Do you see what I see?

[jackfaire]

So it occured to me that at various times I say, "around here" and then describe some feature that I am sure anyone would look at and go oh I know where you live now.

My city is rainy as heck, full of bicyclists, environmentally friendly and a haven of progressive liberal thought.

But is this what others see when they look at my city? Do they see other aspects of it? Do people from other citites describe my city in terms I wouldn't even recognize?

What do you think? Do you think that others view your city differently?

[bunnyboy]

Hmmm sounds like the city I'm technically living in... and yeah, you go out of the major area (out past the little suburb-cities) and you get major opinions shifting to things along the line of We wish that the people we elected to county government would just stop being their second city council, and certain parts (such as where I live) as no greater hive of scum and villiany aside from certain parts of New York, New Jersey and LA... and don't even get me started on their supposed liberal atitude... great they can have all this progressive liberal environmentally friendly stuff but damn if the person that liveless than 15 miles from downtown can actually use it and have it be worthwhile, otherwise you have to deal with city streets that the ongoing joke between me and friends is, they drew a map sober and it was quite good, then they threw a party got rip roaring drunk and drew another, a fight ensued and the map ripped into various pieces and well they put them back together, still drunk.

gah I hate this city.

[protege]

Many people around the US still see Pittsburgh as a city stuck in the 1940s. Never mind that they've never been here. But, yes, we did have a *serious* pollution problem, simply because most of our economy was built on steel, and there weren't any pollution controls then. Many days, it would be dark even at noon, and many older buildings were covered in black soot :eek: Some, mainly in the older neighborhoods, still are. Cleaning that off isn't cheap at all.

That is, until citizens got tired of the jokes...and forced their elected officials to do something about it. After WWII, the skies became clean again. Not perfect, but you could actually *see* sunlight :p Much later, many of the mills closed, helping things along further.

Yet, if I hear one more asshole ramble on about the "Smoky City," I'm going to fucking hit them. Look around asshole, do you *see* any mills or smoke? As such, we're the "Steel City," or "City of Champions!"

[Wingates_Hellsing]

Having been to Pittsburgh virtually every year since I was 3, it seems like a nice enough place.

I honestly don't know what other people might think of Arlington, all I see it as is a generally typical semi-urban area full of people who honestly can't relate to people not capable of visiting all of DC's museums within the space of three hours.

Although, I was once accused of having been raised improperly because I didn't see the point of visiting the Vietnam memorial (AGAIN).

Bloody tourists! I live here! <insert lols>

[jackfaire]

I live in the Portland area (Oregon). Here is a tip it rains. I have lived here since I was seven. I don't carry an umbrella. You always get weird looks from people who moved here as adults and tourists.

Here it is a point of pride that we let the rain fall on us.

[EricKei]

It's kinda like how, living *ahem* in the general area where I live...Mardi Gras just isn't that big of a deal anymore (unless you have kids, or are related to those who wish to go); at least, not as big of a deal as it is to the tourists. Frighteningly enough, it just becomes "normal" after a scant few decades ^_^ It's still pretty damn cool, it's just not this big huge thing. :cool:

[TOLady]

For sure!

Other cities across Canada constantly spit on my city (Toronto) (and province, actually).

However, comments from other countries usually are very positive about my city (and province).

It's rather strange really.

[Boozy]

I'm not from Toronto, but I love that city.

However, I'm from Southwestern Ontario. Most of the TO bashing appears to come from out west or out east.

Having been to Pittsburgh virtually every year since I was 3, it seems like a nice enough place.

Canadians LOVE Pittsburgh. Having never been there myself, I can't say why that is for certain, but everyone I know who's been there raves about it. I think it's because it's non-pretentious and they love hockey. It reminds us of home.

[jackfaire]

In all honesty my city living is a bit MPD.

I work in Milwuakie, OR.

