Cool Cleveland readers write
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Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com
Not so cool, Cleveland Hi, I just moved into Ohio 2 months ago and am bored out of my skull so far. I am considered a friendly guy however my best efforts to meet people locally have fallen flat and I have worked at it since the first week I got here. People here seem very stand-offish and even if there IS cool stuff to do… it sucks doing it alone.
I’m not expecting you guys to find me friends but I do need to at least vent about how cool Clevelanders are to new people. I mean it as constructive input so you guys can see how new people see the locals. I don’t know what, if anything, can be done however friendlier locals would help the whole situation.
Since I arrived, I have heard lots of talk about “I believe in the Cleve”, etc., as well as lots of people taking issue with the forbes.com rating of Cleveland as the most miserable city in the country. I ‘d say I have the unique ability to see the city impartially as one with potential but held back by a population that seems to suffer from a collective grumpiness and apathy.
I HAD TO move here from Detroit to follow my job so I HAVE TO make my living in Cleveland work. Detroit has a similar negative image world-wide, economy down the tubes, corruption, etc., however I have often heard outsiders remark how friendly the natives are in spite of the many strikes Detroit has against it.
from Cool Cleveland reader Dave Reed
Send your letters to: LettersATCoolCleveland.com
2 Responses to “Yr Turn: Letter to Cool Cleveland”
Andrew
First, the previous two months are the low point of most Clevelander’s years. It’ll get better with the sunshine. Second, I’ve heard just the opposite from first time visitors to Cleveland. And in fact in my few trips to Detroit found the locals grumpy and unhelpful. Its not surprising to hear wildly different tales from visitors to the same city.
Janet Nabring-Stager
Interesting letter, agree with the first comment that most times Clevelanders are heralded for their friendliness. Also agree that the past two months are probably the worst in terms of weather and being out and about – we tend to hibernate until the thaw!
Now, to the letter itself. You didn’t indicate how/where you were trying to meet people. Maybe it is the groups you’ve tried to become involved with? Sadly enough, I’ve run across this with some of the professional groups in the area (but not all). Also, we tend to be a sarcastic bunch. Don’t take that personally. It’s our way of coping with bad weather and bad economics. Taken the right way, it’s very funny to listen to.
Some (hopefully constructive) questions/thoughts: Do you have any hobbies? Have you tried volunteer work for a group you are passionate about? Check out more events posted on Cool Cleveland. Check out more professional events (via something like LinkedIn). Check out Meetup.com to find others that are interested in the same things you are.
If you post back with things you are specifically interested in, I’m 99% sure people will post ways you can meet more like-minded individuals! Two months isn’t really that long and you happened to move here during the most depressing/gray/dark/dreary/awful time of year for most of us. But hey – what doesn’t kill us only makes us stronger, right?