Boston Too Common

Went to Boston a while ago so the BF could run the legendary Boston Marathon.  It was one of the hotter marathon days ever- an incredible 31 degrees (90 or so) on the day of the race, so he ran slowly.  Ultimately, I think we’re both happier to have had a lovely warm weekend than perfect running weather (overcast and sort of chilly).  We had a great time; the city is beautiful, our hotel was perfectly located, and we had some great meals. 

A few things I noticed about Bostonians- they’re quite friendly (and yes, many of them talk like this).  They will invariably ask you where you’re from, and since I said Toronto, I was usually peppered with sports questions I couldn’t answer.  I felt the same deer-in-the-headlights look I get when a saleswoman in a Paris boutique assumes from my high school French that she can randomly change the subject and I’ll be able to follow.   

Another thing I noticed is that Bostonians are the most aggressive pedestrians I have ever seen, as crazy as the Neapolitans! You can’t make a right turn on a red light there, so the walkers and drivers each have a chance, but the pedestrians don’t care, and cross whenever they want.  The drivers were extremely patient with this- I didn’t hear a single car horn.  

The other thing I noticed on this trip was that people were dressed pretty badly.  Badly breaking out into two categories: Inappropriately Casual and Inappropriately Skanky.

Now, I am not advocating a return to the days where men wore suits to baseball games, but would it kill a dude to tuck his shirt in at a nice restaurant?  A lot of this I can’t blame on locals; the marathoners were some of the worst offenders.  Seriously, we’re all impressed that you’re fast- doesn’t mean you have to wear your running gear to dinner. (The day after the race, there were still people roaming the city in the shirt and medal.)

Even the dames look swell!

At a restaurant that I assumed would be like Canoe in Toronto, (great view, good menu, etc) the crowd dressed like they were auditioning for Big Fat Gypsy Weddings or a People of Walmart compilation.  A woman at the next table wore a hot pink tube dress, high heels and had her hair teased and pinned to the side, the better to read the scrawling tattoo across the back of her neck.  (It looked like it said Louis Vuitton, but there is just no way.)  Her friend had a dress with a big stomach cut out like you occasionally see on a bathing suit.  Just…no.

Everywhere we went, there were guys in cargo shorts, t-shirts, and baseball hats.  Inside, outside, didn’t matter.  When did it become the case that a man’s outfit for cleaning out the garage became acceptable for restaurants and theatres?  And ladies, the entire world is not a club.  The stuff you used to see on a Friday night at 1 AM is now right there in the Starbucks line or at Macy’s or in the park.  People need to remember appropriateness.  It’s a word, I swear!

Um, at least this dude accessorizes...

Best dressed man in Boston.

I shouldn’t single out Boston for this- it’s pretty bad everywhere in North America.  Let’s make a pact, as a continent, to try to dress a little better, shall we?