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greatgamer

Posts: 3718
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Anil wrote:
Great. Now you know what's up and can be ready for next year. Meanwhile, you get to hone your skills while shopping for a better place to work that will take you to the next level.

Plus, you get to dick around in Chicago and have some fun.


I can't even dick around in LA, and I have a car.

Chicago is just an oversized Downtown. It's very cool.

That said, the people who work at the bus and train stations are arguably the most depressed and miserable people I've ever met. If you ask them for any help, they'll just look at you and sigh. You really had to beg them for any iota of direction, and one 'em gave me told me to take the wrong train so it was a pain in the ass to figure everything out.

I don't get it, 'cause in LA, it's considered a privilege to drive a bus and work for the government. People are getting laid off right now. But in Chicago, I guess it's just a really flourishing city with abundant resources. The people working here looked like they were enslaved. They made the DMV in LA look like Disneyland.

As far as the people go, it's nowhere near as diverse as LA. It's very segregated. In LA, you see folks of all ethnicities everywhere you go. Not quite in Chicago. It also seemed like the minorities were very depressed. Just a really strange social chemistry going on here...

As far as businesses go, it's definitely more entrepreneurial and hip than LA. The competition is a lot stiffer. The shops seem to be owned by the new generation of baby boomers. They have trendy looking decor, hip concept, clever store names, etc, and these things are just scattered everywhere even seeping into residential neighborhoods.

In LA, there are a lot of businesses that really have nothing to offer from a trendsetting perspective (run-of-the-mill family owned furniture stores, generic mom-and-pop clothing shops and restaurants, swapmeets, etc).
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greatgamer

Posts: 3718
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:23 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
Jade wrote:
Yes, you'll take this lesson and do better next year.

But while taking in the city, please... don't get raped.


Thanks Laughing
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greatgamer

Posts: 3718
Joined: 07 Apr 2005
PostPosted: Tue Jun 12, 2012 1:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote
The other thing about Chicago is the traffic culture. Everybody jaywalks, and cars will literally cut you off even when you're walking a green light. There's a blatant disregard for pedestrian safety when it comes to drivers, 'cause I don't think you get ticketed for this conduct here. I also think I saw two cop cars my whole time here, which is crazy, considering I was exploring the streets the entire trip.

Also funny was whenever taxi drivers kept referencing how bad they hear LA traffic is. Yes, LA's traffic is bad, but it really isn't that much worse than Chicago for you to bother bring it up. I personally couldn't tell a huge difference, although stats say LA's traffic is worse. I don't know. Maybe it's because I know how to get around in LA and avoid congestion. Then again, you'd think Chicago cab drivers would be just as savvy.

When I brought this up to some of the locals, they all echoed a sentiment similar to, "Well, I heard LA is a lot worse."

Ummm.. motherfucker have you looked around? How much worse can it possibly get?

The stereotype of LA was in full effect among the locals. They all thought LA people were "fake" and "rude" and always in a rush, etc.

I'm not one of those diehard LA natives who think LA has it all. It doesn't. Hell, I wanna move to San Diego desperately. That said, I will honestly say that LA people are a pretty laidback, mellow demographic in general.

Chicago minorities seemed to be shrouded by a mundane, dreary aura, while the remaining people reminded me of New Yorkians.

That isn't to say there weren't some exceptional people, who were just great. But overall, this is how I feel about Chicago, compared to LA and SD.

The other thing by the way, is that nobody wants to take credit card, from cab drivers to independently owned eateries. They're adamant that they only take cash and they give you attitude. I understand the credit card companies charge a certain rate per transaction or whatever, but it's 2012. Get with the fuckin program.
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