Re: Why Do Yinzers Come Off As 'Unfriendly'? (Pittsburgh, Taylor: houses, to buy)

[charisb]

I find Pittsburgh mostly friendly. I do mostly socialize with non-natives because I work at Pitt.
My neighborhood is actually very friendly and there are many natives there (ironic,because the OP finds Greenfield 'depressing'). My neighbors are quick to clear each other's sidewalks when there is snow or to rake leaves from other yards. My mom fell out front when visiting and three neighbors came out to make sure she was okay.
I grew up in the south and people there are more friendly in ways like saying hello to everyone you pass on the sidewalk. However, my family complains that things have become less friendly in the past few decades since there has been so much migration from the northeast/midwest.

[HarryRSpooner]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Not all natives are yinzers. Not even all working-class white natives are yinzers, but that demo is the gatekeeper of yinzerism.

Okay, I didn't think being a Yinzer was a racial category. I always thought there were black Yinzers too. In fact I find the fraternity between blacks and whites in Pittsburgh astonishing. Other cities like Boston and New York are far more segregated. This is a highly integrated city. This is the land of salt and pepper.

[Paul2421]

Originally Posted by HarryRSpooner

No, I think you've now just proven my point bud, haven't you? There is no backhanded here. I'm being upfront. I've noticed older Yinzers are super nice and super friendly. Like the 70 or 80 and up crowd. They take pride in their homes and run a tight ship. Those people I have a lot of respect for. You know the ones that clean their homes and their yards. The ones that are proud of having raised good honest hardworking children and grandchildren. Is that backhanded to you?

As explained above, "yinzer" is often used as a deragotary term that is used to describe the "backwards" natives that reside in the area. "New Pittsburgh" is comprised of more than just transplants. That being said, I am part of new pittsburgh but i'm not beyond telling someone off for generalizing a portion of people based on preconceived thoughts. If that makes me "unfriendly", I don't care. So maybe that is your answer. Some people don't feel the need to be fake to appease others. It is likely your actions are soliciting negative response from people, as noted by your mindset in this and other threads.

[svband76]

Yinzers and their ancestors built this city and made it great, which is the reason why all these millennial hipsters want to move here. Yinzers are as friendly and welcoming as can be, have tight knit families and love their city. I'm proud to be one of them. With a big friggen long Polish last name to go with it.

[HarryRSpooner]

Originally Posted by charisb

I find Pittsburgh mostly friendly. I do mostly socialize with non-natives because I work at Pitt.
My neighborhood is actually very friendly and there are many natives there (ironic,because the OP finds Greenfield 'depressing'). My neighbors are quick to clear each other's sidewalks when there is snow or to rake leaves from other yards. My mom fell out front when visiting and three neighbors came out to make sure she was okay.
I grew up in the south and people there are more friendly in ways like saying hello to everyone you pass on the sidewalk. However, my family complains that things have become less friendly in the past few decades since there has been so much migration from the northeast/midwest.

Okay, so would you say Southerners are more polite than Yinzers? And maybe, Pittsburghers are more helpful than Southerners? There is a distinction between polite and helpful. In some ways I'd prefer someone being helpful than polite. It is interesting how migration does play a role.Yeah, you got me, I'm no fan of Greenfield or Penn Hills for that matter. I know the latter is outside of the city limits.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by HarryRSpooner

Okay, I didn't think being a Yinzer was a racial category. I always thought there were black Yinzers too. In fact I find the fraternity between blacks and whites in Pittsburgh astonishing. Other cities like Boston and New York are far more segregated. This is a highly integrated city. This is the land of salt and pepper.

Yinzeridm is a distinct mashup of Appalachian, Eastern/central European and Italian cultures. Black natives don’t have the same accent or dialect. I’m not sure they eat all the same foods, And as a rule, they couldn’t care less about the Penguins.

[HarryRSpooner]

Originally Posted by zalewskimm

Yinzers and their ancestors built this city and made it great, which is the reason why all these millennial hipsters want to move here. Yinzers are as friendly and welcoming as can be, have tight knit families and love their city. I'm proud to be one of them. With a big friggen long Polish last name to go with it.

No, Millennial hipsters move here for one main reason: affordable housing. Let's leave the ancestors out of it because they're in the grave. Poland is great again because the Democratic Party, er I mean the Communist Party is no longer in charge. They don't have Peduto running the show.

[HarryRSpooner]

Originally Posted by gladhands

Yinzeridm is a distinct mashup of Appalachian, Eastern/central European and Italian cultures. Black natives don’t have the same accent or dialect. I’m not sure they eat all the same foods, And as a rule, they couldn’t care less about the Penguins.

I see plenty of good black folks wearing Stiller memorabilia, throwback Penguin gear, and eating Pierogies when offered. So I wouldn't exclude black people from the fold and the mold so fast.

[HarryRSpooner]

Originally Posted by Paul2421

As explained above, "yinzer" is often used as a deragotary term that is used to describe the "backwards" natives that reside in the area. "New Pittsburgh" is comprised of more than just transplants. That being said, I am part of new pittsburgh but i'm not beyond telling someone off for generalizing a portion of people based on preconceived thoughts. If that makes me "unfriendly", I don't care. So maybe that is your answer. Some people don't feel the need to be fake to appease others. It is likely your actions are soliciting negative response from people, as noted by your mindset in this and other threads.

Spare me the ad hominems, those aren't necessary. Your behavior is far more egregious than any authentic or original Yinzer I've encountered. You don't need to get all aggressive to prove your affinity and loyalty to Pittsburgh. It isn't necessary my friend. Not at all. I've never heard of the term Yinzer being construed as derogatory. If I were born and raised here, I'd be proud to be called a Yinzer.

[gladhands]

Originally Posted by HarryRSpooner

I see plenty of good black folks wearing Stiller memorabilia, throwback Penguin gear, and eating Pierogies when offered. So I wouldn't exclude black people from the fold and the mold so fast.

It’s obvious that this is a troll post, but how many black people have you seen at a Penguins game?How many have you known to make shop chipped ham or strawberry pretzel Jell-O? How many have you heard say “yinz”, “dahntahn” or “needs done”?