Regional Differences

[kbeverina]

Top 10 commuter cities
Where the most residents commute to work on buses, trains and light rail.
City State Public transit users % of workers
New York NY 1.87 million 54.6%
Washington DC 94,260 37.7%
San Francisco CA 124,738 32.7%
Boston MA 80,141 31.7%
Philadelphia PA 139,247 25.9%
Chicago IL 293,703 25.3%
Baltimore MD 48,252 18.9%
Seattle WA 51,259 17.0%
Oakland CA 27,114 16,5%
Portland OR 34,195 13.3%

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/13/real_estate/public_transit_commutes/

Washington, D.C. has the second highest percentage of public transit commuters in the United States, behind only New York City.[2]
Commuters have a major influence on travel patterns in Washington, D.C. 671,678 people are employed in Washington, D.C., with only 28% commuting from within the city. 18.7% of people working in Washington, D.C. commute from Prince George's County, Maryland and 14.8% from Montgomery County, Maryland. 13.2% come from Fairfax County, Virginia, 6% from Arlington County, Virginia, and 3.5% from Alexandria, Virginia. Smaller numbers of commuters come from the outer suburbs, including 2.4% from Anne Arundel County, Maryland, and 2.3% from Prince William County, Virginia, 1.6% from Charles County, Maryland, 1.3% from Howard County, Maryland, and 1% from Loudoun County, Virginia.[1] Of the 260,000 Washington, D.C. residents that were employed as of 2000, 24% commute to jobs in Montgomery, Prince George's, Fairfax, and Arlington Counties, as well as Alexandria.[1] Of those that work in Washington, D.C., 44.8% drive alone to work, 21.2% take Metro, 14.4% carpool/slug, 8.8% use Metrobus, 4.5% walk to work, 2.7% travel by commuter rail, and 0.6% ride their bicycle to work.[3] 35.4% of households in Washington, D.C. do not own a car.[4]

http://factfinder.census.gov/servle...e=ACS_2004_EST_G00_&_lang=en&_ts=170243153266

Even if those numbers included the entire DC metro area, which it doesn't appear to, 37% is still not most. 94,000 out of 670,000 is not most.

This is probably a better picture:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dy...2/15/AR2010121507260.html?sid=ST2010121502000

The article makes the point that between 2005 and 2009, use of public transportation increased from 11% to 14%.

And just as you would include a town from one side of the twin cities to the other, the district is not the only destination of DC commuters. You are probably more likely to take public transportation into the district because of lack and/or expense of parking, but even in that highest-case scenario, most people still drive into DC for work.

Maybe you confused the title? "Where the most residents" and "Where most residents" have two different meanings.

 

[mjkacmom]

Wow. Sounds like a bunch of nosy, judgmental people where you live.

Pot, meet kettle. My point was, people get married later here than in other regions. I thought we were talking about regional differences. It's rare to find a grandmother in her 40's.

 

[indimom]

You have a shower a couple of months before the wedding. Actually, many couples live together before getting married, or at least have their own apartments or homes. In my area, if a couple was to marry in their early 20's, a pregancy would be suspected. Most go to college, and establish careers, before getting married. Not live with mommy and daddy, and they set up house with their new spouse.

It's really not covering your plate - it's just being generous. Let's face it, if a young couple is buying a new home, they're looking at a morgage payment of several thousand dollars a month. Most people here who have extravagant weddings CAN AFFORD THEM. They've worked hard, for several years after graduating college. We're not talking about kids with HS diplomas working at Walmart. I've never been to a wedding where the couple was under the age of 27.

Not just my town, lots of neighboring towns (towns are pretty small here). I live within 5 miles of homes worth millions of dollars, and public housing. We have city buses, so people who work those jobs typically don't own homes here. I have never come across another parent working at the retail shops here, although many own their own businesses, and work blue collar (landscapers, contractors, mechanics).

I feel sorry for people who went from their parents' homes to their married homes. A chapter of life was missed.[/QUOTE]


Ahhh, there's one of the differences I found so interesting in the past. Getting married in your 20s is not unusual at all around here, but maybe that's because we aren't located in a "movers and shakers" capital of the world...

