Reasons why I DON'T like Lakewood

A Heimishe Mom: First you wrote “The big catch? The in-your-face attitude. Simpler lifestyle? sure. But EVERYTHING you do is noted, and held against you. I couldn’t deal with the accountability. My housing and tuition cost way more (though my taxes are lower), but I wouldn’t trade my low-key mixed yeshiva community for that.” I totally agree. I’m not saying that flatbush/boro park/kensington (areas near my home) is not like that at all, but the people here are much more accepting of different types.

Then you wrote: “The trick is to B) to choose a school that is right for YOU and your families hashkafah. Not every child belong in the Cheder or Bais Faiga. C) choose a neighborhood with others like you. I can say that I DO know such people who have settled and are very happy in Lakewood.” You’re right here too. But even though there is more of a positive tone in this response, its still comng from the same issue of not being able to fit in. Yes, here in NY and anywhere else for that matter, you have to find a place that is your ‘type’. But overall, in order for one to be accepted by the community in lakewood, you have to belong to their yeshivos. And in order to go to those yeshivos/BY you have to change your whole lifestyle. I like to think of myself as yeshivish, but i am accepting of all types and i would not fit in lakewood if i’d walk with people who wear, a baggier/longer denim skirt. Not sure if that was a great example, but its the point that i’m trying ot bring out.

Health: The word “burden” unquestionably has a negative connotation, even if you intend to use it neutrally. Dictionary definitions don’t prove anything. YOU are guilty of bad word choice. Quit picking on BaalHabooze.

It is closer. On a regular night it usually takes me around an hour flat or less. Not speeding, 1:05 – 1:10.

Boro Park, even in the worst traffic is less than a 15 minute walk 🙂

I am a big fan of traveling less whenever possible.

OneOfMany -One Of Many what? Do you have MPD?

“Read up on connotation vs. denotation. After that, we can talk.”

I did and this is irrevelant. A connotation is something that the author means but it isn’t an exact definition of the word. While a denotation is one of the definitions. An example that I saw is -“He is a snake”. Obviously the author can’t mean it as one the definitions of snake because a snake isn’t a human. So the author is using “snake” to mean a “sneaky” or something similar -type of person. Here – a negative connotation of “burden” is part of the denotation/definition and still he should have been Dan me L’caf Zecus that I was using a different meaning. But you come along and state that it isn’t even a definition, but a connotation of the author. So now you are a mind reader -you know what I meant when I wrote “burden”! What Chutzpah!

“And that YOU in fact did exactly such when you posted your opinion on this thread. So I guess there’s wrongdoing all around, then…”

To defend yourself -you try turning the tables. Sorry, this doesn’t work with me. When s/o starts a topic the implication is that people will comment and/or argue. As a matter of fact, my first post was in agreement with him. But then a side issue came up between me and him. And you saw an opportunity to create even more Machlokes and you seized this opportunity. Why would you do this?

So you guess wrong -there isn’t wrongdoing all around -just by a few! I hope I have given you some food for thought! And this last sentence btw is probably a connotation.

Health – stop. She does not mean any chutzpah and you have to stop taking things so personally. People come here to speak their mind, if you can’t allow that, then maybe you should take a break. You already got blocked once, I suggest you think about why that happened.

OneOfMany – Health has obviously not been feeling his best lately, and I don’t think he means to be a jerk. Please don’t be offended, and try to refrain from getting defensive. Last time that happened it all went downhill.