I'm sitting in Boston right now. I was born and raised here. You were in a place they call "the Back Bay". It's this old, snotty and stuck up part of Boston. I'm so sorry you experienced this. I promise, no one I know would ever treat anyone like that. Please don't think this is all of Boston. I find this extremely embarrassing. I'd love to know the bars you went to.
I'm a Virginian, I went to Boston with the Navy back in the early 80s. I will never again go around those people. Totally snooty, snobbish assholes. Even New York and Philly was better.
A good friend of mine lives in Boston and every time she visits me in Houston, she can't stop commenting on how nice and helpful all the service industry people are here (as well as the people on the street). She's always mentioning how unfriendly people in Boston are. She also was a waitress at one time and consequently gives out huge tips, hugs and thanks to all these people. 😀 Sorry you had a bad experience.
This is not the first time I have heard this about Boston. I have heard good and bad. It still is a great place to visit if you like history, I have heard.
Lifelong Greater Bostonian here, and this is not surprising at all. 😔 So very sorry you experienced this. Glad to see you spent some time down in the Seaport area…a newer and bustling spot.
Agreed. I went on a trip to both NYC and Philly in the same trip and was treated badly in both places. In Philly I befriended a couple of guys at a local bar. One of them suggested I go with him to this "really cool place". He took me to some dance club in a dangerous part of town and left me there. BTW I had a roommate at one time who went to college in Philly and he told me it was a rough part of town, although I did notice some weird things in the club. Anyway, I thankfully remembered my hotel name and just got a cab, but yeah, got left somewhere in the city alone.
I'm so very sorry about your unpleasant experience. I'm so happy that you still kept such a positive attitude about it. I wish you only joyful, happy adventures. Remember to be safe and, most of all, have fun. 🤠
I know the street you went to. Those places are not great. They are bars that cater to college kids on weekend nights. As a native Bostonian I'm sorry you experienced the rudeness. I assure you we aren't all like that despite our reputation. I hope it doesn't dissuade you from coming back again. Love the channel!
After 40 years working in restaurants, the only thing I found surprising was the 3 in a row. Some people open restaurants because they have the money, but no knowledge. 60% of new restaurants fail in the first year they are open, 20% more in the first 5 years. I'd say that poor service like you experienced is the main cause.
Don't take it personally and it's not just a Boston thing. This has happened to me a few times in the western USA too and also at a tour company in Mexico and a bunch of places in Taiwan. Ours was even worse, because we got ignored but then they helped people who came in AFTER us! And in Mexico and Taiwan it was definitely racial! And I experienced this at a beach bar in Barbados. I stood at the bar for 5 minutes and the girl didn't acknowledge me. There was even that one time in the French Pyranees, this lady didn't care that a line was forming outside her pizza stand, but at least she had the decency to acknowledge us. Another one of my favorite was the Mexican guy at this museum, who was on his phone while I was standing there for two minutes, and after he lifted his head and saw me, he went right back to his phone. Even at my job there were people who would use any excuse to not help a customer. Customer service isn't for everyone. But again what upsets ME, is when they ignore ME but help OTHERS.
I am so sorry you had this experience. I will be visiting Boston next month and I certainly will NOT visit restaurants in this area. As an American this is so embarrassing.
Oh my goodness Marie. That's definitely not the way to a restaurant. And more than one wow. Come back to Tennessee and you will experience that southern hospitality. 😊
Living in Boston, but not being a Boston native, I can definitely picture these scenarios. There is a certain terrible attitude here in some people who feel that being rude and mean is ok. It makes no sense and I'm sorry you had to experience it! . You're absolutely right Marie to be upset and confounded about what happened. Sounds like at least one of those places needed a hostess or host to seat people as they come in. I am now curious what those 3 places were so I can make sure not to go! Glad place #4 was so much better. And I didn't know about that little Ben and Jerry's shop - I want to go there! I know Revere Beach. The best beaches are about an hour north of Boston but that takes planning and time. Thanks for this vlog!
In Boston it is a shock to discover that it actually can come down to neighborhoods that have negative attitudes toward each other. And any such neighborhood can be as small as a few blocks.
Marie please don’t judge every American or places in America on one bad experience. So sorry and embarrassed that you had to deal with that but we want you to return and enjoy all that we have to offer. I know that every place in every country can be bad depending but I hope your remaining time here went well.
You experienced Minnesota Nice and Southern Charm before going to boston. Having lived in all three places, it's not too surprising. When you live in a city that's overrun with students from all over the world, the locals can tend to be protective of themselves and isolating of strangers.
Genuine question: then what about cities like Madrid, Rome or Paris? When it comes to strangers... we talk tens of millions every year there. How do you explain your statement? Are the people afraid? Are a bunch of students enough to make nice people into prickly snobs?
@@nox8730 some Americans are truly strange. I'm American, but I've traveled enough in Europe enough to know I probably belong there instead of the U.S., but I'm not going through all the trouble of moving so I'll just stay in my rude country. I will say though it's not every person or every place.
@@TylerD288 Thank you very much for answering. Yeah, it is very much obvious that it isn't every person everywhere. Generalisations are only tendencies. So, even when you all call them "Massholes", even though it is a generalisation that feels so damn rude, i understand that it means "some of them are Massholes". But yes, your answer is what i expected: "those who behave like that behave like that because they have masshole tendencies from the start". Which makes sense. I am a very different french from the girl in this video, myself. I speak my mind, ask the questions as they come, and it seems i offended one of your fellow american in my own comment. Well... i can't help it. I am not good at dealing with censorship. Regards. Have the nicest day of all.
Marie, My worse experience in Europe was Poland and Germany. Poland, it felt shady over with a drunk person yelling policia when I witness that at Old Warsaw. While in Germany when I went back in Dec 2010, it was cold and I felt people in Germany were to snobbish including my relatives over there. Panama 🇵🇦 I did not like because it was too Americanized due to the Panama Canal when the U.S. owned it. J'aime France 🇫🇷. My time in France for before my birthday and on my birthday was fun! People over in France 🇫🇷 were so nice and polite to me. Most of the French people I interact with in France either knew English, spoke little English and or knew very basic English! The French people were very helpful to me!
I had great experiences in France. Everyone was nice and very helpful because I spoke some French. Even if your language skills are not great, they appreciate that you are trying to speak their language instead of expecting them to speak English.
Sorry for your bad experience. However, I haven't been in Boston, but when I visited LA and San Francisco, I had positive experiences and I still remember as a good memory.
Oh girl, I’m so sorry you experienced that. If that ever happens to you in the South… someone is getting fired… it does happen but RARELY. That’s terrible!
I've never visited Boston, but I've been to New York, which is not to far away. There is a joke about the strangers you might meet on a sidewalk in New York. It goes something like this: Visitor: "Pardon me, sir, but could you tell me the present time? NYC Denizen: "Do I look like a clock?" So, the big cities on the East Coast may very well have fewer nice people than Minnesota.
that's just a stereotype. I have family in NYC, been to the city many times. Never experienced anything like that. They aren't shy and are more forward. It's just a personality difference.
been to NY and Boston just once each... Everyone was awesome in NY and super kind. Boston; I felt like people were A holes. As if they wore it as a sense of pride.