I married at 22, a month out of college and my parent's home. Honestly, I don't get the difference between marrying him and just living with him. It would have amounted to the same thing, really. We were still both establishing ourselves in our careers, still did all the fun things young 20s like to to. What did we miss?? Married or not, I would not have traveled the world. I never had any intention of leaving my little corner of Indiana. And my husband had already seen more of the world than he ever wished to. He was thrilled to be home.

We had our first child two years later at 24. Because we were ready for that next step. By 49, we'll be empty nesters. I am glad, this is the timing and tempo of life that suited me. I have friends who didn't marry until their mid 30s and had their first child at 40. They are thrilled and have no regrets.

It's silly to say you feel sorry for people who live a different lifestyle than you. We are perfectly happy with our choices and our lifestyle. They are perfectly happy with theirs. Just because someone lives life a bit differently than you doesn't mean there is something to pity.

 

[TinkPirateMom]

Hoagies
Sneakers
Jimmies
U-Turns/Jug Handles

Parties=Food

Gravy can be any color if meat is being cooked in it. Otherwise it's sauce. It goes well on pasta.

I rented a car in Texas and waited several minutes at a gas station waiting for someone to pump gas for me. I had to call DH to ask him how to do it.

My DH works 7am-7pm and I have always worked abnormal hours so I guess I'm not a good judge of what regular business hours are.

I have participated on other boards and regional differences have been compared. The wedding gift thing always comes up and I don't understand why it evokes such strong feelings either way. To me it is just something that is done differently depending upon different factors (location, type of wedding, etc.). I think $200.00 is our typical wedding gift. I think my Mom would say you have to "cover your plate" and I believe that was typical in this area but is beginning to fade as weddings just get more and more expensive. The next wedding I'm going to is a Black Tie affair in Philly next month with 350 guests in the Crystal Tea Room. However, I got married on the beach in Jamaica with 60 guests and my mother wore capri pants and guests were in shorts. To each their own

 

[Minnesota!]

In reality, we live near 3M. DH drives 13 miles to get to work and then drives from White Bear to Plymouth to do his job. We actually live near the workplace....the work just does not happen there.

The Twin Cities does have congestion and gridlock. Just because it is not as bad as California does not mean it does not exist. Those of us who have lived here our entire lives DO consider a 20-30 minute drive when it should take 10 minutes to be a pain in the rear. Both my dh and I have sat (not moving) in traffic while you claim the worst that ever happens is that you slow down to 40. That is not the reality that we deal and have dealt with.

We live near 3M, too Hi neighbor!

No, I didn't work at the Mining. I live near there and worked down under the Lafayette Bridge for many years. My office then moved over off of 35E and Roselawn area. I was describing my commute home, which always was MUCH worse than the morning drive.

DH's company used to be under the Laf. Bridge too....but they moved to Frogtown a few years back!

 

[kbeverina]

I wonder if the "gravy" vs "sauce" thing is regional to what part of Italy your family came from.

My father-in-law is 100% Italian and we say sauce. His family is from Northern Italy. I grew up saying spaghetti sauce, but now I've conformed with my husband's family and just say sauce.

 

[luvtheworld16]

Not just my town, lots of neighboring towns (towns are pretty small here). I live within 5 miles of homes worth millions of dollars, and public housing. We have city buses, so people who work those jobs typically don't own homes here. I have never come across another parent working at the retail shops here, although many own their own businesses, and work blue collar (landscapers, contractors, mechanics).

I feel sorry for people who went from their parents' homes to their married homes. A chapter of life was missed.

Wow, sounds condescending to me. Apparently the bus drivers and store employees are good enough to work in your area but not good enough to live there.

Now, back to regional differences. Here we use buggies in the grocery stores and drink pop. We also sweep the carpet, which other areas call vacuum. Most wedding receptions serve a dinner and alcohol, almost all receptions also have at least one cookie table that is set up throughout the reception. Guests can eat cookies while waiting for dinner to be served. There are usually a large variety of cookies available.

 

[vwlizard]

Not from the boards, but until I moved away from the east coast, I didn't realize that not everyone ate lobster. When I was in Chicago for 5 years, I didn't have lobster at all. My co-worker was from New Orleans, and we would always talk about how much we missed fresh seafood.

