Relocation questions from a Floridian couple. - Philadelphia - Pennsylvania (PA) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

JudyDR · 03-16-2010, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kyle19125

In other words, brace yourself...you won't be in the "Sunshine State" anymore.

The sunshine in Sunshine State refers only to weather, I'm afraid. At least in Miami, where I'm from. Widespread rudeness is all I know.

Avalon08 · 03-16-2010, 10:18 PM

Yeah, don't take it personally if Philly people aren't as friendly as you're used to....and I'm FROM Philly (well, the 'burbs). I took my little dog to Rittenhouse Square one beautiful day last fall. TONS of people were there -- on the benches, on the grass, walking dogs, etc. First time I had ever been there. Had my Phillies shirt on, dog was walking nicely. NO ONE was friendly. Not the other dog owners, not the people I sat next to on the bench. Actually, I take it back -- two people were friendly, a couple of Japanese tourists who made a big fuss over my dog because they owned the same breed. Otherwise, I was a little surprised at the standoffish-ness, especially with fellow dog owners. But hey, we're not in Iowa.

solibs · 03-16-2010, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avalon08

Had my Phillies shirt on, dog was walking nicely. NO ONE was friendly.

I don't understand this at all. Sincerely.

I mean, Center City has about 70,000 residents, 100,000 employees, and tens of thousands of tourists and people from other parts of the city and 'burbs there shopping or handling business.

Why would someone strike up a conversation with you - a complete stranger? Especially if they've come to the park for the express purpose of meeting up with family or friends?

You can think that a situation is novel and that everyone should be in a great mood and chatty because that's how you feel about it - but for most of the people walking their dogs in Rittenhouse, putting on their Phillies cap before they take the dog out for a walk is something that they do 4 or 5 times a day - everyday.

I don't mean any offense by it - I just don't understand why so many people have such midwestern expectations from such a large, east coast city. If you're walking through the park by yourself, saying "hey, how's it going" and trying to make eye contact with strangers they're going to wonder what you want. That's no different in NYC, in London or at the King of Prussia mall. There are certain situations, in any big city, where it's perfectly acceptable to strike up a conversation with a stranger. In other situations it's just creepy.

Avalon08 · 03-17-2010, 11:54 PM

Solibs, I don't have Midwestern expectations since I've never been to the Midwest. I was comparing my experience to dog parks I've been to on the Main Line. I know Rittenhouse Square is not a dog park, but dog owners are usually friendly to one another. It's socialization for the dogs to greet each other, and there were MANY people with dogs. It was a beautiful Sunday, during a time when the Phillies were in the World Series, and people were just hanging out. This was not business people rushing to get to work. I understand your "no eye contact" attitude because in a normal center-city passerby situation, I don't make eye contact either, for fear of getting scammed or panhandled. Hanging out on a beautiful fall day in Rittenhouse Square, sitting on a bench, with tons of people enjoying the park, it would not be "creepy" to smile or say hello. For example, I was not creeped out by the Japanese tourists smiling at me and asking about my dog. Please, I am not some bumpkin who was expecting people to approach me and start a conversation. However, there was a stand-offishness that is definitely more pronounced than the suburbs, and I'm just preparing the FL OPs to expect it and not be surprised.