Anyway,
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Seattle Freeze
This is a great article I found about the Seattle Freeze Phenomenon. It's basically what we talked about in class, but put in a Seattle context. the idea is that people are generally nice but make no effort to get to know you. I was researching it and didn't realize they had an actual term for the interactions I always seem to get while in the PNW, although I think it's more common in Portland/Seattle.
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Growing up in Tacoma (just 30 minutes from Seattle) I can really relate to this article. I have definitely experienced the 'seattle freeze' in my own life, both as a perpetrator and a victim, if you will.
ReplyDeleteWhile the PNW is filled with really amazing people, it is also filled with what one can deem, crazies. When I walk around town I do not want to be too polite and have some crazy try and be my best friend and follow me around. This may sound harsh, but I have been harassed by some rather scary people. By being polite but distant, you ensure that you can continue about your business. I think it might have something to do with not trusting those in the community, making the freeze a sort of defense against strangers.
I feel that the Seattlites are not being cold for any malicious reason, but, like the article said, mostly because they are content with what they are doing and are just trying to do what they set out to do. I think it is really interesting about the false invites that Seattlites give. I never noticed until I read this article, but I have definitely done the same thing. You say, "oh yeah, let's go do this sometime" but then you just don't do anything to actually get a plan formulated.
It was really interesting to see something I never really noticed before and have it laid out by an outside opinion.
Thanks for posting this article--I found it very interesting. It made me wonder, do people already have strong community networks that they belong to when they start utilizing the "Seattle Freeze" and then not see much use in making new contacts, thereby making it difficult for outsiders to get any sort of "in"? Or are friendship networks generally smaller or less diverse?
ReplyDeleteI just came across this video and thought of this post....
ReplyDeletehttp://vimeo.com/9591173
Check it out!
I read this article quite a bit ago and am finally finding time, and effort, to write a response.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting because in a way I feel like I get this type of reaction more than others. The "potential new friend" situation was one scenario I think we can all relate to. (I've been in that spot on more than one occasion)
But to be honest I think I've had these experiences more than others have. I hate to say it, but I feel that at times, I get the "freeze" because of my ethnicity. In my small town of Page, there are roughly 9,700 people and a large majority is Native American. In Page, I feel a large sense of community and belonging. But in other towns, that are obviously predominantly white, I feel that people almost feel awkward trying to talk to me. I think I even feel the same way meeting other people.
Growing up in a Native American community, I think it was extremely difficult to move into a White Community like Linfield. I think on my way to Linfield from Arizona, I felt the freeze driving through Colorado, Idaho and Oregon. But actually getting here, I feel like I give the freeze to other students who are just trying to be nice. I feel very bad for that, but in my defense, it's very difficult moving from on community to another that is extremely different.