To answer your first question, no, you cannot call yourself a Staten Islander if you are going into the city to work and rubbing shoulders with a bunch of Brooklynites and Bronxites. That is too much psychological contamination. Now if you lived in Tottenville, or in selected circumstances anywhere south of Bay Terrace, and worked on the island or in Perth Amboy, IMO you could get away with it. Sorry.
Agree with your comments in the 2nd post. When I lived on the south shore, I always had to wait in line for at least an hour to cast my ballot in Presidential elections. I moved to Manhattan for a few years later in life—heavy duty Dem-Lib district. Never had to wait to vote for more than about 30 seconds after I walked into the polling place. Of course, I was probably one of about 3 people in that E.D. who voted Pubbie or Conservative. Funny how that worked in a Dem-run city.
After TBI and LONG recovery, working on Staten Island now :)
Found decent pay and can’t make the trip to Manhattan any more.
Older now AND married so dont miss Manhattan all that much.
I fought DAY and NIGHT at investment banks in the city with ARMIES of liberals.
I can gladly assure you that they changed my opinion not one iota. Must have worked with 30 gay guys and some were very nice guys. Most were nuts. Never changed my stance on the gay marriage nonsense.
Abortion? Forget about it. Surprised I didn’t get fired!!
Some would whisper to me in dark corners that they agreed on certain things and many said they respected that i didn’t back down because i was outnumbered 40 to 1
I lived near the mall till 6. Near wagner high school till 18. Great Kills till 30. 30 to 48 in Grasmere.
NICE neighborhood but only a mile away from where the BAD places start.
Seen them to much when i drove livery for Mid ISland and PDQ.
Lots of Irish in Tottenville, no? :) jk