# Signs you may be in the ghetto... **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 14, 2013, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911 "2013-11-14T14:56:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![PatriotGrrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9dc877/32.png) [@PatriotGrrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotGrrrl)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2013, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/41 "2013-11-14T23:44:38Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > This is true in South Louisiana, and has nothing to do with other characteristics of the area. Grocery store, convenience store, drug store, whatever…all sell booze. Same in New Hampshire. Also Walmarts and some pizza places. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/42 "2013-11-15T00:08:55Z")
> [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](#): > > Bulletproof glass divider between the workers and customers of the Chinese take out place. The divider is worth more than the rest of the store combined but probably pays for itself quickly. The glass divider is sign of ghetto…the bulletproof glass divider with the bulletproof glass box that you put your money in and then close the door so the cashier can take the cash - and her door won’t open until your door is closed - and then she puts the food in the same box and has to close her door before you can open yours - that’s a sign of ghetto with flickering neon le t rs. (Best damn gyro I’ve had in years, though…oh, and in the ghetto, it’s pronounced jye-roh.) > [@pulykamell](#): > > FWIW, I’ve never associated Checkers with the ghetto–back when there were a bunch in the Chicago area, they were everywhere, and the one I went to was in a nice middle-class suburb. > > Of course, they’re all pretty much gone now, and the only one I know is (in fact) in a ghetto-ish area. But I don’t think of them (or Rally’s–same company AFAIK) as “ghetto.” (ETA: Actually, looking at the map, there’s a couple still left, generally all in lower income neighborhoods. Hmmm…I certainly don’t remember them having a ghetto reputation in the 90s.) It didn’t used to be ghetto. It’s ghetto now. It’s almost as ghetto as JJ’s and Sharks. (Damn, I love me some ghetto wings! Viva la “lemon pepper”!) I’ll add - unsanctioned flea markets that spring up on streetcorners. Go to 87th and the Dan Ryan on a Friday, and you can get 18 packs of tube socks, stacks of towels, shea butter, “genune esential fragrant oils” and velvet art all before the light changes. Sav-a-Lot. Never seen one in an affluent neighborhood, but they’re about as super as markets get in the poor neighborhoods. This may be a Chicago ghetto thing: The Bucket Boys. These young men drum with drumsticks on 5 gallon buckets while the traffic is moving, and then walk the line of cars while it’s red, holding their buckets out for donations. It’s a constantly rotating cast of dozens of young men who look like they should be in school instead. [Here they are during some sort of street festival or maybe post game](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-SN2l6JZO0) - oddly stationary of them…and it looks like they must have taken a bus to the north side; that’s not where I usually see them. Ha! Check it out…[they got an invite to play at the Bulls game!](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfkIPRhLmKY) ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/43 "2013-11-15T00:20:11Z")
There are many people carrying around their possessions in those Crown Royal bags. ---
**Author:** ![ataraxy22](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ataraxy22/32/307_2.png) [@ataraxy22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ataraxy22)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 12:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/44 "2013-11-15T00:49:34Z")
It’s where you can find your car after a predatory towing company has found it and you pay the extortion fee to get it back. #Baltimore ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/45 "2013-11-15T01:49:45Z")
Oversized, low profile wheels &/or spinners Tuners major car work being done on the street _women_ in wife beaters, usually with the belly hanging out of bottom…Yeech! air-brushed shirts Huge gold-colored earrings ---
**Author:** ![Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de053/32.png) [@Jackknifed\_Juggernaut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackknifed_Juggernaut)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/46 "2013-11-15T02:05:41Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > The glass divider is sign of ghetto…the bulletproof glass divider with the bulletproof glass box that you put your money in and then close the door so the cashier can take the cash - and her door won’t open until your door is closed - and then she puts the food in the same box and has to close her door before you can open yours… Damn that’s one upscale ghetto! In these parts it’s all about angles. The opening in the glass is designed so that you put the money through and then slide it to the side. This is Chinese food, not Fort Knox! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Lucky\_13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucky_13/32/13209_2.png) [@Lucky\_13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lucky_13)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 11:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/47 "2013-11-15T11:25:52Z")
You can find the following businesses, in addition to those mentioned above: DD’s Discount 99-cent stores (not 99 Cent Only, those are everywhere in LA, but the knockoffs like 98+, 97 Cents and More, and so on) Beauty supply stores that sell a lot of hair extensions Mother’s Nutritional stores or other stores that accept WIC vouchers At least in LA, there’s at least one guy selling either Popsicles or corn on the cob out of a cart. And the ice cream trucks look about 30 years older than their clientele, and sell potato chips and soda (and sometimes drugs) in addition to ice cream. There used to be an ice cream truck in my neighborhood that sold Fritos with chili in them, and ice cream sundaes. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/48 "2013-11-15T11:51:41Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > A hungry little boy with a runny nose plays in the street as the cold wind blows. Well played. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/49 "2013-11-15T17:26:07Z")
