I’ll admit it, I totally use the fact that I briefly lived in San Francisco to sound cooler (seems impossible, seeing my level of coolness, right? WRONG). I’m also willing to bet that if you ever make the stupid mistake of leaving the Bay Area, you will too.

In Europe it’s fun to reminisce about SF. Telling people that I used to live on the 90 degree hill of Bush and Leavenworth opens up tons of opportunities to tell them (whether they ask me or not) about the food, the cocktails, the events, the hills, the rent, the public whipping and the food. Also, the food.

Once I stop being an ass and actually allow people to get a word in edgewise, I noticed something striking. While most everyone is aware that San Francisco exists, its reputation precedes it.  But, not many people know a lot about it, and the opinions were…interesting.

I conducted a little experiment to give you a glimpse of how San Francisco is being perceived by the world. It’s been difficult – turns out people are a tiny bit reticent to draw if they can’t draw, and a bit hesitant to describe a city they know little about. However, after harassing friends and strangers alike, I got some pretty cool results. Without further ado, here’s what people in Europe (including many non-Europeans) think about San Francisco, never having been there:

Alina

Dancing maniac, dress-up enthusiast

From: Germany

“My idea of San Francisco is that 40% of the population are surfer dudes, 30% chilled hippie guys and the other 30% beautiful beach women”

Drawing of San Francisco, by Alina from Germany

Hugo

Jazz guitarist, magician, bartender, and scary good poker player

From: Canada

“Kind of a bobo (bohemian) place but open minded”

Drawing of the Golden Gate Bridge by Hugo from Canada

Rob

That theater kid you once knew, musicals enthusiast, polyglot, used to live in China

From: England

Drawing of San Francisco by Rob  from England

Sigrid

Mountain climber, musician, health and exercise guru, one of the only people I know who actually uses Pinterest

From: South Africa

“More than just rows of pretty houses – I suppose”

Illustration of San Francisco, by Sigrid from South Africa

Wissam

Multi-talented musician/photographer/tinkerer/inventor/jack of all trades

From: Lebanon

“San Francisco looks like an organised city just like the structural waves of sound.”

Drawing of San Francisco by Wissam from Lebanon

Martin

 Surfer, photographer, psychonaut and hippie-metalhead hybrid

From: France

Drawing of San Francisco by Martin from France

Eric

Bodacious skater, hitch hiker, kitten owner, sign painter

From: England

“Could you rotate the picture to the side? I want people to see the insanely steep hill.”

Drawing of San Francisco by Eric from England

and, last but not least,

Vinz

Architecture student, techno and house junkie, great cook

From: Switzerland

“I know on one side it’s more nature, on the other there’s the city, and in the middle there’s a hippie bus and gays just getting married!”

Drawing of San Francisco by Vinz from Switzerland

All photographs taken from Facebook.com w/ user permission