LAist: Travel + Leisure to LA: "You're Dumb, Ugly & Rude but You've Got Nice Shops"

rdm24

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:14:13 -0800

I am going to respectfully and STRONGLY disagree about natural history museums. The NHM (in LA) looks like it hasn't been updated in 30 years, whereas AMNH (in NYC) has cutting-edge displays that get updated all the time. I love the Hall of Vertebrate Origins--I've seen no other museum do as good a job at describing evolution for audiences of so many backgrounds. But at least LA has tarpits!

rdm24

Mon, 12 Nov 2007 11:06:15 -0800

On some points, they were very unfair. But on others, very very fair. We are very pedestrian-unfriendly. But compared to Vegas we roll out the red carpet. We are one of the most water and energy efficient cities in the country (but still we need to steal water from our neighbors!). Rudenss? I think people here are friendly. Flakey, yes. Racist, often. But friendly. The shopping? It blows. It's paradise if you like walmart or best buy. But if you want an independent store, you have to hunt in certain neighborhoods to find them. Our cultural ratings? Our museums are WAY overrated. Tiny San Francisco has far more world-class institutions, while ours can only boast about the views they offer. Angelenos should be upset about this ranking, but they shouldn't be disputing it. The pizza is piss-poor here. But giving it it's own category is clearly stacking the deck to NYC. Let's see how the rankings change when we consider the burrito! And let's be honest: People are dumb here. Notwithstanding the several excellent universities in and around the city, most people are unread and incurious about the world.

johnny

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:42:37 -0800

Samkin said: "just look at the NYTimes Arts and Leisure and compare it with LA Times Calendar section for events. We are lacking so much :(. It's improved over the years but I'm still envious when I read through the paper." I beg to differ, at least with the "so much" part. I can't believe you've actually looked at the calendar of the LA times. There really is a lot going on here. I was in New York 2 months back, and while there was ultimately a bit more there, it wasn't significantly more than LA.

johnny

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 18:38:21 -0800

It would be nice to see LA do better on these gimmicky city ratings. This current one snubs LA pretty much down the line. Seriously, we should have gotten a higher rating on EVERY SINGLE ENTRY there. Including ethnic food. Including intelligence. Including culture, theater, classical music, architecture, and yes even public transportation. Ok not much higher there, but we do beat out places like Houston for that. Come on people. Lets face it, this article is no more than a measure of LA stereotypes which are alive and well. Everyone reading this who knows their way around here can say that we are better than what we are rated at, and that is what matters. And the flip side to constant negative stereotypes is that there is a certain allure to living in an underrated city, a well kept secret of sorts.

starsonesp

Wed, 07 Nov 2007 08:19:58 -0800

Well, I'd say they hit Boston pretty accurately. #13 in Live Music? #24 in Barbecue and Weather? #17 in Diverse? Sounds about right to me.

laist reader

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:59:45 -0800

samkim- i agree on all points as far as arts but i stand by my ethnic foods claim for LA and i grew up in NY and spent 7 yrs after college in SF. NY is great for fine dining but LA takes the cake for ethnic. there's quite a bit here and i think SF got in the top 3 which leaves a question mark on top of my head. SF is quite limited when it comes to ethnic.

thunderboltfan

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 19:10:59 -0800

CM, I thought "intelligence" in the poll referred to the general perception that visitors had about residents they encountered while visiting, not universities. Maybe we need to get some lecture schedules to the hotel concierges.

johnnyrokkit

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:21:55 -0800

I'm an LA native, and 90% of the people I know that are FROM LA are kind, compassionate and intelligent. IMHO, the people that are giving LA a bad name are the transplants that assume the LA stereotypes. Maybe we don't deserve to be in the top 10 in every category (yet), but we are certainly a far cry better than this survey suggests.

