Where do you live?
My coworkers and I were discussing this the other day. People ask where I live and I say Alexandria, VA. "Oh? Where's that?" It's near Washington, DC. "You live in Washington, DC!" Er... no.
This happens to a lot of people. I know everyone in the state of New York gets this. You say you live in New York and people assume that you live in New York City. Nevermind that there is a whole state with that name too. If you live in Massachusetts, you must be near Boston. Nevada means you're just a few minutes from Las Vegas. It just seems that most people assume that if you are "near" a major city you must live there. I could say I live in a suburb of DC, but I have a feeling that would just get me odd looks. I don't think people outside Virginia or Maryland realize DC actually has suburbs.
After complaining about this phenomenon, one of my coworkers was talking about how his sister was coming down from Maryland to stay with him that weekend. One of the people passing our desks popped their head over the wall.
"Maryland. She lives in Baltimore, right?"
Not even close. I admit it, though. I laughed.
This happens to a lot of people. I know everyone in the state of New York gets this. You say you live in New York and people assume that you live in New York City. Nevermind that there is a whole state with that name too. If you live in Massachusetts, you must be near Boston. Nevada means you're just a few minutes from Las Vegas. It just seems that most people assume that if you are "near" a major city you must live there. I could say I live in a suburb of DC, but I have a feeling that would just get me odd looks. I don't think people outside Virginia or Maryland realize DC actually has suburbs.
After complaining about this phenomenon, one of my coworkers was talking about how his sister was coming down from Maryland to stay with him that weekend. One of the people passing our desks popped their head over the wall.
"Maryland. She lives in Baltimore, right?"
Not even close. I admit it, though. I laughed.