Why does Philadelphia have a reputation of being a rude, mean city? (York: city hall, taxi)

[aax]

They are not rude, but they are low class.

[Redddog]

What a low class thing to say.

[cpomp]

Ironic how this post comes right after the shooting debacle last night.

A stranger feels the need to write a post on an internet forum about Philadelphia, a city of 1.6M people and a metro of over 6M calling them all low class.... Take a seat.

[TownDweller]

Best left ignored.

[FKD19124]

People in NYC aren't exactly friendly either.

Originally Posted by jkobb510

Please note that this thread was started in 2015

I never understood that. I visited Philadelphia, being warned that the people there can be rude, mean, or dangerous but met really friendly, down to earth people. Isn't it the City of Brotherly Love?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by FKD19124

People in NYC aren't exactly friendly either.

So what? They're real and boastful. There's a reason for it. Being friendly is mostly only an act foisted by insecure people.

[Redddog]

Haha.

I've always thought that NY'ers, for the most part, were fine. I lived in NYC for 12 years before Philly and I find it about the same in terms of people's attitudes. People have places to go and sh*t to do. Maybe that's interpreted as being rude.

[MarketStEl]

Originally Posted by kyb01

So what? They're real and boastful. There's a reason for it. Being friendly is mostly only an act foisted by insecure people.

Beg pardon?

Since when are courtesy, smiles and a welcoming, helpful attitude signs of insecurity?

[kyb01]

Originally Posted by MarketStEl

Beg pardon?

Since when are courtesy, smiles and a welcoming, helpful attitude signs of insecurity?

I always try to be courteous, but I draw the line when questions and intent becomes intrusive.

Why do Americans think smiling is so important?

Why do so many Americans want to be loved every second?

Why are Americans afraid or dislike or judge people who want boundaries? Being overly friendly means you want to jump over those boundaries.

Why do Americans detest introverts? Not everyone should be required to be socially "friendly".

To me people who can't manage without constant reenforcement and acknowledgement are insecure.

[Muinteoir]

Originally Posted by kyb01

I always try to be courteous, but I draw the line when questions and intent becomes intrusive.

Why do Americans think smiling is so important?

Why do so many Americans want to be loved every second?

Why are Americans afraid or dislike or judge people who want boundaries? Being overly friendly means you want to jump over those boundaries.

Why do Americans detest introverts? Not everyone should be required to be socially "friendly".

To me people who can't manage without constant reenforcement and acknowledgement are insecure.

True. I don't expect anything out of everyday pedestrians, other than courtesy. There are many social introverts I know for whom I have a lot of admiration. But it is also contextual. If your job is done better by being friendly, then do it. I dislike encountering public servants whose job is to be helpful, but cannot muster up the sliver of energy to be friendly. If you do not like being friendly, find a different line of work please. Same for those in the private service industry, but at least I have the option of whether or not to patronize them.