2.2 min readBy Published On: July 11th, 2012Categories: Features74 Comments on A letter to South Boston

from a frustrated “yuppie”

Everyday when I walk the streets of my favorite place on earth  –  the place I call home, I ask myself, “When will I be accepted as a part of the Southie community?”
I have been a resident of South Boston for well over a decade. I am a small business owner and I own property. I attend community meetings and participate in them. I donate time and money to community organizations. I am friends with almost all the local business owners. I have even stopped a car break-in and chased kids who were spray painting a house.  I help shovel out my neighbors in the winter and I am friends with the local politicians. You could say I’m actively involved in this community.  
I am proud to call South Boston my home and consider it my home. I would think that most residents would be happy to  have me as a neighbor but instead I’m called a “yuppie” at least 20 times a week!  Locals love to point out that I am not “born and raised” so I wouldn’t understand.  At the community meetings, because of this fact that I was not born and raised here, what I say sometimes seems to have little value.  
So I ask, “What do I need to do to be respected as a South Boston resident?  What needs to be done to have people stop bashing the so called yuppies.  We are all people who choose to live here – who chose to help make South Boston a thriving community – people who want to stay and raise a family.  

Here are more reasons that I think make me a valued member of the Southie Community:

  • I don’t drink
  • I don’t throw parties
  • I don’t litter I use crosswalks
  •  I eat at Sullivan’s
  • I walk Castle Island I read Caught in Southie
  •  I buy the Tribune every Thursday
  • I buy girl scout cookies
  • I don’t order a Snicker Doodle , I order a Snick’, 
  • I know where  Dot Ave is
  • I remember Jones and Flannagan’s
  • I am Irish for cryin’ out loud !!

So what am I missing? Will I EVER be accepted? Why can’t we all just get along?
Let’s stop the finger pointing, the name calling, the bashing and come together as one.  Let’s make Southie a better place!  Most importantly, let’s show the next generation of Southie (that comes from old school local and new local blood) that we can all get along!

* Image: A Southie Street Corner by Paula Villanova

74 Comments

  1. mac July 11, 2012 at 12:19 pm

    Maybe if you start drinking and throw parties you will be accepted

  2. Southie Mom July 11, 2012 at 3:46 pm

    Dear “Frustrated Yuppie”,

    I’m sorry this has been your experience in “Southie”.  I was born and raised here.  I still live in my childhood home!   Please know that someone like myself would be honored to have you as a neighbor!  We need people like you.  People  who are willing to call this their “home” and want to make it a better community.  Sounds like you’re doing everything right……so ignore those ignorant people who are judging you and not accepting or appreciating all you do for your community.  They should invest their time in making their hometown safe and beautiful and not waste time judging those trying to do so!

    Just a tip of advice……We can be very sarcastic and territorial here in Southie as I’m sure you’re aware of.  Instead of feeling left out and ostracized …..GiIVE IT RIGHT BACK!   Also keep in mind that the President of the Castle Island Association has lived in SB for MANY years and is very involved in the community.  He is well known and very much loved by everyone, yet he will always be reminded that he came from “New York”. I hope your can thicken your skin and learn to laugh about it!

  3. Jakester July 11, 2012 at 4:24 pm

    Ok, Here’s a response to your dilema from a born and raised Southie Guy.  With all you do, all of it positive from what you have written, to me, you are now one of us.  You’ve earned the title of local.  But what you also need to do is toughen up a bit.  Really, if there is one thing people here have no use for it’s whining and complaining and people who moan about being picked on or teased.  So some people call you a yuppie.  A lot of us are called names we really don’t appreciate from time to time. It’s just part of living in a streetwise yet close knit neighborhood. Learn to live with it, laugh it off in a good natured way and you will be surprised how quickly and how high your standing will rise among your ‘fellow locals’. Give this a try, but again, stop whining for Pete’s sake.

     

  4. I hear you July 11, 2012 at 4:57 pm

    Maybe you should let your dog shit on the sidewalks and not pick up after it.  That would make you fit in. 

  5. Anonymous July 11, 2012 at 5:44 pm

     

     

    Dear Yuppie,

       I find it quite amusing that you would even take the time to write this so- called letter to cis-staging.q9hwj0b7-liquidwebsites.com. Honestly, it sounds like a borderline cry for help and from someone who lacks self – esteem. What fascinates me is your list of reasons that make you a valued member of the South Boston Community.  Really? I mean, is there really anyone out there that truly cares what you call a coffee or if you walk Castle Island? Ok, ok… thank you for preventing the car break in, I’m sorry, where are my manners? Well, I guess I care since I am posting a reply, but I only care because the fact of the matter is that yes, you’re a good citizen, there’s no doubt about it, and no, you’ll never be from Southie. Sorry to break it to you kid.

