Are San Francisco people rude?

As an immigrant, professional with a bachelor degree from SFSU, mid-40's Hispanic gay guy, I totally agree with gemmal, not only rude people everywhere, but racist! I have been living in San Francisco 11 years and I can smell the intense prejudice most likely towards minorities. For example, White gay guys discriminate about other races in their Castro feminist Ghetto on a daily basis (which I don't plan to visit anymore in my life). I feel I have to pay even the air I am consuming "as a token" to live in San Francisco. People say that they are progressive and open minded in this city but that is just B.S. They don't even answer "good morning" to strangers because of paranoia reasons, I guess! My advanced spiritual level has helped me to determine that most people in San Francisco are framed by prehistoric behaviors. By the way, another lie, they mostly say they are spiritual, but not religious! The only thing that comes to my mind is that they have a rude spirit = a demon inside to let them treat people who are not welcomed as a mop! Time for new adventures in my life, regardless of being a beautiful city, I am very disappointed as a professional and even more as a gay guy in San Francisco.

San Francisco is overrated as fuck. Avoid this place!

But yes, Bay Area people have this delusional belief that they are the shit, and they are better than you. :rollseyes:

Hey Gemmal,

No way, I've been to SF many times and i have found that people in San Francisco have been nothing but very nice and accomodating. What nationality are you? I am Australian and i find that perhaps Americans in general are actually a little nicer to me because of it!

I love SF!!

I am from new England originally.I agree people from the east rude.But after experiencing Marin county,I can say they are far more horrible!! I can't even stand going out here. I think the suburban areas of San fransico are the worst.I feel really bad vibes in Novato,mill valley,San Rafael...When I first arrived we ran out of money and lived in my car for a time.we were in ukiah and no one helped us except for east coasters and people from out of the country.It just amazes me how rude and self absorbed people are everywhere in ca.I have lived in San Diego,Mendocino county,Marin county and Sonoma.They all suck! I hope ca falls of in one giant earthquake!!! This is exactly why the world is going to be destroyed soon.People don't RESPECT each other any more,everyone is selfish and greedy,no one cares about family or togetherness,they don't even care about the creator that made them and everything in the world.I know there are always good people mixed in with all the bad people.Ca people are a good example of how to not be towards others.You can be vegan and recycle,but if you treat others bad what does it matter?Nothing matters more on the planet than how you treat your fellow brothers and sisters!How do you change the world?One random act of kindness at a time!! Bless the nice people of the world

I completely disagree. I am Italian, lived in Belgium, Switzerland and East Coast and I find San Franciscan very nice and friendly (a little too hipster eventually).
Please consider there is plenty of animal that invade SF clubs during the weekend and you may be mistaken by some rude coming from out of town.

I have been living in San Francisco for 4 years and I really love this city. San Francisco is probably one of the most diverse cities in America and you can expect to meet different kinds of people in SF including rude, nice and crazy people. Rudeness are very common in Downtown. Crazy people that walk topless are common. You can see a lot of lesbian and gay couples in Castro St while you can see a bunch of hippies who dress vintage clothing in Haight St.

Some areas in San Francisco are extremely dangerous and it is generally avoided by the people who has been living in SF. You can avoid going to the Tenderloin, Bayview and Hunters Point. Some areas of the Mission District are pretty dangerous as well. I've experienced some strangers in San Francisco who would just say hi and engaged in a conversation. The polite people that I've met in SF are usually in the good neighborhoods. On my opinion, I think it all depends on where you live in.

