Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@benmathes
Created January 5, 2016 17:09
Show Gist options
  • Star 0 You must be signed in to star a gist
  • Fork 0 You must be signed in to fork a gist
  • Save benmathes/20c57e0487cb9c9db2f3 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Save benmathes/20c57e0487cb9c9db2f3 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Guide to San Francisco
The sooner you’re comfortable dressing up to look like you didn't try that hard to look cool, the better.
If you’re friends aren’t surprised by one of your political affiliations then you’re too predictable.
If you’re not already, become friends with a housing-rights activist.
Know enough about wine that you’re comfortable speak to a sommelier.
Know enough about weed that you're comfortable talking to the truffle guy in Dolores Park.
Don't drive a stick shift.
Don’t frequent strip clubs.
If you’re useful in the kitchen you might be able to make rent.
Pay for her Uber home.
That’s not a beanie is it?
The best articles on twitter are not from news outlets.
Never wear activewear outside The Marina or Cow Hollow.
If you like a bar or restaurant learn as many people’s names there as you can.
Don't own so much stuff that you need a cleaning person.
People will judge your linens. Rightly so -- you spend a lot of time with them and quality ones are worth it. Check out reddit.com/r/buyitforlife
Try going Vegan for a month.
Nobody is your bro, Marina.
If there’s a line outside then you've found one of the two good brunch spots in the neighborhood.
If you live in SF become a member of the Cal Academy of Sciences.
Have breakfast with a friend once a week.
Disable all notifications on your phone.
You’ll be surprised how much you can learn from Robert Caro, Ernest Hemmingway, Jack London, and John Steinbeck.
Try not buy anything that advertises on Facebook.
Go to India before you’re twenty five. Put photos of it in your Tinder profile.
Unless you’re hiking at altitude, don’t wear a backpack in public. Use a messenger bag.
Tip bartenders with Venmo if they have it.
Seek the advice of a man who works in a good men’s store, even if you can’t afford to shop there. They’ll be more helpful than you realize. (Cable Car Clothiers or putthison.com)
Pink cocktails are fabulous, it's the sugar in them that gets you.
Ask your grandfather what his life was like 50 years ago, and don’t interrupt him.
Ask your grandmother what her life was like 50 years ago, and don't interrupt her.
Do not own a watch.
Buy from a small bodega if you live near one, or learn your neighborhoods farmer's markets schedule.
If making rent is hard, use these pro recipes for $4/day cooking: http://www.leannebrown.com/s/good-and-cheap.pdf
You’ll never regret being a regular until your favorite spot closes because the rent is too damn high.
Have a pet cause (that does real good) and set up automatic donations, even if it’s only $25 a year.
Long socks with pants, very short socks with shorts. I want to see your shoes. I don't want to see your socks.
If your cocktail arrives with a straw in it you may be at the Conga Room.
Go to the Fillmore and Warfield once a year, even if you don’t know the band. Same for the Opera and Symphony. Midweek tickets can be cheap.
Know a fancy place to get a drink and dive within 10 minutes of your house.
Have a calling card you’re proud of, your name and number are enough.
You should never care enough about shoes that someone's impression of them will ruin your day.
Get to know who The Diggers and The Sisters were and are.
Don't forget SF existed more than 5 years ago. Eat at Al's Place, and The House of Prime Rib.
Have a friend who’s twenty years older than you.
If you’re grateful for the education you received then volunteer to help local high schools or tutor. If you're not a good teacher, giving money is an ok second choice.
You don’t send thank-you emails?
Bring a bottle to every party—and not cheap wine from the nearest store. If you’re not confident choosing the wine then bring a cold-weather Pinot Noir.
Get familiar with a liquor store staff. This probably means K&L Wines.
0.1% of you playing fantasy sports are making money with statistics. 99.9% of you are losing money at gambling. Do you have 10 spreadsheets that use linear analysis or calculus? I thought so.
Always watch the Daily Show's take on the State of the Union, regardless of your politics.
You don’t know anything about the Civil War?
Start building your kindle or Audible library now. Physical books are for the handful that have deep meaning for you, like works of art on the wall.
Learn what a signal/noise ratio is and be concious of it on social media.
At some point you can break just about any rule of dressing, but square-toed shoes are never right.
Research tailors in your area and aspire to visit the one that’s right for you. Start with a versatile sport coat if you can’t afford a suit. And take their advice, this is their livelihood.
When in doubt where straightforward, classic clothes. Don’t try to reinvent anything. If Fred Astaire wouldn’t recognize it then be wary. You don’t want to look like a Bond villain or a Russian military attaché. (this applies to thie hipster jeans+t-shirt, too)
Don’t bet on sports.
A martini is made with gin is stirred and served very cold with a twist of lemon. Start there before experimenting.
Don’t rent clothes.
Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment