Yes, the “Seattle freeze” is real.
Traveling the world, living in different countries, as well as living in different states within the United States, has offered me a clear juxtaposition of the attitudes fostered here (Seattle) vs. the attitudes fostered elsewhere in the world.
I’m fairly sure that the grand amount of time Seattleites spend inside, (in large part, due to prolific rain), contributes amply to the comfortability Seattleites feel with solitude, as well as the resulting misperceptions of non or new Seattleites, about Seattleites being “cold”.
If you don’t enjoy spending time alone, with a petite group of friends or with your partner, then Seattle’s not likely an appropriate permenant residence choice for you.
But I’d like to replace “Seattle Freeze” with “Seattle Independence.”
The largest qualm that I have with the term “Seattle freeze” is that it sounds very negative. Freeze conveys a sense of being impenetrable or unwilling to adjust.
We all avoid communicating with others when we’re unhappy, preoccupied with mental quandaries, stressed, tired… (this list is understandable), absolutely fair and not dependent upon inhabiting a certain place.
“Seattle Freeze” or Seattle independence can actually be considered quite positively, as independence allows time for the pursuance of your personal goals & interests.
Seattle independence may include working, studying, communicating via text as opposed to verbally = emails, text messages or (in my persolonal circumstance) blogs. None of that, would I consider anti-social.
I will confess, (and those that have been following my recovery story are likely already aware), that I am MUCH more sensetive to negativity now, (just as my sensitivity to all emotions, is markedly higher than ever before).
I would like to challenge, however, the inherent negativity associated with the phrase “Seattle Freeze”.