     

    From,

    Someone Who Actually Read Your Post (shame on me) 

  6. Heather July 11, 2012 at 6:58 pm

    I feel your pain!  I’m a lifelong Southie resident at least once a week some punk yells ‘yuppie’ at me.  I feel like yelling back ‘hey dummy I’m from here and I know your parents, don’t make me call them’.  And yes I technically am a yuppie sinse I have a job and all.

  7. Ashley July 11, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Hunny,

    You will never be accepted. Unfortunatly for you it’s a cycle and it’s not going to break with your request to caught in southie. Unless you were born here, you will never be from here. So when people ask where you are from say where you were born not where you currently live. Good luck yup

  8. Anonymous July 11, 2012 at 7:02 pm

    This may seem a little bit close-minded, but calling someone a yuppie probably isn’t going anywhere. It is just one, common classification of Southie people. Think about it…Southie people, regardless of whether or not they are a yuppie or if they are “born and raised”, are always put into some classification, i.e. whether a person is point person or a lower end person. Better yet, the divides even continue to become smaller based on what project from the lower end you are from or from where your family originated, i.e. Old Harbor, D Street. Calling someone a yuppie, in my opinion, is to make up for the lack of place in Southie where you can pinpoint their origin. it is no more offensive than calling someone a “D Street Dirtball”, just simply another harsh way of exemplifying the human nature of constantly creating classifications and labels to see how everyone measures up. So, cheer up! It is just your way of fitting into Southie!

  9. Chris K. July 11, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    Hello,im sorry for your title as Yuppy’ & believe if all the things i read are true,(& Im sure they are ) then you would certainly classify as a good South Bostonian’ WE who were “born & raised” just call folks Yuppy’s as a way to distinguish,someone who wasnt born here & someone who has some money and a nice condo,,, …Dont take it too personal, you may be always called a yuppy, but,you’re also a good member of the community, And being a “born & raised” i feel you are indeed qualify as a SouthBostonian Yuppy, !Its Not a bad thing,,,!! :)

    Cheers, !

  10. NoName July 11, 2012 at 7:39 pm

    Insults that are hurled either outright or defended as “just a joke” are often signs of jealousy.  It’s how people try to protect themselves by trying to convince themselves that they are better than you by insulting you, your lifestyle or where you’re from (or “not” from, in this case).  I’ve been living in SB for almost 20 yrs and they way I see it, there are good and bad sides to having been raised here.  The good is the obvious sense of community and the programs available to children, elderly, etc.  The bad….well, let’s start with the drug problem and the kids that are left to fend for themselves by unengaged parents.  Why do you care so much that you’re not “accepted” as a Southie lifer.  Be proud of all of your accomplishments and how you contribute to your community. Truth be told, give this neighborhood another 5-10 yrs and you’ll be in the majority as a YUPPIE!! 

  11. Cyndy Chapin July 11, 2012 at 8:11 pm

    How to assimilate into a South Boston resident:

    *  You must have the same friends you had in grade school and if they are your neighbor even better

    *  You need to have a corner where you hung…K & 8th, Tynan, I & 7th, etc.

    *   One of your parents had to have hung on the same corner or a rival corner

    *   You should have been baptised at Gatey, St. Peter’s, St. Vincents, St. Augustines, St. Monica’s, St. Brigette’s, or better yet St. Peter and Paul’s

    *   Some one in your family must have either had a time or ran a time

    *   You need to own a scally cap, nikes with a red check, or gazelles

    *   If you are totally appalled by the clothing that Matt Damon and Ben Affleck wore in Good Will Hunting that is totally a start….

    Hope it helps!

     

  12. Erin July 11, 2012 at 8:20 pm

    I can relate to you Paula. As a person of color, I can find humor in the fact that I’ve been called a yuppie in South Boston – – WIN! If it means people categorize me as a person that gets up for work every morning, pays taxes and contributes to society, I’ve been called worse.

    Best,

     

    Erin

  13. I hear ya July 11, 2012 at 8:24 pm

    I have lived here my entire life, born and raised, and i am called a yuppie at times too. Some people are ignorant, and forever will be. As a ‘life-long” resident, thank you for everything you do for OUR community – you included. 

  14. I hear ya July 11, 2012 at 8:25 pm

    I have lived here my entire life, born and raised, and i am called a yuppie at times too. Some people are ignorant, and forever will be. As a ‘life-long” resident, thank you for everything you do for OUR community – you included. 

