Pittsburgh Misconceptions (Bethlehem, Republic, Penn: environment, attorney, jobs)

[Katiana]

Also Students don't pay taxes in State College, and are not allowed to vote for town canidates.

Students who rent pay property taxes in their rent. Students who work pay any wage taxes state college charges. Anyone who buys anything pays sales tax, some of which is rebated back to State College. Students are most definitely allowed to vote in their college towns. The Universities of Illinois and Colorado, and St. Olaf College in Minnesota have polling places ON CAMPUS.

[RowJimmy]

Honestly the most diverse place I've been is State College and Oakland in Pittsburgh because of all the foreign student population that doesn't count in population statistics.

42,000 Students in State College (main campus)
38,000 people population.
Even if they live in Belfonte, on Campus (which you posted acounts for 10,000) Trust me the later 35,000 is far from true. That is a lot of people as I initially said adding to the diversity of the town not counting for State college's population. 10,000 in University park is a lot, and that is smack dab in the middle of the town.

[Katiana]

Honestly the most diverse place I've been is State College and Oakland in Pittsburgh because of all the foreign student population that doesn't count in population statistics.

Races in State College:

White Non-Hispanic (82.9%)
Black (3.7%)
Chinese (3.4%)
Hispanic (3.0%)
Asian Indian (2.0%)
Korean (1.7%)
Two or more races (1.6%)
Other race (1.4%)
Other Asian (0.7%)

From City-Data. That is a lot more diverse than many towns in central PA, and many Pgh suburbs as well.

Citizens of foreign countries who have established a household or are part of an established household in the U.S. while working or studying, including family members with them - Counted at the household.

From the census bureau link. Note it specifically states citizens of other countries-counted here.

[BurghBabe]

I was born and raised in the actual city of Pittsburgh (not the suburbs or two counties away). I went to private school in the city with classmates that were from both the city of Pittsburgh and outside. All the true city kids said 'yinz" and the suburbanites didn't. I don't consider the word yinz to be trashy. It tells people where I'm from the same way in which a person might say ya'll, which would tell you that they are likely from the south. Whoever said it was a minority thing is mistaken. I am white as are most of my friends. In fact, I think there were only a few african americans that even went to my school. Yet, 1/2 the school were 'yinzers.' The word originates from Ireland and Scotland (not too many blacks there). As most of you should know, a lot of those people from those countries settled in the area. Pittsburgh is a special place that sticks strongly with tradition and family roots which is why the word has probably remained over the years. I'm 21 and most of my friends are still young, so I hate to break it to those of you 'cringers' but us yinzers aren't going anywhere! I am in broadcasting and won't hesitate to use that word in a Pittsburgh market!

Pittsburghese is something unique that has been written about all over the world. It sets our region apart and gives us something unique to bond over. Just because you grew up in an area that didn't have anything special is no reason to go around making fun of other dialects or customs. I am far from blue collar and I am proud to be a yinzer! People automically know where I am from when I say it and that makes me happy. Pittsburgh is a city I love and if you like this place as well, you should like the yinzers because they have been around much longer than you have and will be around long after you're gone! YINZ should have some pride and appreciate such a unique aspect of your 'hometown'... it's okay, I'll let you pretend you're really from Pittsburgh since noone knows where Cranberry, PA is when you're on your vacation in Daytona.

[claremarie]

I am in broadcasting and won't hesitate to use that word in a Pittsburgh market!

If you want to be the next Myron Cope, great. But on-air broadcasting jobs are few and far between, especially in small markets like Pittsburgh. As a professional twice your age, I can assure you that using the word "yinz" in a professional setting, especially outside Pittsburgh (but also within it), is not going to impress anyone. Particularly if it is accompanied by the other common elements of "Pittsburghese." You claim that you are "far from blue collar," but "blue collar" is exactly the impression you will leave.

[schwinghammer]

Originally Posted by claremarie

I am in broadcasting and won't hesitate to use that word in a Pittsburgh market!

If you want to be the next Myron Cope, great. But on-air broadcasting jobs are few and far between, especially in small markets like Pittsburgh. As a professional twice your age, I can assure you that using the word "yinz" in a professional setting, especially outside Pittsburgh (but also within it), is not going to impress anyone. Particularly if it is accompanied by the other common elements of "Pittsburghese." You claim that you are "far from blue collar," but "blue collar" is exactly the impression you will leave.

Pittsburgh IS blue collar, no matte ho much it's changed since the 70's. What's wrong with trying to make people feel that you have something in common with the Average Joe?

Look at politicians...they do it all the time with their "roll up the sleeves - grass roots" attitude. Hell, Hillary even changes her accent based on what city or region she's in.

[guylocke]

Pittsburgh IS blue collar, no matte ho much it's changed since the 70's.

That's completely untrue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2005 showed that less than 25% (less than a quarter!!) of all occupations in Pittsburgh could be considered blue collar. I imagine the next statistical tally will show even less as it has been steadily dropping. Pittsburgh is much more heavily a service-based city now which isn't surprising considering health care, academia, and financing are three of our top "industries." Slap on robotics, high technology, bio/chemical/nuclear engineering, and artificial intelligence, and you now have the very bulk of our resources and economy.

PS. None of which are blue-collar. Sorry schwinghammer. I'm not saying blue-collar is BAD, because it certainly isn't, but those are the facts.

[schwinghammer]

Originally Posted by boylocke

That's completely untrue. The Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2005 showed that less than 25% (less than a quarter!!) of all occupations in Pittsburgh could be considered blue collar. I imagine the next statistical tally will show even less as it has been steadily dropping. Pittsburgh is much more heavily a service-based city now which isn't surprising considering health care, academia, and financing are three of our top "industries." Slap on robotics, high technology, bio/chemical/nuclear engineering, and artificial intelligence, and you now have the very bulk of our resources and economy.

PS. None of which are blue-collar. Sorry schwinghammer. I'm not saying blue-collar is BAD, because it certainly isn't, but those are the facts.

when i said that i more meant it as a mentality, not actual demographics.

[guylocke]

when i said that i more meant it as a mentality, not actual demographics.

Oh, well in that case, I imagine you're right! Pittsburghers are very hard working.

[BurghBabe]

Originally Posted by claremarie

I am in broadcasting and won't hesitate to use that word in a Pittsburgh market!

If you want to be the next Myron Cope, great. But on-air broadcasting jobs are few and far between, especially in small markets like Pittsburgh. As a professional twice your age, I can assure you that using the word "yinz" in a professional setting, especially outside Pittsburgh (but also within it), is not going to impress anyone. Particularly if it is accompanied by the other common elements of "Pittsburghese." You claim that you are "far from blue collar," but "blue collar" is exactly the impression you will leave.

I didn't say I would end the nightly newscast with "yinz stay classy, Pittsburgh." I would simply add lib it in a casual style. Pittsburgh is not a small market. It happens to be one of the top 25 in the nation. So, get your facts straight.