Local traditions and culture in Philadelphia

Philadelphia has a vital glbtq community, and played a significant role in the national struggle for rights and recognition in the late 20th century. Appropriately, the city claims to have the first official historical marker in the USA commemorating an important landmark in glbtq history. And it's right in front of Independence Hall: not at all an out-of-the-way or obscure location!

Gay Rights Demonstrations
July 4 1965-1969

Annual public demonstrations for gay and lesbian equality were held at Independence Hall. These peaceful protests and New York's Stonewall riots in 1969 and Pride Parade in 1970 transformed a small national campaign into a civil rights movement.

Hi!

Okay, Your Port of Entry to the US will be Philadelphia and you will definitely have to go through customs and immigration. YES - you will have to claim your luggage there and check your luggage back to your doemstic flight to New Hampshire. 2 hours might be cutting it a bit too close so I would recommend at least 3 hours, so you won't be rushing and worrying about checking in your luggage and all that.

Hope this info helps! Philadelphia, Newark, JFK and La Guardia are most of the airports I use.

regards,

gd

Narrow, 18th-century streets have resulted in a 21st-century challenge: parking.

Your best option for the Historic District and Center City -- especially if you plan to park once and walk or take public transit -- is to use a garage.

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PHONE: 215/683-9600, www.philapark.org) operates several garages in key locations, including 5th and Market streets (near Independence Mall), and offers some of the city's most competitive rates.

Additional operators include Central Parking System (PHONE: 215/564-4242) and Parkway Corporation (PHONE: 215/569-8400, www.parkwaycorp.com). Also, hotel packages offered through Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corp. (www.gophila.com) often include parking.

If you plan to move your car over the course of a day, or if you enjoy the thrill of the hunt, try for on-street parking. Meters and restrictions in many-but not all-parts of Center City are Monday through Saturday only.

Meters typically cost $1/hour, payable in change, or by using a Smart Card. Available in $20 denominations, Smart Cards are sold through the Parking Authority Web site, or by calling 215/222-9100.

While most meters restrict parking to two hours, there are longer-term (at least four hours) metered spaces in the Historic District on Front Street, between Market and Dock Streets, and on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 20th and 26th streets.

Let the street parker beware: meter attendants track spaces regularly during posted hours. Never leave your car unattended in a no-parking or tow away zone.

Restaurants
Bartender - 10-15% of bar bill
Headwaiter/Maitre d' - nothing unless special services are provided; in that case, about $5 (more for exceptional services)
Waiter/Waitress - 15-20% of bill
Wine Steward - 15-20% of wine bill
Server at counter - 15-20% of bill; generally a minimum of $1
Coat Check attendant - $1-2 per coat
Restroom attendant - $1-$2
Valet park attendant - $1-$2

Hotels
Bellman - $1-$2 per bag; $5-10 for running errands
Concierge - $10 for a special effort such as handling airline tickets; offer the tip after each service or at the end of your stay
Chambermaid - generally no tip for one-night stays; $2-$5 per night for longer stays
Doorman - $1-$2 for hailing a cab; $2-$5 for unloading baggage
Room-service waiter - 15-20% of bill
Valet park attendant - $1-$2

Taxis
Driver - 15-20% of fare; generally a minimum of $1

Airport
Skycap - $1-2 per bag

Personal Care
Barber - 15% of the cost; generally a minimum of $1
Hairdresser - 15% of bill for one operator; if several operators, 10% of bill to haircutter/colorist/stylist, 10% divided among others
Manicurist - $3-$5 (more if manicure runs more than about $25)

Sports Arena
Usher - $1-2 per party if shown to your seat

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Philly's Chinatown comes alive during the Chinese New Year celebrations. Obviously, it's only once a year but check it out if you're in town at that time. The parade happens on 10th Street, between Race and Cherry. The costumes, the firecrackers...it's nothing but fun!

I am not sure if this is a Philly thing or just a big city thing but the small town we come from does it differently.

When we have a funeral, the person is "layed out" for viewing in a funeral parlor, then hearsed (with long line of vehicled mourners) to the church for services, then hearsed again to the cemetery for last words and burial.

We attended a Philly-style funeral for relatives in Feasterville.
The uncle-in-law had a viewing in a funeral parlor which had a chapel attached where services took place and then he was whisked away to another part of the property where the burial took place. The funeral people sort of had a monopoly on the whole process and I never saw a hearse.

No judgment on this, neither good nor bad. Just pointing out something I found a bit unusual (poor country relative that I am).

(I looked but could not find the Mass card with the funeral directors name, but I remember it was in Sunset Cementery because I thought the name was appropriate)

You are likely to see an amazing variety of people in Philadelphia. Many people will belong to fringe groups: punks, skaters, goths, etc. etc. It certainly keeps things interesting. On the other hand, they tend to be stand-offish. If you want to speak with native Philadelphians, you will likely have to start the conversation yourself since they will probably not initiate it. The conversation will likely start like this "so why did you decide to get a full body tattoo?" or "how long did it take you to get your mohawk like that?" You can definitely meet some interesting people. Although there are plenty of average folk, there is definitely a way above average amount of people with tattoos in Philadelphia and in the Philadelphia metropolitan area in general.

In my experience, Philadelphians generally do not have much of an accent. Many do mispronounce "o" and for example the weather might be "cohld." It's close to a Baltimore accent but not as think. One of the many culinary inventions of Philadelphia is Italian Ice, only they call them "Water Ice." I refuse to call them such but regardless of what you call them, they are yummy. Also, subs are called "hoagies." You are likely to see signs for "pizzas and steaks." Steaks are cheesesteaks. Also, a Philadelphia food is Panzerotti. It's a tasty fried crust concoction with pizza cheese inside.