Marie, it sucks that you had that negative experience, but to be honest, when being a tourist, it's bound to happen if you're a tourist long enough. Luckily, you've gone quite a long time and only had a few bad experiences. I hope that continues to be the trend. I hope you got a chance to get out of the city into the smaller towns. It's also funny to see how quickly your brain switches from one language to another. Not too long ago you were in the States having difficulty with French and now you're back home and having difficulty with English. 😃 Oh, the joys of being an adventurer! Anyway, thanks for bringing us along. Take care and keep smiling!
I admire you for explaining the situation you encountered that morning. It shows me you have a lot of guts. Because, this situation can really open up a can of worms. Especially in light of the fact that there are a lot of rivalries between various groups at play. But I'm kind of glad you did. It shows that there can be imperfections, especially imperfect people, in a place that one would think should not happen. It happened in a very posh, and high-end area. In a high-priced business that depends on high quality service so people won't mind spending all of their hard-earned money at their establishment. The treatment that you and your traveling friend was absolutely unacceptable. The fact that you experience this horrible treatment three times in a row, all before noon, is astonishing. It is a crazy streak of bad luck. I'm so glad your bad luck streak went the other way and you got good luck at your fourth place. It is good that you had somebody else with you, and another couple of customers who went through this experience with you. Because, it's softens the blow. If you were alone it would have probably felt much worse. But, the staff at the 4th establishment saved the day, and your emotions. Being treated that badly by rude and ignorant people for no reason at all, does play with one's emotions. It actually hurt my feelings hearing about all this. You and your friend handled correctly by just walking out of there. There is no point in getting in an argument with these people. There were other more deserving people of your patronage. I think it was a very relatable experience for all of us. No matter who we are, where we are from, nor where are we happen to be; we all have experienced this sort of situation from time to time. Not only from bad restaurant staff, book from miserable people in other walks of life. Like the Canadian border guard. I am happy that you didn't allow these experiences to Jade you, I'm glad the rest of your day was wonderful. Your trip to Boston ended on a high note. Well done Marie. 😊❤ Also, it allowed many of your followers to express their, otherwise unexplored, emotions in the comment section. I found many of the comments interesting intriguing and sometimes a little funny with some of the back and forth banter relating to their regional rivalries. 😂 I can't wait to see your , up-and-coming, Kansas City video. Though the temperature may not be so refreshing during that time of year in Missouri, the southern hospitality certainly should be refreshing.❤
I'm so sorry you experienced that. It upsets me as an American that you, who works so hard showing the wonders and beauty of the country, has been treated so rudely. Fortunately, it's the exception, not the rule.
The good news about Marie is she will not base her bad experience as the typical experience for America. She has travelled a lot in the USA now so she has had a variety of experiences both regionally and individually. We should be so considerate as travellers as she has become if and when we visit countries outside our shores.
I live in MA, and I've worked in the restaurant business here in the past. There's a lot of "that's not my job" that goes on in restaurants here, and I can't really blame the staff for that attitude, given how poorly they are paid and how poorly they are treated by the restaurant managers and owners in general - not every restaurant, but a lot of them, maybe a majority. Usually, seating guests is the responsibility for whoever is working the front desk, and if you were there before the lunch rush started, there's a good chance that that person was the manager, and the manager was busy somewhere else. Of course, that doesn't excuse being made to feel invisible.
I live in Wilmington De and customer service is horrible here. I’ve lived in 10 states, due to husband being in military, and this is the most unfriendly place I have ever lived. I miss the South every day.
It might have been a restaurant where a reservation was required, especially if it was a snooty place around Beacon Hill. If it was a $$$ restaurant, it’s the money thing, not a Boston thing. You’ll see that in any city where there are uber rich people who want to reserve some fine dining to themselves and not let anyone else come in.
See the film "1776" for Boston _vis-a-vis_ the other colonies at the beginning of the so-called "revolution". Boston, and Massachusetts, lead the independence movement, while many of the other colonies, including the salve-holding south, sided with the King of England. John Adams (see the HBO min-series "John Adams") wrote the Massachusetts constitution, establishing separation of powers, and which was the model for the U.S. Constitution. Rudeness? States like Texas attempting to tell Boston that it knows better than Boston what the Constitution is about.
I live in Maryland and one time when my cousin came to visit my sister and I took her to this restaurant, were seated and then promptly ignored. My sister finally went to who she believed was the manager and complained (nothing extreme just to let him know) and he waited on our table himself and gave us a discount on our meals. I know, one time doesn't seem like much, but my sister and I went to that same restaurant (chain restaurant) in Virginia to visit another cousin and got the same exact treatment. I've never gone back to either place. As my other sister says, this is a democracy and I vote with my dollar.
I was a call center employee for years and experienced the cultural differences between the East Coast and the rest of the country daily. I learned not to take the East Coast big city attitude personally. They live on top of each other and value efficient interactions and seem impatient with everything but it’s generally not aimed at you despite how rude it feels.
When I first started going to Boston on business, I kept hearing on "news from the hub." It meant hub of the universe, the inherent "better than thou" of Eastern Massachusetts. I went into a store with a great customer service reputation in Seattle, but the Boston store ignored me too. Note that Jan and I spent 10 days in Paris with a swing out to Caen (101st Airborne father-in-law) and toured some of the D-Day sites. We were given great customer service in Paris and had wonderful interactions with people on the train to and from Caen. Love your videos, especially the Normandy ones.
I've only been to Boston once but when I was there I was shocked at how rude our waitress was. You are not the only one who has had a rough experience in Boston.
I'll preface this by saying that I'm 66, live in the pacific northwest, and have never been to Boston. That being said, I've heard many times throughout my years that many Bostonians can be quite rude. I've also experienced problems dealing with a few who have moved here. I'm sure there are plenty of nice people in Boston, but I've always seemed to hear about the rude ones. 😁
I live here and it's like every part of America. We have rich stuffy period who are rude aholes and we have salt of the earth genuinely kind people. I live here and I've met both. That's life. Good and bad. There are more good people than bad though
You’re doing the right thing by expressing your feelings about your experience. Very American of you to share. Not to worry, this happens. Again, you’re doing everyone a favor and this is how good change happens.
Just saying (no hate intended) that my mom was born in Paris, me in New York, and when I went to France, the moment me and my wife spoke english in stores or anywhere else, we too were totally ignored. Once, in Dartee (appliance store in the metro) we asked an employee something, and he and his co-workers slowly moved away from us altogether ... So that is something that happens throughout the world ...
Boston . . both friendly and NOT. Usually the unfriendly places are long time family owned places on the decline (perhaps the origial owners have died and the kids inherited the business) with a lot of unhappy employees. Don't do business there. You did the right thng by simply moving on. Boston traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees, enough said. But I still like the city. Once I had breakfast in a shack of building (Southie neighborhood) where the cops and firemen go for breakfast. Incredibly busy, incredilbly rude waitresses. The cops began chiding the waitresses who verbally sparred back then all began laughing. Orders were filled, food was great, cops and firemen were real characters. I enjoyed the whole experience.
