Welcome to the neighborhood
Now get your act together
Written by Heather Foley
Hey South Boston class of 2013, let me be one of the first to welcome you to the neighborhood! Yeah I know you moved here a month ago, but I’m willing to bet I’m still one of the first to welcome you to the neighborhood. Anyhoo, I trust you’re all settled in? Getting the lay of the land? Have you figured out what’s open and until what time on Sundays yet? No worries, I’m still trying to figure it out. So how do you like Southie so far? By the sounds of late night carousing I hear it seems like you like it just fine. It is pretty great here, right? Quick commute to downtown (do us all a favor and check out my blog on bus etiquette if you’re new to the T), plenty of great places to eat and drink, the beach, Castle Island. It’s pretty darn close to paradise here in 02127. Well, now that you’ve had some time to get acclimated, I just have a few quick things to go over with you, maybe you should grab a pencil and paper, I’ll wait.
Good, you’re back, let’s begin.
Parking. In case you haven’t noticed, parking is kinda a big deal here, and there are so many rules! First the big written rule, street cleaning might be the biggest bummer in the modern world. There is no worse feeling than walking to your car only to find an empty street. I’m a pretty level headed, rational human being, but my car getting towed gets me mad enough to kick a puppy. So do yourself a favor and always check the street cleaning signs! Now for some unwritten rules, you can’t stand in a spot and “hold” it for a friend, it’s a really good way to get run over. Double parking is a carefully balanced science that can go horribly wrong in seconds. Mostly you just want to apply some common sense. Can a fire engine or bus still get down the street? If no, then you did it wrong and start over. Also there is a huge difference between double parking on Broadway and double parking on L St. You really shouldn’t be doubling parking at all on L St. unless you’re delivering some chicken fingers, mmmmmm chicken fingers. You may have noticed that Broadway is technically big enough for two lanes of traffic, but that inside “lane” is 100% reserved for double parking, so if you try to actually drive in it don’t get mad at me when you don’t get to go anywhere. And a quick thing about driving around Southie, there’s still a decent number of kids in the hood, we tell them to cross at crosswalks or “wait for the light”. Please don’t drive like a maniac, and if you run a red and yellow light I will absolutely yell at you, flip you off, and possibly throw something at your car. Just a heads up.
Garbage day. Okay, this is my big pet peeve so bear with me. Find out what day garbage pickup is on your street. Google it, ask a neighbor, whatever, I don’t care, just find out and find out now. You can put your garbage out on the curb the night before pickup and the night before pickup only. I think I speak for the whole community when I say we don’t want our streets strewn with trash, and now that you’re a member of the community you shouldn’t want it to look like Calcutta either. I try not to put out bags of trash until the morning of because for some reason the people who go through it make a giant effing mess.
Your neighbors. If you’re my neighbor I’ll probably smile and say, “Hi,” at some point, and if for some reason I don’t, please say, “Hi,” to me first, and I do apologize. Introduce yourself to your neighbors, give them a heads up if you’re going to have a par-tay (maybe even invite them), help out with shoveling, moving heavy stuff, loose dog on the street, etc. Basically just the kind of neighbor you would like to live next door to. And there’s always going to be a grouch who loves to complain, try not to give them too much to complain about. Like don’t fight with your girlfriend in the middle of the street or have your fight club over at 4am, especially on a school night.
You basically only need to remember one thing, you’re living in a neighborhood now, a community, and you’re a member of this community. So take some pride in where you live. Don’t throw your Tasty Burger wrapper or Cranberry Cafe coffee cup in the street. Don’t act a fool your whole walk home from the Beer Garden, and when you see a Southie kid canning or selling candy bars throw them a couple bucks. There’s no reason you can’t be a vibrant, vital member of the South Boston community, just don’t act like a dope and we should all get along swimmingly…see you at the L St. Tavern.
24 Comments
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Could not have said any better my self ….
Hi Heather,
Did you know over 1200 new condo owners will be moving in developments on or around E.1st by the end of the year? Did you go to the American Provisions hearing on October 3rd? There were at least 3x as many “yuppie” supporters to the “local” opposition. There are many, many more condo developments slated for 2014-2015 and beyond. You’re “Welcome” message somehow impies that you hold a majority stake in this neighborhood, when in fact that battle has been lost.
Welcome to Sobo, we don’t mind if you stick around as long as you mind your own business.
Heather,
I think your article should be helpful to many. I think the general courtesy reminders are not geared to new condo owners in the neighborhood ( as 1 commentator implied) but to the party goers & their friends who are are not always considerate of their neighbors. We all enjoy having fun while being mindful of other! Well done!
To “SOBO”
Not sure why you felt the need to be defensive. The tips aren’t meant to pit lifers against newcomers. She is speaking from her experiences growing up in the city. The fact that there were “3x as many yuppies” only meant that most of us locals didn’t oppose it. Why would we? Most everyone I know loves the shop. If you prefer, we can do it your way and simply call inspectional services when you put your garbage out too early, call the BPD when your parties get out of hand and call COB Transportation Dept. when you double park. So get out your checkbook, oh but you’ll need cash if you’re towed and stop confirming our worst fears that every a**hole in the free world has moved to South Boston.
As you said Heather, there’s always a grouch in the neighborhood. Methinks SOBO doesn’t need a sign on his back for us to know he’s a born “troublemaker”. “WE don’t mind if you stick around as long as you mind your own business” implies that he thinks all yuppies are as nasty as he. Maybe some fine evening he’ll waltz into the “L” st tavern and someone will knock that chip off his shoulder–hmmm,
“If you prefer, we can do it your way and simply call inspectional services when you put your garbage out too early, call the BPD when your parties get out of hand and call COB Transportation Dept. when you double park.”
