Providence debuts as one of nation’s most mannerly cities

Providence is once again ranked among the top ten cities nationwide – this time making the list as one of America’s most mannerly cities. Providence, debuting on the list at number six and New York City – which is tied for number one with Charleston, South Carolina – are the only cities in the northeast to be named.


The list is compiled annually by Marjabelle Young Stewart, etiquette expert and author of Common Sense Etiquette and other books dealing with etiquette. Stewart compiles her list from recommendations, many of which come from executives and others who have taken her courses in the United States and abroad. This is the 25th year that Stewart has published her list of the nation’s most mannerly cities and the first year that Providence has been included.


Mayor Vincent A. Cianci, Jr. said “This is yet another well-deserved accolade for our capital city and one that we are most pleased to embrace. This designation, directly reflecting upon the courtesy of our residents, is an honor to be shared by all. It also signifies that the good manners, friendliness, and politeness of those in our tourism and hospitality industries – and all serving the general public – are greatly appreciated by our increasing numbers of tourists and visitors. We naturally extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to Ms. Stewart for the recognition given to Providence.”


The rankings are:


  1. New York City and Charleston, S.C. (tied)
  2. Milwaukee, Wis.
  3. The Quad Cities of Bettendorf and Davenport, Iowa and Moline and Rock Island, Ill.
  4. Chicago
  5. Portland, Ore.
  6. Providence
  7. Omaha, Neb. and Council Bluffs, Iowa (tied)
  8. Orlando and Miami, Fla. (tied)
  9. San Francisco and San Diego (tied)
  10. Seattle




Mayor Cianci noted that over the past several years, the City has been named one of the nation’s Most Enlightened Cities by the Utne Reader, as the Best Place to Live for Artists by Swing, as one of the country’s five renaissance cities by USA Today, as one of the ten Best Lesbian Places to Live in Girlfriends (for two consecutive years, as home to one of the nation’s ten best zoos by Travel and Leisure, and honored by many worthy organizations such as the National Trust’s National Preservation Conference which awarded Providence the National Preservation Honor Award for the historic preservation of Roger Williams Park.


Additionally, Providence has been recognized by Money magazine for two consecutive years. In its December issue last year Money recognized Providence as the best city in the East and “one of the country’s best places to live for young urban professionals.” In its December 2001 issue Money paid tribute to New York City and named Providence number two on its “If you must live somewhere other than New York” list.

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