# St. German and others, is this a joke? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [October 4, 2012, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639 "2012-10-04T00:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![LavenderBlue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e95f7d/32.png) [@LavenderBlue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LavenderBlue)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/61 "2012-10-05T22:48:03Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Which is $1300/Month… My mortgage on a 4 BR house on 1/2 acre in the Midwest is way less. The point people are trying to make is that there are cheaper places to live if one makes the choice to live there instead of in NYC. Clearly she isn’t willing to make that change… so she has to take some responsibility for her situation. I would bet that people working retail part time here are making about the same as she is in NYC, but it goes much further here. And the point some of us who know the city are trying to make is not necessarily that much further. Especially given the fact that you can walk many places in NYC or take very cheap public transportation. The subways and buses run all night and go nearly everywhere. You don’t need to pay four bucks a gallon around here just to go grocery shopping or to work. Ethnic markets can provide cheap prepared food or inexpensive staples. Museums are either free or have free days. NYC also offers networking chances that may not be available in other places. It may make sense for her to move out. No one’s denying that. But the notion that that makes sense automatically isn’t necessarily true. Can you go anywhere important from your half acre without using a car? I live in the NJ suburbs and I can’t. When I lived in Brooklyn and even Staten Island I had two groceries stories in easy walking distance. To get to work from my home in Staten Island was actually free if I walked to the free ferry and then walked to my teaching job in lower Manhattan. ---
**Author:** ![Yookeroo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yookeroo/32/323_2.png) [@Yookeroo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yookeroo)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/62 "2012-10-05T23:06:57Z")
> [@the lone cashew](#): > > She may have overreacted, that is true. But in all due respect, she is going through a lot of pressure right now. How about giving her some slack right now instead of trying to push her buttons? I’m mostly seeing some slack cutting even here in the Pit. Most have reacted very reasonably and what vitriol there is is relatively mild. ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/63 "2012-10-05T23:11:30Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > Can you go anywhere important from your half acre without using a car? I live in the NJ suburbs and I can’t. When I lived in Brooklyn and even Staten Island I had two groceries stories in easy walking distance. To get to work from my home in Staten Island was actually free if I walked to the free ferry and then walked to my teaching job in lower Manhattan. Well, without crossing a street that isn’t residential and less than a mile… let’s see… a liquor store, a dentist, a pizza place, a drug store, a vet, a Chinese place, a fancy breakfast breakfast/lunch place, a grocery store, a bank, two churches, a nail salon, an elementary school with a playground, a golf course, a swimming pool, and a kid’s exercise place. Same distance, other direction and crossing one semi major street (but not at all difficult to do), Jimmy John’s (sub’s), Computer repair shop, Starbucks, McDonald’s, Steak 'n Shake, a book store, a bar, a Goodwill store, a cafeteria, a car repair shop, a pool place (swimming pools that is), a dance studio, Panerra Bread, another grocery store… the list goes on. My job is a little far, but my wife rides her bike to work sometimes if the weather is nice. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2012, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/64 "2012-10-05T23:20:58Z")
> [@LavenderBlue](#): > > It may make sense for her to move out. No one’s denying that. But the notion that that makes sense automatically isn’t necessarily true. Agreed, but there was no way for the participants in the thread to know which was true without actually asking questions. I don’t recall anyone saying, “It’s obvious you need to leave New York!” I do recall people trying to get a sense of what was keeping her there and whether there were better options elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/65 "2012-10-06T00:16:20Z")
My take on it is the OP needs some therapy to deal with her assault. At least I’m \*assuming \*her bat shit insane response is somehow related. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/66 "2012-10-06T00:16:57Z")
> [@Yookeroo](#): > > I’m mostly seeing some slack cutting even here in the Pit. Most have reacted very reasonably and what vitriol there is is relatively mild. Yeah. I would say this is a soft and snuggly pit thread. Spud, I hear you, but what we are saying is that there is always somewhere cheaper. The fact that she has found a space where she only has to pay 650 though (with the roommate, which she is fine with), pretty much means that it is silly to ask her to move somewhere else if she loves NYC. 650 is a very good rent almost anywhere. ---