When I moved to Boston in 2000, I called to tell her you could get lobster rolls at Quizno's, PaPa Gino's and McD's around here. McD's no longer carries them, but I can get one at any number of "chain" restaurants in my area. Not that I would when I can can get a great one from a "shack", but it's something people do comment on when visiting.

Cute story: My son's friend came home and told his mom that the neighbors named their new son "Sprinkles". His name was Jimmy.

 

[mjkacmom]

One of the highlights of my twenties was living on my own. I was dating DH during most of that time, but had my own place as well. Obviously, you can't miss what you never had. My sister travelled around Europe right after college, I didn't. I'm sure I missed out on something great, but since I didn't experience it, I'll never know what I missed.

I dated DH for about 6 years before we got married at the age of 28. When we got pregnant 5 months later, my mom's reactions was "and is this a good thing?" She didn't know if we wanted congratulations or emotional support - lol. None of our friends had children yet.

 

[mjkacmom]

Wow, sounds condescending to me. Apparently the bus drivers and store employees are good enough to work in your area but not good enough to live there.
.

Yes, we have an entire committee dedicated to not allowing store employees from buying homes here, or renting. Or maybe it's because it's very hard to afford to live here on those salaries? My DH makes a decent salary (at least, it would be decent if we lived somewhere else), and we scrimp and save in order to live where we do. Most people here do the same. It's a nice community, lots of opportunities for the kids, it's safe, good schools... Some people would rather live in other areas, have larger homes, new cars, fancy vacations, but this is how we prioritize.

 

[indimom]

One of the highlights of my twenties was living on my own. I was dating DH during most of that time, but had my own place as well. Obviously, you can't miss what you never had. My sister travelled around Europe right after college, I didn't. I'm sure I missed out on something great, but since I didn't experience it, I'll never know what I missed.

I dated DH for about 6 years before we got married at the age of 28. When we got pregnant 5 months later, my mom's reactions was "and is this a good thing?" She didn't know if we wanted congratulations or emotional support - lol. None of our friends had children yet.

Ugh, and there's the next part of the debate: We don't even realize we missed out on that all-important chapter in our life. Sorry, I'm not really laughing at you, just at how silly I find this sort of circular argument.

People who did something different missed out on a piece of their life, and they just don't know what they are missing because they never got the experience, that's your argument, right?? You do realize my book (they story of my life) has chapters that you and many others have "missed out on," right??

Where is a "smacking myself in the head" smilie when I need it....

 

[Mkrop]

Hoagies
Sneakers
Jimmies
U-Turns/Jug Handles

Parties=Food

Gravy can be any color if meat is being cooked in it. Otherwise it's sauce. It goes well on pasta.

I rented a car in Texas and waited several minutes at a gas station waiting for someone to pump gas for me. I had to call DH to ask him how to do it.

My DH works 7am-7pm and I have always worked abnormal hours so I guess I'm not a good judge of what regular business hours are.

I have participated on other boards and regional differences have been compared. The wedding gift thing always comes up and I don't understand why it evokes such strong feelings either way. To me it is just something that is done differently depending upon different factors (location, type of wedding, etc.). I think $200.00 is our typical wedding gift. I think my Mom would say you have to "cover your plate" and I believe that was typical in this area but is beginning to fade as weddings just get more and more expensive. The next wedding I'm going to is a Black Tie affair in Philly next month with 350 guests in the Crystal Tea Room. However, I got married on the beach in Jamaica with 60 guests and my mother wore capri pants and guests were in shorts. To each their own

Love hoagies, sneakers and jimmies!

U turns and jughandles!!!!!! Why oh why cant I make a left turn in your state...I hate driving in NJ.

 

[Michelle67]

Cheese and gravy on fries is called "disco fries," and you will find it on every diner menu. We have tons of corner stores (on corners), and corner deli's. A winter hat is called a goobalini (sp). We have highways, not freeways.

I've seen this one come up a lot of times. We use both terms. "Freeways" are interstates, eg. I-5, I-90, etc. They connect/run through more than one state. "Highways" are "state roads", eg. SR-16. They run between towns, but not between states. Physically they may run into the next state, but they will change name/designation when they do. They may also change designation within the state. Freeways don't do that. I-5 remains I-5 from the Canadian border to the Mexican border.