I don’t think you got her point; “they” are “we” now. In other words, the Yuppies are now the majority or soon will be, and they will be the ones calling the BPD…. but not for parties, rather on your heroine addicted kids/siblings/cousins.
It’s nice to see everyone is getting along. Nice job, Heather.
I gotta say SOBO’s comment is the reason why Southie is not a fun place to live right now. The tension in the neighborhood between lifelong residents and yuppies is becoming unbearable. Heather’s comments are not offensive in the least and from reading this I’m guessing it is more geared towards all the students moving back rather than the “yuppies”. The fact that SOBO took the comment so personal is a clear example of people like him being the ones causing the problems rather than the lifelong residents/students. I’ve lived in other neighborhoods in Boston and I gotta say, I’ve never experienced newcomers to a neighborhood wanting to push older residents out so badly. SOBO, when new people move to your hometown do they immediately demand that your family pack up and leave?
“Heroine”: A woman admired or idealized for her courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities. Looks like Rowdy Rich Person doesn’t know how to spell and is ignorant in more ways than one.
“Lighten up, Francis.”
Good points, especially about garbage being put out too early! But I have to say that my number one pet peeve is parking! You forgot to mention to park courteously! Please think about your neighbor riding around for hours looking for a spot while you hog two spots so your bumper will not get scratched! Meanwhile, my 2009 toyota has so many scratches on it, you think I drove through a war zone!
At least Heather has the courage to put her name on what she wrote. SOBO and Rowdy want to make nasty remarks and hide behind anonymity. FYI, SOBO, you don’t want people minding only their own business. Good neighbors keep an eye on each other, too. In reference to the American Provisions hearing, only ‘yuppies’ supported and only ‘locals’ opposed? Really? The advice that you don’t mind if Heather sticks around if she minds her business is actually kind of funny. Heather and other long time residents have always stuck around, while we watch you newcomers cycle through the neighborhood. While you will be here for a few years and move on for familial or professional reasons, we’ll still be here to greet the people who buy your condo when your ‘term’ here is done. Rowdy, how classy of you to drag ‘heroine’ addicted kids into matters. (BTW, it is spelled HEROIN.) If you must, try to disagree without being disagreeable. Is that too much to ask?
I am a ‘local’ and I can sorta get why the person above wrote what they wrote–no love lost between me and many of the inconsiderate jerks who have moved here but I think the tone of this article was a tad condescending to someone who is new to the neighborhood (even though it was probably meant to be playful and funny). ‘I have a few things to go over with you’ ….?? someone needs to get off their high horsey. :)
your an oblivious jerk to say something like that. I hope your deck collapses at your next ‘kegger’ and you and your cohorts suffer greatly before you expire and free up more parking! – don’t worry I won’t call the Police, least not for a few hours till the moans subside.
The SOBO commenter sounds an awful lot like the troll on Boston.com that goes by SouthBostonResident. He/she is a known troll that lives in his/her parents basement. How was meatloaf night troll? Ma!!!!!!! More meatloaf!
Hey balloonhead… Yuppies have outnumbered locals for at least 10 years. No one disputes that. The numbers are about 7 to 1 now. Heather is a hot shit who has gone out of her way to be extra welcoming to peices of shit like you, and this is your response. I hope my drug addicted kids/siblings & cousins break into your house. Maybe that will be enough to scare you back to whatever podunk town you came from.
@ rowdy rich people
First off learn how to spell heroin. Second many of the long time residents of southie have never touched drugs and are hard working families and memebers of this community. Want to talk about drugs ? Need i remind you that most of these yuppies are coming straight out of there hard partying COKE snorting private universities. If you are going to judge others you better be perfect !
Just don’t. The neighborhood already has an awesome nickname, no reason to copy the new york naming model.
With all the new people (I’ve been here a mere 5 years) I don’t think its wise to invite them to the double parking party. Soon enough the lines of double parked cars will be out of control. So much so, that people won’t want the “inner” parking spots for fear of being blocked in… what happens when nobody uses the “inner” spots? Yeah, the parking just got cut down by half.
That being said: WELCOME to the neighborhood! We hope you brought a bike!
As moronic as SOBO’s comment was, I’ll leave it alone.. but thanks for the permissison to “stick around”! As for you ‘Rowdy Rich People’, that may be the most despicable thing I’ve ever read. As far as I’m concerned you don’t deserve to live in this town. If you weren’t too busy waiting in line at the Playwright or Lincoln on Sunday nights, maybe you’d have time to meet the outstanding people who reside in this town ( both new and old ). It’s no secret that this town has it’s problems as every town does, but I personally believe that we’ve bred some of the best of the best.. significantly outweighing a few bad apples. If you we’re invested in this town at all(besides financially), you’d know that.
South Boston is changing. WE GET IT. I am not here to pit new vs old. Never have. Never will. I sometimes pity the people that weren’t privileged enough to grow up in such an incredible neighborhood. However, I welcome them with open arms and encourage them to embrace the heart, soul, and community that is . . South Boston. I also suggest you adhere to the very simple rules ( well said by Heather) above.
It shouldn’t/ can’t be you vs me or “they” vs “we”. This is a NEIGHBORhood.. so love it or leave it. Lead, follow, or get out of the way. It takes a village, not the village idiot that you seem to be.
I find it interesting that sobo was ticked off by Heather’s article. Pretty clear that he’s the kind that will leave his trash out early in a plastic bag that will be torn to shreds and scattered about the neighborhood. He will double park his car and take off with a friend for the evening. He’s the type that will yell at little kids. I don’t think he will have loud parties because he has no friends. I’m guessing he’s from New York. I had a neighbor once from there and it wasn’t pretty. Obviously has a chip on his shoulder that eventually will be knocked off by some woman in the neighborhood. Hope he has fun paying his condo fee.