Lancaster - yes or no? (Pittsburgh, Lititz: buying, schools, auction)

[Donna113]

I think I recall someone mentioning this topic prior but I do not recall for sure. I have noticed since I have been here that absolutely not one local has ever said the words "Thank You". I am not kidding; I am serious. Has anyone else noticed this? Does anyone know why this is? I am obviously a slow learner because I am still amazed each time this happens, & it has happened a lot. Any theories?

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by Donna113

I think I recall someone mentioning this topic prior but I do not recall for sure. I have noticed since I have been here that absolutely not one local has ever said the words "Thank You". I am not kidding; I am serious. Has anyone else noticed this? Does anyone know why this is? I am obviously a slow learner because I am still amazed each time this happens, & it has happened a lot. Any theories?

They think when people do nice things for them that it's expected, like the world owes them one. I've been a VOLUNTEER firefighter here for years and not only does anyone not show any appreciation but we've been yelled at for arriving to an emergency too slow, accused of stealing valuables from vehicles and houses and we struggled every year to stay in service because few people provide any financial support for us. The day is coming soon when the counties have to have paid firefighters because we can't keep members due to the ignorance of the residents and the financial strain we're under.

[schultzykins]

The culture of Lancaster locals is completely socially inept. They seem to have this air of superiority and suspicion that stems from their insular and extreme conservative background...outsiders are heathens and can't be trusted...they don't deserve grace and fellowship. Germans tend to be stoic and abrasive to begin with...this a whole new level...

[Donna113]

Wow, thanks to you both. You hit the nail right on the head. Listen to this for a coincedence lititzman: I was living here not quite a week when I made a few phone calls to find out where the local Fire Dept. was & name of it. Was told it was Neffsville. I got an address for them & sent in a check; I included a brief note that I truly appreciate what firefighters do. Back home my life was saved by the actions of a firefighter, not to mention the firefighters who never came home after 9/11. Never received a thank you which surprised me at the time but they sure cashed that check fast. Schultzykins, Lititzman, you sure do know your stuff.

[lititzman2003]

Originally Posted by Donna113

Wow, thanks to you both. You hit the nail right on the head. Listen to this for a coincedence lititzman: I was living here not quite a week when I made a few phone calls to find out where the local Fire Dept. was & name of it. Was told it was Neffsville. I got an address for them & sent in a check; I included a brief note that I truly appreciate what firefighters do. Back home my life was saved by the actions of a firefighter, not to mention the firefighters who never came home after 9/11. Never received a thank you which surprised me at the time but they sure cashed that check fast. Schultzykins, Lititzman, you sure do know your stuff.

I'm surprised and disappointed that no one from the Neffsville FD contacted you to extend their appreciation for your contribution, Donna. Considering how few residents support their local FD you would think a note or a phone call would be the least they could do. I know we personalize all of our thank-you's and either call the generous contributor or even stop by to thank them and even offer to inspect their houses for possible fire hazards.

I guess it goes to show that even though they're firefighters some of them have the same attitudes as the residens in their community. They really need to wake up.

Please accept my sincere thanks for supporting your FD.

[danwxman]

So, according to the latest census Lancaster county is really booming. The county now has nearly 520,000 people... larger than its nextdoor neighbor and suburban Philly county Chester.

Are things changing for the better... at all? One would think with all those newcomers the culture would be changing dramatically. I know Lancaster city is wonderful.

[ki0eh]

Newcomers or natural increase? Are data at that level out yet?

[ker8]

Originally Posted by schultzykins

The culture of Lancaster locals is completely socially inept. They seem to have this air of superiority and suspicion that stems from their insular and extreme conservative background...outsiders are heathens and can't be trusted...they don't deserve grace and fellowship. Germans tend to be stoic and abrasive to begin with...this a whole new level...

Wow, if that isn't just pure stereotyping....one that I do not believe to be true. Yes, I've never been to Lancaster, but considering more than half my ancestry is German, I can say this is not true. If Lancaster is "unwelcoming", it's not because they're German. Lancaster isn't even in the top 25 places in the US with German ancestry reported:

German American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Lancaster, only 39.8% of people reported having German ancestry in 2000.

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Donna113]

Originally Posted by ker8

Wow, if that isn't just pure stereotyping....one that I do not believe to be true. Yes, I've never been to Lancaster, but considering more than half my ancestry is German, I can say this is not true. If Lancaster is "unwelcoming", it's not because they're German. Lancaster isn't even in the top 25 places in the US with German ancestry reported:

German American - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In Lancaster, only 39.8% of people reported having German ancestry in 2000.

Lancaster County, Pennsylvania - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

So according to your "logic", if something is not reported then it does not exist? And, for the icing on the cake, you state you have never even been to Lancaster? Oh, & considering more than half your ancestry is German you can say none of the above is true? Well I have a news flash for you: half of my ancestry is German & I say it is true. I live here - you don't. When you are ignorant about a subject it is best to remain quiet.

[ker8]

Originally Posted by Donna113

So according to your "logic", if something is not reported then it does not exist? And, for the icing on the cake, you state you have never even been to Lancaster? Oh, & considering more than half your ancestry is German you can say none of the above is true? Well I have a news flash for you: half of my ancestry is German & I say it is true. I live here - you don't. When you are ignorant about a subject it is best to remain quiet.

I admit I'm "ignorant to how unwelcoming Lancaster is", but I am not ignorant to German culture, family structure, and customs. Lumping all Germans into the category of unwelcoming/unfriendly/whatever, is just wrong. THAT is what I was commenting on. It's the equivalent of Mexican "laziness", Irish "drunkeness", and other demeaning ethnic stereotypes. Not to mention the fact that Lancaster is not the "be all end all" to German culture.