Blogger The Poor Man on yuppies and food:
I was a yuppie in a past life, and it has definite advantages. For one, the food is good. It’s absurdly good. Yuppies love good food, and always live near the best restaurants. Fact. Indeed, quality restaurants located in non-yuppie areas are quickly “discovered” by yuppies, and spoken about, in hushed tones, as “this little neighborhood place I found”, which, when you finally arrive, turns out to have a clientele consisting of two Mexicans and fifty billion slumming yuppies. For, like bees, yuppies send out unconscious pheremonal signals to each other which communicate the exact location of all fine eateries in a fifty-mile location, which they then swarm relentlessly, until the place is turned into a wasteland of boutique beer and ‘funky*‘ There is no defense, because nobody can afford to eat out as much as yuppies.
Luckilly, DC is a little more immune to this for a few reasons. First of all, long-time Washingtonians are stubborn. Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Florida Avenue Grill are sure as heck not going to double the prices and start selling Samuel Smith Organic Oatmeal Stout to wash down the half-smokes (now with fresh cilantro!). Secondly, more than many other places, Washingtonians eat and do business at the same time. The choice of overpriced downtown reataurant is part of the elaborate ritual by which allies and enemies are evaluated. Ironing out a deal over legislation is not going to happen if the parties can’t shake hands because they have limited injera-manipulation skills and thus goopy sauce-covered paws.
Does this mean that DC’s great, cheap restaurants are immune from the delerious effects of yuppies? Heck no – they can be demolished to make new condos. for people who want “urban living” without meeting actual urbanites.
One Response
The yuppification of DC is relentless and horrific. Nothing is safe. Stoney’s is being shut down despite doing the best business in its 30 year history, because the landlord wants to build offices there or something. Dr. Dremo’s in Arlington will be shut down soon, too, for similar reasons. Everything will be condos and Starbuckses and Quizno’ses within 10 years, mark my words.