Oh Marie .... I'm so sorry that happened to you. That is really disappointing to hear. It is absolutely wrong for an employee to behave that way. I was up in Boston for an extended time this year in the south end. I was amazed at how polite and helpful the locals were. Maybe its different in Beacon Hill where it looks like you were, but the wait staff should have simply told you that the restaurant was full.
Sorry this happened to you. I live in Massachusetts and enjoy watching your videos. It is a shame my fellow Americans in this comment section broaden out this experience and generalize to all Bostonians or Massachusetts residents. They'll say that, but still benefit from our educational, medical, and technological prowess.
I had one experience where I went to a restaurant I had frequented before, this time with a female friend. It is a small place and there were a handful of employees sitting at a table, possibly having a staff meeting. That is all fine; companies need to have meetings. But they could have said, "we're having a meeting, would you mind coming back a little later?" or something to that effect. But they didn't say anything to us, just ignoring us, similar to what you described. We waited for a while and nobody said a word to us, so we left. I haven't been back there since.
'You have beaten Thrace Thirce?" Sorry, Marie. A line from an old play. There are some neighborhoods in Boston that do carry that reputation. Really I hear smaller than a neighborhood more of an environ of neighborhoods. I have not personally experienced it. But I was only going through Boston. There are a few cities with that reputation. Some I have been too that were nice people with a very few exceptions.
Bad customer service will exist everywhere you go. There is just no pleasing everyone unfortunately. You can't let it get to you though; you just gotta nod, smile and move on. See you in Kansas City! 🍻🌞✈️🌎🇺🇸
This happens... usually when the owners, managers have a problem or competition with others close by. They get stressed and mad, and take some of it out on their employees. Then they are too nervous to do proper/polite things. It doesn't last very long, but one of them might end up being closed or owned by someone else. So it's good and bad, ha...
Per Boston regulations, employers are required to pay tipped employees, including waiters, at least the full minimum wage ($15.00 per hour as of 2022) for all hours worked. So, waitstaff doesn't live off tips in Boston.
That is not correct. There is ballot question on this topic in November but as of today tipped waitstaff in Boston do not make minimum wage guaranteed.
@@whathe2100 You are wrong but let me rephrase this. The total hourly rate for a tipped employee, INCLUDING tips, must equal at least the Massachusetts minimum wage of $15.00 per hour. If the total hourly rate does not meet this threshold, the employer must make up the difference. (M.G.L. ch. 151 §7). If an employee makes $0 in tips the employer must pay them the full $15. The ballot measure is to make the employer give then the full $15 AND the employee gets to keep all tips by 2029. My point is valid, they don't require tips to make $15 an hour.
Bonjour Marie, I've worked in restaurants, and it can be quite hectic, but there is no excuse for ignoring customers. I'm glad you eventually found a good place. I hope you found some Midwestern charm in Kansas City. 🇨🇵🇺🇲 ♥️🌹
I hate stereotypes but I will do it anyway. The Northeast is not a real friendly place. I have lived all over the U.S. but always avoided the N.E. for that reason. You did the right thing and left because chances are their kitchen could have been having a bad day which people don't always realize. New Orleans is the best as far as friendly locals go in my opinion. Speaking of New Orleans I want to share my thoughts if (when) you go. The best time to visit is Mid-April. The best festival of the year is the French Quarter Fest. It is free! You can come and go as you want. There are many stages set up all over the Quarter and down by the Mighty Mississippi River. They limit the traffic so it's mostly bikes and pedestrians. The music is from all over the state and Louisiana is great about letting the young (kids) musicians play the big events. It is safer than Mardi Gras and easier and cheaper than Jazzfest. Bourbon Street is not where you want to be. It is strip joints, t-shirt shops and people looking to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Go to Frenchmen Street which is close to the Quarter and it is filled with nice, happy music lovers. Avoid NOLA between June thru September because it is too hot and it's not as lively. After a couple of days I would suggest a trip to the French part of the State which is the Southwest. There are 5 counties (parishes) that 10-20% of all households speak French or Louisiana French. 90% of the U.S.'s Crawfish comes from Louisiana but you can only get them in the Spring. One last tip regarding traveling aboard. If anyone ever approaches you and you don't feel comfortable, start speaking French very loudly. These people look for an easy target so the more noise and confusion the better. Sorry to ramble but you are so unique and special I wanted to share some thoughts. Most You Tubers want something other than just to inform and to entertain. I have never heard you ask for anything other than feedback. You are a refreshing find Ms. Marie. 🌹
Service business that doesn't service? Sounds like a promising enterprise. Never been to Boston but can say I've never encountered that in my entire life. Spent half my life in Michigan and half in Minnesota.
Sorry you had a bad time in Boston. I've visited once for a few days and had a good time, but I only interacted with a few locals. BTW, I love your bushy eyebrows! Very pretty!
I grew up 20 miles north of Boston. I think the long cold winters, lots of cloudy weather and lack of sunshine makes people angry and aloof. Definitely not southern hospitality, especially in bean town. Many of the roads started out as trails for horse and buggies. Perhaps "The Boston Tea Party" legacy still lives there. It's where the Revolution started so there's that too. Fun place though, and much cleaner that when I was a kid. Oh and I think there might still be a MOB (as in crime syndicate) presence there, so those bad restaurants might be owned by shady people.
Maybe, but it's true that the Eastern Midwest is very gloomy also, and has even worse winters than the Mid-Atlantic, yet the Midwest has a fairly easy going reputation. I think the less competitive and more chill people were boiled off to places further west, over time.
I’m an American and I’ve been all over the US for work. I’m not saying everyone in Boston is a miserable jerk, but I’ve never been treated anywhere the way I’ve been treated in Boston. Cursed at for no reason. Had stuff thrown at my car. Had a guy at a restaurant say he wanted to fight me for reasons I still can’t figure out. There’s a lot of great history in Boston. And it’s a beautiful city. So it makes me sad to say I avoid it like the plague.
Yeah that area is actually terrible. It’s the manager who is nuts because it’s whoever that is fault. I did the restaurant grind myself for a while too. I got four tables and that was the limit. Most wait staff get no more than that. I don’t get why they are so rude.
I believe the area you were was Beacon Hill or the Faneuil Hall area with all the cobblestone streets. Sorry about the experience, it is a very touristy area and service is hit or miss. I experience this from time to time and it is usually the fault of the management not training the waitstaff properly to be hospitable. Please enjoy the rest of your time here.
I wouldn't have thought/imagined that Boston (would have) had beaches. Conditionel plus que parfait something like that. Don't think imparfait can be directly translated. OK could say "I didn't imagine Boston (even) *having* beaches" (stress on having) - that could work!
I lived in Massachusettes for a year and a half while I went to a school in the Navy. I found most people there to be stand-offish. Boston seemed crazy to me.
