“I wish we were more like…”

I often hear about the inferiority complex that we have here in Dayton.  Of all the places I’ve lived in, Dayton’s complex is certainly one of the most noticable – but I’ve never lived in or been to a city that DID NOT have an inferiority complex.  I suppose it is human nature to think that the grass is always greener on the other side.  Here are some cities I’ve lived in and their inferiority complexes:

In Columbus, OH, they said:

• Columbus is not as cosmopolitan as Chicago
• Columbus does not have the cool urban feel that Cleveland has
• Columbus does not have professional sports like Cleveland or Cinci has
• Columbus has a big brain-drain problem
• Columbus = Cow Town
• Downtown Columbus is struggling (been to City Center Mall lately?)
• Public schools suck
• And they hate the fact that whenever mentioned on the national stage, they are always called Columbus, Ohio as opposed to just Columbus (and some have suggested they change their name)

In St. Petersburg, FL, they said:

• St. Petersburg is not as cosmopolitan as Tampa
• St. Petersburg is a backwards and unprogressive town
• Downtown St. Petersburg is a ghosttown after 5pm (except for the homeless and winos)
• St. Petersburg has too many racial issues (they did have riots there in ’96)
• St. Petersburg is not as big-city as Tampa
• Downtown St. Petersburg is struggling
• Public schools suck
• St. Petersburg is stuck in Tampa’s shadow
• St. Petersburg does not have much high-end shopping and dining
• And oh do they hate the fact that the phrase "Tampa Bay Area" has the word Tampa in it

In Tampa, FL, they said:

• Tampa is not as cosmopolitan as Miami
• Downtown Tampa is empty after 5pm
• Tampa has too many racial issues
• Tampa’s nightclubs are not as cool as Miami’s
• Tampa has no beach like Miami (where is St. Petersburg?)
• Tampa’s residents are more likely to root for the visiting team (for a long time this was very true with the Bucs until they started winning in the late 90’s)
• Downtown Tampa is dead (except The Hub – "ah memories!")
• Public schools suck
• Oh, and did I mention Miami?

In Chicago, IL, they said:

• Chicago is not as cosmopolitan as New York
• Chicago’s restaurants are not as top-tier as New York’s
• Chicago’s theater scene is not as big as New York’s
• Chicago’s sports teams are…well, Chicagoans love their sports teams  (and hate New York)
• Chicago isn’t as big as New York
• Chicago winters suck, rather be in Los Angeles (or Miami)
• Public schools suck
• Chicago is the Second City (second to New York)

The point is, EVERY city has an inferiority complex.  The flip-side is that most of these cities I’ve mentioned also have a good deal of city pride (especially Chicago).  We could use a little more of that here in Dayton.

It is easy to think negatively about our city when you consider that the local news media seemingly does nothing but cover negative news (same goes for all cities).  It is also easy to think that things must be so much better elsewhere – that is, until you actually live elsewhere.  No place is perfect, and each has different pros and cons.  So next time you are down on Dayton, consider the inferiority complex of each of these other cities that I mentioned (and the hundreds of others that I didn’t).  While you’re here, try doing something to help promote the city rather than complain about it.  If you simply take the time to look, you will see that there is so much more to this city than most people know.  And if you go the extra step and actually get involved, you will be hooked – like me.

Every place is what you make of it.