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National misperception (can we call these stereotypes?):
Philadelphia food scene = cheesesteaks.
The city looks just as dirty and decrepit as it did during Rocky (which is a lot of people's only exposure to Philly)
Also, in terms of iconic imagery - I'm surprised no one mentioned the Art Museum. Thanks to Rocky, it's a pretty culturally iconic - and global - landmark. All of my European friends want to visit the Rocky Steps as one of their first orders of business when visiting me.
I think that the Art Museum steps is almost certainly a better known landmark than Independence Hall or the Liberty Bell at this point. In my experience it’s an extremely well-known landmark by people outside the US. Anyway, never underestimate the power of popular culture to influence what people know about a location.
A few years ago I was in Roselare a small city in Belgium. I was traveling with my parents and when I mentioned to the bartender that they live in Philadelphia he immediately sang the entire Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song as he is apparently a big fan of it. It made me laugh at the time.
Ugh the cheese steaks thing. I get it, they're famous and yummy, but good lord, do people really think that is the limit of Philadelphia's food scene? I find it to be one of the best and most sophisticated in offerings in that nation.
As far as basic local foods go, I even think Philadelphia has better pizza options than NYC, New Yorkers don't like when I say that to them.
The Art Museum argument I have given up on. It will always be known as "the Rocky steps" to your average joe traveler. When I take friends to the steps, I take them all around the building and the gardens in the rear to see the beauty of the structure and its property. One of the few urban places in the US where you feel you are in Paris or similar.
If the PMA actually goes through with all of the Frank Gehry renovations the steps will not be the same as what people are used to. Part of the renovations have been completed btw. The new restaurant areas are done.
People should be reminded that Phila. native, Julian Abele, designed the PMA. There's a terrific article about his work on philly curbed.
What I said was more of a generalization. Of course I meet people all the time who love Philadelphia and have great things to say about it. I met a guy in LA who works in media/ entertainment said Philadelphia is his favorite city and wishes he could live there.
So among better traveled, educated, and usually younger Americans, Philadelphia has a high level of respect, still stuck in the middle, but people acknowledge it as a major urban city, and a cool city.
Widening to your average American I still hear those "Why" statements I mentioned above, obviously its lack of knowledge toward the city, but how does the city change that remaining mindset?
Going back to what I said before a bunch of those "average American" will display American flags, love
July 4th, scream: "USA", etc but have nearly zero reverence for the place where the country was born. Places like Orlando or Las Vegas are more important to those people. It's frustrating, at least it is to me, that they really don't care. The fact that they say, "Why?", speaks volumes. They just pretend that they care about the country's history when they don't.
Going back to what I said before a bunch of those "average American" will display American flags, love
July 4th, scream: "USA", etc but have nearly zero reverence for the place where the country was born. Places like Orlando or Las Vegas are more important to those people. It's frustrating, at least it is to me, that they really don't care. The fact that they say, "Why?", speaks volumes. They just pretend that they care about the country's history when they don't.
Agreed, whats even worse is how naive, uniformed and rather ignorant many Americans are when it comes to American history, and even Philadelphia's irreplaceable spot in American history.
O.T. - I sometimes find myself too educated / interested in education for my own good, lol.
Not many other late 20's gay men are interested in anything but parties and drinking.
But I always use any opportunity I can to educate people on history and Philadelphia whenever the topics come up, which results in people having more respect for Philadelphia and all that it offers.
What I said was more of a generalization. Of course I meet people all the time who love Philadelphia and have great things to say about it. I met a guy in LA who works in media/ entertainment said Philadelphia is his favorite city and wishes he could live there.
So among better traveled, educated, and usually younger Americans, Philadelphia has a high level of respect, still stuck in the middle, but people acknowledge it as a major urban city, and a cool city.
Widening to your average American I still hear those "Why" statements I mentioned above, obviously its lack of knowledge toward the city, but how does the city change that remaining mindset?