I totally agree! I'm currently a grad student from South Florida attending the Academy of Art University. I was so stoked last semester to begin a new chapter of my life on the West Coast(San Fran). LITTLE did I know that my perspective on life would be unwilling altered. I quickly noticed the lack of middle class minorities. I come from a middle class diverse background and I never experienced racism or prejudice, just heard about it. The East Coast gets a bad rep from the Westerners, but I've visited most states on the East Coast and never experienced backward social growth like I have in San Francisco. I get stared at for looking differently, a "black male" who dresses nice, well groomed, educated and is extremely sociable. I'm constantly get called wierd at first by many SF residents at first until they get to know me. Then they literally tell me, they're not use to blacks like myself. What?!! The only friendly people I've encountered were co workers, college peers, westerners that have traveled and is culturally diverse, internationals and easterners that live in San Fran. People here are introverts, judgemental, pretentious, paranoid, pessimistic, complainers, lazy at times, pot and heavy alcohol lovers, close minded, some are sadly bigots and subconsciously depressed. They ignore homeless people as if they are animals, as if a simple "sorry no" is not feasible. Some whites hesitate to address in minorities especially blacks. Some dillusional Asians are so busy trying to fit in they neglect minorites. And black beauty if unheard of here. It just sucks that the city and food is AMAZING but the people are weird and backwards. And they dont speak there mind which is so unhealthy. But with that being said, because San Francisco natives would fight and swear that there city is peaceful , diverse and unified, to each his own. If you are a white or asian male/female this place is great but if you are not, just visit and do not relocate here unless your filthy rich.

I'm a SF native, public elementary school teacher, recently married to another SF native and we're first time homebuyers. SF is a COMPLETELY different city now than when we were growing up. We wanted to have our kids grow up in SF and experience the culture and diversity that we experienced, but we are realizing that this may be impossible for so many reasons. The people in SF are becoming more exclusive, rude, entitled, and unfriendly. (I notice the changes in my students and parents as well over the last 13 years of teaching.) We hope to find a house in a neighborhood where we can raise our family with opportunities for learning and appreciating people who are different from us. Diversity (cultural, economic, social) is very difficult to find now in my city and is extremely heart breaking.

San Francisco is a melting pot of every race, gender, religious sector, etc. You name it, SF's got it. It's unfortunate that your experiences with San Franciscans were unpleasant but the people you met are not necessarily representative of San Francisco. I advise choosing (very carefully) your set and setting. The most important thing to consider is the neighborhood, not just the establishment you're visiting. The people you'll most likely encounter are more or less going to be representative of the neighborhood you're in. I would love to feature you and your experience in a blog I'm currently creating for my website. Experiences like yours will be a resource to my clients and help them decide whether SF is right for them or not.

Best,
Ghellie
415.860.5175
[email protected]
matchedsf.com
Blog: http://matchedsf.wordpress.com/

I have lived about 40 minutes to an hour outside San Francisco all my life and feel that some of the comments here are exaggerated, fabricated or embellished. I've visited numerous times and NEVER have I felt a rude atmosphere in the city. My mother lived here for four months in 1972 and recalls the city being very friendly, too. When I communicate with people all over America and in some places throughout the world, they are VERY complimentary on Norcal/SF people's kindness and warmth. The fact that some of these criticisms are written in a rather incoherent way makes me skeptical in the first place and to not trust that person.

I also want to say...if San Francisco's "racist" explain then why it gets more multicultural each year (or maintains that vibe. If it was racist, trust me the are MANY MORE AFFORDABLE areas in the Bay Area to reside in, just an FYI). Sure, you will get a few racists and nitwits (this can happen in the more richer areas, i.e. Marina District, Pacific Heights, Nob Hill) but overall they're a fun bunch. I also attended San Francisco State University, graduated there, and not once witnessed any racism or otherwise rudeness.

I think part of the reason we are seen this way is that we're rather unorthodox. We don't ascribe to traditional viewpoints and like to be rather inventive. To some, this is viewed as "rude" whereas I deem it as "idiosyncratic" and "innovative".

I've also been to Los Angeles numerous times and never really felt a friendly vibe to it. I'm not in any way saying everyone there is nasty. In fact, I have many friends who are LA or LA area natives (unlike some who clearly are generalizing about San Francisco) but for the most part it didn't strike me as that amiable, unlike San Francisco which has people who love to debate and will give their shirt off to anyone (as is evidenced by the numerous charitable groups in the city).

I will also comment on the middle class remark. In no way are the tech giants or whoever squeezing out the middle class (in fact, California's unemployment rate has dropped 3.4% since January/2011 and I'm seeing very good paying jobs on job boards like Robert Half International. The Bay Area is benefiting most to this positive growth and it's not just the computer industry). I as a single man in the San Francisco Bay Area can easily afford an apartment in, say, Contra Costa County (I'm thinking about moving to Pleasant Hill when I get my paralegal certificate in June) at $40,000/yr (that's the median salary for the paralegal school I'm attending for first year paralegal graduates there). I don't have plans to move to San Francisco but that's not to say this region's only geared towards the wealthy. In the neighborhood where I live, I don't know of anyone who is all that wealthy (I'm in Martinez now. Not near the court area but further up, as in a couple blocks from Morello Ave)...it's a typical middle class array of homes.

