Whether you’re an Emerald City native or a relative newcomer, there are just some things every Seattleite understands to be true.
We asked our readers, Instagram followers, and Redditors to share Seattle’s unwritten rules, from common city knowledge to relatable trends and local lingo. You won’t find these rules in a handbook, but they are undoubtedly absorbed by the community — and if you’re not from Seattle, these might be a little difficult to explain.
The unspoken rules everyone knows
“Don’t ever use an umbrella. They just get in the way.” — u/Scienceneverlies
“The mountain is out today. (A sunny day with a clear view of Mt. Rainier).” — u/Various_Inflation_95
“Pike Place Market, NOT Pike’s Market. I-5, I-90, 520, NOT ‘the 5, ‘the 90...’ etc.” — reader Ashlii D. [ed. note: Pike Place or The Market also work]
We’ve learned a thing or two from commuting
“Honking is rude and not a method of communication.” — u/Objective-Ad5620
“Nobody jaywalks here. It can be an empty street and everyone will wait for the light to change instead of just looking both ways.” — reader Maya T.
“When driving down a narrow Seattle street with cars parked on both sides, if a car is coming your way and they were on the street first, pull over to the side so they can pass before you can go!” — @platinumgoth
“if you’re going downhill and there is an oncoming car going uphill, you give the uphill driver the right of way.” — @kim_kalgon
“Don’t cut in the ferry line!” — @harmonysoleil
“Mercer Street is to be avoided at any time of day, if you can help it.” — u/Travel_Cabbage
“No one signals before exiting roundabouts so the person trying to get in doesn’t know when is a good time.” — @shelter.besties
Look the part
“Wear shorts and sandals, then throw on a jacket.” — reader Sandra R.
“Boots are year-round footwear, as are Birkenstocks and socks.” — u/Witchy404
“A Seahawks shirt is accepted office attire.” — u/redfriskies
“Native Seattleites know, socks with sandals is totally acceptable. Toes get cold out there, free.” — @sosofina23
“Flannel never ever is out of season or fashion. Ever.” — @stuffedlasercat
“Neckties are illegal.” — u/A_Kinsey_6
“No one dresses up here. Jeans and t-shirts are acceptable at most ‘fancy’ restaurants.” — Alina, SEAtoday City Editor
Weather or not you know it...
“Take vitamin d capsules from September-February.” — @chelsea_melody3
“In the darker months, switch sides of the street you’re walking on depending on where the sun is. i call it sun seeking!” — @mamagaga
“Do not complain about the rain.” — @rachiethered
Sometimes you just have to laugh
“Telling out of towners, ‘Yes indeed it does rain here all the time.’” — reader David L.
“Children aren’t welcome, but dogs are.” — u/C0git0
“When standing in a line, don’t form an actual line, just stand around in a group.” — u/Reatona
“Don’t drive in the snow, but insist that you’re great at it and it’s everyone else’s poor snow skills that worry you.” — u/PMMeYourPupper
We remember when...
“This was a BIG one for years… NO custom orders at Bakeman’s.” — u/SsjAndromeda
“It’s still the Puyallup Fair not Washington State Fair despite all the rebranding work.” — u/dumbogirl1
About that so-called Seattle Freeze
“Be mindful of personal space.” — u/Extreme_Peach_614
“When courting someone, you bow/curtsy first. Eye contact is way too aggressive.” — u/WrongWeektoQuit“
“‘How’s it going’ is not really a question.” — u/nwmountaintroll
“Don’t talk to me in line.” — @lifeof_nutmeg
“‘Maybe’ is the Seattle ‘No.’ If you invite somebody to something and they say yes, they probably won’t show. If they say maybe, they’re definitely not going to show.” — u/MadisonPearGarden
But we’re kind to our neighbors
“Thank the bus driver! I’ve taken public transportation in other US cities and other countries, and I’ve noticed that we tend to thank the bus driver more than others. It’s a nice way to feel a part of Seattle.” — u/borealis_aurorae
“In heavier street traffic, if you need to change lanes whilst driving, and the driver in the next lane lets you in, it’s appropriate to give a quick ‘thank you wave’ after you complete the lane change. The opposite is also true.” — reader Michael N.
“Don’t use someone else’s street side garbage can.” — u/Yassssmaam
Eat like a local
“You can always get a chicken teriyaki special with gyoza within three blocks of your current location.” — u/TendoninBOB
“Beechers’ Cheese is better than any other cheese.” — @anusha.gupta
“Cream cheese and grilled onions on your hot dogs.” — u/larsfandom
“If you show up to a party of BBQ with Tim’s jalapeño chips and Rainier Tall boys, you’re one of us.” — mandance17
“Be in line at flour box at a minimum 15 min before it opens.” — @k_miller608
“Always take visitors to Ivar’s to feed the seagulls, rain, or shine!” — @melodyslifeadventure
“Telling someone to go eat a bag of Dick’s is actually solid advice.” — u/Balor675
Seattle pro tips
“Jesus Christ Made Seattle Under Protest will help you know how far away from Pine you are when walking north from Jefferson.” — u/smartasskicker
“Always carry a hoodie.” — kellyyz667
“Many indoor lots near the Amazon campus have free parking on nights and weekends.” — Gabe, SEAtoday Senior Editor
