No Opinions: Florida Natives

Having just returned to the comically mild climate of this lovely city called Seattle from a not insignificant stay in southern Florida, I feel compelled to share some observations I have about that state. Aside from this most recent trip I've spent a total of approximately a year and two months in Florida over the course of my life and I've found that it's unlike any other state in the union. Specifically I'm referring to the baffling indifference of Florida natives to every passion they ought to feel for their home.

Those born and raised in Florida seem downright oblivious to the breathtaking vistas and tropical climate that define so much of the state. Whereas transplants and travelers are understandably awe-struck by the Atlantic sunrises of the coast and the year-round lushness of the inland, natives either don't care about these things or see no reason to wax poetic in tribute. I don't buy that it's simple acclimatization. People eat chocolate cake since childhood but it's no less delicious for it. Why should warm beaches be any different?

And yet Floridians are different. Their characteristic lack of hometown pride sets them apart from the lifetime locals of most other interesting places in America. New Yorkers, for instance, tout their city's merits with such frequency and intensity that one would think they all represent the tourism board. At home in the First City of the northwest plenty of Seattleites can't say enough nice things about the easy winters and the colorful local character. Even southern California, the very awesomeness of which is permanently up for debate, has more than enough natives who are happy to enumerate the region's high points.

This curious lack of expression by Florida natives is positively endemic, even concerning politics. Outside of the southern-fried panhandle it's hard to find a strong opinion in sunny Florida. There's a conspicuous lack of bumper stickers, yard signs and politically charged independent newspapers. This civic listlessness may go a long way to explaining the 2000 election debacle. Perhaps a more impassioned populace would have kept the high halls of American leadership from falling victim to the hanging chad and the mishandled recount.

So, because they don't toot their own horns as much as they ought to, here, in short order, are some of the things that are uniquely wonderful about Florida: The aforementioned gorgeousness of the abundant coastline, the delicious tropical produce that can be found nearly everywhere, the best damn Cuban food outside of Cuba itself, the resilience of people who fight hurricanes yearly, the uncanny ability to balance resorts with residences, the way thunderstorms seem almost convenient in their timing.

All this having been said (or rather written), I don't believe that native Floridians don't have strong opinions, merely that they seem unwilling to make them known. So, I want to hear from you home-grown Florida residents. Please use our comments section to tell us what you love, hate and just plain don't understand about your fascinating state. Don't be shy. The world needs to know that there's more within your borders than alligators and theme parks.