Californians are an interesting bunch. I’ve lived here for 5 years now and I’ve noticed some things. Of course if I said anything to real Californians (like my husband) they would totally disagree. So let’s just chalk this up to another one of Shannon’s Totally Stupid Theories.
There’s just something different about them. And they know it. When I was in college and I’d be with a Californian and they’d meet another Californians, there’d be an immediate click there. We all knew they were better. And cooler. And we all agreed. (right…) I noticed the same thing about Texans. Texans and Californias both seem to have a certain amount of state pride.
I think it’s the weather’s fault. Since the weather is almost always fairly nice, they get used to it. Things are predictable around here. (Except for the occasional earthquake…) And even when the weather isn’t nice, they pretend like it is. The wardrobe doesn’t change according to the weather. Californians dress the same year-round. The only thing that changes is how quickly they move between the car and their destination. It’s been raining like crazy here. Seriously, flooding. And I’ve only seen a couple umbrellas. It’s like we think we can outrun the rain on the way to Target. Jackets are practically non-existent. We prefer to freeze our buns off in a long-sleeve t-shirt than actually put on something warm and be comfortable. It’s weird. I’ve been colder here than I ever was growing up in a place that actually experienced winter and snow.
K…pretty senseless rambling here. Just got to thinking, is all. And I mean no offense to Californians. Because my kids are, and my husband is, my friends are, and I’m becoming one. You don’t see me with jackets or umbrellas, even though I insist the kids at least take their jackets to school so the teachers don’t file charges against me.
18 Comments
Yep, I’m a native Californian & this is pretty true! This morning while taking Alex to school it was POURING and here I was with no jacket for me (he of course had his on). I had to park far away so by the time we got in my hair was wet. I only own a sweatshirt jacket & it didn’t match what I was wearing today so I was in a pickle. LOL
i’m totally with you on this one. i work with a handful of californians (i’m in seattle) and all they do is complain about how “cold” it is… even when it’s 85 degrees out, they wear jackets… because it’s “cold”.
big whiney babies, i say!!
Good to know–I’ll file this away for when we move this summer : )
I’ve totally noticed the whole “nationalistic about one’s state” thing when it comes to Texans. It is the same in Montana… when we lived there we really noticed it, in a good way. In Ohio, where I’m from, there is very little of this unless it revolves around some sort of Ohio State conversation : )
Umm… isn’t that why we’re friends — being for CA and all…
HAHA, kids at our school always have jackets AND umbrellas… where do YOU live?
man
you just don’t know how many times i have been motivated by the
“so they don’t file charges on me” one
yes about California and Texas
i tried to get a simliar buzz going about NC when i was growing up
bringing up the state reptile or offering the state toast when i could
it just never really caught on….
kellicrowe
I think you theory is great…I have lived here all my life; in Orange County nonetheless. I’m pretty sure I can out run the rain…mostly!
another californian here! so funny you posted this because i just got a lecture today from another mom today when i picked up my kids from school since i wasn’t wearing a jacket … and it was cold out and getting ready to start raining. and to top it off … i dragged all my daycare kids, walked to school (granted, i’m just across the street), and didn’t even bring an umbrella with me! i totally get your theory … and it’s so true!
Hmmm…to live a place where people don’t wear jackets. What is that like anyway? I need to come visit California.
As a life long CA resi I will say “yes” your observations are mostly correct HOWEVER us Northern CA people are a different species than those Southern CA people. We might as well be on different planets.
Alana M
i must really be a californian at heart. i never have an umbrella. and i didnt pull out the big coat all winter. just a light jacket for me thanks. maybe i should move. because getting snow in the holes of my crocs was kinda icky.
It’s not that we think we’re above the weather it’s just that it’s usually so nice outside we don’t think we need a jacket.
Well, yeah, umbrellas are a hassle. And heavy jackets… haven’t worn those since I left Sweden. It’s all about layering here, as you know. T-shirts, sweaters, windjacket or rain jacket. Gives us the illusion that we’re prepared for anything.
I agree with the “we are cooler than everyone else” except maybe Hawaii.
Also we talk A LOT faster. Anyway that is what I noticed when I moved here and I slowly got transformed from a Global thinking, slow talking Washington D.C-ian to a fast talking, self centered Californian. This weird place just kind of grows on you after a while.
This is so funny and so right!! I’m a lifelomg Northern Cal girl and although I make the kids wear their jackets in the rain I don’t put mine on! Actually today we had a big hail storm (and by big I mean about 20 minutes long) and everyone in town is talking about how it snowed today!
yep, texans have their pride.
dunno about californians.
actually kinda funny…
when we were in school in utah, we saw a car with texas plates…we FOLLOWED the person to their destination (smiths) and actually bombarded them to let them know we were texans, too.
freaks, i tell ya. :p
hahaha . . . so funny . . . i grew up in florida and seem to have the same senseless aversion to winter attire . . .
this is so true!!!!
I’m a northern cali girl and never have a jacket on unless it’s a sweatjacket / hoodie type. And am almost always in flip-flops even when it rains! =0)
I thought it’s just me and my “being german” that makes me wear a sweater at 59F. (I’ve seen Californians at christmas wearing shorts and flip flops) -thanks for posting this, Shannon, makes me feel less -uhm- weird?