I'm so sorry they treated you like that. One person having a bad day I could kind of understand, but three in a row is bad, even for Boston. For what it's worth, I grew up near Boston and have been a server at a number of different restaurants. I'm so sorry they were like that, but whatever folks say, that's not typical of Boston. We might not be as overtly friendly as southerners, but usually not overtly rude, either (except maybe at certain sports events 😬). EDIT: just wanted to say your expectations were absolutely reasonable and you're totally right about how easy it is to just give a quick greeting! Wow. And not in a good way.
I'm an American and I've lived in 14 states (and four foreign countries) and have visited all but five states. I've not yet had a pleasant experience in Boston. My wife and I are planning a road trip through New England starting in Boston and then through all of New England as this is where the five states I've not visited are (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) . This will the last chance as far as I'm concerned for Boston as there are far too many wonderful friendly places to waste time in places that don't welcome people. My wife and I spent our 33rd wedding anniversary in Paris, and we had a much better time in Paris than we've had in Boston. I'm sorry, and embarrassed Ms. FrenchTastic Explorations had an unpleasant experience in the United States, Americans are so much better than that.
I like to ask around regarding restaurants when I visit a new place. Avoid the tourist traps whenever possible. I stay away from the corporate chain restaurants to try to support the "real" locals. They care a little more since they are fighting to stay in business. Hotel staff is usually knowledgeable. Asking them where they go always seems to work well. Bartenders are great sources for local information. 🌹
I spent the first 40 years of my life living in Boston, so it was extra sad that you were treated rudely there. There are so many great restaurants in Boston. I think the only restaurant where I ate in that area was The Union Oyster House, which I enjoyed. You should have given the names of the restaurants that wouldn’t serve you. When I was a kid, Revere Beach had a big amusement park.
Well that’s strange. If it had just happened in one place I would say that I’m surprised that you spent so much time in the US before it happened. But 3 in a row sounds like something was going on. Maybe they are all just short of help on Saturday. Anyway, I was relieved because the way you talked about it last week, I thought maybe something really terrible had happened.
Bostonians are not known for being the nicest people all the time. They run very hot and cold. But if you make friends with one, they are going to back you 100%. I think some European countries are like that. Anyway, I wouldn't take too much from one experience. I went to Paris years ago and had one awful, stereotypical bad French waiter experience. But other than that, everyone in the city was very nice to me. I think it helped that I would always ask them if they spoke English in French before speaking and would always say hello and goodbye and thankyou in French.
Bonjour Marie! I'm very sorry that you experienced that, but I'm not all that surprised. The phrase "Midwestern Kindness" was in direct opposition to "East Coast Rudeness." Mostly it's NYC, many places in New Jersey, Boston, and Philadelphia...with Philly generally considered to be the worst of the bunch. I think what you experienced is what can sometimes happen with very old places that seem to only cater to "regulars" and "old timers," and don't care much about "newbies" especially tourists. There's a few places in the very old areas of Detroit that can be like that, and I have experienced it first hand (although when I went with an "old timer" I was treated VERY differently, like an old friend! Too bad that put a damper on your time in Boston, and perhaps your trip in general, but it happens. Growing up, we (Americans) always heard how rude Europeans were to Americans, especially "The French" who didn't want to communicate unless in French, so it happens all over unfortunately. Hope you are doing well! Bonne journee! ~Be Blessed
I have lived in the US, and this really surprises me. If there is one outstanding feature of the US is the level of service, which is probably better than everywhere in the world. And, maybe a French person could be surprised in the US for rude treatment. Probably not in France, or at least Paris, where irudeness can be very present, at least toward foreigners like me.
It would be great if you could publicize in advance what cities you will be visiting, and maybe have a meet & greet over pizza and/or beer with Subscribers who happen to live in the area.
Well, they earned the nicknamed Massholes for a reason. Sorry you experienced that. I didn't have that experience when I visited but I didn't go to that exact place/street either.
Thought it was worth mentioning that you actually just missed the International Sand Sculpture Festival at Revere Beach by about a month. That usually occurs in July.
As an American, who’s never been to Boston, sounds like I don’t want to ever go there. Just keep trying till you find people that treat you well and want your business.
I've lived in the Boston area for the last 17 years and I've hated every second of it. Everyone is a jerkoff. I'm hoping to finally be able to move back to the Midwest next year.
I am so sorry that happened to you! I am not surprised that it happened, but I don't like that it happened. I don't live too far away from Atlanta Georgia and there are a lot of restaurants and people here that act like they do not want your money. It's almost as if their staff is trying to take bets on how many people they can piss off and make leave. Oh and let's not start on the fast food workers and some areas. Some of them act like they're offended that you're trying to be polite to them.
I'm sitting in Boston right now. I was born and raised here. You were in a place they call "the Back Bay". It's this old, snotty and stuck up part of Boston. I'm so sorry you experienced this. I promise, no one I know would ever treat anyone like that. Please don't think this is all of Boston. I find this extremely embarrassing. I'd love to know the bars you went to.
It sounds more like Beacon Hill, not Back Bay. It’s not the Boston people, it’s the Rich people.
@@b.slocumb7763 You might be right. I'm not going to either place for a $15 beer
I'm a Virginian, I went to Boston with the Navy back in the early 80s. I will never again go around those people. Totally snooty, snobbish assholes. Even New York and Philly was better.
@@laynecox3992 Wow, I'm one of those assholes. Virginia is known for a few things, hmmmm let me think........
@@Billp19733 Take your time, I'll wait. LOL
A good friend of mine lives in Boston and every time she visits me in Houston, she can't stop commenting on how nice and helpful all the service industry people are here (as well as the people on the street). She's always mentioning how unfriendly people in Boston are. She also was a waitress at one time and consequently gives out huge tips, hugs and thanks to all these people. 😀 Sorry you had a bad experience.
This is not the first time I have heard this about Boston. I have heard good and bad. It still is a great place to visit if you like history, I have heard.
thank you for sharing the good AND THE BAD with us! 👍☺
Lifelong Greater Bostonian here, and this is not surprising at all. 😔 So very sorry you experienced this. Glad to see you spent some time down in the Seaport area…a newer and bustling spot.
And beyond the economics of most Bostonians.
Very true…
You should put a review of your experience on their website. That will probably get their attention.
It was nothing like Cheers, where everyone knows your name and they're always glad you came.
I walk out of restaurants when I'm treated that way.
I'm not surprised at all. People in Philadelphia can be really rude, too.
agreed. Philly and NYC are perhaps the worst in the USA
Agreed. I went on a trip to both NYC and Philly in the same trip and was treated badly in both places. In Philly I befriended a couple of guys at a local bar. One of them suggested I go with him to this "really cool place". He took me to some dance club in a dangerous part of town and left me there. BTW I had a roommate at one time who went to college in Philly and he told me it was a rough part of town, although I did notice some weird things in the club. Anyway, I thankfully remembered my hotel name and just got a cab, but yeah, got left somewhere in the city alone.
