Posted January 21, 200916 yr Some day I will learn that snowy weather usually looks much prettier in person than in my pictures. Oh well, photos are as good an excuse to walk around as any. Here are just a few from Sunday, January 18. First, close to home, some Harvard junk or other. And two at Harvard Square. Yes, I think I will hop on the T, thank you... ...and ride down to Boston Common, where children are frolicking. (The pictures that would prove it suck, but I promise there was more than this one kid.) Tree! Then a stroll through posh Beacon Hill. I think right around this block are some of the most expensive houses in Boston. The along with colored lights on the spire of the old John Hancock building, weather in Boston is reported by writing on this vehicle. Panorama from October just for some color. Boston's skyline is so annoying. Scrolleth rightward! >>>
January 21, 200916 yr I agree, the skyline is terribly difficult to photograph unless you're in a helicopter.
January 22, 200916 yr I love those, especially the one of the kid playing in the snow, with the ghost-like images of the buildings rising behind.
January 22, 200916 yr Beautiful...I really want to check out some of those posh Boston neighborhoods someday.
January 25, 200916 yr You. "You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers
January 25, 200916 yr I hate Boston and its people (sports fans)...but its a really pretty city. Before I saw your Little Italy Icon I already knew you were from Cleveland. ;0
January 25, 200916 yr I hate Boston and its people (sports fans)...but its a really pretty city. I agree. Boston has the most arrogant people I've ever met. It's somewhat justified because their city is gorgeous, but having a McDonald's worker look down on you (me) is kind of overboard. PS - would someone blow up city hall already so we can forget it ever existed: FAIL
February 1, 200916 yr Boston is fantastic. I certainly wouldn't be opposed to living there (not that I'm anxious to leave Chicago). Thanks for this small but very nice photo set. :)
February 2, 200916 yr Was there for a week last November; the people are jerks and the city is gorgeous. Can't wait to go back when it's warmer.
February 3, 200916 yr For anyone who visits Boston and needs a respite from the supposed awfulness of the local population, I suggest visiting a place called Cafe Luna in Cambridge. Even the nicest, most pleasant Midwesterner looks like a complete a-hole compared to the staff there, in my experience. Thanks for the comments, folks! (Even if it's half trash talk.)
February 3, 200916 yr ^I think most of these statements about the people being rude are just based off of silly stereotypes. People go in to Boston thinking the locals are going to be condescending, and most of the time, people look to confirm their stereotypes. Same could be said for many cities...New York=hurried, loud, and brash, LA= fake people, DC= boring, up-tight. It's mostly what you go in thinking that taints your experience.
February 3, 200916 yr The arrogance of the general population of Boston is so thick you can cut it with a knife...I mean, why not? You have old money and prestigious universities there and your sports teams have dominated the first decade of this century...I still have a tough time taking them seriously though with those accents...usually I have no problem laughing at a Bostonian even if he/she is condescending because of the way they try and spew the english language.
February 3, 200916 yr ^I think most of these statements about the people being rude are just based off of silly stereotypes. People go in to Boston thinking the locals are going to be condescending, and most of the time, people look to confirm their stereotypes. Same could be said for many cities...New York=hurried, loud, and brash, LA= fake people, DC= boring, up-tight. It's mostly what you go in thinking that taints your experience. No my comments are formed from actual experience. NYC natives are hurried LA if full of silicon, hollywood smiles and the worst highway drivers. DC is full of people in "suits" Boston, Seattle & San Fran are racially oppresive.
February 3, 200916 yr While I was in Boston with my girlfriend and her HS friends (all from NW Ohio) I remember us all commenting on how nice Bostonians are compared to the typical stereotypes. When we got to Boston, it was just as the storm was beginning to roll in (the one in December) and the toll booth guys was encouraging us to seek shelter and offering advice on places to go. When we finally got in to Cambridge (where we were staying) all the people were EXTREMELY nice. My girlfriend and I want to live there once we graduate. Grad school in either Boston or New York
February 3, 200916 yr My experience: -The arrogance is real but doesn't come out much. But really, "Hub of the Universe" as a city nickname? Yikes. -The rudeness is only perceived. It's just a sometimes unexpected lack of a polite and pleasant veneer, and more casual. And really, the majority of people I've seen have been just as friendly as anywhere. -Racist, I don't know. I've no experience with that, and my recollection is that the last time it came up here the impression couldn't really be explained in any certain terms. -The accent is pure gold. Make fun of it all you like, but I love it.