  15. Jess July 11, 2012 at 9:11 pm
    I am third generation born and bred. I get called a yuppie constantly, most often when I’m running or in work clothes. I have to laugh!!! If being educated and professional makes me a yuppie, then so are half the “true blue” Southie residents. I for one am happy to have a not-so-new-neighbor that contributes to the community. I wish the loud partying college kids would find another home. Unfortunately you’re getting lumped in with them. Hang in there!
  16. An Southie Lifer July 11, 2012 at 9:16 pm
    Being from Southie is a birthright… There is no price on it. Certainly not the $300-750K+ price of a condo in “SoBo” as the yuppies once ATTEMPED to call it. When you watched your friends self destruct because they had no hope left, because the yuppies caused their parents to be priced out of their homes, when you found your friends hanging from their belt in a hallway or with a needle in their arm, dead. When you’ve lived through that. When you’ve watched neighborhood places like Slocums and Jones or even Terries disappear in favor of 7-11’s and sushi joints and shook your head in disgust at the thought. When you’ve gone through all of that, THEN maybe you can be part of the Southie community, instead of being part of the trend that destroyed Southie as the parents and grandparents of my generation knew it.
  17. Kevin Conroy July 11, 2012 at 9:48 pm

    Reading this, I was struck by one thing.  Why aren’t there more new comers like this guy (or woman).  This person shows what many of us criticize as lacking in some of our ‘newer-less than permanent’ residents.  Just as many of us long timers are ridiculed by those types, the same goes back.  This won’t go away.  It’s human nature.  It’s not a South Boston exclusive.

    My advice to your question about being respected and accepted is that you’ve proven yourself.  To worry about this anymore isn’t worth it.  If somebody calls you a yuppie or some such, tell them to go #$%&* themselves!! 

    Welcome Aboard!

  18. Jim July 11, 2012 at 11:01 pm
    Your a yuppy get over it and get out.
  19. j.o.b July 11, 2012 at 11:06 pm
    For all the reasons u think we would want u here are the exact reasons we dont want u here…take ur “Snick” and beat it
  20. cheryl verisotosky July 11, 2012 at 11:24 pm

    stop by and say hello one of my friends posted it not realizing you won t see it you mentioned flannies as i call it been workin in this neighborhood for 24 years love my customers

     

  21. amanda July 11, 2012 at 11:58 pm
    You might not want to hear this but no matter how long you live In southie you will most likely always be considered a yuppie. Whats wrong with the word yuppie? Really, it may seem negative but in all reality there is nothing negative about being labeled one. Even people who respect you will probably still consider you a yuppie but whatever, own it! I am a born & raised bostonian and yes when I was younger i would use the word yuppie negatively but now that I am an adult I’ve realized “yuppies” are usually the residents that are most likely the residents willing to better the community. I think it’s the yuppies who come in to our Boston communities & want to own it as if they have been here longer than us. It bothers me more when somebody from outside of Boston moves in & all of a sudden they are “from here” and try too hard to be one of us. There is nothing wrong with not being a born & raised Bostonian. I’m sure a majority if us would love to raise our children in the towns that “yuppies” move from & I would be ignorant to deny that. I guess my whole point is that you will always better a yuppie just like we will always considered ourselves Bostonians, and no being harassed for not being born & raised here is NOT right & shouldn’t be accepted, but you will never be “from here”. Nothing wrong with that.
  22. Kate July 12, 2012 at 1:10 am

    At work right now, but would like to talk to you. Them vs. us  doesn’t work!  If email..I am pathetic  with computer …so …617-319-3200..I hope to hear from you..Iwould like to make this…workable

  23. Eddie Downs July 12, 2012 at 1:26 am

    As a life long South Boston resident,    I say     Well said,   You are from Southie now

  24. keith July 12, 2012 at 1:50 am

    people really dont care anymore. if someone calls you a yuppie. man, who cares. ive been called a junky by inports for not real reason. i served in the military, with an honorable discharge and looked at like a criminal by people who dont even know me, in my home town, kinda hurts. god bless you. put people are just mean. wont change so lets all just get along.

  25. Nicole July 12, 2012 at 3:19 am

    I think this is absolutely ridiculous. Being someone who is actually from South Boston, and by that I mean born and raised I think this is unneccessary. Yuppies do actually what this one you described do, they come in claim they’ve lived here long enough to know the in’s and out’s and claim that they do certain traditions we do like eating Sully’s and then think they know the town. The reason we get upset by yuppies is because of the continous negative effect they fail to recognize they have on our town. Perfect example, taking up loads of bus space, trashing the town, and changing our historical culture. Yuppies are the reason locals have trouble affording living here, because they find it extremely classy to move in and take over. The truth is, there will be no peace. And until they can find the appropiate exit to move out, there will always be tension.