[QUOTE=DCnDC] Very good! Close: Hyattsville, between Kenilworth and 295. Technically neither Bladensburg nor Riverdale Park, but could be probably be considered either. I guess you’re familiar with the free-standing Sears in the big empty lot that used to be Landover Mall, across from FedEx Field? I have to go past all that crap to get to the “good” shopping center, you know, the one with Wegman’s and Costco. [/QUOTE] I used to go to that Costco regularly until the one in NE DC opened up. If traffic on 50 was bad, I’d take Landover Road until it became Bladensburg Road to get home. It’s not really scary ghetto but I know what you mean. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Checkers in an affluent neighborhood. When my neighborhood was a bit more ghetto, I was surprised by the number of nail salons, wig shops, and hairdressers that seemed to stay in business. The takeout restaurants and conveniences stores with the plexiglass is a given. Here in DC, I’d say it isn’t just that they sell alcohol, but that they sell singles. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/50 "2013-11-15T17:35:33Z")
> [@Caffeine.addict](#): > > Here in DC, I’d say it isn’t just that they sell alcohol, but that they sell singles. Don’t you mean 2- and 3-packs 😉 ? And they’ve been trying to ban those too. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/51 "2013-11-15T17:40:27Z")
Pawn shops Payday loan shops Boarded up windows Bars on first floor windows Convenience stores that are barricaded like Ft. Knox People who slow down as they cross the street as if they’re daring you to hit them ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/52 "2013-11-15T17:53:09Z")
More people with skin color that is darker than the averaged skin color of the entire population of the United States. ---
**Author:** ![Peanuthead](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peanuthead/32/360_2.png) [@Peanuthead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peanuthead)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/53 "2013-11-15T18:09:12Z")
Cigarettes are sold individually. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/54 "2013-11-15T18:38:03Z")
Males walking out in front of your moving car (often spitting as they do so) just daring you to hit them or even honk your horn. Oops. I see Punditlisa already got this one. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/55 "2013-11-15T19:19:31Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > This is true in South Louisiana, > > There are also drive thru daiquiri shops. When I first heard this from a CA transplantee to Louisiana I was just flabbergasted. How…how…could this be legal? I was also vastly jealous. I’m sure the novelty would wear off quickly, but hell - I like daiquiris and drive-thru daiquiri shops sounds kinda like the thing someone might promise you when you reached heaven: _…and lo, there shall be bountiful fields, stately mansions for all, 72 dancing girls for every straight man and non-straight woman, and Drive-Thru Daiquiri Shops on every corner…_ 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Caffeine.addict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f475e1/32.png) [@Caffeine.addict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caffeine.addict)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/56 "2013-11-15T19:35:44Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Don’t you mean 2- and 3-packs 😉 ? And they’ve been trying to ban those too. That sounds fancy. In my neighborhood it was singles. It wasn’t something good, but rather something like Steel Reserve tall boys. Most of DC banned the sales a few years ago. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/57 "2013-11-15T20:05:30Z")
Your mayor gets caught on video smoking crack! ---
**Author:** ![Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/regallag_the_axe/32/445_2.png) [@Regallag\_The\_Axe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Regallag_The_Axe)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/58 "2013-11-15T20:08:50Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Your mayor gets caught on video smoking crack! …and you immediately recognize where the video was taken. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/59 "2013-11-15T20:09:44Z")
> [@MikeG](#): > > … > > 1. small storefront churches. Im talking tiny ramshackle ones with the pastor’s name always prominently displayed. Interesting point. I would qualify this by saying small fundamentalist and/or pentecostal storefront churches - ones whose outreach materials are clearly intended for destitute people looking for serious help right now - not stable people looking toward the deeper things in life. There’s actually a small town nearby where there is a storefront Greek Orthodox church in a strip mall, in an area that could not be termed “ghetto” in any meaningful sense. I assume it’s in the strip mall because there simply aren’t enough local followers to afford a freestanding building. ---
**Author:** ![robert\_columbia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e79b87/32.png) [@robert\_columbia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/robert_columbia)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2013, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911/60 "2013-11-15T20:11:32Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > Your mayor gets caught on video smoking crack! Bitch set him up! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/signs-you-may-be-in-the-ghetto/673911.md?page=4)