Jonathan Wier: Yes, Boston Traffic Sucks. That’s How We Like It
As a Bostonian, I spend an average of four days a year stuck in traffic, according to a recent study by INRIX, a global transportation analytics company. This places our city among the top five in the United States for the longest traffic delays, making our daily commutes a grueling ordeal. But here’s the thing: I think we secretly like it.
The Hard Mode of City Living
Living in Boston is like switching from easy mode to Ultra Mega Hard mode in a video game. The streets don’t make any sense, everybody’s yelling at me all the time, and there are even birds in my yard trying to kill me every morning. It’s insane, but there’s a certain earned toughness to living here.
Having moved here from the Midwest, I often compare the two experiences. In the Midwest, life felt like easy mode. Coming to Boston is like cranking up the difficulty setting and embracing the chaos. There’s a feeling that things should be hard. If you don’t like the challenges, you should leave. That’s the Boston way.
The Puritanical Work Ethic and Newcomers
Why do we like it hard? I think it boils down to two main factors. First, there’s the puritanical work ethic embedded in Boston’s culture. Founded by the Puritans, this city has a deep-rooted belief that life is supposed to be hard. You’re not supposed to enjoy it; you have to suffer and earn your way. It’s in our DNA.
Second, we always have new people coming to town, especially college students. It’s fun to watch newcomers get upset by the traffic and other challenges. It’s almost a rite of passage that builds character and separates those who can handle the city’s intensity from those who can’t.
Conclusion
So, yes, Boston traffic sucks. But that’s how we like it. It’s a testament to our resilience and toughness. It’s part of what makes us Bostonians. We don’t want it to be easy. We want to earn our way and prove that we can handle whatever the city throws at us. That’s the Boston spirit, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
