Cheap Bostonians

[Anonymous]

I love this thread. I'm from out West, but I'm inspired by the pride and culture of the New Englanders in this thread and I especially love how much of the commentary is a direct repudiation of some of the worst aspects of DMV culture. Like the idea that the only way to do something well is to spend a lot of money. It's not true!

[Anonymous]

One thing Bostonians sure aren't cheap with is housing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just got back from a 2 month assignment in Boston. I know not everyone is like the Kennedy’s but my word are some people CHEAP. I’m not just talking frugal. Like cheap.

Kennedys. Why do people do this.

+1M

No one cheaper than the Kennedys.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:It’s called yankee frugality and is a well documented phenomenon.

It's WASP culture. Keep the money in the family

No WASP family would host a potluck wedding.

But they would absolutely host a tented luncheon reception. An aunt or some other elder would actually wear her ancient kid gloves to the church.

Most beautiful and wedding I ever went to was in my cousins back yard overlooking bar harbor. Tent, dj, September afternoon clam/lobster bake. All food was delivered by guests, who also were lobstermen and chefs. Ended with a bonfire and smores

Proud, thrifty New Englander.

That’s where the money is

New England real estate on a per sq.ft basis is extremely expensive - especially if you qualitatively adjust it for upkeep and weather (and I like cold weather )

[Anonymous]

Grew up outside of Boston/south shore and having cash bars at wedding was the norm. I had no idea that was weird until I moved out of state.

Not sure if that was a cheap this or more because of the blue collar roots.

[Anonymous]

Bostonians are no where near as thrifty as Minnesotans

I don’t find New Englanders thrifty in the slightest

Private schooling, private colleges, second homes at the shore, etc.

[Anonymous]

They are paying all that money to very high taxes, don't use any money to keep their house maintenance up (most of the houses are very dated and dilapidated) so their taxes don't increase anymore either, paying tons of money for old OIL heat, living inside with their coats on... I can see why they've viewed as cheap...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They are paying all that money to very high taxes, don't use any money to keep their house maintenance up (most of the houses are very dated and dilapidated) so their taxes don't increase anymore either, paying tons of money for old OIL heat, living inside with their coats on... I can see why they've viewed as cheap...

WTAF? You make no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One thing Bostonians sure aren't cheap with is housing!

I would imagine that OP coworkers know lots of tips on saving money so they can afford to buy a house. OP really needs to listen to them.

[Anonymous]

I went to a fancy wedding on the south shore about 15 years ago and had a blast. They had a lobster bake the caterer taught me how to push the meat out of the tall by ripping off the head and tail and then basically showing my fingers up the butt to push the meat out. I ate so much I became a pro. It has become my party trick since then when lobsters are around and everyone laughs at how practical it is.

That wedding was classic Boston area. I was friends with the groom and had never met the bride’s family before. They were all mad that the Sox were playing at 11pm EST that night against Seattle in Seattle and thought that should be illegal. Several had huge Bruins hockey tattoos you could see because it was a summer afternoon so many had short sleeves or even tank tops. The bride’s family was not poor. I had a great time. They were so fun.Boston people are great.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As an actual native New Englander, this thread feels extremely weird to me.

Market basket is literally the only slightly cheap thing in new England. I love market basket, and I live in Boston, but not a native new englander

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s called yankee frugality and is a well documented phenomenon.

It's WASP culture. Keep the money in the family

No WASP family would host a potluck wedding.

But they would absolutely host a tented luncheon reception. An aunt or some other elder would actually wear her ancient kid gloves to the church.

That's still a far cry from a potluck wedding reception, though. I feel like they may have been joking about that one.

The potluck reference was not about WASPs, but about Yankee thrift. Not everyone in New England is a WASP!

I still think it’s a good foil to the grand ballroom black-tie reception.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bostonians are no where near as thrifty as Minnesotans

I don’t find New Englanders thrifty in the slightest

Private schooling, private colleges, second homes at the shore, etc.

For wealthier people, spending on these things is just what you do, and do not have anything to do with thrift. Thrift comes into play wrt expenditures that are considered frivolous, like fashion, cars, taking taxis when public transport is available, and sometimes food or flight class depending on the person’s preferences. Spending on your children’s education is not considered a frivolity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bostonians are no where near as thrifty as Minnesotans

I don’t find New Englanders thrifty in the slightest

Private schooling, private colleges, second homes at the shore, etc.

For wealthier people, spending on these things is just what you do, and do not have anything to do with thrift. Thrift comes into play wrt expenditures that are considered frivolous, like fashion, cars, taking taxis when public transport is available, and sometimes food or flight class depending on the person’s preferences. Spending on your children’s education is not considered a frivolity.

And not "treating your friends" is not considered cheap - you just pay your own way, as you always have. Since Bostonians are self-reliant, they assume other adults are too - which is not a bad thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s called yankee frugality and is a well documented phenomenon.

It's WASP culture. Keep the money in the family

Oh give me a break! Give it up with WASP obsession. Many New Englanders are scrappy and blue collar.

Plus the Irish came in and took control of the state’s political system. Now it’s a variety of representation in Boston that matches the city. People are living in the past.