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This thought crossed my mind recently that i have judged some cities based on reputations. In fact, I've been guilty of it; a lot of you are guilty of it too. Tell me, why do we judge cities based on reputations? Is it a good thing or a bad thing to do so?
I think it's just easy to do it that way. Rather than research or visit an area, we allow biases, tv/movies, outdated images to form our opinions. Yes, I've done it too. But with research and lots of travel over the years, I've learned to take a step back and try to be more objective.
Reputations? Like what? Are cities so different that any one would have a reputation that wasn't already a known fact? Reputation for weather? Traffic?
What's an example of a reputation that everyone doesn't already know about?
Reputations are often amplified by local people. If a place gains a negative reputation for something it sticks with the area locals for years long after the fact. A little town near me once had a gang problem maybe 15 years ago but not in the recent past 10-12 years but the people in the wider area still remember and are wary of going there. When I moved here I was warned a few times that I need to watch out and not go there and don't live there. If area locals venture into the town and escape without incident it is seen as a lucky break that they didn't get bludgeoned or robbed rather than the fact that the place has changed. An organization I belong to decided to have the annual meeting in the town at a nice event center. We expected 40-50 people but only 17 showed up. It is a delightful friendly place and I go there almost every day and do most of my business there.
Reputations? Like what? Are cities so different that any one would have a reputation that wasn't already a known fact? Reputation for weather? Traffic?
What's an example of a reputation that everyone doesn't already know about?
Just reputations in general. For example, California: Hollywood, beaches, glamour, beautiful women, sun and fun. On the flip side, Detroit's reputation is gets dogged for being broke, dilapidated, crime-ridden.
Just reputations in general. For example, California: Hollywood, beaches, glamour, beautiful women, sun and fun. On the flip side, Detroit's reputation is gets dogged for being broke, dilapidated, crime-ridden.
Doing your own research on that city and thinking for yourself don't judge a city based on what's on paper. Or, judging it based on TV/movies, the media, hearsay, politics or biases.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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I judge cities based on first hand experience, not (someone else’s) reputation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by QCongress83216
This thought crossed my mind recently that i have judged some cities based on reputations. In fact, I've been guilty of it; a lot of you are guilty of it too. Tell me, why do we judge cities based on reputations? Is it a good thing or a bad thing to do so?
Honestly in the age of Google Maps, it's pretty easy to get an idea of what a city is like simply through streetview. Extensive research isn't necessary, but it definitely does help. Of course though, no experience is better than going to the city yourself and seeing what it has to offer in person, as opposed to through a computer.
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