Why do so many people believe that New York is the center of the universe? (Rome: appointed, theatre)

[Nala8]

Now, don't get me wrong. There is a lot to love about New York City. But come on, get outta here... The center of the universe? I overheard a guy in a deli not too long ago describe New York City as the capitol of the world. With a tone of voice that was as if he were daring anyone (ANYONE...grrr) to disagree with him. I was on my way to work, and there was a huge line behind us, so I had to bite my tongue.

I am in the process of moving to a more laid-back city in the midwest that has an incredibly vibrant cultural scene (music, theatre, film, the literary arts), beautiful natural surroundings, and a friendly down-to-earth spirit. To each his or her own, I always say. I love the cultural scene here in New York City so much that I know that I will back to visit or vacation. I will make New York City one of my getaways and will more than likely come back to work on artistic projects or teach. Great. But what's up with the (I think) defensiveness that my moving seems to be invoking in die-hard New Yorkers? As in, "What are you thinking? There is no place like New York City!" Ok... uhm... But whose making comparisons? Not me, man. Peace... Dang...

[ddhboy]

Because people have put so much of NYC as part of their dreams that they've clouded their perception of it. The fact is that NYC is ultimately just a city and nothing more.

[Chava61]

I think NYC is the unofficial capital of all the major cities on our small Earth planet. But it is not the center of the universe!

[Ninjahedge]

I think it is a world leader. What in? Hard to say specifically, but when you look around at Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Barcelona, Rome and others, it is not difficult to believe it is one of THE most important cities in the world.

Universe? Hell, I am still waiting for the Vogons to join the "miss Universe" contest, but they just don't seem interested for some reason.....

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by Ninjahedge

I think it is a world leader. What in? Hard to say specifically, but when you look around at Tokyo, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, Barcelona, Rome and others, it is not difficult to believe it is one of THE most important cities in the world.

Universe? Hell, I am still waiting for the Vogons to join the "miss Universe" contest, but they just don't seem interested for some reason.....

Oh my. lol. I am crackin' up here. Best laugh I've had today. Thank you.

Vogons...

[mgt04]

Not another one of these threads....I need to save my responses from other similar threads and have like a canned response to these threads:P

I love NYC and what it has to offer me. Yes there are plenty of stuck up NY'ers but there are also plenty of NY'ers who don't feel the sun revolves around them. While NYC has something to offer me, it may not be good for someone else which is fine. To each their own as long as they're happy

[missionhill]

In a book published in 1968, Sam Bass Warner Jr wrote that the US was a bunch of competing cities and city regions rather than, like France, a country with one overwhelmingly dominant city. The US may have gotten a little closer to France since then--cities like Phila and Boston no longer have their own big banks or major department stores--but New York is still just another big city in the constellation of US metro areas. It may be more admired globally than nationally--it certainly is a world capital--but then so is London, Beijing, Cairo, and a few other places.

[DAS]

Was the deli in Brooklyn, that you were in when the guy made the statement? I don't want to be starting something, but that is the tone, that most of the Brooklynites I work with have about everything. Even when they are on the phone with clients, and trying to get something straightened out. Real NYer's, it keeps the boredom away.

I don't think he meant any negativity or was daring anyone to disagree with him, he was just making a statement, maybe hoping others would chime in to kill time on the line, since it was long.

The defensiveness you are picking up when discussing your move, if this is with friends or colleagues, maybe their way of telling you, "hey I'm going to miss you, what is so interesting about the place you are moving to?" but of course we don't get too warm and fuzzy in NY.

[muman]

Haha! Believe it or not, there are some here in the Midwest, especially in small rural places who won't even want to talk to you if you say you're from NYC. That is, unless they see you as some sort of weird carnival act from the big city of heathens! They may be nice to your face and then snicker and make disparaging remarks once you're gone. Many of THEM also believe that their little rural town is all that matters. The attitudes you will encounter in some areas of the Midwest may disappoint you if you think everyone here is wonderfully open-minded about other people and places.

Also, even if you're 'moving to a more laid-back city in the midwest that has an incredibly vibrant cultural scene', you may eventually become disappointed. Especially if the 'cultural scene' is very important to you. Sure, there are vibrant cultural scenes in some unexpected places, but unless it's Chicago, I don't think the Midwest has anything remotely comparable to the New York 'cultural scene'. Even Chicago doesn't compare all that well.

I agree though, there are people who I've met from NYC and the northeastern part of the country in general who think that anyone from the middle of the country is some redneck hayseed or something...THAT I don't like. I'll admit that there is a certain, especially rural, portion of the population who are rednecks, but it's not ALL of us! In other words, there seems to be 'provincialism' everywhere, not just NYC.

I'm Midwest born and raised, and like many things about my state, but I've visited NY many times and hope you don't get bored out here after a couple of years.

[Nala8]

Originally Posted by DAS

Was the deli in Brooklyn, that you were in when the guy made the statement? I don't want to be starting something, but that is the tone, that most of the Brooklynites I work with have about everything. Even when they are on the phone with clients, and trying to get something straightened out. Real NYer's, it keeps the boredom away.

I don't think he meant any negativity or was daring anyone to disagree with him, he was just making a statement, maybe hoping others would chime in to kill time on the line, since it was long.

The defensiveness you are picking up when discussing your move, if this is with friends or colleagues, maybe their way of telling you, "hey I'm going to miss you, what is so interesting about the place you are moving to?" but of course we don't get too warm and fuzzy in NY.

Love your answer, DAS. The guy in the deli did have a strong "New York" accent, not sure that means he's from Brooklyn. He jumped into a conversation he overheard me having with a student, right when I had said that this is going to be a good move for me even though New York is a great place in many ways. Ai yai yai... That's when the guy chimed in, "New York is the capitol of the world!" lol

I did have an encounter with a Brooklynite last night in class, who was loud and adamant, as you've described. But in the end, he did admit that he doesn't want me to go. Go figure...

So yeah, I know, I know... That's just my friends' way of saying they don't want to see me go. It's not working, but they are giving me plenty of reasons to come back for multiple visits.

Because I've traveled so much, I just don't see the world in black and white. All cities have their ups and downs, their pro's and cons.