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sdyawg t1_jebbymy wrote

Reply to comment by Negan1995 in Washington Lawmakers Advance Legislation Barring Pre-Employment Tests for Cannabis by Important_Bad_9697

Rain here is "different" than other places. In summer it helps keep us nice and cool, in the winter it means we're going to be a bit warmer. We get the most rain during "The Long Dark" from end of Fall till beginning of Spring. Honestly, in my opinion, getting used to the long dark season of Seattle is the make or break point more than the rain for most people.

Other than the dark season, the rain here is usually light enough that it's not a big impedance or problem. Umbrellas are a bigger hassle than just dealing with a little moisture 9 times out of 10. There's a running joke about Seattleites refusing to use umbrellas or being able to identify tourists because they're using one lol

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aithendodge t1_jebdc40 wrote

And “The Long Dark” doesn’t really hit people until they experience it. Folks think, “Oh, it gets dark at 5 in December/January? No big deal, it’s the same in other places.” But it’s not. 5 o clock winter sunsets here do not generally bring a serene twilight followed by a sky filled with stars - the perpetual cloud cover means it’s pitch-black at 5pm. I go to work and it’s pitch black. I come home and it’s pitch black. It gets to be a drag, and by the time Spring hits we’re all crawling out of our skin to get some of that gorram sunshine!!!

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MelloMaster t1_jebg2f3 wrote

>go to work and it’s pitch black. I come home and it’s pitch black. It gets to be a drag

Very much this, I've lived in Washington for 23 years now and it wasn't until I got out of the Navy and started working here again did I realize how bad the darkness in the winter is.

It doesn't bother me too much anymore as I pretty much just turn to a super gamer/hermit during the winter. Then once Spring shows up it's time to start getting all the camping and hiking gear out and start planning weekends of fun.

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aithendodge t1_jebj1wf wrote

I’ve lived here most of my life, and I hate it. The snowbirding lifestyle of my grandparents gets more appealing every year. Unfortunately if I’m ever able to retire all the Southern states will be on fire and uninhabitable anyway.

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KevinCarbonara t1_jebpd0g wrote

> And “The Long Dark” doesn’t really hit people until they experience it.

This is true. People seem to think it will only affect you if you have SAD. But SAD is relative. We have a biological need for sunlight. Some people will have symptoms anywhere. But here, you have to make a specific effort to get your sunlight and vitamin d.

I never had issues before, even when it got very cold or very dark, because it wasn't so permanent. But now I'm really considering buying one of those blue light therapy things. Only reason I haven't is that I feel like I could make my own much cheaper.

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GreenThumbFun t1_jeccujw wrote

Umbrella, what's that? lol 😆 Some people say, that's how you can tell who's not a local. When we first moved to WA, 12 years ago, I, too, carried an umbrella. Now, I just wear a coat with a hood.

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