Tips for non-natives visiting Chicago:

[AndyMan 7]

What amuses me most about Chicago is the deep seated insecurity complex.

This is most publicly manifested in the "Second City". This nickname comes from a time where Chicago closely follwed New York in terms of population, but is traditionally used in a much greater context - Chicago's theater is second to New York, its' restaurants, its parks - these are all the second best in the US!

The trouble is... it's not. Chicago theater sucks, there are no permanent shows. Chicago is lucky if they get a touring off-broadway production to stop in for a few weeks. Chicago food sucks. Try finding a good cheese shop, or a butcher, or a good bakery on a corner somewhere. The concept of gourmet ANYTHING is completely foriegn. The local Safeway (called Dominicks) claims to be a "gourmet" store, but sells nothing but national brands like Velveeta.

I'm pretty sure that the people who're proudly claiming Chicago is the best city on earth haven't traveled much. Those that claim that Chicago is "better" then New York haven't been there, nor do I suspect they've been to Seatle, or Portland, or Sacramento, Toronto, or Paris.

The insecurity of Chicagoans is manifested in them firmly believing that it's the best place on earth.

It's not.

_Am

__

You put the fun in "funnel" - craichead.

[Vallerina 2]

Quote

I'm pretty sure that the people who're proudly claiming Chicago is the best city on earth haven't traveled much.

Hey...I've traveled a bit.

It's a great "all around" city. You won't find the best food (for me, that was Boston), scenery, theatre (although, the ballets here are some of the best I've ever seen..but I've never been to Russia.), etc. But, you won't find too many places that rank pretty high in all aspects.

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[wildblue 7]

I thought they called it "The Second City" because it's the second city to be there (the first being destroyed by fire)

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[mjosparky 4]

Now one in there right mind would visit Chicago, so"Whocares" about you tips.

My idea of a fair fight is clubbing baby seals

[WFFC 1]

If you're shopping at Dominicks and looking for gourmet, you're comparing that to finding good sushi at the Billy Goat Tavern. I've been to all (and more) of the places you mention. Chicago has a flavor all its' own that none of the rest have. Well, they each have their own. I'll take Denver or small collection of mountain towns in Colorado as home though...
Mar, I'm coming back home...

[whocares 0]

The trouble is... it's not. Chicago theater sucks, there are no permanent shows. Chicago is lucky if they get a touring off-broadway production to stop in for a few weeks. Chicago food sucks. Try finding a good cheese shop, or a butcher, or a good bakery on a corner somewhere. The concept of gourmet ANYTHING is completely foriegn. The local Safeway (called Dominicks) claims to be a "gourmet" store, but sells nothing but national brands like Velveeta. ***

Well why dont you do something about this and stop bitching?

[WFFC 1]

Quote

Well why dont you do something about this and stop bitching?

It's easier to bitch...btw, your reply quoted me, not A.M.

[Vallerina 2]

Quote

I thought they called it "The Second City" because it's the second city to be there (the first being destroyed by fire)

Oh! And ding ding ding! We have a winner! I know what you won!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[wildblue 7]

http://www.dropzone.com/cgi-bin/forum/gforum.cgi?do=markup_help;

it's like incest - you're substituting convenience for quality

[whocares 0]

SORRY

[WFFC 1]

Quote

Oh! And ding ding ding! We have a winner! I know what you won!

Unless it's sexual favors and you were just looking for any answer, not exactly... The nickname "Second City" refers to Chicago's population: it is the second largest city in the U.S.

The name was made famous through a 1951 article in The New Yorker by A.J. Liebling, a long time writer. The article was titled "Chicago, the Second City."

[Vallerina 2]

Quote

Quote

Oh! And ding ding ding! We have a winner! I know what you won!

Unless it's sexual favors and you were just looking for any answer, not exactly... The nickname "Second City" refers to Chicago's population: it is the second largest city in the U.S.

That's the most popular theory, but there are others (some which make "more sense.") Another theory behind the nickname is that we were always second in architecture to New York.

Also, the nickname has been around longer than 50 years (you could ask my grandpa!)

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[WFFC 1]

Quote

Also, the nickname has been around longer than 50 years (you could ask my grandpa!)

Went to visit G'ma over labor day weekend. She's 93, sharp as a tack still. Just doesn't move as quick. She, like your G'pa, are just history books waiting to be opened. Conversations are always fun with her.

Any answers to the Windy City nickname history?

[Vallerina 2]

Quote

Any answers to the Windy City nickname history?

Not do to the wind...it originated from people here talking too much!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[WFFC 1]

Quote

Not do to the wind...it originated from people here talking too much!

Not just the people, the politicians.
The term "Windy City" comes from an article from the New York Sun, a New York City newspaper. During the competition to host the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition, Chicago's promoters loudly proclaimed Chicago's merits, boasting that it was the best city to hold the fair. The editor for the Sun, Charles A. Dana, wrote about the "claims of that windy city."

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Quote

And don't ever expect to understand a word the traffic reporter says because you can't. There are no breaks, pauses, or clearification of WTF they are talking about. Just know that if you are on the road you will get into a traffic jam and there is no alternate route so don't bother. But they do have spiffy helicopters that hover over.

I guess since I used to do the traffic report, I can understand every word they say!