  26. Mj July 12, 2012 at 3:30 am
    It’s southie not south Boston it’s sullys not Sullivan’s its jonsies not jones , no one reads the tribune we read southie online so keep acting like a yuppie nd ull forever b noticed ne were in southie congrats on being a meatball
  27. Frank Donaghue July 12, 2012 at 7:53 pm

    First of all be proud of where you are from. The born raised set are. Why aren’t you?  Second stop worrying about being accepted. If you are stopped by” not  being born and raised”  or being called a yuppie, you got no heart and deserve no respect. Be considerate of your neighbors, don’t take up two parking spaces when one will  do. I know you are from the suburbs and parking is not an issue ,it is here. Don’t put out your cones when the first snowflake falls. Don’t  take up extra space with your 2ndcar so you can have a space when you get home. We all know what you are doing.  You can double park it as a LAST option not first. I could go on and on but you would not understand you are not from here.

  28. Southie guy July 13, 2012 at 1:51 am
    Did you get a southie dot yet, that might work. Lol
  29. Born and Raised Here!! July 13, 2012 at 2:11 am

    Wow, I was born and raised here, but really, you couldnt give me a free house here. All the crime, and crap that goes on…not to mention all the little junkies running around causing problems. I am proud to say I am from the Old “Southie”, not the new one. So, Yuppie, keep your head up and don’t give two craps to what the negatives want to say and call you. You and your fellow “yuppie” friends continue to try and make it a better place to live!!!

  30. Frustrated Yuppie July 13, 2012 at 2:16 am

    The people of Southie have no use for whining? Or have time for people that complain and moan? Are you reading the post here??? “It is the yuppies fault I cant afford a home” , “its the yuppies fault my neighbor sold their home for 10x its value and moved to Cohasset because that damn yuppie held a gun my neighbors head and forced her out…”  Or how about all the “born and raised ” folks that moaned and cried about the “Real Housewives of Southie” spoof…I seriously beg to differ here bud…People in Southie , like anywhere else, LOVE to bitch and moan and cry about how tough they have it…

  31. Anonymous July 13, 2012 at 2:24 am

    I dont know ANYONE that forced a “lifer” out of their home?? Last I checked , the residents, born and raised, of Southie started moving out due to the busing crisis not because some yuppie made them. Also, it is not my fault or anyones fault that your parents neighbor so big $$$$ and sold their home for what they thought was a better life. It was not some yuppies fault that there is a BIG drug issue in South Boston..it is not the yuppies fault that school systems are subpar or that there was a major suicide epidemic. all the things that happened suck . but look to the yuppie as a scapegoat …stop whining and complaining and pointing fingers and look in the mirror.

     

    And dont ..please dont tell me how hard your life is or was …or that your blue collar or that yuppies mom & dads buy them condos. I am sick of the poor me crap.

  32. NO! July 13, 2012 at 4:20 pm

    Dear Frustrated Yuppy:

    What are you doing?  You don’t represent me, my wife or any of my fellow homeowners on the East Side (thats right, we own it now, we can call it what we want).  We don’t give a crap about this Local vs. Yuppy feud, we just want the random 8 on 1 jumpings and murders to stop.  

    I repeat: no ones needs or wants your respect “Locals”.  We own our land, many of us own our own businesses.  If you don’t like it, you should move.  I wonder what the Southie “Locals” of the 1930’s said about your [OUR] relatives when they came over from Ireland?  

  33. Anonymous July 13, 2012 at 6:30 pm

    Maybe I missed it, but I don’t the writer of this piece ever said they want to be able to claim they are from South Boston, they want to be an accepted member of the community.  I’m from here, and I don’t understand why so many of us natives think people want to claim they’re from Southie, they don’t.  And can my native South Boston brethren please proof read a comment before you post it?  Your bad attitudes, deplorable spelling and grammar, and overall ignorance make us all look like trash.  Give me a ‘yuppie’ neighbor any day over some 20 year old Southie punk with a chip on his shoulder.  If everyone bashing ‘yuppies’ put half the energy into making South Boston a better place to live instead of spewing nonsense we wouldn’t have half the problems we do in this community.  Ok, rant over, I’ll step off my soapbox now.

  34. Michael July 13, 2012 at 7:11 pm

    Your only spinning your wheels if you allow some so called Southie local to call you a yuppie and let it bother you ! I am been born and raise in Southie all my life and have all the scars both phsycal and emotional to show for it . Thicken your skin a little more and I would be proud to call you my neighbor. 

  35. OHP to ANDREW SQUARE July 13, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    I love YUPPIES, there better for SOUTHIE than What’s Happening in the PROJECTS. Welcome to my HOME TOWN. Sit down, have a beer and learn the name game,it’ll help you assimilate better.

  36. OHP to ANDREW SQUARE July 13, 2012 at 9:23 pm

    I love YUPPIES, there better for SOUTHIE than What’s Happening in the PROJECTS. Welcome to my HOME TOWN. Sit down, have a beer and learn the name game,it’ll help you assimilate better.

  37. OHP to ANDREW SQUARE July 13, 2012 at 9:24 pm

    I love YUPPIES, there better for SOUTHIE than What’s Happening in the PROJECTS. Welcome to my HOME TOWN. Sit down, have a beer and learn the name game,it’ll help you assimilate better.

