[Photo by Flickr user jpellgen]
What are things that only people from Washington D.C. will understand? The folks at Movoto put together a list of eleven things and as with many arbitrary listicles, they kind of got it right. All of the transit frustrations were on point, but a few of the other points might as well be "Things Only People Working On The Hill Will Understand." Then there's one that's really kind of an egregious failure. Take a look after the jump for a breakdown of how they did and add what you would have put on the list in the comments.
· They list that "Owning a Car Costs More Than Buying One" and "Metro Is Both a Lifesaver and Life Ruiner." Those are both spot on. So is the assessment on D.C. as "Chocolate City." A+
· There's a point that says, "The New 'It' Neighborhood Changes Every Six Months." Sure one can quibble with the time frame but there has been a different Curbed Cup winner (and different very competitive neighborhoods) every year. So...close enough. A-
· They talk in two separate points about how people hate the Redskins for being terrible, hate its owner for being "crass" (not the word most people would use) and hate the name for its insensitivity to American Indians. That's all true but then they lose with the line, "people are not fans of DC sports teams (with the exception of the Nationals and the Capitals-they're cool... because they actually win games and divisions and stuff)." They must have missed how dedicated those fans are that wear burgundy and gold. Also, Vamos United! B
· Yes, a lot of people ask, "What Do You Do?" and it can feel like any attempt at dating is a networking event. Yes, a lot of people work for government agencies and talk in their initials. But the bit about D.C. having a dress code is awfully specific to the high powered jobs on K Street and the Hill. There are a lot of very casual nonprofits. C
· Here's the problematic one. It involves people being excited that D.C. is the backdrop for shows like Scandal and House of Cards. Both of those shows are incredibly popular, but this is misguided: "Having DC put on the small screen is always exciting, because then residents can brag that they jog in the same park as Francis and Claire Underwood, or that they work in the building that Olivia Pope walked past when she was on a mission to "fix" her clients." House of Cards famously has issues shooting in D.C. and shoots much of the show in Maryland, so finding one's neighborhood in anything other than the establishing shots is probably a no go. Curbed DC hasn't delved into the world of the District on the small screen (yet!) but as for movies that have actually shot in the city, look here. C-
· 11 Things Only People From Washington DC Will Understand [Movoto]