Washington D.C. (including Baltimore) - In DC, You're Either a Politician or a Nobody

Hi Everyone,

When I was much younger, I used to vacation in DC quite often. Each time I went, I only saw the good things about the city--all the forward-thinking people, the peaceful Mall, the stunning monuments. Now, whenever I go as an adult, I always get the impression that unless you're either a politician, you're an outsider that can't be trusted. In fact, it's the only place that I know of (okay, except for Palm Beach and certain parts of Los Angeles) that makes you feel small.

I was wondering how prevalent this feeling is among people who actually have to live/work in DC, or if I'm just overly sensitive.

Thanks!!

You're hallucinating. I've lived in DC for 27 years and most of the people I know have a very low opinion of politicians and the process they've created. Yes, in restaurants you frequently sit next to young folks who are very excited that they saw a SENATOR today, but they're young and they'll either learn with experience or stay stupid forever.

You know the old "joke" about making legislation and sausage? For those who've seen the quality of what "serves" in the US Congress, it isn't funny.

"You're overly sensitive. ;)

I've lived here all my life and know enough places to go where you don't have to deal with the inflated egos and "what do YOU do?" types. And when I DO have to deal with those types I just roll my eyes and chuckle. There are plenty of normal everyday people in and around Washington. I have yet to meet anyone who can make me feel "small". Except a guy I work with who goes about 425 pounds.

the DC area's celeb population is very small relative to most big cities. not many people recognizable. the superwealthy crowd is quite small. entertainment crowd is nonexistant. don't just run into the likes of rod stewart. here, everyone gets excited when they see the channel 4 weather girl.

where is it that one would go to be considered an outsider? the entire restaurant and beverage trade, for example, are known to each other, and recognized. most lobbyists are known and recognized by those important.

we do not have a major gossip or photo newspaper, so the general population does not know whose droppings do not stink.

Way overly sensitive on your part.

I've lived in DC for 15 yrs and never had that feeling at all. Except for some young Hill staffers and other political types, I don't think anyone here could care less about seeing a politician out and about.

I've seen more than my share of senators and cabinet secretaries in line at DCA, and not once have I seen any reaction from anyone around them. I'd guess 80% of the people don't know who they are and the other 20% couldn't care less (my category).

One funny thing in DC is the photo with the politician. It seems every restaurant in town has a photo gallery in the front foyer of every politician who has eaten there. Seems to be required as part of the decor.

Maybe you are small.

Not to be short with you, but you're projecting.

I think that the situation described by the OP is probably the case at a very small number of establishments (restaurants, etc) that specifically cater to the power "set".

Same as in L.A. - if you go to lunch at the Ivy or clubbing at a place like Les Deux and are unknown to the management/owners, you'll probably be treated differently than well-known persons. I avoid such treatment by going elsewhere.

the only abuse i have ever experienced in dc is when the big guys with the dark glasses, blue suits and big SUV's with darked out windows have kicked me out of my parking space.

i have been badly mistreated in 2-3* restaurants in both London and Paris. a few big spenders buying big dollar wine, and we sit for 30 min. at a clip with no attention.

we have eaten in jack abramoff's restaurant(now gone), the cacaus room, monicle, sam & harry's(lousy food),charlie palmer's, tosca,etc, which are the main lobbyist hangouts, and always been treated just like all present. even to the point of being given a special table if requested and av ailable

The only major annoyance are the motorcades.....When the VP rolls down Connecticut Avenue at 9:00 every friday morning, the "letter" streets become chaos....

I live and work amongst the pols. For the most part they are anonymous to everyone except each other, lobbyists and the Capitol Police officers who must memorize the name and face of every member of congress.

In fact, I have encountered less haughtiness in DC than I have in any other major American of European city except maybe Chicago and Amsterdam.

the DC area's celeb population is very small relative to most big cities. not many people recognizable. the superwealthy crowd is quite small. entertainment crowd is nonexistant. don't just run into the likes of rod stewart. here, everyone gets excited when they see the channel 4 weather girl.... most lobbyists are known and recognized by those important. They say Washington is Hollywood for ugly people. :) There is definitely a celeb hierarchy, but career politicians aren't really up there. A guy can be a six-term House member from Missouri and still not be able to get a table at Filomena on Saturday night. Washington celebs are the genuine power brokers -- Vernon Jordan, Bob Strauss, Bob Bennett, people like that. Also pundits, media types, philanthropists, sports movers and shakers (when Joe Gibbs coached the Redskins he was a bigger deal in D.C. than 90 percent of Capitol Hill, and Jack Kent Cooke was bigger than that)... there are plenty of anonymous pols in town.

Not to pile on the OP, but yeah, I've been here about 15 years and really like the feel of this town.

Just today I went out with some co-workers in the L'Enfant area to find the Fojol Bros food truck (http://fojol.com). There was a long line for this awesome and low-priced Indian food, but everyone in line was chatting and discussing their favorite dish. The Fojols had even laid out blankets on the grass for folks to eat their lunch and people were meeting each other over tasty butter chicken. Afterwards, we saw the Sweetbites cupcake truck and chatted with people in line for that. It was nice... and reminded me why DC can be a really nice place to live.

The only major annoyance are the motorcades.....When the VP rolls down Connecticut Avenue at 9:00 every friday morning, the "letter" streets become chaos....

+1 the motorcades are the worst!

I lived in the area (Silver Spring) for a total of nine years, and worked in Southwest and Foggy Bottom in DC. Commuted by Metro. I didn't hang out anyplace where anyone knew or care who the politicians were. Whenever I splurged on a pricey meal, it was usually someplace historic, with fond memories (e.g., from when my parents visited), such as the Willard Hotel dining room, rather than someplace trendy. I did once take a date to Nora's restaurant, and we noticed lots of guys with wires going into their eats. Then-VP Gore was having a small private party upstairs. Didn't affect our meal at all. Most peoplein DC are blase about politicians-- they're everywhere-- and would, like many people, be more likely go be impressed by entertainment industry clebrities who might be in town. I met, through my parents, a former Director of the National Park Service who had met Thomas Edison in DC.

I did once take a date to Nora's restaurant, and we noticed lots of guys with wires going into their eats.

Man, the quality of the food at Nora's has really gone downhill ... ;)

Man, the quality of the food at Nora's has really gone downhill ... ;)

i disagree. to go downhill, the place must have been somewhere up the hill in the first place. nora claimed all this wholesome properly grown food and then made discomboobulated garbage out of it.

the bs and the nora charmed the post and the washingtonian reviewers. the food sucked 15 years ago when phylis richmond raved about it.