On Boston Boundaries, Culture Trumps Geography
We asked where Boston’s borders truly lie. The masses responded: they really don’t know.
A few weeks ago, we asked you to help us figure out what being from Boston really means. The responses were heated, but hardly unanimous.
The results of our poll are split. Forty percent voted that Route 128 provides the most reasonable boundary. Thirty eight percent indicated that inhabitants of cities directly neighboring Boston can claim the Bostonian label. The least popular result was the perimeters defined by the MBTA, with only 22 percent.
Twitter replies and article comments added nuance (and personality) to the discussion.
@GWAbrahamson played fast and loose with the definition:
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While many others expressed a hardline approach, including @dotmom617:
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Some readers had a beef with certain “poser’’ towns in particular:
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Many readers agreed that the label is context-dependent. If you’re in San Francisco and you live in Malden, then sure, go ahead and say you’re from Boston. It’s about efficiency.
Others staunchly opposed to this view maintained that saying “the Boston area’’ is just as effective and far more accurate. One reader wrote, “If you pay taxes here, need to deal with the public schools and all the good and bad of having a city zipcode then you just may have earned the right to say you’re from the city.’’ You can practically hear die-hard Bostonians cheering at that response.
The question remains: is this about geography or a question of culture? One reader struck at the heart of this issue, writing “‘Where you from?’ as opposed to ‘Where do you live?’ are really different questions…If you grew up ‘near Boston’ then you would most definitely be influenced by it in terms of identity and culture.’’
This perspective is certainly reflected in comments like “It’s whatever the letter says on your MLB cap,’’ “They know instantly from the way I speak,’’ and “If you give directions that sound like “go about 5 blocks, bang a left at Dunkins, go past CVS, and that ATM that use-ta be a Bank a’Boston, then take a right at the next connah’’ then you might also be from Boston.’’
Perhaps the most Boston response of all negates the need for this debate: “I wouldn’t talk to a stranger in San Francisco.’’
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