I'm so very sorry about your unpleasant experience. I'm so happy that you still kept such a positive attitude about it. I wish you only joyful, happy adventures. Remember to be safe and, most of all, have fun. 🤠
I know the street you went to. Those places are not great. They are bars that cater to college kids on weekend nights. As a native Bostonian I'm sorry you experienced the rudeness. I assure you we aren't all like that despite our reputation. I hope it doesn't dissuade you from coming back again. Love the channel!
After 40 years working in restaurants, the only thing I found surprising was the 3 in a row. Some people open restaurants because they have the money, but no knowledge. 60% of new restaurants fail in the first year they are open, 20% more in the first 5 years. I'd say that poor service like you experienced is the main cause.
Going from Minnesota Nice to Massholes gotta be a culture shock
We call them Massholes for a reason.
No lie. You could hardly have a bigger difference than going from the midwest to the urban northeast.
Oh ya..... she loved Minnesota and was treated very good.
It's just Boston guys, all of Massachusetts is not like that.
@@surf6009 It’s “ja” not “ya.” :-D
Don't take it personally and it's not just a Boston thing. This has happened to me a few times in the western USA too and also at a tour company in Mexico and a bunch of places in Taiwan. Ours was even worse, because we got ignored but then they helped people who came in AFTER us! And in Mexico and Taiwan it was definitely racial!
And I experienced this at a beach bar in Barbados. I stood at the bar for 5 minutes and the girl didn't acknowledge me.
There was even that one time in the French Pyranees, this lady didn't care that a line was forming outside her pizza stand, but at least she had the decency to acknowledge us.
Another one of my favorite was the Mexican guy at this museum, who was on his phone while I was standing there for two minutes, and after he lifted his head and saw me, he went right back to his phone. Even at my job there were people who would use any excuse to not help a customer. Customer service isn't for everyone. But again what upsets ME, is when they ignore ME but help OTHERS.
Humans, in general, still have a lot of growing up to do.
I am so sorry you had this experience. I will be visiting Boston next month and I certainly will NOT visit restaurants in this area. As an American this is so embarrassing.
Oh my goodness Marie. That's definitely not the way to a restaurant. And more than one wow. Come back to Tennessee and you will experience that southern hospitality. 😊
Living in Boston, but not being a Boston native, I can definitely picture these scenarios. There is a certain terrible attitude here in some people who feel that being rude and mean is ok. It makes no sense and I'm sorry you had to experience it! . You're absolutely right Marie to be upset and confounded about what happened. Sounds like at least one of those places needed a hostess or host to seat people as they come in. I am now curious what those 3 places were so I can make sure not to go! Glad place #4 was so much better. And I didn't know about that little Ben and Jerry's shop - I want to go there! I know Revere Beach. The best beaches are about an hour north of Boston but that takes planning and time. Thanks for this vlog!
In Boston it is a shock to discover that it actually can come down to neighborhoods that have negative attitudes toward each other. And any such neighborhood can be as small as a few blocks.
Marie please don’t judge every American or places in America on one bad experience. So sorry and embarrassed that you had to deal with that but we want you to return and enjoy all that we have to offer. I know that every place in every country can be bad depending but I hope your remaining time here went well.
We’re a bunch of miserable self entitled pricks 😂😂😂
No worries. After the looming nuclear holocaust no one will remember or even care.
You experienced Minnesota Nice and Southern Charm before going to boston. Having lived in all three places, it's not too surprising. When you live in a city that's overrun with students from all over the world, the locals can tend to be protective of themselves and isolating of strangers.
Genuine question: then what about cities like Madrid, Rome or Paris? When it comes to strangers... we talk tens of millions every year there. How do you explain your statement? Are the people afraid? Are a bunch of students enough to make nice people into prickly snobs?
@@nox8730 some Americans are truly strange. I'm American, but I've traveled enough in Europe enough to know I probably belong there instead of the U.S., but I'm not going through all the trouble of moving so I'll just stay in my rude country. I will say though it's not every person or every place.
@@TylerD288 Thank you very much for answering.
Yeah, it is very much obvious that it isn't every person everywhere. Generalisations are only tendencies. So, even when you all call them "Massholes", even though it is a generalisation that feels so damn rude, i understand that it means "some of them are Massholes".
But yes, your answer is what i expected: "those who behave like that behave like that because they have masshole tendencies from the start". Which makes sense.
I am a very different french from the girl in this video, myself. I speak my mind, ask the questions as they come, and it seems i offended one of your fellow american in my own comment. Well... i can't help it. I am not good at dealing with censorship.
Regards. Have the nicest day of all.
The term "Massholes" exists for a reason... 😉
I enjoy hearing the drama! I've definitely heard of Boston being known for rudeness, but I'm glad you found a welcoming place for lunch.
Marie,
My worse experience in Europe was Poland and Germany. Poland, it felt shady over with a drunk person yelling policia when I witness that at Old Warsaw. While in Germany when I went back in Dec 2010, it was cold and I felt people in Germany were to snobbish including my relatives over there.
Panama 🇵🇦 I did not like because it was too Americanized due to the Panama Canal when the U.S. owned it.
J'aime France 🇫🇷.
My time in France for before my birthday and on my birthday was fun! People over in France 🇫🇷 were so nice and polite to me. Most of the French people I interact with in France either knew English, spoke little English and or knew very basic English! The French people were very helpful to me!
😵😵💫
Germany in December is cold.
Somebody write that down.
In our various trips to Europe, the only time people were rude was in France. They get pissed off that you don't speak French.
I had great experiences in France. Everyone was nice and very helpful because I spoke some French. Even if your language skills are not great, they appreciate that you are trying to speak their language instead of expecting them to speak English.
Sorry for your bad experience. However, I haven't been in Boston, but when I visited LA and San Francisco, I had positive experiences and I still remember as a good memory.
Oh girl, I’m so sorry you experienced that. If that ever happens to you in the South… someone is getting fired… it does happen but RARELY. That’s terrible!
I've never visited Boston, but I've been to New York, which is not to far away. There is a joke about the strangers you might meet on a sidewalk in New York. It goes something like this: Visitor: "Pardon me, sir, but could you tell me the present time?
NYC Denizen: "Do I look like a clock?"
So, the big cities on the East Coast may very well have fewer nice people than Minnesota.
To the clock response I would say yes, minus the L.
not in the south
Completely the opposite in places like Wilmington, Charleston or Savannah.
Nicest people you will meet in the USA.
that's just a stereotype. I have family in NYC, been to the city many times. Never experienced anything like that. They aren't shy and are more forward. It's just a personality difference.
I have been to NYC multiple times and have never had this problem. People mistake their abruptness for rudeness.
been to NY and Boston just once each... Everyone was awesome in NY and super kind. Boston; I felt like people were A holes. As if they wore it as a sense of pride.
That part of the city looks beautiful, it's too bad you were treated so rudely. Thanks for sharing more of your travel adventures Marie!
Marie, it sucks that you had that negative experience, but to be honest, when being a tourist, it's bound to happen if you're a tourist long enough. Luckily, you've gone quite a long time and only had a few bad experiences. I hope that continues to be the trend. I hope you got a chance to get out of the city into the smaller towns. It's also funny to see how quickly your brain switches from one language to another. Not too long ago you were in the States having difficulty with French and now you're back home and having difficulty with English. 😃 Oh, the joys of being an adventurer! Anyway, thanks for bringing us along. Take care and keep smiling!
