Philadelphia - friendly city for newcomers or not - it has been debated (Drexel Hill: living, wealthy)

[robertpolyglot]

Ok, Philadelphians, your city/metro area gets bashed on here for being unfriendly and rude. The closest I've lived to it is northern NJ. I've been there less than a handful of times, usually to do tourist stuff. I have friends from Drexel Hill, South Philadelphia and Media.

Is it kind of inbred with a "what are you doing here attitude?" Is it cliquish? Is the "Main Line" impossibly snobby or will the attitude in the poor areas be as bad, but in a different way? Is it based on suburb-by-suburb?

[frankgn87]

no, not at all. That impression you got is not correct. Philly is very welcoming..

[mancat100]

If you come across as a douchebag, you'll be treated accordingly. If you come across as a decent person you'll be treated as such. Occasionally you'll run into an idiot. That happens anywhere. If you look for the negative in people, you'll find it. If you look for the good in people you'll find that too. Philadelphians are not some strange anti-social offshoot of the larger human race. People are people.

[Duderino]

Originally Posted by mancat100

If you come across as a douchebag, you'll be treated accordingly. If you come across as a decent person you'll be treated as such. Occasionally you'll run into an idiot. That happens anywhere. If you look for the negative in people, you'll find it. If you look for the good in people you'll find that too. Philadelphians are not some strange anti-social offshoot of the larger human race. People are people.

Agreed. I think for a major East Coast metro area, Philadelphians are incredibly down to earth and open. Some of the most affable and friendly people I've ever met are native Philadelphians who never once asked where I was from initially prior to offering such friendliness.

[*Sweetkisses*]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Ok, Philadelphians, your city/metro area gets bashed on here for being unfriendly and rude. The closest I've lived to it is northern NJ. I've been there less than a handful of times, usually to do tourist stuff. I have friends from Drexel Hill, South Philadelphia and Media.

Is it kind of inbred with a "what are you doing here attitude?" Is it cliquish? Is the "Main Line" impossibly snobby or will the attitude in the poor areas be as bad, but in a different way? Is it based on suburb-by-suburb?

Philadelphians are the least pretentious out of all the major cities in the northeast corridor.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by *Sweetkisses*

Philadelphians are the least pretentious out of all the major cities in the northeast corridor.

Agree. Hence, they are often friendly. Yes, at times impatient, passionate, and highly opinionated, but not often condescending or aloof.

[ElijahAstin]

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

Ok, Philadelphians, your city/metro area gets bashed on here for being unfriendly and rude. The closest I've lived to it is northern NJ. I've been there less than a handful of times, usually to do tourist stuff. I have friends from Drexel Hill, South Philadelphia and Media.

Is it kind of inbred with a "what are you doing here attitude?" Is it cliquish? Is the "Main Line" impossibly snobby or will the attitude in the poor areas be as bad, but in a different way? Is it based on suburb-by-suburb?

Only a small subset of Main Liners (~20%) fit such an "impossibly snobby" stereotype. The vast majority of people there are very similar to those found in other, similarly wealthy areas. It really bugs me a lot of people still seem to think this way. Like I said, there's definitely truth to the stereotype, but it does not at all warrant painting an area containing well over 100,000 people with such broad brushstrokes.

[lust4life2]

Been living here for five years. definitely the folks at cvs and riteaid arent the friendliest ones...

[Darbarian]

I do my best to dispell the stereotype that native Philadelphians aren't friendly at all. I live around in an area that is heavely trafficed by out of towners, either Conventioners or Vacationers.

Any time that I see them looking lost, or aimlessly at a map, I ask if they need any help. I've also been stopped on the street by those same types and asked where something is, and my first reply isn't "EFF OFF AHOLE!" It's usually "Oh, just go two blocks this way make a left etc."

There are bad seeds in any area you live, but the majority of people here are friendly. Provided you aren't a Cowboys fan.

[OptimusPrime69]

oh mah gawwd :roll:

people in philly arent any different than people in DC or NY or Connecticut... some are welcoming, some arent. Most people dont give an eff where you're from.

I mean honestly, ohhh wow, u moved here from jersey? How exotic! not.