**Author:** ![StGermain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stgermain/32/2868_2.png) [@StGermain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StGermain)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/67 "2012-10-06T01:31:56Z")
I do want to apologize to **Mississipienne** for insinuating that she was trolling for dollars. Although it was my feeling, I didn’t have proof and didn’t try to accuse her of it. I do feel that she went over the line in her responses to people who were trying to help, however she wasn’t reacting in her normal fashion. I would hate for her to leave the boards because of something I wrote. I will repost this in her original thread. **Mississippienne** - My apologies. I’m sorry for hurting your feelings. StG ---
**Author:** ![lisacurl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/41988e/32.png) [@lisacurl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lisacurl)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/68 "2012-10-06T02:03:23Z")
Aw, this is a soft and snuggly Pit thread! (Classy move, **St. Germain**.) ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/69 "2012-10-06T02:07:18Z")
Might as well add more [cuteness](http://cute-kittens.tumblr.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Spud](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spud/32/347_2.png) [@Spud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spud)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/70 "2012-10-06T03:51:09Z")
> [@The\_Dord](#): > > Might as well add more [cuteness](http://cute-kittens.tumblr.com/). Wow Dord… what kind of a fuckwad would post something like that.. an ugly ass cat with mange. God… what the fuck were you thinking. Sorrry **Dord** I just needed to get this pit thread back on track… nothing personal… the cat’s still ugly though. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/71 "2012-10-06T16:11:04Z")
> [@Foxy40](#): > > Sorry but I have to wonder, did you live with this doper because you needed help or because you were sharing a place? > > I ask because you really do give the impression of being very needy and dependent and come from a family of the same. If I remember correctly, neither you nor your brother are caring for your mother financially but his girlfriend is paying their bills. Now you’re having trouble and, as a last resort, plan to try to burden this person further. > > Asking why, of all the places in this country you could go, you choose a place that is very expensive is reasonable. I have to wonder if something was said that hit home. Also, I don’t think dopers get extra faith points per every year they hang out here. People here from the beginning can be ax murderers, we have no way of knowing. You sure know a lot about her for someone you think is such a stranger that you think she could be a murderer. Just like in real life, we can interact with people to determine whether they are likely ax murderers or what have you. It is not unreasonable to want people not to insinuate that you are some sneaky bad person. In fact, I wouldn’t even say it’s unreasonable to pit someone for such an insinuation. The only unreasonable thing here is how far over the top she went about it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Dord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3be4f8/32.png) [@The\_Dord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Dord)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2012, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/72 "2012-10-06T22:49:21Z")
> [@Spud](#): > > Wow Dord… what kind of a fuckwad would post something like that.. an ugly ass cat with mange. God… what the fuck were you thinking. > > Sorrry **Dord** I just needed to get this pit thread back on track… nothing personal… the cat’s still ugly though. 😛 Your fucking scrolling wheel on your fucking mouse is fucking broke, fucking fix it, motherfucker. 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/73 "2012-10-07T00:33:27Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > Join Date: Mar 2004 > > :dubious: > I get it, math isn’t your strong suit. Or is it 2015 where you live? I was **Nichol\_storm** before I was **Mississippienne** , and I joined back in 2000. ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/74 "2012-10-07T00:37:12Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I confess, from the very beginning of the original thread I expected an eventual solicitation of donations; and frankly, I’m still not convinced it’s not in the works. > > Maybe I’m wrong, I dunno. Wouldn’t be the first time. > > So sue me. Or pit me. > mmm I salute you, but with a particular finger. ---
**Author:** ![GrandWino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grandwino/32/67_2.png) [@GrandWino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrandWino)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/75 "2012-10-07T01:08:29Z")
> [@mississippienne](#): > > i was **nichol\_storm** before i was **mississippienne** , and i joined back in 2000. Sock Alert!!! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mississippienne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d2c977/32.png) [@Mississippienne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mississippienne)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 5:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/76 "2012-10-07T05:31:11Z")