  38. Anonymous July 14, 2012 at 2:40 am

    better than be a southie rat, amiright?

  39. Anonymous July 14, 2012 at 4:45 pm

    I’ve seen the neighborhood go from hearing children playing in yards and moms yelling “dinner” to drunk 20 and 30 year olds coming home at 3 in the morning, screaming and not careing about anyone but thier drunken selves. They throw up in front of your homes and leave bottles and cans of beer everywhere. They do this all weekend and then get up on Monday morning with thier grow-up cloths on and go to work.  They don’t care about their neighbors one bit. This is the “new southie” that I hate.

     

  40. who cares July 16, 2012 at 5:42 pm

    I’m also an outsider thats lived here over a dozen years, and long ago learned to stop caring what the natives think. I love living in Southie, consider myself a good neighbor, and patronize local businesses. I know plenty of great people that have lived their whole lives here, and could care less if I have or not. Simply put, the people that care and feel the need to label you are ignorant, and you’ll never change their mind. Best to keep leading by example, and unless threatens you physically or vandalizes your property, don’t waste your time caring about namecalling. Sticks and stones….

  41. Anonymous July 17, 2012 at 1:07 am

    I was jumped and robbed one night last year by a bunch of kids calling me a yuppie. I didn’t even know I fell into that category at the time. I got over it pretty easily and you should too. With the exception of a couple punks, the overwhelming number of people in Southie are decent people. Don’t take it so personally.

  42. Paul July 17, 2012 at 7:01 pm

    Just wait a few years and gentrification will be complete and there will be no one left “from” Southie.

    I imagine that it will be a better, safer place.

  43. The Original South Boston Yuppie July 17, 2012 at 10:04 pm

     

    Attention all yuppies!  Please give the grumpy lifers a break.  If you grew up in the education capital of the world and you weren’t educated ….you’d be pretty angry and bitter too.

    Of course, I wouldn’t be.  I’d look in the mirror and blame myself…but that is probably why I have a PHD.

    Now back to my soy milk latte.  Can’t wait for Starbucks to open up!

    FYI – I hate those loud yuppies, stumbling home at 2:00AM…have some rescpect.

  44. me July 18, 2012 at 1:31 am

    Jesus, this yuppie vs. local thing has been going on for almost 20 years now. It makes both the townies and the yuppies look stupid. Move on people. 

  45. Chico and the Man July 18, 2012 at 5:30 pm

    Not understanding why you air head yuppies is a word that is short for Young Professional.  But anyway how would you feel if everyone and all yoru family was forced out and we were brought into your hometowns.  Bet you wouldnt like it.  

  46. Anonymous July 18, 2012 at 5:55 pm

    What is so bad about being a YUPPIE? What exactly makes me a yuppie? Is it my BMW and newly renovated condo? Or maybe its my 4lb yorkie? Well in that case, I absolutely love being a yuppie!!! But again, WHAT IS SO BAD ABOUT BEING A YUPPIE? The yuppies are the ones renovating Southie and making it a decent place to live. We are the ones turning run down homes into $400K+ condos and opening restaurants that serve more than just a two star burger. Sure, I get sworn at my neighbor for no apparent reason and sure some creepy local guy blocks the street in front of my car with trash cans… but that is there problem not mine. I say, if these locals give you hell then just call the cops, file a police report, and stay out of their way until they are priced out of their home. A home that a yuppie will soon occupy no doubt.

     

  47. are ya kidding me? July 18, 2012 at 8:30 pm

    You clearly need to do drugs and disrepect your neighborhood to be accepted in southie. Also, your parents must cover up for you!

     

     

  48. devils advocate July 18, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    on the other hand, I see the old southie doing nothing productive for the neighborhood. I don’t need to give examples, just google south boston and you will see what comes up.

  49. devils advocate July 18, 2012 at 8:31 pm

    on the other hand, I see the old southie doing nothing productive for the neighborhood. I don’t need to give examples, just google south boston and you will see what comes up.

  50. Joe July 19, 2012 at 9:23 pm
    I,m sorry you feel that way, you should just get the fuck out then if you think Southie is that bad,….asshole
  51. Tony July 20, 2012 at 12:02 am

    Listen up ‘Frustrated Yuppie’.  You sound like a nice enough type. Doing all the right things, helping your neighbors, getting involved, reading the Tribune to stay up on local events, being friendly to all etc etc. But it takes a bit more than that. Apparently you are not the problem.  It’s some of the other ‘Yuppies’ and their attitudes that ad to the tension, so don’t just be blaming the locals. What attitudes you ask?  When we see so called new residents, rude and condescending, in checkout lines at Stop and Shop, the banks or Rite Aide giving the young clerks a bad time because the kid behind the counter, trying his or her hardest, but not moving fast enough because the yuppie making the purchase is in a hurry with their all important schedules, that pisses locals off and the word spreads.  Can we ever forget the now famous ‘New Arrival’ who  after moving in just 2 weeks prior, was walking up and down K St. with a petition to stop the Gate of Heaven Church bells from ringing because the new guy thought they were “Annoying”.  The bells have been ringing for 90 years.  We like them, get used to them or move. And he finally did. Smart decision.

