So I flew out to Portland on Sunday afternoon for a few days of work out here (with Transitions Global). I've heard great things about Portland, and was excited to check out the city. What I found was, while not totally unexpected, at least surprisingly consistent. Portland is very, well, Portland. It quickly became apparent that there is at least an unspoken set of cultural cues that any self respecting Portlander takes great pride in abiding by.

Now certainly there is something to be said for a city having an identity of its own, but I (along with my fellow travelers) really noticed something beyond that. It was as if everyone who wanted to be "cool," or "hip," or "human," operated under a pre-determined set of standards, that included cues on such things as food and beverage consumption, dress code, modes of transportation, and even appropriate pets. In fact, it became such a running joke that eventually we boiled our findings into a single phrase-"That's Portland." Used as a catch-all, the phrase "That's Portland" can be used to convey a very specific meaning, one that says "the way in which you're behaving/dressing/speaking/acting can best be summed up by simply referencing the city in which you reside."

I made a concerted effort to not take pictures of individual people, as I felt that to be a bit degrading, but I did shoot a few shots that I'll share with you, internet. I trust you'll agree that Portland has a distinctive, well, Portlandly way about it. Please observe...