I recently met a guy. When I told him what my hometown was, his response was a laughing, “I’m sorry”.
My first thought was along the lines of “piss off”. I know very well that my hometown is considered dangerous and undesirable… But it’s still my hometown. I get that it was said jokingly, but I nevertheless found it quite rude. There are many cities I would not want to live in but I’d never say that to someone I just met!
Has this ever happened to you? What were your thoughts on it?
It hasn’t happened to me about my hometown (Montreal,) but I’m in Toronto for a few days, and when a fellow doper found out, he said “My condolences.”
What was your initial reaction? Agreement, offended or something else?
I guess I have thicker skin. And it’s an old joke, after all. I give it a courtesy chuckle and move on.
It’s happened to me. It’s boring and tired and it’s not funny. It’s quite insulting. And if it’s said by someone from New York or San Francisco, or some other place where it’s obvious that he really does think of his claimed city as superior, it makes me want to punch him in the nose.
I guess I just fail to see the point of this comment, other than smugness.
Someone could tell me they are from a city renowned for its “awfulness” and I wouldn’t say that. I feel that every place has to have something interesting about it, whether it’s the culture, geological features, country it’s in, etc.
People mistake rude for funny all the time.
The other day at work I had a sneezing fit. When I came out of it, I looked up only to find my coworker with her arms out stretched (as in stay away) with her head tilted back and her eyebrows raised (as if I were some kind of leper). To wich she says “Uh…you okay?”
When I told her it was just allergies and I’m not contagious, her response was “Uh…Okay” all said while she still had her head tilted backwards. [rolleyes]
I’ve both said this to people and had it said to me. It’s my stock response to anyplace in the Midwest or Sacramento. But I’m from LA, and people like taking potshots at LA, so it’s not like I’ve never heard it directed at me. It’s smug, sure, but it’s just a joke.
Double post. Sorry.
I laugh along with them. I view where I was raised as nothing more than an accident of my birth, and seeing as I had nothing to do with that, hold no stock in the convention at all. Someone can’t take away my good memories and that’s not what they’re talking about anyway. So, yeah, no big deal here, although I can understand why others might take offense.
Just because you’re sneezing from allergies doesn’t mean you don’t have some kind of contagious illness to spread. :eek:
It’s only appropriate if they’re from Jersey.
You’re from Texas?
Congratulations!
For getting out!
I’m from West Texas. I get that fairly frequently when they hear the name of my hometown. What can I say? Can’t hardly blame them.
Ask Senegoid about Modesto. Or ask me about Turlock. 
Actually, I get it the other way around. I’ll tell someone that I am from Texas and I’ll get something along the lines of “man, I couldn’t to leave there”. My response is usually along the lines of either “We’re all better off for your having left”, or “I hope the door didn’t hit you in the butt on your way out.”
No worries. The door certainly didn’t hit my butt.
Well, I was going to say "I’m from Jersey. I’m used to it. 
I’m actually from LI, but I’ve been here 20 years. The jokes do get tired, but I laugh along with them–especially because the joke is on them. NJ is a great place to live.
You know things are bad if other people who live in New Jersey say “You’re from …? I’m sorry.” about your town. 
My hometown is Flint, MI. That’s all anyone ever says to me upon hearing where I’m from. 