    There are so many other instances of this type of behavior that rubs locals the wrong way. It’s not all of you, we understand that. It’s been said many times before.  You move into someone’s town, you show respect for the culture and traditions of  your new neighborhood.  The locals do not change to accomodate you.  There lies the answer.  You want respect?  Earn it.  If you are not one of the offenders, thank you for being a good neighbor. But you need to talk to your fellow ‘Yuppies’ who are messing up and straighten them out before we have to do it.  This isn’t a threat my friend, it’s just the way it is and the way it’s going to stay.

  52. Anonymous July 23, 2012 at 5:46 pm
    To tell me to leave? And call me an asshole?
    Whn did I say southie was bad or sucked??
    Did you not read my response to the post above mine?
    That person is an ass.. Basically blaming yuppies for anything and everything.
    Understand now what I wrote??? Go read his/her response.

    P.s… I will be here forever so get used to it

  53. Anonymous July 24, 2012 at 7:32 pm
    Not tough talk? Just the way it is around here..
    Honestly do you see how you sound? I go to rite and stop&shop everyday and I know most workers by name. Do you?
    I will say yes there are rude yuppies.. Arrogant yes… But are you crazy to think that they are the
    Only ones that are rude to people behind the counter??
    Or how about when I try to cross at a cross walk ad some almost runs me down
    An whn I yell back they say ” f’ u yuppie this is my town” .. His he a yuppy? No he is a ” local”!
    The answer all this debate is that there are idiots on both sides period.

    So how about you weed the locals out who suck an I will do the same on the yuppy side??
    You want to meet up to make a game plan ad work together to end thi stupid struggle and get rid of those that don’t
    Care about OUR community then name a place ad time and let’s meet up.

  54. Anonymous July 29, 2012 at 3:08 pm

    “And yes I technically am a yuppie sinse I have a job and all.” I totally agree with you. Where’s the “like” button? I’m a third generation Southie resident and was was about 12 or 13 when the “yuppies” started moving in. It was then that my father explained to me what a “yuppie” was…a Young Urban Professional. I thought, “hey, I want to be a young urban professional when I’m oder!” 

    Southie has changed a lot from the hay days, and I truly miss it, but the only thing in life that you can count on is change. 

  55. Meyer July 31, 2012 at 4:48 am
    Now you’re catching on! Show some “stones” man/woman. As the late George Carlin said “joke ’em if they can’t take a F%@k!”. You’re more likely to be accepted but still be called a yuppie…that’s an improvement right?
  56. Anonymous July 31, 2012 at 6:44 am

    my, my, aren’t we a cocky SOB. You “own” it so you can call it the East Side.  It’s immature statements like the ones you made that cause problems. 

  57. Kerry August 1, 2012 at 6:35 pm

    As someone who lived in Southie for ten+ years, contributed to the community and made friends with and adored my neighbors, I accept that I will never be ‘from’ Southie. Just as I myself have a hometown that I, in some ways, feel just a tiny bit possessive of. Being ‘from’ somewhere is special, and maybe it’s not possible to feel that you are ‘from’ each place that you live in. , I will not take away from those that are from Southie the special relationship that they may have with it, nor will I fail to appreciate the neighborhood. It did feel a little hard to break into.. but it was a wonderful place to live after all. If your neighbors love and rely on you, then you’ve got something. I say, enjoy the neighborhood and don’t be afraid to fight for the improvements that you believe in. Keep advocating for small business owners. Hold your head up. : )

  58. Jackie September 1, 2012 at 2:28 pm
    Life ling resident here…grew up in the “heights”. Went to st, augustines ,southie high..us army..STILL live here..THIS PLACE WAS A DUMP before the influx of yuppies..”HAUNTIES” everywhere..filthy streets..losers…come on yuppies
  59. Hope December 28, 2012 at 7:35 pm
    In my experience this behavior is a result of insecurity and self-loathing. If you’re secure with yourself you only worry about yourself. South Boston has a rich history, but also a complicated history. I’ve been victimized and the us vs. them mentality is dangerous. The important thing, moving forward, is to continue to teach our children empathy, understanding, appreciation for diversity, citizenship, civility, and to load them up with coping and self-advocacy skills. By the time you’re staring down the barrel of a hate crime, it’s too late. We need to start with the children in the community, build them up, mold them into kind adults, and you will have a community where people are “ok” with who they are.
  60. Sweeney April 19, 2013 at 4:02 pm

    My old home town. Parents took me to North East Pa. where Grew up in an Irish Cathloic neighborhood called SOUTH SIDE! Go figure… I just wanna know how you guys are holding out as the Gov shuts down your whole town. Hunt that motherfucker down and kill him!

