(With all due respect to my in-town friends. I just had to share this story; I couldn't make it up if I tried.)
I was recently in Brooklyn running errands and I stopped to get something to eat. The place I went is sort of like a cross between Circa and Cafe K - it does both takeout and sit-down, but if you're sitting down and not getting pizza, you get to eat off real dishes, and also the food is freshly made (unlike at Circa, where it sits out all day and they microwave it for you to make it hot). However, the prices are generally lower, which is good for my budget right now.
No, no, that's not the story. Here's the story.
I was waiting by the counter because I had asked for a cup of water, when a girl stopped and looked at me. I didn't know her, so I gave her a look back that said, "Do I know you?" without being rude about it.
In response to my quizzical look, she said, "I'm just trying to figure out where you're from."
Me: [another quizzical look]
Random Girl: Well, I think you must be from out of town.
Me: What makes you say that?
Random Girl: Well, it's just...you're so nice and polite and everything.
Me: Well, you guessed right, I am from out of town.
Random Girl: Are you from Chicago?
Me: No.
Random Girl: Detroit?
Me: No.
Random Girl: You're not from California, are you?
Me: No, not from California. [thinking, Thank G-d she doesn't think I'm a Valley Girl...]
Random Girl: St. Louis?
Me: No, where I'm from isn't that far away.
Random Girl: Philadelphia?
Me: No. You're never going to guess where I'm actually from, so I'll just tell you. I'm from [Yehuppetzville].
Random Girl: Oh! Well, that's original...
Me: Yup. Anyway, have a good night!
Random Girl: Good night! [she leaves]
I remained to eat my meal, totally mystified about how that whole conversation came about. After all, I had not been acting in any such way that I felt was out of the ordinary. I was even wearing a sweater, black skirt, and had my hair pulled back in a black headband. Who knows...
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20 comments:
That's amazing. No matter what, we'll never quite fit in... :) (Thank God!)
Why, I think that's quite a compliment! There's something about out-of-towners that some of us in-towners are missing. I once spent time at an out-of-town community and was really impressed with the warm and accepting attitude that they displayed toward all kinds of people. Be proud!
But there are some friendly in-towners, too! Don't forget! *waves the lone in-towner flag*
We can't all help where we were born and raised! :(
I love your Blogger theme.
O. Park?
Ezzie - I know. Isn't it amazing?
halfshared - Oh, don't worry, I'm very proud. A little *too* proud for some of my in-town friends (see Erachet's comment below yours)... I'm glad the community you visited made a good impression on you. :)
Erachet - don't worry, the girl who struck up the conversation would probably consider Long Island out of town, too. :-P
Diana - thank you, I like it too.
Josh - nope, nowhere in the Midwest.
Firstly congrats on the makeover - suits you as well as your haircut ;)
Secondly as a out-of-country-er, I say that manners are also part of chinuch and how you were brought up.
LOVE the theme!!!
Hey, I've been living in this place for over 13 years, and people still ask me where I'm from *originally*. ;)
Love the new theme!
I had a similar incident while living in NY- someone commented that I said please and thank you. Ditto to Ezzie's comment.
behindasmile - true, manners are a large part of how one was brought up. I was b"H brought up to be polite.
Irina - thank you. See, at least people sort of have an excuse with you, cuz you speak with an accent. Then again, I suppose to a Brooklyn native, so do I...
nmf#7 - See, I was trying to figure out exactly what it was that made her comment. Was it that I moved my bags when someone was sweeping up? Was it that I spoke politely, and not in a demanding way? Was it that I spoke to the Hispanic worker the same way I addressed the Jewish one? I guess I'll never know...
*joins Erachet waving the [not-so]lone[anymore] in-town flag*
Scraps, I totally hear you, and I agree, out of towners are really great :-D
But I feel like I should stand up for us guys, too. Not all in-towners are rude or annoyed or impolite. I kinda find it closed-minded when people generalize us as all being nasty or rushed or ill-mannered. If anyone wants, I can introduce you to many really nice NYers.
That having been said, cute post.
:-)
CP - darling, notice that I was not the one who made the generalization, the girl (presumably a native of Brooklyn, since she pegged me as the out-of-towner) who started the conversation did. But I knew you'd take umbrage, and I had you in mind when I posted my disclaimer as well.
I think I'd be rude no matter where I grew up... so there. My parents despair of making a polite human being of me. And I don't care - I hate people and see no reason to pretend otherwise.
Ah yes. Founder of the Misanthropes' Club, right? Hehe.
Funny, though - you made a good enough impression on my parents. ;)
Different standards. It's all about different standards of behavior.
And before I put my foot in my mouth saying something about sophisticated NYers vs rustics out-of-towners, I shall retreat to contemplate how contemptible humans and all their annoying rules of behavior are.
;-)
[snort]
yes, we brooklyn natives scare the **** out of others.
MWA HA HA HA HA!!!!
lol.
on another note - i really like the new scrapbooky look.
Thanks! But who says I was scared of her? More like mystified and entertained at the same time. :)
should i be totally brooklyny and assume it was Cafe Napoli? If that's the case, I'm pathetic.
BTW, I once approached some girls on a Q-train whom I pegged as out of town. (Dead giveaways: they weren't being loud, their clothes weren't flashy, and they were talking about something with meaning.)
I just figured they needed directions when they got off the train. No joke.
Actually, it wasn't. I don't even know where Cafe Napoli is. :)
Nice to know the locals can be friendly too! ;)
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