Posted August 25, 2005

By Kevin Devlin

Some things that people do annoy others. Sure they do. It certainly annoys me to the point that I merely shake my head in disbelief. So, I’d like to share my thoughts and my frustrations with you, and see what you think. I also intend to share the thoughts-the gripes-of others.

     I was driving along Columbia Road last Sunday morning when all of a sudden two joggers came running down the middle of the street. I immediately slowed down and veered my car to the right to avoid hitting them. And then, one of the joggers gave me a dirty look as if it was my fault they were running in the middle of the road. Maybe I’m wrong, but I always thought that roads were for vehicles, while sidewalks, beaches, and tracks were for runners.

     One of my close friends from Dorchester has a serious gripe. He is involved in a variety of youth sports leagues and has considerable interaction with parents and coaches from suburban teams. He receives a multitude of calls from parents asking if it’s safe for their kids to come into the city. After all, there are not any crime or drugs, or any other societal problems in the suburbs, so why should they leave their Ivory Towers and travel into the drug and crime-ridden city. These suburbanites act as if Boston is one big dark, blighted spot on the map.  Enter at your own risk.

     This attitude was recently highlighted when suburban Pop Warner teams pulled out of the city league, because their kids were being intimidated by rap music and being crushed by the powerful city teams. Funny thing, last season Southie played the Dorchester teams at Garvey Park and sure, they demolished our teams. And sure, the rap music was blaring. But intimidating, I don’t think so.

     I don’t like rap music, never will, and I don’t like seeing Southie teams being crushed by Dorchester, or by any other teams either, but nobody from Southie went home intimidated or scared. It’s certainly frustrating, but to be fair, give credit where credit is due, and aspire to be as good as they are. That’s why the phrase was coined, practice makes perfect.

     The ironic and pathetic fact of this entire situation is that many that now hail from Quincy, Norwood, etc,. used to live and were raised in the city. Now that they have moved out they are too good for the city, and feel sorry for their urban neighbors. But, that doesn’t stop the hordes from coming in, enjoying the fresh ocean air and buying hot dogs and hamburgers at Sullivan’s.

     On a final note, and on a related matter, one griper told me that it drives him crazy when he hears the response of many suburbanites when they are asked where they live. Even though they live in Canton, Randolph, etc., my griper says that their answer is that they live in Boston. Go figure.       

(Writer’s Note: People do annoying things that really bother us, all of us. So, what’s your gripe? Send them to SBOL)