Philly Wannabe's (Philadelphia, Scranton, Wilkes-Barre: gated, housing, crime)

[Duderino]

Wow. This has to top as one of the most IRRITATING threads I've ever read on this board.

1.) As a Philly suburbanite, I've never ONCE said I was from the City of Philadelphia -- only "outside of Philly," which is for the sake of convenience in the fact that the podunk-sounding suburbs outside of the city are places the vast majority of people outside of PA have never heard of. In my experience, most people who say they're from Philly but not are from South Jersey.

2.) For those of you who are avoiding letting people think you live near Philly like the plague, shame on you too. Suburban Philadelphia is one of the most desirable places in the country, and if you're trying to separate yourself from one of this country's most historically significant and important cities, that's nothing short of ridiculous. Blighted it may be, but I'm more than proud to have grown up in the area. Philadelphia has and always will be the cultural and metropolitan center.

General note: I've noticed the negativism on this board has increased more than ever. I sincerely believe there is much more good than bad not only in the suburbs but the city of Philadelphia as well. The future is very bright here, and those who can't see this are either blatantly standing in the way/completely disregarding positive developments or those who have outdated perspectives from a city that was certainly on the decline years ago but is now regaining economic footing. If you are a part/were a part of this region and don't want to associate with it -- that's your prerogative, but don't propagate unnecessary negativism clearly based on feelings of bitterness.

[ScranBarre]

Originally Posted by Duderino

Wow. This has to top as one of the most IRRITATING threads I've ever read on this board.

1.) As a Philly suburbanite, I've never ONCE said I was from the City of Philadelphia -- only "outside of Philly," which is for the sake of convenience in the fact that the podunk-sounding suburbs outside of the city are places the vast majority of people outside of PA have never heard of. In my experience, most people who say they're from Philly but not are from South Jersey.

2.) For those of you who are avoiding letting people think you live near Philly like the plague, shame on you too. Suburban Philadelphia is one of the most desirable places in the country, and if you're trying to separate yourself from one of this country's most historically significant and important cities, that's nothing short of ridiculous. Blighted it may be, but I'm more than proud to have grown up in the area. Philadelphia has and always will be the cultural and metropolitan center.

General note: I've noticed the negativism on this board has increased more than ever. I sincerely believe there is much more good than bad not only in the suburbs but the city of Philadelphia as well. The future is very bright here, and those who can't see this are either blatantly standing in the way/completely disregarding positive developments or those who have outdated perspectives from a city that was certainly on the decline years ago but is now regaining economic footing. If you are a part/were a part of this region and don't want to associate with it -- that's your prerogative, but don't propagate unnecessary negativism clearly based on feelings of bitterness.

Wow! Can I marry you!

[Hobokenkitchen]

Originally Posted by john_starks

me

We're quite new to Philly, but want to add a 'me too' to yours.

[Torresdale]

Originally Posted by dorado0359

Folks, with all due respect, would you individuals who reside within the suburbs, e.g. Quakertown, Doylestown, Paoli, Devon, Bucks County, DELEWARE, etc., please refrain from trying to impress your girlfriends, boyfriends, acquaintances and family members by telling them that you are from Philly. You are not from Philly! You are from the suburbs of Philadelphia.

It' not rocket science people, if your zip code does not lie within the boundaries of the City of Philadelphia, you do not qualify to wear the proud badge and having the distinction of being from Philly.

Once again folks, if you live within the boundaries of the City of Philadelphia you are from Philly. If you live someplace else...well, with all due respect...you are just a Philly wannabe.

Thanks in advance for your cooperation.

So if those people currently living in the 'burbs were born and raised IN Philly, how are they not FROM Philly?

[dorado0359]

Originally Posted by Torresdale

So if those people currently living in the 'burbs were born and raised IN Philly, how are they not FROM Philly?

In my opinion, People/persons who voluntarily abandon the City of Philadelphia to reside in one of its suburbs, then subsequently degrade the City and it's residents seem to be in the forefront of trying to impress their friends and associates by saying "I'm from Philly". When, in all actuality they relinquished the right to claim they are from Philly when they ran scard into the suburbs.

The exceptions, are those individuals who were forced to move from the City of Philadelphia due to job transfer, military service and circumstances beyond their control. Persons falling into these catagories retain the right to say they are from Philly. But the fearful...those who could not, or would not stick it out and live in Philly should refrain from attempting to impress their associates by saying "I'm from Philly". The simple truth of the matter is...You Are Not From Philly, you are just a Philly Wannabe.

[orrmobl]

Ok I'm originally from Darby, across Cobbs Creek from Philly. My family all came from the city at some point or other, we all have a thick South Philly accent...why would I split hairs when speaking to someone from another country or from somewhere other than the Philly area?

To locals, I'm from Delco...to everybody else, I'm from Philly...and have always been proud of that designation!

[toobusytoday]

dorado, That's the silliest thing I've ever heard, that if you move from an area you can no longer say you are from that area. HUH?? I am happy to say that I'm FROM Delaware, happy that I was raised there and even happier that we now live in Pennsylvania.

I've never lived in Philly, have never wanted to live in Philly (or any city for that matter) but when we go on vacation outside of the area we will say that we live about an hour from Philadelphia. That okay?

[Torresdale]

Originally Posted by dorado0359

In my opinion, People/persons who voluntarily abandon the City of Philadelphia to reside in one of its suburbs, then subsequently degrade the City and it's residents seem to be in the forefront of trying to impress their friends and associates by saying "I'm from Philly". When, in all actuality they relinquished the right to claim they are from Philly when they ran scard into the suburbs.

The exceptions, are those individuals who were forced to move from the City of Philadelphia due to job transfer, military service and circumstances beyond their control. Persons falling into these catagories retain the right to say they are from Philly. But the fearful...those who could not, or would not stick it out and live in Philly should refrain from attempting to impress their associates by saying "I'm from Philly". The simple truth of the matter is...You Are Not From Philly, you are just a Philly Wannabe.

Voluntarily abandon? Running scared? Fearful? What the hell? Philly isn't a war-zone that makes you tough for sticking it out. And it isn't some ride at Great Adventure complete with a "I survived Philly" t-shirt either.

It doesn't matter if people lived in the city 50 years ago or 5 days ago...they can still claim that their FROM Philly.

[ajb842]

I think people say they are from Philly just for convenience. I suppose there are those who say it for other reasons, but I don't think I know many of those people. I do live in the city limits, and even when I didn't I told people from out of town I was from Philadelphia, same way they would tell me they were from Boston or LA but living outside of it. Unless I specifically request an address, I think when you ask people where they live they just reply with the area you will most likely be familiar with if possible. I don't think it's that premeditated.

[john_starks]

folks here have a point. i mean, if you're talking to someone in Santa Barbara, CA and you're from Norristown, you might as well say Philly..