For Boston

Boston can sometimes get a bad rap. The weather isn't always the best, the people aren't always bend-over-backwards-polite, and our sports fans can be a little intense. I hope to counter these, and other stereotypes in this post.

1. Bostonians are rude.
No. We are not. Granted, there are populations in the US who are a lot more outgoing than we are (Southerners, Midwesterners). But my guess is if you compare us to New York City or LA, we are no more rude than these populations. We are quiet. We do not go out of our way to strike up conversations in the line at the grocery store. But we do understand the difficulties in getting around our city and are willing to help. We smile at customers or shopkeepers and thank people who help us. We are not rude. But if you try to stop a Bostonian on the street in a blizzard at night when the windchill is in the negative numbers, don't be surprised to be rebuffed. Would YOU want to be delayed in those conditions?

2. The weather sucks
Correction: Winters are particularly harsh and spring has a tendency to be really really rainy. However, summer normally includes days in the 70s and 80s with lots of sunshine. The autumn is gorgeous. Winter weather isn't for all dispositions, but the first few snowfalls turn most Bostonians into excited third-graders. And spring elicits hope that we will once again feel the sun's rays on our faces. The bad weather makes one appreciate the good weather all the more. A person could move to San Diego and live somewhere that is constantly 80 degrees and sunny... But they might not appreciate it as much.

3. The sports fans are crazy
Correct. But we have a reason to be. Four reasons, actually. Four professional sports teams that often make it into playoff games. In addition, the closest major city with rival professional sports teams is New York City, which (I will begrudgingly) produces some top-notch teams as well. So if we come off as a little bit loopy, a little bit intense, it is because we have to be. You try competing against the Yankees for 100 years, and watch them flaunt their twenty some-odd World Series rings at you, especially prior to October 27, 2004. Its all about pride, man.

4. It is very difficult to navigate
Don't try to drive, then! We've been deemed America's Walking City for a reason. If you can read a map, you can walk through Boston.

5. Boston is full of snobs
I think not!
This stereotype, I believe, comes from the large number of intellectuals and our tendencies to be passionate about our political beliefs, regardless of being on the left or right. But we are by no means snobby. Boston is much less image conscious than many other places. You really can make a name for yourself, and create something from nothing. I think that is part of the reason the Boston area is home to so many start-up companies. We actually value creativity and difference of opinions.
Our senses of fashion are across the board. One can find so many DIFFERENT types and styles of clothing on our supposedly snooty best shopping promenade, Newbury Street. Yes, it houses Brooks Brothers, Valentino and Chanel. It also houses H&M, Filene's Basement, and several secondhand and vintage clothing stores. Boston allows people to dress to their personality, rather than to their city's personality.

6. Boston is filled with criminals, dirty cops, and drug-addled mothers
Boston is not a Ben Affleck film. And most bank robbers don't look like him (sad news, ladies, I know.) We have our share of crime like most cities, but just as Law and Order is not an accurate representation of the US legal system, Gone Baby Gone, The Departed and the Town are not accurate representations of this fair city.

Why, then, friends? Why Boston?

That is for another post, on another day.