02.16.2024

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Today’s Forecast

Inside Seattle’s psychology

What does geopsychology say about a city’s personality?

A look at the Seattle skyline at dusk with the Smith Tower prominently seen lit up in the center

Seattleites tend to be more introverted than other regions of the country, but optimistic. | Photo by Joe C. (submitted for our 2023 Picture of the Year contest)

Does where we live have any bearing on our personalities? A growing field of psychological research called geopsychology says “yes.”

According to geopsychology, those from Seattle are likely more extroverted than their friends across the nation in, say, Madison, WI. And while you may have heard about the so-called Seattle Freeze, now there may be a form of scientific proof to back it up.

What is it?

ResearchGate defines geopsychology as “the relationship between the complex matrix of static and time-varying geophysical and geochemical variables within a locality and human behavior.”

In other words, there’s a correlation between one’s geophysical space and one’s mind. In particular, research on the “Big Five” traits — conscientiousness, agreeableness, neuroticism, openness, and extroversion — has led researchers to create a set of personality maps for the US.

Conscientiousness

Here in Seattle we’re more flexible — and perhaps a bit less systematic than other regions of the country — according to the map. Who knows, that flexibility might just be why we have so many fantastic yoga studios in town.

Discovery Park in Seattle with a lighthouse and the water in the background — Discovery Park always puts us in a good mood.
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Photo via Seattle Parks and Recreation

Neuroticism

Seattleites tend to experience fewer negative emotions, despite all the cloudy weather. Maybe it’s all the outdoorsy activities to try or just that we live in the best city around.

Agreeableness

Seattle tends to be less agreeable than other regions, meaning we’re often more rational or critical. Use those critical talents for good by getting involved to make our city better.

Openness

Seattle is an open book. We’re more likely to try new things and often have a decent awareness of our own feelings. If you’re looking for an interesting new activity, try a staycation at one of these unique accommodations.

Extroversion

As a more introverted city, those of us here in Seattle sometimes prefer quieter, solo activities. We’ve got your back: Check out guides to hiking trails, local authors, and parks.

Asked

How Seattle are you?

Is your personality all Seattle, or do you differ from your average local? Take our personality quiz to find out.

Take our personality test

Events

Friday, Feb. 16

Winter 2024 Public Exhibitions Opening | Friday, Feb. 16 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Frye Art Museum, 704 Terry Ave., Seattle | Free | Have a drink as you peruse a preview of Jessica Jackson Hutchins’s “Wrecked and Righteous” and Sky Hopinka’s “Subterranean Ceremonies.”
Seattle RV Show | Friday, Feb. 16-Sunday, Feb. 18 | Lumen Field, 800 Occidental Ave. S., Seattle | $15 | Those who love a good road trip can check out the latest + greatest in motorhomes, trailers, campers, and vans.

Saturday, Feb. 17

Filler Words | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 10-11:30 a.m. | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, 1000 Oakesdale Ave. SW, Renton | Free | Improve your public speaking skills through the magic of brevity.
Madonna: The Celebration Tour | Saturday, Feb. 17 | 8:30 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $100-$555 | The pop legend rescheduled her tour after a 2023 health scare — and she’s ready to blow the roof off.

Sunday, Feb. 18

Lunar New Year Celebration | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 10 a.m. | Westlake Park, 401 Pine St., Seattle | Free | Festivities include lion dance performances, tangerine lattes from Bloom Coffee, food from Asean Streat Food Hall, and a chance to win prizes.
Love Beyond Borders | Sunday, Feb. 18 | 2-4 p.m. | Benaroya Hall, 200 University St., Seattle | $19-$99 | The Seattle Men’s Chorus performs an original oratorio interspersed with powerful video interviews of refugees escaping persecution.

Monday, Feb. 19

Seattle Kraken vs. Detroit Red Wings | Monday, Feb. 19 | 12:30 p.m. | Climate Pledge Arena, 334 First Ave. N., Seattle | $125-$570 | Can the Kraken make a push for a playoff position? Time to get sticking.
Monday Night Square Dance | Monday, Feb. 19 | 7 p.m. | Tractor Tavern, 5213 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle | $10 | Grab a partner and do-si-do — or go solo — while an instructor guides you through a few basic steps. All levels welcome.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

Announced

Meet SEAtoday’s new partner

We have some exciting news to share and wanted our loyal readers to be the first to know.

Starting next week, you might start to see SEAtoday and KING 5 sharing more of each other’s content on our respective platforms. This may include weather forecasts, sports news, morning show content, traffic reports, and other relevant news.

While this new partnership won’t change the uplifting and informative content you see in this newsletter, it will help us to celebrate more news and events happening in Seattle together.

And that’s our mission: Spread the word about the amazing things going on in this city, and share our deep pride in this community with as many people as possible. Thanks for being a part of that.

News Notes

Transit

Sound Transit’s long-awaited Eastside-only Light Rail service has a start date of April 27. Once the 6.6-mile starter line gets chugging, trains will run every 10 minutes, making eight stops between the South Bellevue and Redmond Technology stations. Sound Transit has planned the line’s expansion to Seattle for 2025. (Seattle Times)

Cause

Amazon announced $9 million in new grants spread across six local organizations that give aid to people experiencing homelessness. The groups receiving grants from the company are Mary’s Place, Plymouth Housing, The YMCA of Greater Seattle, YWCA Seattle, YouthCare, and Friends of Youth. (GeekWire)

Edu

Let’s toot our horns for Bothell, Roosevelt, and Garfield high schools. For the second year in a row, all three made the finals for the Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition & Festival. The 2024 competition takes place May 9-11 at New York’s Lincoln Center. (Seattle Times)

Traffic

Beginning as soon as Sunday, Feb. 25, Factoria Boulevard in Bellevue will be reduced to three lanes — two southbound, one northbound. City workers have begun work on a storm drain replacement project to reduce flooding on the road. Expect related traffic delays for the next five months.

Coming Soon

Look out for a new Italian joint coming to Ballard soon. Strega Pizza and Pasta — from the owners of farmers market vendor Pasteria Lucchese — plans to open at 5465 Leary Ave. NW. No opening date has been announced yet. (My Ballard)

Announced

David Spade’s standup show at the Moore Theatre we originally included in the list of Saturday events this week has been postponed. To see the SNL funnyman at the Belltown venue, plan ahead for Saturday, Sept. 14. Tickets already purchased will be honored for that date.

Sports

How will the Seahawks’ new assistant coach Leslie Frazier impact the team’s direction? What about Geno Smith’s future? Local experts talk about those gridiron matters and more on Locked On’s daily, Seahawks-focused podcast.

Job

We’re hiring a City Editor to plan, write, edit, and publish the most relevant and engaging daily content about Seattle. This person is passionate about storytelling, news, and the city we call home. See details + apply.

Film

Sites from Seattle-based romcoms

Visit sites from Seattle-based romcoms

A view of Gas Works Park in Seattle with long shadows cast by the sculptures

Paintball in the park? Great date idea, if unrealistic. | Photo by @edmo52

Love has been in the air all week, and we can’t help but swoon remembering how many great romcoms were filmed in Seattle.

We covered the 30th anniversary of “Singles” before, but let’s take a tour of other locations from the Emerald City’s romantic Hollywood history. Grab your sweetheart and recreate these scenes.

Gas Works Park from “10 Things I Hate About You” | Patrick and Kat go on a paintball date here — which isn’t really a thing, but it totally should be.
The Lake Union houseboat from “Sleepless in Seattle” | This is where Tom Hanks — er, we mean Sam — lived, and it originally sold for $550,000 in 1987.
Westlake Center from “Say Anything” | The place where Lloyd tearily recalls his first date with Diane was called Bell Square Mall in the movie.

Did we miss one of your fave scenes? Tell us.

The Buy

The Buy 2.16.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Cute, matte black shower shelves that stick to your shower wall + give you way more room to store products. Our favorite feature: The shelves are 100% rust-proof, meaning they’ll last over time and allow for easy cleaning.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Gabe

From the editor

I’m starting to hit my limit of dreary winter vibes and looking for signs of spring. Anybody want to send us some encouraging pics — maybe a bud or two sprouting up in your garden? Feel free to pass them along.

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