  61. John June 12, 2013 at 2:02 am

    I feel if your new in southie you have to educate why some people might not like you or any other outsider moving in,Before busing and during busing we had so little support from the outside and felt our rights were taken from us,What your thoughts are on the issue ,bottom line was I couldnt go to the school right across the street, The media wanted to focus on the racial side of the issue , But there were real people involved and what ever your views were the people pulling the strings didnt have any skin in the game.Outsiders were telling our parents were  they could send their kids to school. Other outsiders made their minds up from the media the everyone in Southie were a bunch of racist.Fast forward to the early 80s and all the real estate spectulators came in and found out what a beautiful place Southie was to live in. The beach ,the hights and the low crime rate,,In southie if a woman screamed at least 6 guys would run toward the screams ,In some other towns they would run away.   So now you have a bunch of outsiders ,yuppies,students ,etc..Driving the cost of housing up and up and up.. Most of Southie had big families and rented ,not owned,,Some people in town made alot of money but most had to move because of the high rents. That included my self, Was it my choice,  no, I was forced because  I couldnt aford southie.. I live in brockton now .a nice place but its not southie,,I will always be from southie, but I live in brockton. I have family in Southie and Im there alot, no one has ever called me a yuppie. I know what a southie dot is,or a southie cut, I know what the prams were or the game bare, I played half ball  and knew to go to the north end for my fire works around july 4th..I knew to to get to carson beach earlie to get a good spot for the fire works. And I knew what hell was like in the 70s when a school comitte and a certin judge played potlical football with a bunch of kids lives that just wanted to go to the school across the street,     I dont know were your from yuppie but if your not proud of that place I feel sorry for you. Im from southie and dont live there,You live there but will never be from there.   TY  John from Southie

  62. Scott Manning August 29, 2013 at 5:00 pm

    Why do you want to be accepted? Just live here and enjoy the beach and the close proximity to downtown. What does it matter? Why get involved? I don’t and I’m perfectly happy.

    I graduated from High School in Franklin, MA. I don’t consider myself a yuppie, but I’m certainly not a Southie original. I bought a delapitated house (I can’t believe someone lived in these conditions ) in South Boston that had been foreclosed. The house belonged to an old Southie family for more than 40 years. The Mother lived alone in the house for at least 15 years. The house was extremely cheap and I figured it would be a good long term investment so I bought it.

    I generally like the neighborhood. The older Southie women have been great. The older Southie guys nod, which is fine. I nod back. The young professionals are not typically friendly. The younger women practically break their necks to avoid saying hi. The guys typically say something like “what’s up dude”, which cracks me.

    Here are my experiences. The younger newcomers party with no respect for neighbors. The behave like they’re still living in the Frat house and that all their neighbors are also in Frat houses. The younger newcomer women are not pleasant or friendly. The old timers throw scratch tickets in my front yard every day. Someone, new or an original, let’s their dog climb on top of my neighbors flowers to do it’s business every night.  I’ve had my fence kicked and/ or broken as someone insisted on traveling through all of the adjoining yards. A young “original” girl that was picked up off the sidewalk in front of my house due to an overdose. The older original male that I found face down drunk two houses away who a 12 year boy told me “was always like that”.  My permanently closed mail slot was ripped off of my door one night using a broken picket from my “orginal” neighbor’s fence. My mail rifled through and thrown all over my entry. The young latino guy who walked circles in front of my house spitting and mumbling, while I carried my new TV in. The St. Patty’s horror show with a giant fight between two groups of young guys in front on my house. 

    My point to listing all of my experiences is to show the neighborhood problems/ annoyances appear to be a combination of the “yuppies”, “originals”, “project” people, and people who do not live in the neighborhood.  None of us are perfect. Pointing fingers doesn’t help anyone. 

    Would I raise children in this neightborhood? Sorry to say, absolutely not. 