samkim

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:49:58 -0800

although I'm an avid lover of LA and everything in it (born and raised, still living here) I'm going to have to say NYC trumps LA in the food/arts/music (at least classical/jazz) scene. And they have Juilliard/Manhattan/Mannes/New School. Broadway, the Met, Carnegie Hall/Deli, Central Park. I must say though that our Natural History museum kicks theirs ass (they charge on every single freakin exhibit!). And for underground art/contemporary art i think los angeles is more friendly. just look at the NYTimes Arts and Leisure and compare it with LA Times Calendar section for events. We are lacking so much :(. It's improved over the years but I'm still envious when I read through the paper.

samkim

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:49:52 -0800

neckbeard

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:32:27 -0800

i've never quite understood the (lack of) intelligence cliche about LA. as somebody who grew up there and lives in NYC right now, i have to say, new york is full of some pretty stupid people. people forget that LA has the number 2 best public school in the country (UCLA) one of the best private schools (USC - ranked higher than NYU on almost everything) and the hardest school in the country to get into (Cal Tech). also ethnic food. really? who voted on this thing?

Carrie Meathrell

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 16:32:25 -0800

WHOA WHOA WHOA, thunderboltfan "this ain't New York" when it comes to intelligence? I mean, there's a lot of dumb bunnies in LA to be sure, but isn't NYC the model-capital of the world? And also HELLO HIPSTERS??? Does the Misshapes culture really represent intellectual superiority?? Also, do you really think NYU and Columbia can compete overall with the amazing number of universities and colleges in the LA area? I would say the combo of UCLA, USC, Cal Tech, Harvey Mudd & the other Scripps schools pretty much dominate NY's schools. Don't underestimate the intellectual life of this city.

Dominic Trepani

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:46:19 -0800

I agree with thunder's comments on being able to improve LA. LA is definitely a growing city, and there is alot of significant growth that will continue over the decades. The cityscape of LA is growing significantly. I remember looking west on Pico Boulevard a couple years ago and seeing the open sky. Now on the horizon, Century City is looking like its own downtown.

thunderboltfan

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:32:38 -0800

Hmm, I agree with the "ethnic" food lover's claim; there's a lot of good non-whitey eatin' here. But I also agree with T+L on some of the other points. Overall cityscape doesn't apply because LA is so sprawled out. Some areas are beautiful, others aren't so. Intelligence, agreed: this ain't New York. (At least we're prettier.) Friendliness, depends where you are and if you're in a car or not. Public transportation, agreed, unless you're lucky enough to conveniently use the subway. It's not a stretch to acknowledge that some of the criticism is well founded and to say we could all benefit here from raising our standards. But that takes things like getting involved locally with civic issues and voting in meaningful numbers for change. And when it's a choice between that and going to a gym or a day spa or shopping or the beach or hiking or just plain decompressing from enduring horrendous traffic, for a lot of people guess what wins out? At least we've got the boutiques.

Dominic Trepani

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:05:59 -0800

That magazine is garbage! How the hell does LA get a 10 for ethnic???? I wouldn't understand it in terms of eateries or people. But I guess this will be the long-lasting view of LA from outsiders.

acidmnky

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:04:22 -0800

Hey everyone, let's move to hmmmmm, oh I know, Orlando. What is pedestrian friendliness??? This means people that think we're not friendly really don't have thick skin...because, all you have to do is ask! Otherwise people keep to themselves. Or don't speak English. I guess readers are envious much??? THAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANKs.

laist reader

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 14:12:10 -0800

i read this too and was a bit saddened. we didn't even get best ethnic food and i truly think we trump many cities for ethnic food. i think all the readers who voted must be from san francisco. you know how much norcal folks LOVE LA!

ishXdavid

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 13:07:46 -0800

GREAT! We don't need any more transplants.

fredcamino

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:44:23 -0800

Worst Feature Ease of getting around/public transportation But people LOVE driving!

hollywoodenflames

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 12:34:44 -0800

i think the readers of travel and leisure don't know shit.

samkim

Tue, 06 Nov 2007 11:12:46 -0800

we beat out all those east coast cities for least friendly? really? santa monica continually ranks on the top of environmental/sustainability rankings so it can't be that bad anyways, theres a reason they subscribe to travel and leisure...they don't get out much and have to read about it from a magazine, what do they know?