Sort of off topic, but I have repeated this again and again, Washington DC for whatever reason is reviewed at the super cool, Utopian city. Almost every single person I meet who lives in DC (gay and straight) talks so highly of DC and puts other cities down including Philadelphia. Philadelphia gets more respect from New Yorkers and Bostonians than DC residents, when did that happen? To this day, I still do not see the appeal of DC and I have traveled this country far and wide and would rank DC average on my city spectrum. Its a fine city, I have explored it throughout, but a peer of New York, Chicago, Philadelphia in terms of density, quality, urbanism, food, culture, downtown, history, architecture, nightlife, vibe, people, etc. In my opinion, no... its a notch below.
DC's revitalization is pretty recent. Not that long ago it was the homicide capital with big stretches of, say, Mass. Ave where there was little development. Not true now obviously. So the folks you are talking to are young, right? Under 35? Talk to some older DC folks and you may hear about Marion Berry who was a dreadful mayor(1979-91). And again from 1995-99. Perfect example of the need for term limits! Just imagine Phila. without mayoral term limits!!! He was arrested for cocaine possession in 1990 only to be elected again. Boggles the mind.
Beyond the Mall museums and the Ford Theater complex, I'm like you: not a lot interests me about it. And since 9/11 The Capitol and White House complexes are visually awful now (especially The Capitol) with all of the security it really takes away from any granduer those places used to have, imo.
Agreed, whats even worse is how naive, uniformed and rather ignorant many Americans are when it comes to American history, and even Philadelphia's irreplaceable spot in American history.
O.T. - I sometimes find myself too educated / interested in education for my own good, lol.
Not many other late 20's gay men are interested in anything but parties and drinking.
But I always use any opportunity I can to educate people on history and Philadelphia whenever the topics come up, which results in people having more respect for Philadelphia and all that it offers.
I was shocked, when I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs, to meet people who had NEVER been to Center City their entire lives, other than maybe as a field trip in grade school, and couldn't tell you the first thing about the history of the city.
"Philadelphia: A 300 year history" should be required reading for anyone who lives in the metro area.
I was shocked, when I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs, to meet people who had NEVER been to Center City their entire lives, other than maybe as a field trip in grade school, and couldn't tell you the first thing about the history of the city.
"Philadelphia: A 300 year history" should be required reading for anyone who lives in the metro area.
Well this is the vast majority of PA. But if they had it in school..... of course they know. I did loooong ago. Not sure about how much Todays youth get though. I think that is more common in most cities .... of suburbanites who never visit their major city's core. Especially previous decades of course. Less so now with younger people especially and City cores that reversed decades of declines.
Also the degree of PRIDE a city's suburbanites have or especially may have increased in to make it enough to lure them back. Maybe Philly has a way's to go yet? But clearly you can note it increasing.
My school trips in the 70s (from more Central PA) went to Harrisburg and Gettysburg. Some got DC if luckier. Not sure why Philly trips seemed less then in my schools.
Americans generally know Philly ties to Early US History. IMO If naïve on that in general.... the probably know little of most of the US and even its geography too. DC just STEALS the show today in history. The Liberty Bell, Ben Franklin, Betsy Ross to even Independence Hall. Just has a back seat more to DC doily in our political news.
On Constitution Mall..... most will probably confuse it with the National Mall DC and 80+% might say its in DC. The 90s thru PA had daily bus after bus trips of PA travelers ... totally just go thru Philly and over the Ben Franklin to AC and coastal Jersey. Philly not on the radar.
Yes many visit cities for museums draws and Live shows and Concerts to Ballet. But also entertainment venues much more to take in. Philly needs its "IT" FACTOR niche yet it seems. As the "City of Brotherly Love" takes a lot of hits. I got a kick out of a poster saying a tourist asking questions to them on Broad St CC (I believe). They felt bothered and stopped them from their destination quicker. THAT ISN'T the attitude that says WELCOME AND ENJOY MY CITY WITH A SMILE ...... expected in rushed NYC. Won't in the rest of our cities. If you are seen as cutting them off and annoyed? They remember that and take it home with them. Then Stereotypes continue.