I'll also second the last comment. Don't base your view on the entire population given a few bad experiences. People who "cut" in front of you on the street or may not hold a door open isn't really the norm (for the former, I'd not consider that too offensive either. It's a city so people are in a hurry...it happens. I doubt they even notice as they're so preoccupied. Don't sweat the small stuff)

So no, I don't think SF people as a whole are rude. I'm sorry you had that experience (I do believe the OP) but trust me it's an anomaly with SF.

I have definitely found the community of San Francisco to be very rude and harassing, if you are opinionated as well as conservative. I am a Christian that abstains from sex until marriage and am 31 years old. I don't date and have the worst problems with San Franciscians, as mentioned in the Marina situation earlier, let me know that unless I am bisexual or date someone I am not attracted to that I don't belong in the City. I find a predominate problem in the diverse pool of the financial district where the community is one that networks well, so if you don't go with the flow, it is likely that you will be either surrounded by people that make you extremely uncomfortable or ostracized. I am 5'8, 116 lbs, fit, with a B.A. from Cal and have a dance background too but am strictly for one man only. No guy will befriend me and treat me with respect as a woman. Instead, I just get emotionally battered for not dating or having sex. So much for liberalism, free speech and rights.

San Francisco prides itself as being a liberal city. NOT! I have family living there and it seems every time I'm there people seem to go out out their way to be arrogant. I can't walk a straight line on the sidewalk because people expect me to step aside for them. In a few conversations they may have found out that I am a "liberal republican" and the castration begins. They cannot see how I could be a republican-- what with Abraham Lincoln fighting the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation that freed slaves, or Teddy Roosevelt who used antitrust laws that broke down the cartels of capitalistic big business and allowed employees to organize. Being asked where I'm from when I was born here in California. I guess being a white person allows you to be a natural-born American whereas all other races are foreigners.

Ok, Im from the powerful East Coast and both Asia. My mom cannot speak English often. One thing I told you about San Franciscan peoples. All us are right about them. They Steal. Curse profanity in front of others, attempt to make a fool out of all us. San Francisco is damn Weirdo. They also are brainwashed just like their guards or police. Well these years they might need them for help with problems. San Francisco just like NYC, But all you fellas are totally right. They are nitwitted and I somehow find them rude and stink everything up. Just much like LA and San Diego. Patton just like a CA IMO is a nit wit brainwashed butthead.

I just want to tell you stories of San Francisco. You see I know the suburbs there and most people can be mean or what you call rude. Possibly racist back in the days. I can agree with most other people that you need to be careful which street your taking in SF. SF back in the days I can remember not many people used to bother others. The only roads I say that are most dangerous are crazy or rude. U all are very right. Just look at yourselves. Be strong inner self and it helps more. Folks it will happen anywhere just much like NYC or LA determined by a pop culture or a value of a certain culture of a person. I say do not hit Mission Street cause there are untrustworthy peoples there. I'd say heck my Grandfather visited there to join the Navy against the Japanese and I never saw him and what he thinks of San Francisco. What do I think?
No paper bags. Brainwashed guards and police. And nonsense people unless you are a foreigner that visits there. Look it also isn't fair about SF people cause they have a life too you know to run with. My best damn opinion: Stay away from people you don't know. O.k.? Seriously. But the food and drink there are great. Do not bring valuables there because strangers see it they will take it from you. Lock up your vehicle all times and leave your valuables in vehicles all times. Thanks. I hope this great speech comment for all yous this one is accurate opinion of these SF peoples.

I realize that English is a second language for some people and I am not saying that I, myself, always have perfect grammar but when people write comments with terrible grammar it really is difficult and frankly quite frustrating for anyone else to understand them.

...another example showing how SF is becoming more exclusive, rude, entitled, and intolorant of people who are are different than yourself

Pointing out the difficulty in reading comments made by people with very poor grammar is not being exclusive, rude, entitled or intolerant.

