Seattle has a social reputation known as the “Seattle Chill“. The people who usually note this phenomenon are immigrants to Seattle. With my return to Orange County, California (where it is currently an unbelievable 65 degrees with clear skies and a wonderfully balmy sun), I am reminded of the asocial nature of Seattle. And, lo, more people have acknowledged my existence with eye contact, verbal greetings, or social smiles in the span of one hour in Orange County than in a week in Seattle. (Not randomized, not double-blinded, not placebo-controlled—make what you will of it. But you get my point.)

In addition to the reasons outlined in the Craigslist link above, some people have hypothesized that the stoic, ungreeting nature of Seattle-ites is due to its Scandinavian heritage. As I am unfamiliar with that topic, I am unable to comment further upon it. My personal theory for the “Seattle Chill” is based primarily on climate.

In Southern California, the sun shines and the weather is warm. It is November 21st and men are ambling about in board shorts and tee shirts. Young ladies are wearing skirts (that are too short for my tastes) and tank tops. Yes, there are the few people who are wearing cute knitted hats and scarves, but this is clearly for style purposes only. People generally show skin: Men have short and clean haircuts with limited, if any, facial hair; women pin their hair back or tuck it behind their ears; shoulders are bared; legs are shown; and toes are visible for all to see.

We look at each other.

In Seattle, the sun rarely shines and the weather is frequently wet and cold. It is November 21st and people are milling about in multiple layers, with one of the following on the surface: a hoodie, a North Face/Helly Hansen/REI/etc. Gortex jacket with a hood, or a trenchcoat with a hood (or at least a long lapel which can be flipped up). Those who carry umbrellas tend to carry them low to prevent water from dripping onto their bags and backs. Those who do not carry umbrellas are either wearing a hoodie (see above) or a hat that hovers over the eyes. Those who do not have a cover for their heads frequently look down to prevent raindrops/mist from collecting on their eyelashes and dribbling into their eyes.

We do not look at each other.

In Southern California, if one looks up, one will see the sun, tanned skin, and fashionable clothes… and perhaps catch a brilliant smile.

In Seattle, if one looks up, one will see grey clouds, rain, and people lolling about in dark, wet clothes… and perhaps catch an umbrella spoke in her eye.

What is there to look forward (or up) to in Seattle? Particularly when people are grousing about the rapidly waning hours of daylight (”greylight”)—not a smile to be seen anywhere!

And, thus, Seattle-ites train the “strap muscles” in their necks to direct their chins towards their chests and alas, there is no eye contact. There are no greetings. There are no acknowledgments of people, only tacit recognition of the disagreeable weather.

Hence, the Seattle Chill.

(Just to be clear, I have been outside already today and plan to spend some time at the beach this afternoon. One must generate as much vitamin D with the available sun while she can.)