> [@Foxy40](#): > > Sorry but I have to wonder, did you live with this doper because you needed help or because you were sharing a place? … I ask because you really do give the impression of being very needy and dependent and come from a family of the same… We were in a romantic relationship. And I worked two jobs \*and \*went to school during that relationship. Is that the \*\*Foxy40 \*\*definition of needy and dependent? Also as my mother is on unemployment, zo I suppose the gov’ment and citizens are paying most of her bills right now. I don’t like my brother one whit, but he is working, although it’s true his girlfriend owns the house they stay in. > [@Foxy40](#): > > Asking why, of all the places in this country you could go, you choose a place that is very expensive is reasonable. I have to wonder if something was said that hit home. Also, I don’t think dopers get extra faith points per every year they hang out here. People here from the beginning can be ax murderers, we have no way of knowing. Y’know what, you’re right. We Dopers can’t expect faith points for every year we spend here. Why, you’ve been here since 2005 and your opinion still ain’t worth spit. I take this as a lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/77 "2012-10-07T05:39:59Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > From New York magazine: [Where the Urban Dream Life Is Going Cheap](http://nymag.com/realestate/features/49491/) > > I’m not saying “move to Buffalo.” I’m saying “Go someplace where the _idea_ of New York is actually feasible.” What the fuck all does that have to do with Ms. Miss? She was asking about how to get through the next month or two, not for the rest of her life. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/78 "2012-10-07T06:00:21Z")
Based on your linked OP it is highly unlikely that you are going to be able to survive in any reasonable fashion in NY. Yes, NY is the center of the universe in many ways, and for some good reasons people will sacrifice almost anything to live there. Per your OP you have no real money reserves and unless there is something fabulous simmering in the background for you this seems to be more of an exercise in how far you are willing to push yourself physically and mentally before admitting economic defeat. We should all follow our dreams if we can, but if they are taking us to the steps of the homeless shelter it might be time for a re-calibration of your goals. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 7:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/79 "2012-10-07T07:27:19Z")
> [@Mississippienne](#): > > We were in a romantic relationship. And I worked two jobs \*and \*went to school during that relationship. Is that the \*\*Foxy40 \*\*definition of needy and dependent? Also as my mother is on unemployment, zo I suppose the gov’ment and citizens are paying most of her bills right now. I don’t like my brother one whit, but he is working, although it’s true his girlfriend owns the house they stay in. > > Y’know what, you’re right. We Dopers can’t expect faith points for every year we spend here. Why, you’ve been here since 2005 and your opinion still ain’t worth spit. I take this as a lesson. 😕:eek: What the fuck? ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639/80 "2012-10-07T15:02:48Z")
> [@elmwood](#): > > Many either live in housing that is substandard compared to their peers elsewhere, extreme roommate settings (beds used in shifts, etc), or they’re from a family that is long established in the area, with property that was purchased back when it was affordable. > > Firemen and cops? Multigenerational residents, it’s easy to live in NYC when you, or your parents or grandparents, bought a house in one of the boroughs back when prices were comparable to Upstate cities. Jobs in my field pay the same in NYC as they do upstate, yet they’re always filled … by Downstate natives that don’t have to worry about housing costs. > > Luck, basically. Being in the right place at the right time. I work for a state agency and the jobs upstate pay the same as those downstate- and the upstate jobs are often filled by downstate natives who transfer upstate after being hired because of the difference in housing costs. ``` I don't know that the OP will be able to do any better in another city, but I do know where NYC natives working part-time retail jobs live- they live with family members while paying a token rent. Because you can't even afford a roommate situation on $150 a week before taxes. I know that the OP just had her hours cut, but unpredictable hours just come along with part-time retail. It all depends on business. Part-timers might work as much as 35 or 40 hours during Christmas shopping season, and drop down to 10 hours in January and get their hours bumped up again for a couple of weeks when there's a short busy period and then back down ``` [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/st-german-and-others-is-this-a-joke/636639.md?page=5)