Two months after No. 3 rank among ‘Favorite’ cities, Providence No. 13 among ‘Rudest’

TWO MONTHS AFTER PLACING No. 3 on Travel + Leisure's list of "America's Favorite Cities," Providence was hit with a No. 13 rank in the travel magazine's "America's Rudest Cities" list.  / PBN FILE PHOTO
TWO MONTHS AFTER PLACING No. 3 on Travel + Leisure's list of "America's Favorite Cities," Providence was hit with a No. 13 rank in the travel magazine's "America's Rudest Cities" list. / PBN FILE PHOTO

PROVIDENCE – Of all the Travel + Leisure lists to show up on, this is not the best. Providence was rated No. 13 on the travel magazine’s list of America’s Rudest Cities. But at least it wasn’t Boston, which came in at No. 7 in this most recent release based on T&L’s America’s Favorite Places reader survey.
In describing Providence’s ranking, the magazine did not paint a picture of a city you wouldn’t want to visit.

    “In keeping with stereotypes, this New England city has historically struck readers as “bookishly aloof.” But don’t pass through too quickly: The city scored highly for its attractive architecture and has no shortage of unique attractions. During the summer, you can see the WaterFire bonfire installation, and at any time of year, you can grab a drink in the cooler-than-thou cocktail bar at The Dean Hotel.”

Of course, this ranking is only two years removed from being named No. 1 in Travel + Leisure’s “America’s Favorite Cities” list, or No. 3 on the same list a year ago, so it is difficult to believe that Providence’s underlying strengths have deteriorated so quickly.

In fact, rude may not be the perfect way to describe what visitors who took part in the survey believe is the case. Take this from the description of Boston: “You won’t have any trouble striking up a conversation with brainy locals, or getting friendly assistance from a BID Ambassador. You can find them in orange shirts watering plants, picking up litter, and helping visitors all across Beantown.” It seems that Boston’s ranking was based mostly on the behavior of some of the nation’s most aggressive sports fans, if not much else.
Miami, judged to be the rudest of American cities with more than 100,000 residents, was taken to task for being too glitzy, with too much opulence turning off travelers, not to mention “a pretty high snob score” and the near constant heat.
One respondent to the survey said that it makes all the difference if a traveler makes a little effort: “As a tourist, I say ‘Hi’ first, and a big smile goes a long way. You get back what you give.”
For those looking to experience a more welcoming travel experience, San Antonio topped the list of America’s Friendliest Cities. Both lists were derived from the favorite places survey taken between Oct. 8, 2015 and April 15, 2016.

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