The Village Voice: Runnin' Scared

What People From Other States Think of New Yorkers

posted: 12:50 PM, November 6, 2007 by Michael Clancy

I never really thought too much about how the rest of the country perceives New Yorkers. I couldn't really care. I'd always heard the stereotype was something along the lines of pushy, loud, rude, ornery, and, even perhaps, criminal.

Though not entirely accurate, I felt those stereotypes useful. They kept away the people who didn't want New York badly enough and attracted people who simply had to be here because they couldn't fit in anywhere else. Or had some dream that could only be fulfilled in NYC. But I guess that's an outdated stereotype.

I was a little shocked when I read the first paragraph of ""The Fey Highwayman", Rob Harvilla's review of Sufjan Steven's BQE symphony:

All my friends who don't live in New York hate New York. Near as I can tell, they imagine the city as one giant, loathsome American Apparel ad, a crass, joyless, narcissistic, careerist, emaciated, insincere, hopelessly uptight, suffocatingly twee cesspool of white-privilege Williamsburg hipsterdom. I'm paraphrasing; they're stereotyping.

I think that begins to describe how a lot of people in this city feel about the new New York. I just hadn't realized that those changes had gotten to be so ingrained and permanent that that's how people in the rest of the country imagine about New York these days too.

Does that sound about right?

categories: I Loved New York

Comments

I love NY-and am no except among millions of the hopeless Big Apple lovers worldwide.

Of about the New Yorkers, as 9/11 dust had been settled, they return to their own personal problems not leaving much room for a neighbour as usual.

Posted by: Michael Kerjman at November 6, 2007 9:15 PM

A native New Yorker, I fit the old school stereotypes and liked them much better: tough, savvy, hip beyond hip, survivor, full of moxie, NYC cool. However, since NYC no longer emotes those characteristics, I no longer fit in here, and am angrily looking for another place to call home,,,, never thought I'd see the day. Republican politicians I blame most of all, saw them fu*king things up, including our inherent world class flavor, envy and respect. The NYVV has saved many ounces of my NY spirit. PS-- where ever I end up, be advised: I'm bringing my NY-licious attitude with me. -TiElle El

Posted by: TiElle El at November 7, 2007 9:09 PM

To TiElle El: real new yorkers don't quit. so long a-hole.

Posted by: real native NY'er at November 9, 2007 6:22 AM

Stereotyping another burg's citizenry is not unique to NYC: Chicago has Da Bears, Milwaukee its Cheeseheads, and who can forget the Ubergeek of the great Pacific NW... I give you the one and only -Mr. Bill Gates!

The whole entertainment industry would collapse overnight (writers' strike nonwithstanding), if we suddenly eliminated this rich resource of raw material we use to poke fun at each other, and ourselves.

I've lived in many different cities, and had no problems or prejudgements about the 'indigenous population', or the transplants. Sadly, it's my perception that my attitude is the exception, rather than the rule.

Posted by: graymatter at November 14, 2007 4:25 PM

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