  63. Mark September 18, 2013 at 11:44 pm

    You will never be one of us…we consider yuppies lower than rats..Yuppies have destroyed every part of Boston that they live in.The reason you do not feel welcome is because you are NOT WELCOME..go home..we would rather have high crime rates back, than you..you will never be home here,good luck trying…loser

  64. Jc southie October 1, 2013 at 3:29 pm
    I grew up in southie…heights..graduated southie high..class of 69 …st Augustine grade school (8 yrs)…this place was the balls to grow up in…I STILL LIVE IN SOUTHIE!!!!!…we still have a hard core group of us left…let’s stand together the few of us remaining and keep the traditions alive…better yuppies ..than a bunch of third world losers living here…all of us southie people know why the yuppies love it here…because it’s safe and WHITE (for the most part)..I know all my siblings left for the burbs and now their children are flocking to SOUTHIE…wonder why..let’s hope some stay and raise their families and bring back the good old days..YES SOUTHIE IS MY HOME TOWN…AND I LOVE IT
  65. Debbie November 10, 2013 at 11:11 pm

    I was born and raised in Southie. And because I dress nice and clean up after my dog I too am yelled at that I’m a yuppie by a neighbor everyday coming home frrom buying his 12 pack.  Born and raised in southie doesn’t mean you have to be a junkie or drunk. It means you look out for your neighbors and community no matter where they are from.

  66. Proud Yup January 25, 2014 at 5:02 am
    Seriously, you think Southie is great because of how white it is? I have never in my life seen so many toothless, skinny, dirt bag druggie white people in one place. Hopefully, more dark skinned people will move in so at least your kids will have a shot at being somewhat attractive.
  67. Proud Yup January 25, 2014 at 5:10 am
    There’s none of you left, Mr. original. You’re all swinging from a belt somewhere with a needle in your arm.
  68. Anonymous February 15, 2014 at 8:53 pm

    1.) Born and raised who are are good people, good neighbors,have pride, who make Southie a good place

    2.) Born and raised who are not good people, horrible neighbors, who feel entitled, who drag Southie down

    3.) Newcomers who are good people, good neighbors, and want to play a part in keeping Southie a good place

    4.) Newcomers who are not good people, horrible neighbors, who feel entitled, who drag Southie down.

     

    The problems arise when people in group 2 think they are in group 1.  And people in group 3 are treated as if they were in group 4.

  69. Anonymous March 18, 2014 at 8:01 pm
    hb you just don’t move it to Southie if your not from there. Yes you are a yuppie and always will be and no one wants you guys there. How stupid are you to move to a place the Americas most wanted is from…. If your not born and raised in Southie don’t move there because you will never be accepted…Braintree is already overflowing with Original South Boston residents because they can’t stand you guys, same with Dorchester.
  70. Kate April 15, 2014 at 12:31 am

    I’ve loved reading all these posts – thank you for the great entertainment…

    I wasn’t born in South Boston, either, but lived from the age of 5 until I left at 25 – living in the neighborhood, attending school, hanging with a corner gang – none of it qualified me for Southie citizenship. I was constantly reminded that I wasn’t one of them. When I did go to the neighborhood I was born in, I was told to leave by darkness as it wasn’t safe for little white girls, and now that I live in a town in Vermont where the locals outnumber the ‘blow ins’ – it’s not much better. It doesn’t matter what name they call you (just go to Maine and really feel the sting), you will never belong…just give back as good as you get and never mind the bullshit – ultimately, being respected for your self assurance will be far more valuable than ‘belonging’ – Finally, and I say this with all respect, please do not go around acting like you’re improving the neighborhood – South Boston may not have been upper middle class, but we sure liked it and felt it was a decent place to live and raise families long before gentrification started outpricing decent working class families out of the town they loved.  Have some respect for this – it wasn’t the ‘shithole’ that some others have mentioned here, but had pockets of poverty like many other big city neighborhoods.  Please give up any hope of being labeled a “southie” – it’s generally not perceived as a compliment anywhere else. 

    I was manning a booth at a farm fair a few years back and a lady from Wellesley came by. I was happy to meet another person from the Boston area, and she asked where I was from. I told her and she said: “oh, you don’t sound like a southie!” – I asked her what a southie was supposed to sound like – she hung her head and disappeared.  Whatever else she may think, I doubt she’ll pull that again. Keep UP!

  71. susan July 16, 2014 at 10:10 am

    Hi, I read your comment and felt I had to respond. I also grew up in Southie and most of my friends were gone by the time they were forty. I’m sorry that guy wrote those horrible remarks. The only thing that teaches people about that kind of pain is pain. When I read his remarks I winced for your losses and mine and for the carelessness and wish on his part for it to happen to those of us who survived that error. Let him have the southie he wants. As it was for us -someday it will be taken from him and when he describes his loss another will come along and tell him it,s his time to go, his time to hang himself – and then he will know. Take care of yourself.

  72. Anonymous January 30, 2015 at 12:04 am

    Home of Fort Indipendence. Southie was a better neighborhood in the past now its gone. Yuppified and no fun im thanklful I was there when it was and mom and grans still live there.

  73. Anonymous February 28, 2015 at 1:33 am

    Well I think Yuppie should get a nickname so he feels at home. I nominate yuppie to be forever known as Yuppie Pete. Sounds good. Love Southie style

  74. Honest Guy November 4, 2015 at 6:07 am

    Thanks for giving us Whitey and Billy "BULGA"!

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