Philly has plenty of everything as a major city and keeps increasing. But something to have it stand out for. That gives it a hype (in more if) as a mighty NYC and DC stealing it still. Rocky is dated today. Its Great Early American Historic sights noteworthy to see if there. But a lure in itself today? Maybe less so then Philly hopes would and should be for its investments.
Clearly, more educated and knowledgeable, Intellectual people know much more. But even for younger people by me today .... they merely think of a sports or concert forums with Philly visits. Not for other Big city traits to lure them for visits, as NYC gets that or venues as DC's National ones.
But yes Philly's interest and more is increasing. But I'm not sure it has its niche yet as a more gotta visit Philly too ..... more in their thoughts yet needed. IT ISN'T ALL INTERTELLECTUALS AS TOURST TO OR CITES TO LURE.
Sounds a bit ridiculous ... but Philly needs a Ferris Wheel. People tend to be drawn to them. Add one to a pier, the Mall. I'm sure some think its nuts. But think of the cities in the US and WORLD that did one. It gets in many travel sights for visiting that city for families. A pier of rides and food and other venues more then a nice relaxing escape alone.
Build it more .... and tourist will come more. I can think of one city that proved it, Common folk want a Big city for entertainment and family amusement too. Especially suburban families that all their children already got the historic venues from School visits.
Agreed, whats even worse is how naive, uniformed and rather ignorant many Americans are when it comes to American history, and even Philadelphia's irreplaceable spot in American history.
O.T. - I sometimes find myself too educated / interested in education for my own good, lol.
Not many other late 20's gay men are interested in anything but parties and drinking.
But I always use any opportunity I can to educate people on history and Philadelphia whenever the topics come up, which results in people having more respect for Philadelphia and all that it offers.
DO NOT EVER feel ANY shame or discomfort about being an educated person even if you are joking. Our civilization, such as it is, depends on institutional knowledge and literacy.
I've said it before: I really appreciate how much you care about the city. Given some of the local characters it's vital especially from folks your age.
I was shocked, when I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs, to meet people who had NEVER been to Center City their entire lives, other than maybe as a field trip in grade school, and couldn't tell you the first thing about the history of the city.
"Philadelphia: A 300 year history" should be required reading for anyone who lives in the metro area.
Those kinds of people almost disgust me. You are living in a country that affords you a level of personal liberty that was absolutely unique when the Founders wrote our founding documents. You are living in a country where known and unknown people gave their lives so you, in your laziness, could enjoy those freedoms.
And I say this being descendant of slaves who, obviously, didn't share those freedoms as written in those documents when they were first written.
Ignoring where those documents were written displays a serious degree of shallowness. Why don't they care? Why isn't it important to them? And, what the hell are they even doing in the Phila. area if they have no interest in the very place that made their lives possible?
Those kinds of people almost disgust me. You are living in a country that affords you a level of personal liberty that was absolutely unique when the Founders wrote our founding documents. You are living in a country where known and unknown people gave their lives so you, in your laziness, could enjoy those freedoms.
And I say this being descendant of slaves who, obviously, didn't share those freedoms as written in those documents when they were first written.
Ignoring where those documents were written displays a serious degree of shallowness. Why don't they care? Why isn't it important to them? And, what the hell are they even doing in the Phila. area if they have no interest in the very place that made their lives possible?
You may very well live around these simpletons you abhor. It's not about just suburbanites and more rural common folk you feel less connected to.
Most do not just associate the Constitution with slavery. That era was still present then by some key signers. Even though its words did not promote it.
Last edited by DavePa; 02-25-2019 at 10:43 AM..
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People tend to be drawn to them. Add one to a pier, the Mall. I'm sure some think its nuts. But think of the cities in the US and WORLD that did one. It gets in many travel sights for visiting that city for families. A pier of rides and food and other venues more then a nice relaxing escape alone. 
