Reply #25: True, there are idiots here. Lots of them. [View All]

But like someone else said, the places you're visiting are actually just as likely to be filled with non-natives than locals. The idiots you're meeting may be other visiters, you never know. And, as was my point before, a restaurant two blocks away from Union Station is not going to be the best place to go for local flavor and attentive service. Places there serve commuters and tourists.

And I've ridden the el at all hours of the day and night for years and years. There are plenty of assholes and at least as many really nice people willing to help. I've asked for, and received, plenty of help over the years. I've also offered assistance to plenty of confused-looking out of towners. I'm sorry your experiences have been unlucky, I certainly can't vouch for everyone in this city. But I've been to almost every major city in the U.S. and I think Chicago rates pretty high on the friendliness scale.