If L.A. is "fake" then what cities are "real"? (San Francisco: high crime, to live)

[Jay100]

Originally Posted by disgruntled la native

LA is not that fake. It's a pretty fine city overall. Even the hollywood crowd.

I find LA natives are pretty genuine. We sometimes get these out of towners who come in and intentionally act "fake" because they think they have to. Like the people who try to become models and actors. From podunk indiana or something. and they adopt this new persona because they THINK that is what LA is about

Real fakeness? Go to Europe. That is chillingly, disturbingly fake.

Or go to philly, boston, detroit, parts of NYC, and deal with rude dangerous people.

+1

I have to agree. The only fake people are the transplants.

[Curmudgeon]

I think a lot of the perception is merely appearance. With the exception of the Wilshire District, L.A. doesn't really have a skyline like back east, "real" cities do. It's primarily a lower-case sprawl. Back in the day (40s, 50s and 60s) there was the much envied "pueblo" affect that made it unique and noteworthy with a great deal of Mediterranean architecture that punched it up but those attributes have faded and become lost in all too many areas. Anymore, L.A. has become a loosely-joined collection of districts and neighborhoods rather than a cohesive city in the minds of many.

As for the "plastic" people, they're in no way all that much more predominate than you'll find in other urban areas throughout the country. They just get more press!

[mading6]

You know what is so funny when I moved here 3 years ago I use to say the same thing about L.A., that L.A. was soooooo "fake" so "plastic".
But the more I think about it, those so called "fake" things, behaviors are so REAL.

Los Angeles is so real in the sense of the real world: the super rich, the super poor, the super bull**** that is necessaary for business, the images that are sold to all us Americans and the world. All that is sooooooooooo REAL.

[fatmancomics]

Lots of people like to compare Los Angeles to New York and what they're really comparing is Hollywood and Manhattan which any native of either city will tell you are not really what either city is about.

Wanna hear fake? The theater industry in New York pans anything that L.A. has to offer while many playwrites open their plays in Los Angeles to test their success (it's also cheaper) and then take them to New York.

[Lakersrock1996]

I am originally from Redondo Beach in Los Angeles. Currenly I live in New Orleans. But lived in Los Angeles most of my life....I have to admit it is by far one of the most pretentious places in the world. People are just not real....most things people tell you is total B.S. Everyone is pretending to be somthing they are NOT....there is also a sense that the men have become so soft to please the ladies they do not remember how to be men anymore. METRO/SOFT....the men and the women are confused....who is suppose to DO WHAT? There is know sense of traditional family value....also Los Angeles really does not have a soul....unless you dig thru the fake persona and fake boobs you might find a half a decent person in there....I have traveled most of the world and seriously Los Angeles grow up!!!! You are not THE HILLS or any of those other reality shows....most people with any real talent are NOT even from Los Angeles....very sad. With all that said....I STILL LOVE LOS ANGELES!!!! But it need a good kick in th ass.....

[Samoi137]

Originally Posted by Lakersrock1996

I am originally from Redondo Beach in Los Angeles. Currenly I live in New Orleans. But lived in Los Angeles most of my life....I have to admit it is by far one of the most pretentious places in the world. People are just not real....most things people tell you is total B.S. Everyone is pretending to be somthing they are NOT....there is also a sense that the men have become so soft to please the ladies they do not remember how to be men anymore. METRO/SOFT....the men and the women are confused....who is suppose to DO WHAT? There is know sense of traditional family value....also Los Angeles really does not have a soul....unless you dig thru the fake persona and fake boobs you might find a half a decent person in there....I have traveled most of the world and seriously Los Angeles grow up!!!! You are not THE HILLS or any of those other reality shows....most people with any real talent are NOT even from Los Angeles....very sad. With all that said....I STILL LOVE LOS ANGELES!!!! But it need a good kick in th ass.....

A lot of stereotypes in this one. Sounds like you hung out with people who work, are would like to work, in the entertainment industry. There are over 8 million people in the area. They're all alike? Are you talking about everyone in the City of Los Angeles? Or County? Or all of Southern California (which people sometimes people think of when saying "Los Angeles"). Maybe you just don't like modern women and men who accommodate them. Might I suggest a Muslim country (not just any Muslim country, but a conservative one like Saudi Arabaia or Iran) for your enjoyment? You won't have men becoming weak to please their women.

[faunablues]

... I haven't found people in Los Angeles to be much different than people from anywhere. Maybe when people talk "fake", they're talking about affluent people associated with the entertainment industry. But that's not even a significant segment of the population of L.A.. It's like thinking NYC is full of rich stock brokers. what.

[nickdahammer]

I really think this 'real' tag means, by definition that we are not laid out like Boston or Chicago, or other developed cities on the East Coast. Ergo, we are not authentic somehow. The irony is that THAT assertion is shallow and not alittle bit lazy. So, if L.A. doesn't resemble NYC then it isn't 'real' and neither are the people who live here?! Cleveland isn't like L.A.? Big deal, good for them. Good for us.

My parents migrated here from Boston in the 50's to escape that rigid way of thinking. I'm glad they did.

To chariega: its funny, I was in DC in 2008 and the people seemed awfully insular and shallow to me. I loved the City itself, and the locals hanging out at the local farmer's markets with their kids in tow were great. It's the ones out in the bars and diners who wouldn't give me the time of day.

[cityfilms]

Definitely NOT Atlanta! Atlanta is the ghetto version of fake it till you make it. What people in Atlanta consider "real" is when you say "keeping it real" before every other sentence and walking around with a chip on your shoulder and rude attitute is also their version of "real". Oh, and also driving fast like you gotta get somewhere and then you pull up behind the same person 5 minutes later at a convenient store or fast food drive in...

[Fontucky]

Originally Posted by Lakersrock1996

There is know sense of traditional family value.... unless you dig thru

Yep, you DID grow up there.

Originally Posted by Lakersrock1996

unless you dig thru the fake persona and fake boobs you might find a half a decent person in there....

You leave my fake boobs alone, little mister.