Misconceptions/Misperceptions about "your part" of San Antonio? (Alamo: 2009, credit card)

[HisLilSecret]

Originally Posted by perticusrex

It is sad and unfortunate. My husband is going to graduate in May and while his family sometimes seems proud of him they still don't "get it." They think he should have just worked like everyone else in the family and just this past weekend they seemed to gang up on him with the classic "Oh now you think you're all bad cause you went to college?" and my personal favorite, "Ohhh you think you're better than us now muy chin gon!" I detest that mentality. My husband didnt work pretty much the entire time he was in school and his parents, especially his Dad, never let him live it down. They thought he was being lazy because they didnt understand how intense school was for him and how much hardwork went into it.

"You think you're all bad cause you can read?" ......uhhhhhh

This mentality is also my pet peeve. My parents were pretty supportive about going on to college, providing whatever financial assistance they could, but some of our relatives were insistent that we were just trying to be better than them. My ex-husband even accused me of trying to be better than him when I decided to go back to school. My reply to him, at the time, was that I didn't have to go to school to be better than him. That was the beginning of the end.*lol*

[Backliteyes]

Originally Posted by HisLilSecret

This mentality is also my pet peeve. My parents were pretty supportive about going on to college, providing whatever financial assistance they could, but some of our relatives were insistent that we were just trying to be better than them. My ex-husband even accused me of trying to be better than him when I decided to go back to school. My reply to him, at the time, was that I didn't have to go to school to be better than him. That was the beginning of the end.*lol*

This as well as perticusrex's tale are why I have no sympathy for anyone of that attitude complaining about the Man/rich people/white people/educated people/purple people holding them down. Regardless of whether this is true to any extent, whenever someone manages to break through this perceived injustice, he is not congratulated for his victory over oppressive forces in society but ridiculed endlessly. Whether it's just jealousy or a true disdain for education it's toxic and keeps people from improving their economic situation.

Those that don't see the value of education will be left behind by the rest of the world that does value it and is getting ahead by doing whatever they can to get whatever sort of degree they can.

I admit I'm heavily biased as I have a bachelor's and have dreams of attending graduate school in the not too distant future. And the entire reason I aspire to more education is because I know how much my bachelor's has helped me ALREADY, and I've only just started working full time.

[SAFD_Wife]

I am not understanding why some posters are so bothered by the question of where they went to school. It seems to me that if the question bothers you, then you are admitting there is something to be ashamed of based on where you went to school. I always ask that question because I am curious if the other person and I happen to have any connections. I lived in Houston when I was young, and the reason the question isn't as common there is because most people live in suburbs. They don't ask what school someone attended, but rather where they lived, in which the person would state the suburb name. However, the question is asked there and doesn't draw a gasp the way it apparently does here. I think if someone is bothered by the question of where they went to school, then they are insecure about something, therefore giving into the stereotypes they are saying they dislike. I went to private school, but would have gone to Mac. When people ask where I went to high school, I always have to say I went to private school, but would have gone to Mac. I know they are simply trying to place where I grew up. I get quips and insults all the time about having had attended private school, yet it doesn't make me dread the question.

I do agree with the wrong stereotypes regarding certain areas - both the good and bad stereotypes. There was always a group of boys at my church that called me "rich", and my family was nowhere close. It drove me crazy, because while some might be flattered by the term, I wasn't comfortable being labeled in terms of how much money we supposedly had. Yes, we got new clothes at the start of each school year. Yes, we received USED cars when we got our licenses. Yes, my parents paid for us to go to college. BUT, we got jobs when we were 14, my parents both worked full time, they saved the money for our clothes, took out student loans to pay for college, etc. I think the biggest misconception of "north siders" is the fact that getting material things or a college education means your are rich, as opposed to being a hard worker and good money manager.

[Dube665]

Originally Posted by SAFD_Wife

I am not understanding why some posters are so bothered by the question of where they went to school. It seems to me that if the question bothers you, then you are admitting there is something to be ashamed of based on where you went to school. I always ask that question because I am curious if the other person and I happen to have any connections. I lived in Houston when I was young, and the reason the question isn't as common there is because most people live in suburbs. They don't ask what school someone attended, but rather where they lived, in which the person would state the suburb name. However, the question is asked there and doesn't draw a gasp the way it apparently does here. I think if someone is bothered by the question of where they went to school, then they are insecure about something, therefore giving into the stereotypes they are saying they dislike. I went to private school, but would have gone to Mac. When people ask where I went to high school, I always have to say I went to private school, but would have gone to Mac. I know they are simply trying to place where I grew up. I get quips and insults all the time about having had attended private school, yet it doesn't make me dread the question.

