10 years ago
My idea ...
I never thought Pennsylvania could be this bad...until I kept re-locating further north into the neverlands. Where it just got worse and worse. I moved to an area where there is an actual city (or so I thought), but they actually pull up the sidewalks of it at 5 p.m., when the offices close. It's so bad, when businesses or whomever ask for my phone number (and I still retained my original cell) the folks around here don't realize there is an area code outside of this region. They have to backspace on the computer all the time because they always put in this area's area code first assuming that's what I'm going to say. Then they look at me blankly and ask where's that number from? (It's only from two counties south, mind you.)
One day someone mentioned they were going to the "city", I said, "Oh, that's great. You're going to New York?" They looked at me strangely, and said, "Oh no. Just to town." They meant to the city I live in. They think it's a big deal, and make it a "trip" for the day.
When I tell people that I travel (which I don't think it's traveling at all) say 20 miles to a store, they tell me I'm crazy to do that. People around here won't even shop a distance further than 5 miles or so.
DLane, I know what you're talking about, because I've lived in your area too. Believe me, when I say this, to these people, change is not something they want, or do, or appreciate. And that is pure hell. They stagnate. They live in their pasts. I gotta get outta this place...