[Undercover Indie Hipster] In Park Slope

This is an ongoing series in which we attempt to bring you lots 'o different perspectives on what its like to *actually* live in Park Slope...from readers just like you (or not--that's the whole point).

This week: meet a cashmere sweater wearin, Diet Coke swillin, former Manhattanhite undercover hipster.

"C'mon Slopers...we know we're out there. We're the relative newcomers to the neighborhood, having transported ourselves from Manhattan to seek some quiet and sanity and to be a bit hip, but we are also silently happy to not have to forgo such Manhattan-style conveniences as delivery from Blue Ribbon Sushi and weekly manicures at Seven Nails. I'm one of the ones the oldies love to hate - I have blonde hair, wear Burberry raincoats and work out every day at Slope Health and Fitness (because it's like Equinox but for normal people). I get a muffin every morning from Jose at Conneticut Muffin and gallons of Diet Coke at Met Supermarket on 7th Ave. I know that the cashews taste better from Union Market than the Bodega on Carroll Street.

But there is something that I need to admit to my community on behalf of people like me. I wasn't always like that, and deep down inside, beneath the cashmere, there's a slightly indie, slightly hippie, very laid back person tying to get out. And only Park Slope has managed to capture that part of me, more than anywhere else I have ever lived (and for the record, that's 4 countries and as many continents). I like the fact that there are lesbians checking me out in the changing room at the gym, and that I can have a real, thoughtful conversation with the teller at Community Bookstore, or that my neighbor sits outside on his porch in the summer, pretending to read his paper when I know he's only ogling the 25 year old who lives below. It's the familiarity and family that means "home". It's that I can see people I actually know here.

But even more, the authentic Slopers are those that intrigue me the most. These are the old dudes who actually sit on their doorstoop and listen to the radio in the afternoon and describe the comings and goings of everyone. It's like it's 1956 again and nothing has changed. I can tell those guys a mile away - and they don't care at all. It's all these things that make me realize I could never, ever leave Park Slope. Despite the annyong kids on the corner, and that the post office on 7th and 3rd makes me feel like I'm in prison. Yep, it's my home. Thank you for sharing your hood with me. I promise to keep my yuppiness to myself and let my inner park sloper shine."

Wanna tell us what its like for YOU to live in Park Slope? Email us.

Comments

[Anonymous]

FIPS, this is awful. Stop posting so much.

Benjamin's posts are great, everything else is so-so, getting worse.

[Benjamin]

Thanks mom, but I told you to stay out of my room.

[Anonymous]

I effing hate bearded hipsters. I was so happy when the hippies on the last season of The Amazing Race were quickly eliminated. Get an effing haircut and a job, hippie!