I wish all you Californians would stop slurring and alienating people from the East Coast, especially New York. And making up bad stories about New York will not change anything here in California nor will it justify our social conditions in any way. When does this slurring and alienation ever stop here? The East Coast is known for it's friendliness and kind nature. I wish the slurring and alienating bad Californian habits would go away. It would be a much better world. Do you know that in San Diego California, they beat up New Yorkers badly because they caught them walking on their beaches? What a shame and a horribly discriminating thing to do. No excuse for this other than discrimination and alienation and just flat out HATE. As for San Francisco, it is the rudest most dangerous place I have ever lived in for 8 years. I was mugged there. My place was robed 2 times and it was a nightmare for me living there. Everyone there seems to be located in sections, like the Gay Section, the Lesbian Section, the White Section, The Black Section, the Chinese Section, etc. And drugs and crime in San Francisco is a nightmare in my opinion. Even men get raped by men there. Years ago we had a Rape Crises Center for men in San Francisco. I'm glad I don't live there anymore. As for New York, it's a very friendly place and many of its cities are very low in crime and they don't slur as much as we do here in California. Sorry if I offended anyone but I will never live in San Francisco ever again. In my opinion, San Francisco has way too much discrimination, drugs, rape, muggings, slurring, alienation against Easterners and especially against New Yorker that they don't even know about but make up bad stories about, etc.. So many parking tickets and so many San Francisco bad memories. Again, I'm sorry if I offended anyone.

I agree with all of the above comments stating the truth about SF's social negativities (especially JoshP.Jackson...and I'm Asian too; so, that says something). I'm pretty ashamed of my fellow Asians that act as you described - not caring about others. I guess that comes from our capitalistic, greedy and business successful nature. It feels bad that other minorities view us as how you've described; but, it's very true. Just know this - there are Asians that are Not like that!

I’ve lived in both SF (first) and NYC. I like both cities; but, after living in NYC, I have a very different outlook and feeling about SF (especially the SF of today…even more different/worse than 10 years ago). In a few words, I love NYC. And, I honestly can’t say the same for SF anymore unfortunately. I would not be unable to live or move there again. I would go crazy if I had to deal with self-absorbed, resentful, smug, too-cool, elitist, self-entitled, gloat-full, etc., etc. people all day and every day.

StephSF: You’re the biggest Liar and FOS to say NY’ers don’t “hold the door for a stranger.” It is the Norm in NYC to be a gentleman and Courteous (something SF people Completely lack). You must either be from a small Appalachian town or suburb on the east coast and Not from NYC.

Don’t believe me people?? Ok..here’s a test:
Next time you take a trip to SF and NYC, please closely observe how people behave when getting off and on mass transit (busses, trains, subways, Muni, Mta, etc.)

Did you notice something?? Yes, I did too.

- SF: It is the Norm for people to cut in front of others like children, sneak in the rear doors of the bus, rushing into a small skinny door, ALL AT THE SAME TIME, without even letting people off first!! Same thing goes for doors to stores, restaurants, etc. Giving up your seat to the elderly, forget about it. Not a tiny ounce of courtesy exists in SF.

- NYC: Even during crowded, super packed bus/train, rush hour, people will ALWAYS be courteous and let people off the bus/train first! And, also, let the elderly or even regular people on first. We tell each other to go ahead. We give up our seats automatically to the elderly, families with kids and pregnant women. When someone trips or falls, we quickly lend a hand to help them up (when this happens in SF, they’ll just laugh at you and ignore you because they’re too cool and too “city” (even though they’re most likely from the upper middle class suburbs).

Cold & Isolating?? Gtfoh. Doesn’t get any more cold and isolating than SF. People there will Always find something to say to be downright dcks and isolate you, 24/7, to make themselves feel better about themselves (since everyone treats each other like crap there). NY’ers are some of the most down to earth and warm people I’ve ever met on earth in my life.

Disengaged? Another one of your BS lies. NY’ers are super aware of their surroundings and very external. They see everything and are aware at all times of the people around them. But, they don’t necessarily react to each other for no good reason (ie: bug each other), unless it is needed or someone needs help. They look out for each other there. If they seem “disengaged” or “clammed up,” it just means they are being polite to the people around them, minding their own business and don’t want to bother you.