The terms are still used interchangeably, somewhat. The road I live on (a two lane highway) will never be referred to by anybody around here as a freeway, but the more "formal", multi-lane, complete with overpasses and marked exits, SR-16 is often referred to as a "freeway" by locals.

I've heard the term "expressway" other places, and have no idea if it refers to what we would call a highway or a freeway...or both. We don't have them here. We also don't have toll roads, although we do have a few toll bridges.

In Michigan a tobbogan is a sled. Here in Kentucky, it is a winter hat (knit cap).

ETA:

I remember when we first moved down here we were watching the news and someone had robbed a bank. The newscaster said, "the suspect was wearing a tobboggan on his head." We about died laughing. Couldn't figure out why he was running around with a tobbogan balanced on top of his head (and why he would rob a bank that way!).

Awesome, thanks for sharing that image!!! Gave me a huge smile. We don't use the term tobbaggan at all, but I recognize it only as a sled and would have thought the same thing.

 

[NikitaZee]

A difference I noticed - growing up in New York, you knew where you stood with people, one way or the other, good or bad - you knew. When I lived in the south - everyone (most everyone) was nice to your face, and talked rudely behind your back if they didn't like you. A friend actually explained to me that they were brought up that way - it is considered rude to not be nice to someone's face - better to speak ill of them after they leave!

I must say, I prefer the former - I'd rather know who my friends are, than be surprised to find out they were just being polite until I walked away!

 

[spacemountainmom]

We live near 3M, too Hi neighbor!




DH's company used to be under the Laf. Bridge too....but they moved to Frogtown a few years back!

Hi Neighbor!!!

At night I can see the glow of the red 3M from my kitchen window.

Man....I hated driving on the Lafayette Bridge! I was really glad when we moved. I preferred the longer drive to being on the stupid bridge. Now, I just freak out when I hear about how bad it is, especially since 35W went down. My girlfriend lost her brother in the accident.

 

[Strawberry's mom&dad]

DH here. Moved to WA. state from Iowa in high school.
I always say pop. DW, from WA. says both pop and soda.
If you give money at a wedding it means your to lazy to buy a gift, guilty as charged.
For our wedding FIL mad a liqueur run to Reno (lots cheaper then here) and we had a potluck buffet with lots of presents.
It is a rarity if we eat at 7 or later.
Thank goodness you can get unsweetened iced tea at WDW. Or is it ice tea?
Snow tires have a different tread on them. Studded tires have studs in them.
Its always interesting how different regions have different names for the same item.
A piece of furniture that seats 3 or so: couch, sofa, davenport, settee etc.
A 6 in. or longer sandwich: sub(marine), hoagie, grinder, hero, poorboy etc

 

[spacemountainmom]

How about traffic signals? In MN they are vertical, but in WI they are horizontal. I often wonder why.

In MN we have drinking fountains, I knnow that in parts of WI they are called bubblers.

 

[U2_rocks!]

I just realized that I call a regular 3-seater chair a "couch", but if it has a bed in it it's a "sofa bed"! Weird that I don't call it a "sofa" normally.

I have been known to call the semi-outdoor area at the front or back of a house a porch, verandah, patio, gallery or deck - I use them all almost interchangeably, except that I usually think of a deck as being made of wood and the others as concrete/tiled.

 

[tink_lover]

Hi Neighbor!!!

At night I can see the glow of the red 3M from my kitchen window.

Man....I hated driving on the Lafayette Bridge! I was really glad when we moved. I preferred the longer drive to being on the stupid bridge. Now, I just freak out when I hear about how bad it is, especially since 35W went down. My girlfriend lost her brother in the accident.

Sent you a pm. Small world.

 

[U2_rocks!]

How about traffic signals? In MN they are vertical, but in WI they are horizontal. I often wonder why.

In MN we have drinking fountains, I knnow that in parts of WI they are called bubblers.

We have both types of traffic lights here - I have seen the horizontal ones at bigger intersections, but the vertical ones are more common.

We call those drinking fountains "water coolers".