I hear you. I've lived in Seattle for 8 years, and my impression is that people here are professional. They say polite things. Even friends I've known for many years talk to me like they're composing a formal letter. I had a girlfriend that talked to me like she was conducting a business meeting. I realize some of this might have to do with my circles (mostly professionals, duh), but even in more diverse groups here I get the same impression. There's no real connection beyond that surface niceness. It makes me want to get out of here. Hence this thread.