You Can Take the Girl Out of Boston…

I’ve been thinking a lot about Boston lately.  Last week my hometown got blanketed with 20 inches of snow and I couldn’t help but feel badly for everyone there.  I remember all the snow I used to shovel, de-icing my car in the mornings, and having to drive through blizzards.  I can honestly say that I don't miss it.

My cousin recently got engaged and we’ll be flying back East for the wedding this fall.  As much as I miss the variety (Harvard Square, Back Bay, North End/Little Italy, Government Center), the culture (Museum of Fine Arts, the Middle East, the Orpheum, Theatre District), and the beauty (Charles River, the foliage, the Wharf) of the city, I truly love living in Fresno now.

Travel+Leisure posted this article today (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40758837/ns/travel-news/?gt1=43001) about the rudest cities in America.  Boston ranked 6^th (Los Angeles was #1, followed by New York City).  I know that many non-Bostonians think Bostonians are very rude, gruff, and mean, even.  I have to disagree.  I definitely didn’t think Bostonians were rude when I lived there, and I still don’t think so now that I have moved away.

But I can see why other people might think so.  Especially now that I live in California.  Everyone here is so laid back and mellow, almost trying to fit into certain molds (at least in terms of physical appearance).  Bostonians do their own thing, and they really don’t care if anyone else likes it or not.

What Bostonians ARE are the following:

1.  Intellectually superior.  There are more than 88 colleges and universities just in the greater Boston area.  Most Bostonians are very well educated and articulate.  (Tom Menino notwithstanding.)  Please note:  This superiority often crosses into anything sports-related.

            Could be mistakenly construed as:  stuck up/exclusive/know-it-all

2.  Opinionated.  Bostonians have an opinion about most everything, and they’re happy to share it with you.  There is no indifference there, only passion!

            Could be mistakenly construed as:  rude/pushy/obnoxious

3.  Tough.  Bostonians know what they like and what they want.  They are fiercely loyal and are not afraid to stand their ground.

            Could be mistakenly construed as:  blunt/mean

4.  Private.  Bostonians share when THEY want to share.  They don’t blab their personal stories to anyone walking by.  They will only let you in after you have proven yourself trustworthy.  But once you’re in, you’re in for life.  And if you turn on them, you better watch your back.

            Could be mistakenly construed as:  snobby

So you see, we’re not so bad.  We’re just misunderstood.

OK, I’m getting off my shoebox now.