together, eating and talking. It just doesn't matter what color you are or what age you are. You are respected for the individual you are. People stand up for what they believe, they know the issues, they are very involved in politics (both men and women). They allow women to be anything they want, there aren't the sexist norms that there tended to be in the south.

On the bad side, the people here can be "intellectual" snobs. Everyone is smart, well read, environmentally concious, politically correct, and preaches social justice. But it is interesting that if you argue against one of those things or might not be as literate, you aren't seen in such a favorable light. Everyone has a lot of money and lots of "designer" things...designer kids, designer dogs, designer clothes and houses, etc. Not much room for a "thrift shop" girl like myself to fit in. When you say something they don't agree with, they tend to be very sarcastic, but do it in a "smart" way where they are actually slamming you, but you are too stupid to get it.

It is hard to fit in and make friends here. In NC my friends came from all socioeconomic statuses. You'd bake something, invite people over for coffee and POOF... social hour (though with no mixing of sexes and little mixing of different ages). Here, people invite your for coffee, but they really don't mean to have you over, it is just what they say, kind of like southern women saying "bless your heart". Seattlelites say, "stop by for coffee." I wonder what would happen if anyone ever did...