I do agree with the wrong stereotypes regarding certain areas - both the good and bad stereotypes. There was always a group of boys at my church that called me "rich", and my family was nowhere close. It drove me crazy, because while some might be flattered by the term, I wasn't comfortable being labeled in terms of how much money we supposedly had. Yes, we got new clothes at the start of each school year. Yes, we received USED cars when we got our licenses. Yes, my parents paid for us to go to college. BUT, we got jobs when we were 14, my parents both worked full time, they saved the money for our clothes, took out student loans to pay for college, etc. I think the biggest misconception of "north siders" is the fact that getting material things or a college education means your are rich, as opposed to being a hard worker and good money manager.

The reason it bothers people is because when someone asks "What school did you go to" is because they are asking what High School they went to which means, as many comments pointed out, not many people here go to college. When people talk about their Alma Mater they are usually talking about University or places of high learning, not here. Here they are talking about their high school which is sad and thats what bothers some people. The fact that people here are ok with that.

Also you mentioned how you took out a student loan for college here people take out loans to get shiny spinning rims for their car. Priorities!

[sapphire]

Originally Posted by Dube665

The reason it bothers people is because when someone asks "What school did you go to" is because they are asking what High School they went to which means, as many comments pointed out, not many people here go to college. When people talk about their Alma Mater they are usually talking about University or places of high learning, not here. Here they are talking about their high school which is sad and thats what bothers some people. The fact that people here are ok with that.

Also you mentioned how you took out a student loan for college here people take out loans to get shiny spinning rims for their car. Priorities!

It's my opinion that they ask where you went to high school because that tells them what side of town you grew up on. It's a starting point for further conversation.

And whose fault is it that "here people take out loans to get shiny spinning rims for their car"--certainly you aren't blaming the people who take out loans for college.

[ChrisMP]

I posted this message before but I will post it again: IMO San Antonio has a couple of major problems when it comes to wealth and quility of life.
I have not lived here for very long but compared to other major cities, San Antonio is lacking what it takes to become a city of strong wealth that will last for the years to come.
I am an accountant for a small firm who audits major companys. When I see what these comps are paying new white collar workers with college degrees and experince, I am totally shocked and floored. 10-12$ an hour for college grads between 25-30 is a joke and does not sustain a long lasting working class that will build wealth and commuity with in the city.

Most places understand this but San Antonio seems ingnorant. In other cities, you have areas within the area where young profesionals who are not interested in marriage or having kids and are commited to their careers and living that type of life can live and rent condos or apartments with the same like minded people. Here, there seems to be no such thing outside places that cost way to much for people starting out or on their way up.

Yes, Housing prices are low compared to other places, but to these people, that does not matter at all. What Happens is this type all move away for the most part to other cities and towns and help enchance other places economy.

I was talking to a 25 years old Grad of the UTSA who is moving to Austin, because she said there is nothing in SA that is better than any other place for somewhere who could care less about shopping at HEB with the whole family, or eating a friday meal at Bill Millers or getting married and having kids and buying a house right now. She wanted to stay in SA to be close to family, but it was killing her and she had to get out of town. She said that all of her college friends have left and her high school frieds are married with kids working retail jobs or they have moved on from SA also.

So with most the young profesionals leaveing town, you end up with the "rich" segragating themself to a couple of areas, and what is left is suburbia.

YOu end up having "middle of the road" white collar workers who work hard, but might not be the best of the best. This will just allow the cycle to continue on and on.

I know this is not 100% true for everything, but over all, It is just the way I see it.

[LindaGrace]

Originally Posted by sapphire

It's my opinion that they ask where you went to high school because that tells them what side of town you grew up on. It's a starting point for further conversation.

Knowing what high school a person went to allows the questioner to make all sorts of assumptions about the person, though, too. You went to a Southside or Harlandale school? Oh, then you're from a lower economic status and you're Hispanic.

You went to an Edgewood high school? Clearly you are poor, Hispanic, and a gang banger.

You went to Alamo Heights? Oh, Lordy, an 09er. You're a snob, you're white, and you're privileged.

See what I mean about assumptions? It's the same everywhere. In St. Louis, the first question that gets asked when you meet someone for the first time is, "What high school did you go to?"

[ChrisMP]

Ha Ha Ha. Unless you are 18-22, caring what High School someone went to is so sad. Shouldn't be college or who are you as a person?

It is another reason San Antonio is a messed up place and everyone who defends it should take a long hard look at how childlike the city is.

[smis]

Originally Posted by ChrisMP

Ha Ha Ha. Unless you are 18-22, caring what High School someone went to is so sad. Shouldn't be college or who are you as a person?

It is another reason San Antonio is a messed up place and everyone who defends it should take a long hard look at how childlike the city is.

Very well put!

But the point trying to be made here.. is how do we get the children in S.A. interested in going to college?

[ChrisMP]

Smis, it comes form the top down. If the parents are children themsleves and only care about rims and tattos and teenish bravato and are rewarded by hero worship, then it will never changes.It needs a culture of reading, smarts, and substance instead of the give it too me now I see everywhere.

I work in an Accounting office and now have worked to help people who are in debt kept their homes. But the truth, these people are scum. The have IPhones and sixty k SUVs making 30k a year. They have no college fund for their kids and seem to have no clue and a false ego about their place in the world.