February 3, 200916 yr My experience: -The arrogance is real but doesn't come out much. But really, "Hub of the Universe" as a city nickname? Yikes. -The rudeness is only perceived. It's just a sometimes unexpected lack of a polite and pleasant veneer, and more casual. And really, the majority of people I've seen have been just as friendly as anywhere. -Racist, I don't know. I've no experience with that, and my recollection is that the last time it came up here the impression couldn't really be explained in any certain terms. -The accent is pure gold. Make fun of it all you like, but I love it. Are you white?
February 3, 200916 yr 1/3rd of the people in Boston have only lived there 5 years or less. I honestly believe cities with a lot of transplants have the highest rate of racism/classism and snobbery. New York City is a truly ghettoized city.
February 3, 200916 yr My experience: -The arrogance is real but doesn't come out much. But really, "Hub of the Universe" as a city nickname? Yikes. -The rudeness is only perceived. It's just a sometimes unexpected lack of a polite and pleasant veneer, and more casual. And really, the majority of people I've seen have been just as friendly as anywhere. -Racist, I don't know. I've no experience with that, and my recollection is that the last time it came up here the impression couldn't really be explained in any certain terms. -The accent is pure gold. Make fun of it all you like, but I love it. Are you white? Yes, hence my inexperience. That's why I'm interested to find out what kinds of experiences have led to the racist impression. (I don't know, maybe I just live in the "wrong" part of town, as it were.)
February 4, 200916 yr While I was in Boston with my girlfriend and her HS friends (all from NW Ohio) I remember us all commenting on how nice Bostonians are compared to the typical stereotypes. When we got to Boston, it was just as the storm was beginning to roll in (the one in December) and the toll booth guys was encouraging us to seek shelter and offering advice on places to go. When we finally got in to Cambridge (where we were staying) all the people were EXTREMELY nice. My girlfriend and I want to live there once we graduate. Grad school in either Boston or New York ^The toll guy is going to be nice in most situations. He isnt a part of the white collar crowd. Most blue collar people are down to earth
February 4, 200916 yr While I was in Boston with my girlfriend and her HS friends (all from NW Ohio) I remember us all commenting on how nice Bostonians are compared to the typical stereotypes. When we got to Boston, it was just as the storm was beginning to roll in (the one in December) and the toll booth guys was encouraging us to seek shelter and offering advice on places to go. When we finally got in to Cambridge (where we were staying) all the people were EXTREMELY nice. My girlfriend and I want to live there once we graduate. Grad school in either Boston or New York ^The toll guy is going to be nice in most situations. He isnt a part of the white collar crowd. Most blue collar people are down to earth Blue collar people are at least more direct if they're racist. A lot of upper class people just prove their racism by acting like they're better than you. Not looking at you and not saying anything to you. In a lot of cases, they're so sheltered that they don't think they can even communicate or relate to people that aren't like themselves so even if its unintentional, that's what they project. That's something I've always noticed after bringing 'certain friends' around other 'certain friends'.