I admire you for explaining the situation you encountered that morning. It shows me you have a lot of guts. Because, this situation can really open up a can of worms. Especially in light of the fact that there are a lot of rivalries between various groups at play. But I'm kind of glad you did. It shows that there can be imperfections, especially imperfect people, in a place that one would think should not happen. It happened in a very posh, and high-end area. In a high-priced business that depends on high quality service so people won't mind spending all of their hard-earned money at their establishment. The treatment that you and your traveling friend was absolutely unacceptable. The fact that you experience this horrible treatment three times in a row, all before noon, is astonishing. It is a crazy streak of bad luck. I'm so glad your bad luck streak went the other way and you got good luck at your fourth place. It is good that you had somebody else with you, and another couple of customers who went through this experience with you. Because, it's softens the blow. If you were alone it would have probably felt much worse. But, the staff at the 4th establishment saved the day, and your emotions. Being treated that badly by rude and ignorant people for no reason at all, does play with one's emotions. It actually hurt my feelings hearing about all this. You and your friend handled correctly by just walking out of there. There is no point in getting in an argument with these people. There were other more deserving people of your patronage. I think it was a very relatable experience for all of us. No matter who we are, where we are from, nor where are we happen to be; we all have experienced this sort of situation from time to time. Not only from bad restaurant staff, book from miserable people in other walks of life. Like the Canadian border guard. I am happy that you didn't allow these experiences to Jade you, I'm glad the rest of your day was wonderful. Your trip to Boston ended on a high note. Well done Marie. 😊❤
Also, it allowed many of your followers to express their, otherwise unexplored, emotions in the comment section. I found many of the comments interesting intriguing and sometimes a little funny with some of the back and forth banter relating to their regional rivalries. 😂
I can't wait to see your , up-and-coming, Kansas City video. Though the temperature may not be so refreshing during that time of year in Missouri, the southern hospitality certainly should be refreshing.❤
I'm so sorry you experienced that. It upsets me as an American that you, who works so hard showing the wonders and beauty of the country, has been treated so rudely. Fortunately, it's the exception, not the rule.
The good news about Marie is she will not base her bad experience as the typical experience for America. She has travelled a lot in the USA now so she has had a variety of experiences both regionally and individually. We should be so considerate as travellers as she has become if and when we visit countries outside our shores.
I live in MA, and I've worked in the restaurant business here in the past. There's a lot of "that's not my job" that goes on in restaurants here, and I can't really blame the staff for that attitude, given how poorly they are paid and how poorly they are treated by the restaurant managers and owners in general - not every restaurant, but a lot of them, maybe a majority. Usually, seating guests is the responsibility for whoever is working the front desk, and if you were there before the lunch rush started, there's a good chance that that person was the manager, and the manager was busy somewhere else. Of course, that doesn't excuse being made to feel invisible.
I have friends in Boston...they're A$$holes...and frankly quite proud of it 😅😅😅
If you go to Philadelphia, be warned, it's worse than Boston. Pittsburgh is friendly.
Yeah I don't think Philly ever got over losing their bid to be America's capital, lol.
It was probably your Steelers jersey.
Service in restaurants has suffered since COVID 19. It’s a shame.
Not everybody is as nice as we are in Wisconsin. I'm sorry you had to experience that Marie.
We love having you here in the States.
It's all the dairy. 🤣
I had the same thing happen at a Red Lobster in Wilmington, DE and I'm American.
I live in Wilmington De and customer service is horrible here. I’ve lived in 10 states, due to husband being in military, and this is the most unfriendly place I have ever lived. I miss the South every day.
It might have been a restaurant where a reservation was required, especially if it was a snooty place around Beacon Hill. If it was a $$$ restaurant, it’s the money thing, not a Boston thing. You’ll see that in any city where there are uber rich people who want to reserve some fine dining to themselves and not let anyone else come in.
Ah, Boston. It's part of the US, but it's not representative of the whole US. Sorry that you encountered a few Massholes.
No, it does represent the rest of the country. She met a$$holes. No one I know would treat anyone like that.
Yes, every country has a few and every state. Sorry Marie even native people get it occasionally.😉
@@brealistic3542 👍
See the film "1776" for Boston _vis-a-vis_ the other colonies at the beginning of the so-called "revolution". Boston, and Massachusetts, lead the independence movement, while many of the other colonies, including the salve-holding south, sided with the King of England.
John Adams (see the HBO min-series "John Adams") wrote the Massachusetts constitution, establishing separation of powers, and which was the model for the U.S. Constitution.
Rudeness? States like Texas attempting to tell Boston that it knows better than Boston what the Constitution is about.
I live in Maryland and one time when my cousin came to visit my sister and I took her to this restaurant, were seated and then promptly ignored. My sister finally went to who she believed was the manager and complained (nothing extreme just to let him know) and he waited on our table himself and gave us a discount on our meals. I know, one time doesn't seem like much, but my sister and I went to that same restaurant (chain restaurant) in Virginia to visit another cousin and got the same exact treatment. I've never gone back to either place. As my other sister says, this is a democracy and I vote with my dollar.
You are in the right it is that place, and it is every day!!
I was a call center employee for years and experienced the cultural differences between the East Coast and the rest of the country daily. I learned not to take the East Coast big city attitude personally. They live on top of each other and value efficient interactions and seem impatient with everything but it’s generally not aimed at you despite how rude it feels.
When I first started going to Boston on business, I kept hearing on "news from the hub." It meant hub of the universe, the inherent "better than thou" of Eastern Massachusetts. I went into a store with a great customer service reputation in Seattle, but the Boston store ignored me too.
Note that Jan and I spent 10 days in Paris with a swing out to Caen (101st Airborne father-in-law) and toured some of the D-Day sites. We were given great customer service in Paris and had wonderful interactions with people on the train to and from Caen.
Love your videos, especially the Normandy ones.
I've only been to Boston once but when I was there I was shocked at how rude our waitress was. You are not the only one who has had a rough experience in Boston.
I'll preface this by saying that I'm 66, live in the pacific northwest, and have never been to Boston.
That being said, I've heard many times throughout my years that many Bostonians can be quite rude. I've also experienced problems dealing with a few who have moved here.
I'm sure there are plenty of nice people in Boston, but I've always seemed to hear about the rude ones. 😁
I’m so sorry you had such a bad experience. There’s no excuse for that kind of behavior towards anyone. What arse~holes!
Boston isn't known for its "friendliness".
I live here and it's like every part of America. We have rich stuffy period who are rude aholes and we have salt of the earth genuinely kind people. I live here and I've met both. That's life. Good and bad. There are more good people than bad though
@@mione134 True...its just that some areas have a higher percentage of the bad than others
You’re doing the right thing by expressing your feelings about your experience. Very American of you to share. Not to worry, this happens. Again, you’re doing everyone a favor and this is how good change happens.
