Having problems fitting in in Park Slope (New York, Boston: neighborhood, buy) - Page 4 - City-Data Forum

anders · 03-30-2009, 11:13 AM

I lived in Park Slope for awhile, and left -- because I didn't share its "religion":
It was full of child-and-brownstone-worshipping yuppies who shopped for organic, low-fat, gluten-free, handcrafted, hypoallergenic diapers ... or primed their preborns for Gifted-Fetus Prep School ... or hunted for authentic antique-reproduction $40-apiece brass doorpulls for an attic closet that no one would ever see.
Since I didn't have a kid, and was renting, I didn't share The Faith.

Moth · 03-30-2009, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anders

I lived in Park Slope for awhile, and left -- because I didn't share its "religion":
It was full of child-and-brownstone-worshipping yuppies who shopped for organic, low-fat, gluten-free, handcrafted, hypoallergenic diapers ... or primed their preborns for Gifted-Fetus Prep School ... or hunted for authentic antique-reproduction $40-apiece brass doorpulls for an attic closet that no one would ever see.
Since I didn't have a kid, and was renting, I didn't share The Faith.

LOL! There is some truth to that. I lived in the Slope for several years, but I generally like it. I thought its "progressive" reputation was a bunch of nonsensical window dressing- nobody sends their kids to John Jay HS. Nobody.

Nonetheless, I think the OP needs to be more realistic. Friendships are cultivated and that takes time. We live in a society where the word "Friend" is used to describe anyone from work colleagues to the mailman. No, these are acquintances. Nothing wrong with that except thinking its more.

ire2usa · 03-30-2009, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight26

that's fair enough. I guess I have to get used to people being so guarded here.

is that how it is in NYC? if you went up talking friendlyly

to someone, would they just walk off or blank you?

scatman · 03-30-2009, 12:06 PM

I lived in the Slope for 15 years (moved out in '07). This is very suprising. If there is a neighborhood that is the King of interracials, it's the Slope! That's why your complaints are surprising.

eight26 · 03-30-2009, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moth

LOL! There is some truth to that. I lived in the Slope for several years, but I generally like it. I thought its "progressive" reputation was a bunch of nonsensical window dressing- nobody sends their kids to John Jay HS. Nobody.

Nonetheless, I think the OP needs to be more realistic. Friendships are cultivated and that takes time. We live in a society where the word "Friend" is used to describe anyone from work colleagues to the mailman. No, these are acquintances. Nothing wrong with that except thinking its more.

I never said I wanted people to instantly be friends with me. that's kind of weird. I would just like a hello back, maybe a smile?

DAS · 03-30-2009, 01:20 PM

I discussed the OP's situation with a friend and colleague that is member of the Park Slope Food Coop. I have visited the coop with her several times. She said that the Food Coop publishes their own newletter. In the newsletter they publish letters, articles, and statements to improve the Food Coop.

One complaint that has come up fairly frequently in the newsletter from interracial couples is that the wife, if she is not white, is mistaken for the nanny. Or that the darker spouse is treated differently if alone. The Food Coop has a nursery to care for younger children while parents shop or work in the coop. The complaint is also that this occurs even after it is known that the person is the parent. The Food Coop has addressed and tried to resolve the situation, but it continues to come up pretty frequently. There is a good percentage of interracial couples that belong to the Food Coop.

The Food Coop may be a good place to get to know some parents.

eight26 · 03-30-2009, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAS

I discussed the OP's situation with a friend and colleague that is member of the Park Slope Food Coop. I have visited the coop with her several times. She said that the Food Coop publishes their own newletter. In the newsletter they publish letters, articles, and statements to improve the Food Coop.

One complaint that has come up fairly frequently in the newsletter from interracial couples is that the wife, if she is not white, is mistaken for the nanny. Or that the darker spouse is treated differently if alone. The Food Coop has a nursery to care for younger children while parents shop or work in the coop. The complaint is also that this occurs even after it is known that the person is the parent. The Food Coop has addressed and tried to resolve the situation, but it continues to come up pretty frequently. There is a good percentage of interracial couples that belong to the Food Coop.

The Food Coop may be a good place to get to know some parents.

Very interesting. We've been considering joining. That's great that there are a lot of parents, but this is an issue that seriously comes up often? that's crazy.

scatman · 03-30-2009, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DAS

I discussed the OP's situation with a friend and colleague that is member of the Park Slope Food Coop. I have visited the coop with her several times. She said that the Food Coop publishes their own newletter. In the newsletter they publish letters, articles, and statements to improve the Food Coop.

One complaint that has come up fairly frequently in the newsletter from interracial couples is that the wife, if she is not white, is mistaken for the nanny. Or that the darker spouse is treated differently if alone. The Food Coop has a nursery to care for younger children while parents shop or work in the coop. The complaint is also that this occurs even after it is known that the person is the parent. The Food Coop has addressed and tried to resolve the situation, but it continues to come up pretty frequently. There is a good percentage of interracial couples that belong to the Food Coop.

The Food Coop may be a good place to get to know some parents.

I've never been a member, but I've been told that the coop is one place that was real in the beginning and became real hipster/elite as the years went on!

Moth · 03-30-2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eight26

I never said I wanted people to instantly be friends with me. that's kind of weird. I would just like a hello back, maybe a smile?

As I recall, such exchanges are not the norm in New York City.

cityboy2 · 03-30-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moth

As I recall, such exchanges are not the norm in New York City.

You know, this NYC issue never dawned on me until I returned from Toronto this past weekend. People there were so open to engaging in conversation.. it kind of scared me at first, as i was expecting them to ask for money or buy something from them

Thankfully, that wasn't the case.

I know Canada very well and travel back and forth quite often, so it's weird that I'm only now realizing how standoffish many New Yorkers can be. We do have to be given some slack though. It's not always cozy and comfy within a city this size.