Alamo Heights or Terrell Hills?

[orngkat]

I grew up in AH as well-60's and early 70's. There were always lots of old-money people but they were generally very low-key and accepting. I never quite fit in of course because I didn't have the societal lineage which was the most important thing as far as figuring out one's place. It always seemed weird to me that my friends all had a ranch and that they were all distantly related to each other. My mom's old house in AH has been turned into a gigantic structure that barely fits on the lot. I imagine that much of the old genteel folks are gone now and new money has moved in. But then again, since original AH families rarely leave, they are still around, just more consumeristic and appearance-oriented than their parents. But that seems to be the case everywhere.

[Alesandroruns]

I just moved to Alamo Heights from St. Louis, MO. I was born and raised in the St. Louis area; though, I have traveled extensively throughout the world and speak four languages, this is the first time I have lived in any US city other than St. Louis.I work for the US government in International Affairs and I eagerly accepted a position here in San Antonio. I am Hispanic and though I have never experienced racism in St. Louis, I feel that I am treated differently here in San Antonio.The attitudes towards me seem quite different than in St. Louis. For example, I am a runner and generally have run on the trails in suburban St. Louis in the presence of many other European-Americans on the trail without any problems. Yet, here in San Antonio, I have actually had people raise their walking sticks as I neared, I had a lady give her dog more slack as I approached her on the trail.Additionally, I do not know if the customer service is poor here in comparison with St. Louis or if I am just serviced differently because I am Hispanic. I had two awkward experiences when I was buying a suit at place called Joseph’s and at a Banana Republic in a nearby mall. In one case, the sales clerk asked me if I was aware that they only sold suits as if to say I had no business there. Only after I started sizing on jackets by myself, did he finally return to help me. And to add irony to my experiences in San Antonio, I had a local Hispanic girl ask me at a club called POSH, why I speak like a “white” person – I was born in St. Louis, I told her, I have no control over my dialect. I have had other awkward experiences at the HEB in Alamo Heights.I am excited about living here in the South but I do not understand the social norms here. They seem so different. Does anyone else notice this?

[wCat]

Alesandro.....Unless you were wearing a Speedo in Joseph's, I doubt there was anything dubious about the question you were asked. I'm pretty certain you were not looked down upon because you are "Hispanic". Not in SA. Anglos are the minority here and Joseph's would be out of biz if they only catered to "whites" that appear to have money. Actually...the very RICH that shop in SA are Mexican Nationals that come to San Antonio to shop for "bargains".
I don't have a clue to why the waitress would ask you a question like that unless she wanted to know where you were from. Lots of Hispanics from different areas here and not all are from Mexico. That would be my only guess.
As far as the park.....not knowing how many joggers are usually there, or what the scenario was, it's hard to say...maybe regulars in that particular area are just not used to "runners". The only time I would be cautious like that is if something appeared dangerous or out of the norm.....not because a "jogger" appear Hispanic.

Honestly...it's not a biggie. Welcome to SA. It is different from the Midwest, but not in a bad way. Chill and enjoy your new home!