Just saying (no hate intended) that my mom was born in Paris, me in New York, and when I went to France, the moment me and my wife spoke english in stores or anywhere else, we too were totally ignored. Once, in Dartee (appliance store in the metro) we asked an employee something, and he and his co-workers slowly moved away from us altogether ...
So that is something that happens throughout the world ...
Classy and sophisticated NYC and Paris!
Boston . . both friendly and NOT. Usually the unfriendly places are long time family owned places on the decline (perhaps the origial owners have died and the kids inherited the business) with a lot of unhappy employees. Don't do business there. You did the right thng by simply moving on. Boston traded Babe Ruth to the Yankees, enough said. But I still like the city. Once I had breakfast in a shack of building (Southie neighborhood) where the cops and firemen go for breakfast. Incredibly busy, incredilbly rude waitresses. The cops began chiding the waitresses who verbally sparred back then all began laughing. Orders were filled, food was great, cops and firemen were real characters. I enjoyed the whole experience.
Being treated badly in Boston...That totally tracks
Sounds like what Americans say after touring Europe. 😏😏😏
Oh Marie .... I'm so sorry that happened to you. That is really disappointing to hear. It is absolutely wrong for an employee to behave that way. I was up in Boston for an extended time this year in the south end. I was amazed at how polite and helpful the locals were. Maybe its different in Beacon Hill where it looks like you were, but the wait staff should have simply told you that the restaurant was full.
Sorry this happened to you. I live in Massachusetts and enjoy watching your videos. It is a shame my fellow Americans in this comment section broaden out this experience and generalize to all Bostonians or Massachusetts residents. They'll say that, but still benefit from our educational, medical, and technological prowess.
I had one experience where I went to a restaurant I had frequented before, this time with a female friend. It is a small place and there were a handful of employees sitting at a table, possibly having a staff meeting. That is all fine; companies need to have meetings. But they could have said, "we're having a meeting, would you mind coming back a little later?" or something to that effect. But they didn't say anything to us, just ignoring us, similar to what you described. We waited for a while and nobody said a word to us, so we left. I haven't been back there since.
'You have beaten Thrace Thirce?" Sorry, Marie. A line from an old play. There are some neighborhoods in Boston that do carry that reputation. Really I hear smaller than a neighborhood more of an environ of neighborhoods. I have not personally experienced it. But I was only going through Boston. There are a few cities with that reputation. Some I have been too that were nice people with a very few exceptions.
Bad customer service will exist everywhere you go. There is just no pleasing everyone unfortunately. You can't let it get to you though; you just gotta nod, smile and move on. See you in Kansas City! 🍻🌞✈️🌎🇺🇸
OMG, that totally sucks. I wouldn't of been that nice to them. I'm happy you ended up at a fun pace. While you enjoyed the rest of your stay.
This happens... usually when the owners, managers have a problem or competition with others close by. They get stressed and mad, and take some of it out on their employees. Then they are too nervous to do proper/polite things. It doesn't last very long, but one of them might end up being closed or owned by someone else. So it's good and bad, ha...
Per Boston regulations, employers are required to pay tipped employees, including waiters, at least the full minimum wage ($15.00 per hour as of 2022) for all hours worked. So, waitstaff doesn't live off tips in Boston.
That is not correct. There is ballot question on this topic in November but as of today tipped waitstaff in Boston do not make minimum wage guaranteed.
@@whathe2100 You are wrong but let me rephrase this. The total hourly rate for a tipped employee, INCLUDING tips, must equal at least the Massachusetts minimum wage of $15.00 per hour. If the total hourly rate does not meet this threshold, the employer must make up the difference. (M.G.L. ch. 151 §7). If an employee makes $0 in tips the employer must pay them the full $15. The ballot measure is to make the employer give then the full $15 AND the employee gets to keep all tips by 2029. My point is valid, they don't require tips to make $15 an hour.
Sorry about your experience but I can tell you that would not happen down south. Can't wait for the next video. Thank you, Marie.
Marie, I have the same issue with my Charlie ticket when I get on the T.
That's why I Love and live in the South 😊. The Southern Hospitality.
Bonjour Marie, I've worked in restaurants, and it can be quite hectic, but there is no excuse for ignoring customers. I'm glad you eventually found a good place.
I hope you found some Midwestern charm in Kansas City. 🇨🇵🇺🇲 ♥️🌹
I hate stereotypes but I will do it anyway. The Northeast is not a real friendly place. I have lived all over the U.S. but always avoided the N.E. for that reason. You did the right thing and left because chances are their kitchen could have been having a bad day which people don't always realize. New Orleans is the best as far as friendly locals go in my opinion.
Speaking of New Orleans I want to share my thoughts if (when) you go. The best time to visit is Mid-April. The best festival of the year is the French Quarter Fest. It is free! You can come and go as you want. There are many stages set up all over the Quarter and down by the Mighty Mississippi River. They limit the traffic so it's mostly bikes and pedestrians. The music is from all over the state and Louisiana is great about letting the young (kids) musicians play the big events. It is safer than Mardi Gras and easier and cheaper than Jazzfest. Bourbon Street is not where you want to be. It is strip joints, t-shirt shops and people looking to take advantage of unsuspecting tourists. Go to Frenchmen Street which is close to the Quarter and it is filled with nice, happy music lovers. Avoid NOLA between June thru September because it is too hot and it's not as lively. After a couple of days I would suggest a trip to the French part of the State which is the Southwest. There are 5 counties (parishes) that 10-20% of all households speak French or Louisiana French. 90% of the U.S.'s Crawfish comes from Louisiana but you can only get them in the Spring.
One last tip regarding traveling aboard. If anyone ever approaches you and you don't feel comfortable, start speaking French very loudly. These people look for an easy target so the more noise and confusion the better.
Sorry to ramble but you are so unique and special I wanted to share some thoughts. Most You Tubers want something other than just to inform and to entertain. I have never heard you ask for anything other than feedback. You are a refreshing find Ms. Marie. 🌹
You should have stayed in Minnesota. Lol Minnesota Nice is a real thing.
Come on down to Charleston South Carolina.
You never meet a more kind genteel polite and friendly group of people as you will encounter here.
Service business that doesn't service? Sounds like a promising enterprise. Never been to Boston but can say I've never encountered that in my entire life. Spent half my life in Michigan and half in Minnesota.
Sorry you had a bad time in Boston. I've visited once for a few days and had a good time, but I only interacted with a few locals. BTW, I love your bushy eyebrows! Very pretty!
I grew up 20 miles north of Boston. I think the long cold winters, lots of cloudy weather and lack of sunshine makes people angry and aloof. Definitely not southern hospitality, especially in bean town. Many of the roads started out as trails for horse and buggies. Perhaps "The Boston Tea Party" legacy still lives there. It's where the Revolution started so there's that too. Fun place though, and much cleaner that when I was a kid. Oh and I think there might still be a MOB (as in crime syndicate) presence there, so those bad restaurants might be owned by shady people.
Maybe, but it's true that the Eastern Midwest is very gloomy also, and has even worse winters than the Mid-Atlantic, yet the Midwest has a fairly easy going reputation. I think the less competitive and more chill people were boiled off to places further west, over time.
