For Emily Kosciulek, irritation is simply part of D.C. living.
The American University student said that while she likes Washington because of all the free museums, commuting can cause lots of headaches.
“The Metro bothers me,” she said. “People aren’t really that nice. I’ve seen some really rude things on the Metro.”
Her view falls in line with a recent ranking by Sperling’s Best Places, a research firm that analyzes data to rate cities based on different criteria. A new study, commissioned by Edge Shaving Gel, ranks the District as the third-most irritation-prone city.
1. Atlanta 2. Houston 3. Washington 4. Baltimore 5. Los Angeles 6. Philadelphia 7. Tampa 8. Birmingham, Ala. 9. New York 10. Phoenix
According to researchers, irritating factors included level of overall traffic congestion, average heat index and rate of sleeplessness — all areas where Washington ranks high.
Grace Karambiri, a Pennsylvania native who is in the District visiting family, said she has noticed a few of these factors.
“It’s really easy to get lost. It’s hot. It’s loud,” she said, as the sounds of construction work roared on behind her seat in Dupont Circle.
Even Rockville’s Erica Guy, who said she didn’t find D.C. that irritating, took issue with the Metro experience. She said people get too angry about standing on the correct side of the escalator (that would be the right side).
Laura Castelli had less to say about the Metro than about driving in the city. The American University student drives to work near Dupont Circle and finds the streets much more difficult to navigate than the grid system of her native New York.
“Circles really upset me,” she said.
Researchers used average heat index as an irritating factor. D.C. resident Sara Monteabaro agreed with how uncomfortable the heat is, saying that even in winter the weather can be irritating.
Despite the irritation that city causes, Monteabaro said the little things don’t spoil the bigger picture of living in the nation’s capital.
“It’s worth it, in the end,” she said.
