How to know if you are really from Western Washington.

I have lived in the Seattle area for the better part of 8 years now and I have come to love this area. The beauty is unmatched. But, in those 8 years I have come to see some traits that are particular to the residents of this region.  I have been pondering the nuances of those of us who reside on the Western side of the mountain...and these are in no particular order....

1.  You loath to admit that a gloomy day in the middle of the summer is a relief. Even though you love the sun and complain about the rain, when it comes down to it a nice drizzly 60 degree day in the middle of July makes you smile.

2. When the temperature is above 80 degrees for more than 2 days in a row you rush out to buy an air conditioner that you will use 1 week a year.

3. You feel obligated to drive in the HOV lane if you have 2 people in your car, even if traffic to the right of you is going 10 miles an hour faster than you.

4. You have no real understanding that the far left lane of traffic is for passing not meandering. 

5.  You only care about the Mariners, Seahawks, Sounders and/or any Husky sports when they are doing well. When they are not, you view them as a waste of time and taxpayer dollars.  You're not sure who the Storm are...

6.  You are not willing to pay the price for light rail but you constantly complain about traffic issues in King County (population 1.8 million).

7.  You elect political officials to make laws and then vote for initiatives and referendums that override those laws. You then complain that our government is ineffective. 

8. You complain about gas prices but pay $3.50 for a cup of coffee and $50,000 for a military grade vehicle to take little Johnny to soccer practice (which cost you $100 to fill).

9.  You think an income tax is unreasonable but a 10% sales taxes makes sense.

10. You want schools to hold students to higher academic and personal standards but when little Johnny or Suzy fails the test that measures their basic ability to read and write at the age of 16, you complain that the test is too hard and the bar should be lowered.  You want schools to be safer but when your precious child is found with drugs at school you want to call it a youthful indiscretion and want it kept from his file because he is going to UW. Here's some insight- if little Johnny can't make it through the 6 hours of school without a hit...he's probably NOT the type of students UW is looking for!

Just my insight on the community I live in...I love it here...really I do! :)