# Pittsburgh Always Gets A Bad Wrap. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [November 3, 2003, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064 "2003-11-03T01:00:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/61 "2003-11-18T00:35:27Z")
Pittsburg is a pathetic backwater shithole. I hate that fucking place. [sub]Just my opinion[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/62 "2003-11-18T00:43:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pittsburg is a pathetic backwater shithole. > > I hate that fucking place. > > [sub]Just my opinion[/sub] \*\* Okay, I’ll hold his arms, you guys grab his legs. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e36b37/32.png) [@Airman\_Doors\_USAF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airman_Doors_USAF)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/63 "2003-11-18T00:49:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pittsburg is a pathetic backwater shithole. > > I hate that fucking place. > > [sub]Just my opinion[/sub] \*\* This from a guy who lists Brooklyn as his location. Talk about the pot and the fucking kettle. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/64 "2003-11-18T00:55:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Airman Doors, USAF \* > \*\*This from a guy who lists Brooklyn as his location. > > Talk about the pot and the fucking kettle. :rolleyes: \*\* Well if you think Brooklyn is a shithole, then more power to you. ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/65 "2003-11-18T01:08:54Z")
> [@](#): > > **SenorBeef** said: > I’m from Cleveland, This may be why you have such trouble driving in Pittsburgh. > [@](#): > > Is this considered tame for most cities? Compared to places like Boston and Providence I’d say Pittsburgh driving is pretty tame. I hear it’s really tame compared to Dallas. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/66 "2003-11-18T01:27:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pittsburg is a pathetic backwater shithole. > > I hate that fucking place. > > [sub]Just my opinion[/sub] \*\* You spelled ‘Altoona’ wrong. Jon ---
**Author:** ![beergeek279](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beergeek279](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beergeek279)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/67 "2003-11-18T03:46:57Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Well if you think Brooklyn is a shithole, then more power to you. \*\* Dat’s right. Yoose gon get whacked for talking smack bout Brooooklyn. Not even a real city anyway, so not worth worrying about. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/68 "2003-11-18T12:40:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by catsix \* > \*\*This may be why you have such trouble driving in Pittsburgh. \*\* Explain. > [@](#): > > \*\* > Compared to places like Boston and Providence I’d say Pittsburgh driving is pretty tame. I hear it’s really tame compared to Dallas. \*\* Nasty. ---
**Author:** ![rockle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@rockle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rockle)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/69 "2003-11-18T13:17:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nitroglycerine \* > \*\*You spelled ‘Altoona’ wrong. > > Jon \*\* OK, **this** is funny. ---
**Author:** ![DoubleJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DoubleJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoubleJ)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/70 "2003-11-18T14:32:56Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SenorBeef \* > Explain. Well, some of the unwritten rules are different here. If you spent any time off the expressways, you probably saw at least one person make a left turn the instant the light turned green – that one tends to throw newcomers. After almost 10 years, I’m usually surprised when someone _doesn’t_ do that. You may have also run into some trouble if you weren’t engaged in the area’s vehicular hobby of speeding. Those signs on the side of the road are actually the _lower_ limit. Don’t forget that bicycles are immune to traffic laws here, so if you see one coming up on a red light don’t expect him to stop, especially if you’re downtown. They get all indignant when you presume to have the right of way – they’re being all eco-friendly or some shit. You also may not know, but in cars sold here turn signals are optional extras, judging by the number of cars that use them, and the bulbs are very expensive, since most of the time they only get flashed once or twice on a lane change. Keeps you on your toes. No complacency here! I’m guessing you’re also confused by the stop signs at the end of some of the on-ramps here. Turns out a sign is much less expensive than building a merge lane. And your engine can probably rev up to at least 5500 rpm anyway, so you’ll be up to speed soon enough. If the tires ain’t squealing, you’re not trying hard enough. That should cover the major differences. Next time you come back, get a rental to practice on. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/71 "2003-11-18T15:18:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by RugbyMan \* > \*\*Not even a real city anyway, so not worth worrying about. \*\* City or not, Pittsburgh, is even smaller then Brooklyn. ---
**Author:** ![nitroglycerine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/c5a1d2/32.png) [@nitroglycerine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nitroglycerine)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/72 "2003-11-18T15:41:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*City or not, Pittsburgh, is even smaller then Brooklyn. \*\* Yeah, well, Pittsburgh has the 31st Street Pub, and The Cynics. Brooklyn doesn’t. 