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First of all, it was an assumption not backed by any raw statistics.
Second, while it may very well be true that Boston residents are more "worldly" (which I don't know for certain, but I wouldn't dispute if someone provided the raw statistics to prove it), it's such a pompous thing to say to someone who is being critical of the city as you're essentially dismissing their opinion since they're not as "well-traveled."
The point is that user has been the most vocal against criticisms of Boston in this thread and maybe some self-reflection is needed if they're making those type of statements that only give credence to the critiques they've been so defensive about.
First of all, it was an assumption not backed by any raw statistics.
Second, while it may very well be true that Boston residents are more "worldly" (which I don't know for certain, but I wouldn't dispute if someone provided the raw statistics to prove it), it's such a pompous thing to say to someone who is being critical of the city as you're essentially dismissing their opinion since they're not as "well-traveled."
This good? Massachusetts has one of the highest percentage of residents with passports.
It’s not a bold assumption to say rich people travel more.
Also saying Bostonians travel was a direct response to someone calling the city Insular not someone saying they don’t like the city. Which is disagreeing on a particular point not dismissing the person as ignorant
This good? Massachusetts has one of the highest percentage of residents with passports.
It’s not a bold assumption to say rich people travel more.
I repeat, true or not, it's such a pompous thing to say to someone who is being critical of the city as you're essentially dismissing their opinion since they're not as "well-traveled."
I repeat, true or not, it's such a pompous thing to say to someone who is being critical of the city as you're essentially dismissing their opinion since they're not as "well-traveled."
That’s not what happened someone said Bostonians are Insular and the reply was “I think they travel more than the average American”
Not “shut up you ignorant loser what do you know have you ever left your house before”
I repeat, true or not, it's such a pompous thing to say to someone who is being critical of the city as you're essentially dismissing their opinion since they're not as "well-traveled."
The fact that you find that totally benign comment as pompous actually explains a bit why Boston isn’t a fit for you
With all due respect it’s his/her opinion and as such doesn’t require your approval...
Boston is a world leader in healthcare, education, biotech, and research
Boston is one of the best urban cities America has to offer and is a must see for history buffs
Boston has a diverse population of people that have a lot of pride for their area
Boston offers proximity to east coast amenities - major cities coastline
Boston offers excellent cultural amenities - orchestra, museums
Passionate sports fan base
Awesome local beer scene
Great vibrant urban shopping districts
Native Bostonians can be rude and abrasive..be ready
Subway system needs work
Nightlife is average to below average for a major city
Boston is segregated although this is improving
Boston has very good restaurants but is not a foodie capital
Sports culture can be annoying for those not from the area
Older housing stock
Traffic blows
Way too expensive
Welcome to Boston
I think I could adapt this for the city I moved to from Boston in 1983:
Philadelphia is a world leader in healthcare, biotech, and research
Philadelphia is one of the best urban cities America has to offer and is a must see for history buffs
Philadelphia has an increasingly diverse population, many of whom have a lot of pride for their area and some of whom show that love in a funny way
Philadelphia offers proximity to east coast amenities — major cities, coastline, mountains
Philadelphia offers excellent cultural amenities — orchestra, museums, opera, ballet, jazz clubs
Passionate sports fan base
Awesome local beer scene
Outstanding culinary scene and farmers' markets
Vibrant urban shopping districts, some of them hidden gems (North Third Street in Old City)
Most affordable housing of the big Northeastern metropolises
Philadelphia has many outstanding universities and several of the top liberal-arts colleges in the country, but its academic reputation remains a notch below Boston's
Native Philadelphians are helpful but can be gruff
Subway system is a fraction of what it should have been, but regional rail network offers unusually dense coverage
Nightlife is average for a major city
Philadelphia is segregated although this is improving
Local politics are on par with Chicago's for corruption
Sports culture can be annoying for those not from the area
Older housing stock
Traffic blows
Save for cost of housing, quality of politics and quality of food scene, I would say Boston and Philadelphia are comparable.
The people who critiqued Boston didn't use the word "insular."
The comment that got under your skin was a direct response to this passage I wrote in a post that was not critical of Boston in the way you've been but rather an attempt to clarify the Boston attitude as I saw it:
Quote:
Manifestations of a peculiar insularity? To a great extent, yes.
The respondent was somewhat taken aback by the phrase "Why should I travel when I'm already here?" I've since provided evidence that this phrase is, or maybe was now, a Bostonism.
It's no knock on a city IMO to point out areas where it is insular. Shoot, New Yorkers can even behave in a way that outsiders might consider insular, or at least very self-centered (consider that famous Saul Steinberg New Yorker cover, for instance. And it's a "Kansas City strip," thankyouverymuch).
Actually, to add another data point on Bostonian insularity, I remember hearing a song that was sung in a particular Boston neighborhood I made a point of avoiding when I lived there:
"Well, I was born down on A Street
Raised up on B Street
Well, Southie is my home town..."
Anyone familiar with both my race and Boston's racial history should be able to figure out why I avoided that neighborhood.
Philadelphia's analogue is Fishtown, by the way.
Both have undergone transformations that have rendered them safe for me to visit. South Boston's is the more dramatic of the two.
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