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Louisville and Baltimore come to mind first for me. Jacksonville too for some reason.
As for Boston, sure it is a little "tough" still but it's faded fast. I remember seeing more fights and more working-class people at social events as a child. Really it's more like the people are rough around the edges and have zero manners. There's a good degree of scofflaw behavior tolerated by natives. But not really tough, mostly due to the high % of transplants and students.
Other cities in MA are definitely "tougher" namely New Bedford, Brockton, Springfield, and Worcester.
Louisville and Baltimore come to mind first for me. Jacksonville too for some reason.
As for Boston, sure it is a little "tough" still but it's faded fast. I remember seeing more fights and more working-class people at social events as a child. Really it's more like the people are rough around the edges and have zero manners. There's a good degree of scofflaw behavior tolerated by natives. But not really tough, mostly due to the high % of transplants and students.
Other cities in MA are definitely "tougher" namely New Bedford, Brockton, Springfield, and Worcester.
Growing up I always heard “Jacksonville is the Detroit of the South.” Which was weird since I grew up in Indiana and really, the “Detroit” of the south is probably Memphis or Birmingham.
I agree. Philly is tough. Every time I go there, I see something I shake my head at. The last time was a bloody man outside of my hotel in Center City staggering down the sidewalk, Center City. It was not North Philly. Even at the cheesesteak places I love people looked tough, like they had gone through a lot.
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher (Ages 25 to 34)
Washington - 93.4%
Manhattan - 87.8%
San Francisco - 84.2%
Atlanta - 82.2%
Boston/Cambridge/Somerville - 81.6%
Seattle - 75.0%
Baltimore - 73.2%
St. Louis - 68.6%
Pittsburgh - 68.5%
Brooklyn - 66.8%
Oakland - 66.8%
Chicago - 67.5%
Philadelphia - 58.5%
Los Angeles - 46.0%
Detroit - 43.0%
Milwaukee - 41.5%
Cleveland - 39.0%
Percentage of Non-Hispanic Whites with a Bachelor's Degree or Higher (Ages 25 to 34)
Washington - 93.4%
Manhattan - 87.8%
San Francisco - 84.2%
Atlanta - 82.2%
Boston/Cambridge/Somerville - 81.6%
Seattle - 75.0%
Baltimore - 73.2%
St. Louis - 68.6%
Pittsburgh - 68.5%
Brooklyn - 66.8%
Oakland - 66.8%
Chicago - 67.5%
Philadelphia - 58.5%
Los Angeles - 46.0%
Detroit - 43.0%
Milwaukee - 41.5%
Cleveland - 39.0%
Very curious what your data source is (and when it's dated) for these numbers. I've never come across such granular data on ACS, for example.
Also, is this to make the point that a higher proportion of young adult NHWs without BA/BS = tough?
You mean San Diego isn't tough, with all the surfer bro types?
I was never in the Bird Rock Bandits.
But i surfed with them without incident for a few years in the late 80s, accepted as a local at the disputed territorial spots of Windansea & Blacks.
Scripps Pier, Seaside, Swami's, Torrey Pines, 15th Street & Sunset Cliffs weren't bad for localism. They were pretty mellow. Well, not Swami's. But even Swami's was more or less open territory. But things could get heated on a big 'west swell.'
La Jolla Cove, when it rarely breaks sets its own pecking order.
But Big Rock & Bird Rock were problematic. God forbid on what winter days these 2 afforded. Big Rock is an unforgiving slab that grinds up surfers and boards, and spits them out. It can be a very dangerous wave. But the was a much bigger problem: you needed to be a local, a Bandit or a friend of the Bird Rock Bandits to paddle out at Big Rock.
My first day out at Windansea was very fortuitous. About a week after classes opened after Spring Break. It was the biggest i've ever seen Windansea to this day. i paddled out on a 6'2" Rusty that was undersized for the 6-8' surf.
When i got to the lineup i was met with the frowns that punctuated that particular spot. Over the course 45 minutes nobody said a word, and i quietly paddled over a couple of medium sized sets. While the locals chatted between waves, i was clearly feeling the tension being accorded to me--
To put a bit of distance between myself and the stink eyes, i paddled out to the 2nd reef. A bit belligerent, and clearly received as a returned "scowl."
After a time, and the obvious absurdity of not having anything break that far out, a local, probably the closest to me dryly asked, "So, what brings us the pleasure of having you with us today."
Me: "i'm actually from Boston. i'm at UCSD."
Them in unison, "hahaha....."
Someone: "Hey, this dude's from Boston. Does anyone surf there-_"
Someone else: "can you surf....."
Suddenly there's a set forming on the horizon and it's very unnerving.
It's a cleanup set. And a perfect wave is about to come down on my head.... so i paddle to deep water to get out of harms way. But quickly realize 'they're probably going to call me onto the wave.'
That's exactly what happened next: "GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO......" (they're all about to get worked). But the Bird Rock Bandits will get to see if i'm up to the challenge of surfing with them in the next few seconds.
I somehow manage to make the drop (first actual/real wave i've ridden in 2 years), make a full bottom turn to a chorus of [yelling/ approval], right back up the face and BOOM crack the lip..... going on instinct and adrenaline i rode out the wave of the day.
Someone: "nice ride buddy....."
i quietly paddled back to my spot to enthusiastic smiles and a even a couple positive hand gestures.
About a half hour later i got an identical bomb--repeating the feat.
That was how my first day at Windansea with the Boys ended:
2 waves attempted/surfed.
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