'Nuff said. Jon ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/73 "2003-11-18T16:08:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by DoubleJ \* > \*\*Well, some of the unwritten rules are different here. If you spent any time off the expressways, you probably saw at least one person make a left turn the instant the light turned green – that one tends to throw newcomers. After almost 10 years, I’m usually surprised when someone _doesn’t_ do that. \*\* Yeah, it took me a while to unlearn the Pittsburgh Left when I moved to Jersey. I find that Pittsburgh tends to get a bad rap from people who haven’t spent any time there. Almost everyone who visits finds that they like the place very much. Unfortunately, the one small part of New Jersey that most visitors see really does smell. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![DoubleJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@DoubleJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoubleJ)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/74 "2003-11-18T16:47:09Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Green Bean \* > I find that Pittsburgh tends to get a bad rap from people who haven’t spent any time there. Almost everyone who visits finds that they like the place very much. I admit, the place has grown on me. I just wish they’d field a baseball team worth watching, since I don’t go to Steelers games. (Well, I’ll be going to the one this coming Sunday, since I’ll be part of the home crowd 🙂 ) But what they say about Pittsburgh being a lousy place for singles is true. Especially if you’re a non-social single. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/75 "2003-11-18T18:05:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by nitroglycerine \* > \*\*Yeah, well, Pittsburgh has the 31st Street Pub, and The Cynics. Brooklyn doesn’t. 'Nuff said. > > Jon \*\* Whoop-de-fucking-do! Is that supposed to be some claim to fame? Like it or not, Brooklyn has more history and culture in one street then Pittburgh will have in a thousand years. ---
**Author:** ![sugaree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@sugaree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugaree)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/76 "2003-11-18T20:38:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by World Eater \* > \*\*Pittsburg is a pathetic backwater shithole. > > I hate that fucking place. > > [sub]Just my opinion[/sub] \*\* Is there a back story with you and Pittsburgh you’ld like to share? Or does this refer to Pittsburg, Kansas? Cause I’m pretty neutral on Pittsburg, Kansas. ---
**Author:** ![World\_Eater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f04885/32.png) [@World\_Eater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/World_Eater)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/77 "2003-11-18T20:52:50Z")
Pitt, PA. For the record I hate Boston even more. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![catsix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e19b73/32.png) [@catsix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/catsix)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2003, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/78 "2003-11-18T23:13:50Z")
> [@](#): > > said **DoubleJ** : > That should cover the major differences. Almost. You forgot the rule that says it’s open season on people with out of state license plates. Especially those from Ohio. All Ohioans are from Cleveland. And you know how Yinzers feel about the ‘Mistake by the Lake’. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2003, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/79 "2003-11-19T05:03:05Z")
Or da Clevean Brahnies. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [November 19, 2003, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064/80 "2003-11-19T07:29:12Z")
Die! You forgot to cover the “impatient to point of neurosis” part of the drivers. In one case, I was following behind someone down a normal street at oh, 20-25 feet behind them. There was no one behind me for at least several hundred yards. A guy was pulling out of a parking lot, and decided he couldn’t wait that extra .3 seconds to allow me to travel the 25 feet to pass him, he had to cut in behind the car I was following with barely any gap between us - and he had all the time in the world to go after I passed. I slammed on the brakes and still barely missed him. Or apparently normal downtown cross street behavior - it seems that everyone intentionally stops in the middle of the street when they have a red light, so that the traffic going the other way can’t do the same thing. So it’ll be green and the traffic can’t go anywhere because the entire intersection is blocked by the crossing traffic. One of the locals I was driving with just said I had to find the gaps between the cars and drive through them - to get through an intersection where I had a green light! nuts. And rush hour freeway driving… well, I can’t believe there aren’t hundreds of fatalities per day. I must live a sheltered driving life, or something, if that’s pretty tame. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pittsburgh-always-gets-a-bad-wrap/211064.md?page=5)