Friday Funny: Boston Plays at Being a Big City

Where would our weekly look at the humorous side of planning be without The Onion? Earlier this month, the newspaper set their satirical gaze on quaint Boston's daily "role-playing adventure" as a major American metropolis.

1 minute read

March 29, 2013, 2:00 PM PDT

By Jonathan Nettler @nettsj


"Boston residents once again hustled and bustled their way into the nation’s hearts this week as they continued playing their adorable little game of 'Big City,' a live-action role-playing adventure in which Bostonians buzz about their daily routines in a delightful hubbub of excitement as if they lived in a major American metropolis."

"Inhabitants of real cities across the nation smiled in affectionate amusement as Bostonians put on their big-city clothes, swiped their Charlie cards for a ride on one of the MBTA’s trolley-like subway cars—charmingly called the 'T'—and rushed downtown for 'important' business meetings at the John Hancock Building, the South Boston Innovation District, and other pretend centers of global industry and commerce."

“'You have to admit, seeing them scurrying around in the morning for their big day in the city—it’s pretty cute,' New York resident Michael Goodman said as the Bay State busybodies emulated life in a large epicenter of American culture and politics. 'When they look down at their watches and start hurrying down the street like they’re headed to some of sort of huge, important meeting, it’s hard not to smile. I mean, they look like they really think they are doing something significant.'”

Wednesday, March 6, 2013 in The Onion

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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