February 4, 200916 yr While I was in Boston with my girlfriend and her HS friends (all from NW Ohio) I remember us all commenting on how nice Bostonians are compared to the typical stereotypes. When we got to Boston, it was just as the storm was beginning to roll in (the one in December) and the toll booth guys was encouraging us to seek shelter and offering advice on places to go. When we finally got in to Cambridge (where we were staying) all the people were EXTREMELY nice. My girlfriend and I want to live there once we graduate. Grad school in either Boston or New York ^The toll guy is going to be nice in most situations. He isnt a part of the white collar crowd. Most blue collar people are down to earth Blue collar people are at least more direct if they're racist. I completely agree! While I was in Boston with my girlfriend and her HS friends (all from NW Ohio) I remember us all commenting on how nice Bostonians are compared to the typical stereotypes. When we got to Boston, it was just as the storm was beginning to roll in (the one in December) and the toll booth guys was encouraging us to seek shelter and offering advice on places to go. When we finally got in to Cambridge (where we were staying) all the people were EXTREMELY nice. My girlfriend and I want to live there once we graduate. Grad school in either Boston or New York ^The toll guy is going to be nice in most situations. He isnt a part of the white collar crowd. Most blue collar people are down to earth A lot of upper class people just prove their racism by acting like they're better than you. Not looking at you and not saying anything to you. In a lot of cases, they're so sheltered that they don't think they can even communicate or relate to people that aren't like themselves so even if its unintentional, that's what they project. That's something I've always noticed after bringing 'certain friends' around other 'certain friends'. Agree again. I have had people give me the "oh, you're XXX" and to me that translates into, "I didn't know you were a person of color". and its obvious to other because the tension is so thick. I've had people look at me one way, during a conversation, or what not. Then they are usually not interested in conversation, and neither am I. When they start to engage you in conversation and want to include you, a common tactic so that they can be little you, they ask you where you grew up. Then dig deeper. Then they ask for specifics. Once I say "Shaker Heights", it's like I'm Oprah or I caught the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl! Nine times out of Ten....those folks are less and name dropping wanna bees than and I could care less about.
February 4, 200916 yr People really aren't that much different from each other despite race/class/sexual orientation, etc. People exaggerate the difference in their own head and think they're shut out from other parts of society.
February 4, 200916 yr People in Boston are different, period. They are often quite naive and cover up their insecurities with a certain kind of blowhard manner. Visiting and living there are two different things entirely, as are dealings with transplants and natives. Transplants hang out with transplants and natives hang out with natives and there is hardly any overlap.
February 4, 200916 yr When they start to engage you in conversation and want to include you, a common tactic so that they can be little you, they ask you where you grew up. Then dig deeper. Then they ask for specifics. Once I say "Shaker Heights", it's like I'm Oprah or I caught the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl! Sometimes people are just curious where you grew up without any other agenda ;) There are lots of people with lots of kinds of racist views and behaviors, and no doubt different cities have different proportions of these types of people...but I have some trouble believing one can meaningfully deduce from their own limited experiences whether one metro area is really more racist than another. Maybe on the extremes, I suppose. Nice shots, by the way. Racist or not, Boston is a beautiful city, in the snow and out. And maybe the most pleasantly walkable city around- so many great contiguous areas.
February 4, 200916 yr When they start to engage you in conversation and want to include you, a common tactic so that they can be little you, they ask you where you grew up. Then dig deeper. Then they ask for specifics. Once I say "Shaker Heights", it's like I'm Oprah or I caught the game winning touchdown in the Super Bowl! Sometimes people are just curious where you grew up without any other agenda ;) There are lots of people with lots of kinds of racist views and behaviors, and no doubt different cities have different proportions of these types of people...but I have some trouble believing one can meaningfully deduce from their own limited experiences whether one metro area is really more racist than another. Maybe on the extremes, I suppose. Nice shots, by the way. Racist or not, Boston is a beautiful city, in the snow and out. And maybe the most pleasantly walkable city around- so many great contiguous areas. Well strappy, I don't doubt that, but these folks are social climbers. Normally I'm off to the side in the cut somewhere. This is how a conversation might take place among a group people are talking about their hometown. once they get to me......... ME: I'm from Cleveland THEM: (long pause) Where? I'm from Boston, LA, Greenwich Philly [Note: metro Philly residents are the worst for this] ME: OK THEM: What part of Cleveland are you from? ME: The part where they don't end sentences in prepositions! ME: Eastside THEM: OK. Then they add "oh I've been to/or know someone in (it's always one of the following:) Cleveland Hts., Shaker Hts or Chagrin. Do you know those places ME: Yes, I'm from Shaker THEM: They start name dropping and ask, do you know such-and-such family? ME: You're boring, I'm leaving, enjoy your (insert one) morning, afternoon, evening.
February 4, 200916 yr I hate those kinds of conversations. They never lead anywhere and it's d@mn near protocol.
February 4, 200916 yr I hate those kinds of conversations. They never lead anywhere and it's d@mn near protocol. Exactly. They don't really care about you, they're just looking for a reason to size you up and put you in social class. It's so Junior High.
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