I’m an American and I’ve been all over the US for work. I’m not saying everyone in Boston is a miserable jerk, but I’ve never been treated anywhere the way I’ve been treated in Boston. Cursed at for no reason. Had stuff thrown at my car. Had a guy at a restaurant say he wanted to fight me for reasons I still can’t figure out. There’s a lot of great history in Boston. And it’s a beautiful city. So it makes me sad to say I avoid it like the plague.
I hope next year. Marie can make it to Yorktown Va....Viva France. Rochambeau. Layfette
Yeah that area is actually terrible. It’s the manager who is nuts because it’s whoever that is fault. I did the restaurant grind myself for a while too. I got four tables and that was the limit. Most wait staff get no more than that. I don’t get why they are so rude.
I see Beantown has not changed.
If you don’t like it then don’t visit. Btw nobody calls it beantown
There are more than 330 million people in the US, and some of them are rude. You should meet the cashiers at my local Stop & Shop.
I believe the area you were was Beacon Hill or the Faneuil Hall area with all the cobblestone streets. Sorry about the experience, it is a very touristy area and service is hit or miss. I experience this from time to time and it is usually the fault of the management not training the waitstaff properly to be hospitable. Please enjoy the rest of your time here.
I wouldn't have thought/imagined that Boston (would have) had beaches. Conditionel plus que parfait something like that. Don't think imparfait can be directly translated.
OK could say "I didn't imagine Boston (even) *having* beaches" (stress on having) - that could work!
I lived in Massachusettes for a year and a half while I went to a school in the Navy. I found most people there to be stand-offish. Boston seemed crazy to me.
I'm so sorry they treated you like that. One person having a bad day I could kind of understand, but three in a row is bad, even for Boston.
For what it's worth, I grew up near Boston and have been a server at a number of different restaurants.
I'm so sorry they were like that, but whatever folks say, that's not typical of Boston. We might not be as overtly friendly as southerners, but usually not overtly rude, either (except maybe at certain sports events 😬).
EDIT: just wanted to say your expectations were absolutely reasonable and you're totally right about how easy it is to just give a quick greeting! Wow. And not in a good way.
sorry you experienced that. i’m not a big fan of Boston ….i like Cambridge better …a more chill vibe.
I'm an American and I've lived in 14 states (and four foreign countries) and have visited all but five states. I've not yet had a pleasant experience in Boston. My wife and I are planning a road trip through New England starting in Boston and then through all of New England as this is where the five states I've not visited are (Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont) . This will the last chance as far as I'm concerned for Boston as there are far too many wonderful friendly places to waste time in places that don't welcome people. My wife and I spent our 33rd wedding anniversary in Paris, and we had a much better time in Paris than we've had in Boston. I'm sorry, and embarrassed Ms. FrenchTastic Explorations had an unpleasant experience in the United States, Americans are so much better than that.
I like to ask around regarding restaurants when I visit a new place. Avoid the tourist traps whenever possible. I stay away from the corporate chain restaurants to try to support the "real" locals. They care a little more since they are fighting to stay in business. Hotel staff is usually knowledgeable. Asking them where they go always seems to work well. Bartenders are great sources for local information. 🌹
I spent the first 40 years of my life living in Boston, so it was extra sad that you were treated rudely there. There are so many great restaurants in Boston. I think the only restaurant where I ate in that area was The Union Oyster House, which I enjoyed. You should have given the names of the restaurants that wouldn’t serve you.
When I was a kid, Revere Beach had a big amusement park.
Well that’s strange. If it had just happened in one place I would say that I’m surprised that you spent so much time in the US before it happened. But 3 in a row sounds like something was going on. Maybe they are all just short of help on Saturday.
Anyway, I was relieved because the way you talked about it last week, I thought maybe something really terrible had happened.
Bostonians are not known for being the nicest people all the time. They run very hot and cold. But if you make friends with one, they are going to back you 100%. I think some European countries are like that. Anyway, I wouldn't take too much from one experience. I went to Paris years ago and had one awful, stereotypical bad French waiter experience. But other than that, everyone in the city was very nice to me. I think it helped that I would always ask them if they spoke English in French before speaking and would always say hello and goodbye and thankyou in French.
Bonjour Marie! I'm very sorry that you experienced that, but I'm not all that surprised. The phrase "Midwestern Kindness" was in direct opposition to "East Coast Rudeness." Mostly it's NYC, many places in New Jersey, Boston, and Philadelphia...with Philly generally considered to be the worst of the bunch. I think what you experienced is what can sometimes happen with very old places that seem to only cater to "regulars" and "old timers," and don't care much about "newbies" especially tourists. There's a few places in the very old areas of Detroit that can be like that, and I have experienced it first hand (although when I went with an "old timer" I was treated VERY differently, like an old friend! Too bad that put a damper on your time in Boston, and perhaps your trip in general, but it happens. Growing up, we (Americans) always heard how rude Europeans were to Americans, especially "The French" who didn't want to communicate unless in French, so it happens all over unfortunately. Hope you are doing well! Bonne journee! ~Be Blessed
cob rhymes with knob or slob. cob - bull stone
Ah! Thanks for explaining 😊👍
I have lived in the US, and this really surprises me. If there is one outstanding feature of the US is the level of service, which is probably better than everywhere in the world. And, maybe a French person could be surprised in the US for rude treatment. Probably not in France, or at least Paris, where irudeness can be very present, at least toward foreigners like me.
It would be great if you could publicize in advance what cities you will be visiting, and maybe have a meet & greet over pizza and/or beer with Subscribers who happen to live in the area.
Well, they earned the nicknamed Massholes for a reason. Sorry you experienced that. I didn't have that experience when I visited but I didn't go to that exact place/street either.
I live in the South. Not surprised.
Thought it was worth mentioning that you actually just missed the International Sand Sculpture Festival at Revere Beach by about a month. That usually occurs in July.
As an American, who’s never been to Boston, sounds like I don’t want to ever go there. Just keep trying till you find people that treat you well and want your business.
They’re called Massholes for a reason.
I've lived in the Boston area for the last 17 years and I've hated every second of it. Everyone is a jerkoff. I'm hoping to finally be able to move back to the Midwest next year.
I am so sorry that happened to you! I am not surprised that it happened, but I don't like that it happened. I don't live too far away from Atlanta Georgia and there are a lot of restaurants and people here that act like they do not want your money. It's almost as if their staff is trying to take bets on how many people they can piss off and make leave. Oh and let's not start on the fast food workers and some areas. Some of them act like they're offended that you're trying to be polite to them.
You should feel grateful you got the true Boston experience. They’re A-holes. Come to Pittsburgh. We’re a friendlier lot.
Yeah. No one told you. That part of town is called "Beacon Hill". That's where all the snobby people live. They hate tourists.
I used to live in the Kansas City metro, Independence to be exact. I worked in Lenexa, Kansas.
If you make it to Vermont, go on the the Ben& Jerry's factory tour. Get tickets online.