10 things I hate about Pittsburgh! (Carnegie, Beaver: mattress, legally, farmers)

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by Copanut

Seriously, if someone hates the area they live in that much, make a change. Sheesh.

Bingo!

[8YearsinPittsburgh]

Originally Posted by ny789987

The only thing I really hate about Pittsburgh is the persistent dreary cloud cover that occurs in the winter months

You made me think of something else I hate..........people complaining about dreary weather during dreary months. What do you expect? This weather hasn't ever stopped me from doing anything. As a matter of fact, it's my favorite time of the year to run.

[Goodjules]

Originally Posted by bluecarebear

The Pittsburgh Left. I was almost in an accident last night because a moron turned left on a green light.

Am I missing something? Should they have made the left on a red light? Was it an intersection where no left turns were allowed? Or was it someone making a legal turn, but not doing it safely?

The Attitude of Pittsburgh. It has changed over the last 5 years. The city used to have a very down home feel, exactly what the rep was all about - The whole "we are family" feeling. Pittsburgh has become very East Coast and not for the better. I don't know if it is the new people moving in or elderly residents dying off or what. If this is what Pittsburgh was like when I was offered the deal to move here years ago, then I would have never have taken it.

Since this is the "10 Things I Hate"… thread I feel weird mentioning something I like. As a newcomer I've found the opposite to be true in my case. My neighbors have been very friendly and welcoming. Most are originally from around here. As soon as I finish this, I'm off to the neighborhood Christmas party. My neighbor down the street hosts it every year and invites everyone in the neighborhood. I bought my house in Dec 2012 and received my invitation soon after. I felt very welcomed especially considering she had never met me and had no idea who I was.

[Katarina Witt]

Originally Posted by jay5835

Are you sure? I don't remember anyone talking about it in the early '70s. I first heard of the Pittsburgh Left -- and "yunser" being spelled "yinzer," for that matter -- when I came back in the '00s.

I do not remember hearing the term "Pittsburgh left" in the 60s/70s, but my dad and my bro were/are practitioners. DH used to say my dad had a guardian angel, that he'd never been killed driving.

"Yinzer" is also a new one to me. Throughout my childhood in Beaver County, it was always "youns" or "yuns". Pronounced that was as well.

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by erieguy

Bingo!

So we can go ahead and close this thread now?

[highlanderfil]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

Am I missing something? Should they have made the left on a red light? Was it an intersection where no left turns were allowed? Or was it someone making a legal turn, but not doing it safely?

Nowhere else in the country (at least that I've driven) is it acceptable for someone to turn left as the light turns green BEFORE cars go straight. However, it is customary in Pittsburgh, as I've learned, to expect that at least the first car will do so. There are plenty of people who are new to Pittsburgh whom this can take by surprise, causing an accident. The proper way to make a left turn is to wait for the cars going straight to pass, but apparently neglecting to do so is part of "old PGH charm".

[theta_sigma]

Well, it's in part because many of our streets are old and narrow and are single-lane and if you are a left-turner you can easily hold up everyone behind you for an entire green light. So a lot of the time it's either Pittsburgh left or have 10 angry people behind you honking.

[bluecarebear]

Originally Posted by Goodjules

Am I missing something? Should they have made the left on a red light? Was it an intersection where no left turns were allowed? Or was it someone making a legal turn, but not doing it safely?

The Pittsburgh Left is so common there is a wiki definition:
Pittsburgh left - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The move doesn't even have to be when the light is green. I've seen drivers take a left with oncoming traffic and no intersection. They will pull right in front of oncoming traffic. One time, up in Wexford, I saw an elderly man turn his car in front of the two lanes of oncoming traffic. Everyone had to slam on their brakes for him. Sometime drivers will honk their horn and get mad if they aren't allowed to make the left turn illegally at an intersection.

[hinsey86]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

Nowhere else in the country (at least that I've driven) is it acceptable for someone to turn left as the light turns green BEFORE cars go straight. However, it is customary in Pittsburgh, as I've learned, to expect that at least the first car will do so. There are plenty of people who are new to Pittsburgh whom this can take by surprise, causing an accident. The proper way to make a left turn is to wait for the cars going straight to pass, but apparently neglecting to do so is part of "old PGH charm".

When I first moved here after living all over the country I could not figure out what folks were talking about when I heard the " Pittsburgh Left". What confused me was the emphasis on this being a Pittsburgh thing. When I finally understood what they were talking about I laughed because I have seen it everywhere I have lived.

[erieguy]

Originally Posted by highlanderfil

So we can go ahead and close this thread now?

If you want...or just don't watch it if you don't want to...but Copanut is right on.