Oh, and how do you know there is bad traffic ahead? One helicopter over head! Three helicopters mean get ready to put the car into Park.

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[ryoder 1,590]

I lived in the NW burbs until 1996, and for the life of me, I can't understand these references to high-speed traffic. My recollections of Chicago-area "express"-ways is that they always fit into one of three descriptions:

a) Clogged with bumper-to-bumper traffic.
b) Clogged with toll booths every two miles.
c) Both.

It was so bad trying to get to and from SDC, that I had to work out a route to AVOID all so-called "express"-ways, just so it didn't take three hours to get home.

And the last time I took the Dan Ryan, I recall averaging about 40 m/h.

I always tell everyone considering visiting Chicago that the best way to see it is in your rear-view mirror. I last enjoyed that view when I was moving to Denver in 1996. I haven't been back since.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[Vallerina 2]

Yup! We just learned that on the boat tour a few weeks ago (although, I had heard it a few years ago as well.) They also talked about the origins of the nickname "Second City." We also learned how Lincoln became president!

One more tip...please don't call it "Chi Town" while in Chicago!

There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning

[ChasingBlueSky 0]

Quote

Quote

Quote

Oh! And ding ding ding! We have a winner! I know what you won!

Unless it's sexual favors and you were just looking for any answer, not exactly... The nickname "Second City" refers to Chicago's population: it is the second largest city in the U.S.

That's the most popular theory, but there are others (some which make "more sense.") Another theory behind the nickname is that we were always second in architecture to New York.

Also, the nickname has been around longer than 50 years (you could ask my grandpa!)

Chicago was the birthplace of the skyscraper. After the Chicago fire, the city invited anyone in to invent new ways to avoid such a tragedy again. Thus, the rest of the world was second to us.

As for the Chicago "insecurity" because we haven't traveled....*sigh* well, believe that if you want, but there are plenty of us that have seen a good portion of this country and others....I've yet to find another place worthy of calling home. Want good food in this town? You have to pay for it, just like anywhere else. Want good shops - don't go to the chains, hit the smaller boutique shops that carry the high end stuff. There are at least 3 corner bakery's in my area, and one of them has a line over an hour long every sunday morning. We have a theatre district, and we have plenty of smaller stages with great productions year round on the North side. Ever been to the Goodman - or the backstage at the Goodman? Been to the new LookingGlass yet? I'm not really upset we don't have the bland and boring Cats or Lion King taking up the same stage for 20 years in this town, NY can keep that junk. It sounds more like you are refering to the suburbs, not Chicago. The "burbs" are not Chicago, and usually are just a photocopy of the one next door with all the current chain stores (check out Rand Road in St Charles for example).

Traffic can be bad here sometimes - but my drive downtown to work is 17 miles one way. I make it there in 30 minutes during rush hour, even on the expressways. The traffic is so bad on the Kennedy because of everyone heading back to the NW burbs. Life is good on the South Side!

_________________________________________
you can burn the land and boil the sea, but you can't take the sky from me....
I WILL fly again.....

[Snowwhite 0]

* You know what the phone number is to Empire Carpet. (588-2300 E M P I R E!!)

[FallingILweenie 0]

How bout the victory auto wreckers commercial??? or the one with eagle man?


also, comiskey, US Cellular my question is...

..there's baseball on the south side????

[whocares 0]

GO CUBS

[craichead 0]

Quote

What amuses me most about Chicago is the deep seated insecurity complex.

I think it's just that you Canadians have a superiority complex.

I've always loved Chicago, and I've visited several other big cities in the US and around the world. Chicago has tons to offer in all areas (food, arts, culture, etc), but you have to seek it out. I would think that it's just like any other big city--if you go somewhere as a tourist, you're only going to see the touristy things. If you go there as a tourist and you get a Chicagoan to show you around, you'll get to see "Wild Chicago."

I am not a native Chicagoan, but I've adopted it as my home having lived in the city and the greater Chicagoland area for 8 years. Having grown up in Knoxville, TN, just visiting any big city makes me happy! But yeah, like other people have said, it's difficult to find a big city that you could call home, and I'm proud to call it my home even though it isn't the "best place on earth" (the best city I've ever been to is London).

That said, though...I'd really like to give living in Toronto a shot. So, AndyMan, when are we moving?

(On a side note...it seems to me that native Chicagoans NEVER leave. They may have traveled extensively, but they always come back here. There has to be a reason for that, don't cha think?)

-P

__
"Scared of love, love and aeroplanes...falling out, I said takes no brains." -- Andy Partridge (XTC)

[whocares 0]

Chicago is one of the easiest cities to get around, everything is North South East West.... No big ass rats like NY City. Much cleaner too.

[smooth 0]

Quote

On a side note...it seems to me that native Chicagoans NEVER leave. They may have traveled extensively, but they always come back here. There has to be a reason for that, don't cha think?)

There seems to be a lot of truth to that!!! I know quite a few people that have left (military, marriage, job, etc) and returned later, for whatever reason.

For me an ideal would be to have a summer home and a winter home - Chicago in the summer and somewhere warm in the winter.

Another thing I like about this town - the number of free events each year: concerts, "festivals, outdoor movies, etc.

Chicago - Hey, that's my home town!!