I live in Vancouver, WA

I do all my shopping and hanging out in Portland OR

[Fryk]

It's kinda like how, living *ahem* in the general area where I live...Mardi Gras just isn't that big of a deal anymore (unless you have kids, or are related to those who wish to go); at least, not as big of a deal as it is to the tourists. Frighteningly enough, it just becomes "normal" after a scant few decades ^_^ It's still pretty damn cool, it's just not this big huge thing. :cool:

When I lived near NOLA (St Bernard parish), I was much more stoked about Jazzfest than Mardi Gras. Except for the King Cakes. I should have just built I bomb shelter to hide in after January 6th and filled it with King Cakes!

And how in the world could Pittsburgh ever be pretentious? You guys elected a twelve year old for mayor :: )

[protege]

And how in the world could Pittsburgh ever be pretentious? You guys elected a twelve year old for mayor :: )

I didn't vote for that idiot. Living out in the 'burbs means I'm ineligible to vote in any city elections. Never mind that the city is about 75% of the damn county...and whatever they do, usually affects what's going on across the city lines. He only won that election, since he was an incumbent, and a Democrat. Now, many people are complaining about him :rolleyes:

[jackfaire]

I didn't vote for that idiot. Living out in the 'burbs means I'm ineligible to vote in any city elections. Never mind that the city is about 75% of the damn county...and whatever they do, usually affects what's going on across the city lines. He only won that election, since he was an incumbent, and a Democrat. Now, many people are complaining about him :rolleyes:

I know the feeling because I work in one state and live in another, due to cost not choice. I am not allowed to vote in the state to whom I pay Income taxes.

[Peppergirl]

Yet, if I hear one more asshole ramble on about the "Smoky City," I'm going to fucking hit them. Look around asshole, do you *see* any mills or smoke? As such, we're the "Steel City," or "City of Champions!"

I actually don't mind Pittsburgh. I just have a problem with your NFL and NHL team. :D

[protege]

I actually don't mind Pittsburgh. I just have a problem with your NFL and NHL team. :D

What, you don't have six Superbowl rings? LOL

[Fryk]

Ok, I have to ask Pittsburghians... How does that insipid "Here we Go!" song go now?
They can't sing about getting "That one for the thumb" anymore.

[protege]

I'm not sure how they'll handle it. I do know that someone is trying to redo the song :)

[Fryk]

As someone who recently moved to Detroit, still fresh enough to be an outsider, I have to say that it is VERY ironic that most of the roads around the "Motor City" are murder on cars.

[Dasota]

I live in Buffalo. Guess what, it snows, it's cold and the bars are open till 4am. That means put some clothes on dammit!

Niagara Falls, it's water falling over a cliff. I don't always want to take you there, maybe I want to take you to the places around here that are a bit more interesting than just the touristy areas.

Also, it's chicken wings! Just chicken wings. Not Buffalo wings or whatever.

And finally, I'm not a native, I'm sorry I hurt your brains when I say soda instead of pop. Believe me, I do the same whenever I leave the "pop" area, I will call it pop in those areas. It's a subconscious thing I do.

[Fryk]

Ahhhhh, the great american pop v. soda debate. I never understood how rabid some people get if you use the wrong word for carbonated sweetened beverages. And I have been jumped on for it, oh yes. "Soda? What's a soda? Ohhhhhh, you mean POP! Cause that's what WE call it!"

[jackfaire]

Ahhhhh, the great american pop v. soda debate. I never understood how rabid some people get if you use the wrong word for carbonated sweetened beverages. And I have been jumped on for it, oh yes. "Soda? What's a soda? Ohhhhhh, you mean POP! Cause that's what WE call it!"

Which is funny cuz they all are wrong it's actually soda pop. So calling it soda or pop is just a preference for which part of the name you don't say.

[Fryk]

True, Jackfaire. But try telling THEM that. I have, and they just look at you blankly for a minute and them continue the argument. "Well, 'round here, it's POP!"

What's funny is, in some places, it's not either. I was always amused in New Orleans when people would come to my McDonald's and ask for a "cold drink', for example.

[protege]

As someone who recently moved to Detroit, still fresh enough to be an outsider, I have to say that it is VERY ironic that most of the roads around the "Motor City" are murder on cars.

Well, how else could GM continue to sell their vehicles if they weren't?
:D