I agree with Eric's characterization of Buffalo as an economically challenged impoverished city (except for a few parts of it), but I'm not sure whether it produces an unusually stronger than average work ethic.

"It's a culmination of an economically challenged impoverished city that produces a strong work ethic, which transcends into a lifestyle."

If Buffalo truly had a stronger work ethic than most places, wouldn't that result in a lot more companies choosing to create jobs here? Why wouldn't it? All other things being equal, one would expect business when deciding where to create jobs would be very attracted to an area that's unusually hard working.

Or are the disadvantages to doing business here even stronger than the strong work ethic? I suppose that's possible.

I was distracted when I wrote that, sorry if it went astray.

To clarify and summarize my previous post, it is my impression and experience that the Buffalo workforce lags behind other areas in terms of motivation, trust, self-direction, determination, and drive. Workers exhibit a collective sense of entitlement (I am owed this job), coupled with a general lack of trust (the management is out to screw me), a lack of motivation (no good deed goes unpunished or if you do more they'll expect more), and general malaise. In general, workers seem to be focused on doing the minimal amount of work while biding their time to retirement. I have several workers in the 20s who have told me that their career aspiration is to stay employed long enough to retire.

In other areas of the country that I have worked as employee, manager, and business owner; I have found a much higher sense of drive and motivation from employees. When asking a 20 something employee in DC about his/her career aspirations; I would typically hear ideas of being a business leader, entrepreneur, C-level executive. I rarely find employees with these aspirations in Buffalo. Entrepreneurship in DC is creating a Global Business, in Buffalo it seems to be opening a hot dog cart or t-shirt shop.

I belonged to several professional organizations in the DC and Raleigh areas, they would routinely bring in industry experts for presentations, discuss new technologies and offer opportunities for professional development. Meetings that I have attended in Buffalo could be summed up as mediocre networking sessions, with a board member as the presenter of the month. The only industry experts are those who are looking to sell something to the crowd while they expand their list of industry leads.

This is a difficult area to do business in, the taxes and utilities are higher than other areas of the country. The workforce is unskilled and somewhat untrainable, etc. etc. etc. It has all been said before, if you want to change the perception of the area, then it starts with the people who live here. I have an opening for a Senior Manager in my company, but I have decided to limit the search to candidates from outside the WNY area. I haven't found anyone qualified and suitable to fill the role in the six months since it was posted. The good news is that this will probably bring one more family to WNY, but the bad news is that they may not want to live here.

Umwelt - Thanks for clarifying. Both of your comments make very good points.

Umwelt - Your comment agrees with my impression of the reputation this area's work force has, fairly or unfairly - as antagonistic to business and profit-seeking.

I'm curious to what you're referring when you wrote "just look at the Information Technology groups, and other professional groups, as examples of where our priorities are"? That part of what you wrote lost me.

In my experience with Buffalo workers, I find them to be relatively unmotivated and distrusting of corporations and management. This seems to be a pervasive culture, probably ingrained from the "blue collar heritage" and collective bargaining culture that seems to be pervasive in this area. I find workers in other areas of the country to be more eager to learn, grow, and advance in their careers; they tend to go beyond expectations set by management for their own advancement. I am not sure if the perceived sense of complacency and mediocrity is a result of collectivism or lack of other opportunities, but it is an integral part of the Buffalo culture. I find it very difficult to find good employees in Buffalo, they don't seem to have the drive and determination that other workers have. I find that they generally distrust corporations and management, they don't handle change very well no matter how positive it may be for them.

On the other side of the coin, I find that managers from the Buffalo area do not trust their employees, there is a sense of distrust on their side as well. The feeling that employees are always trying to get something over on the management seems pervasive among managers that I work with and speak to. I am sure that this is a chicken and egg argument, but that doesn't make the perception any less real.

I also find a general distrust and reluctance to use and integrate new technologies, despite the importance that it plays in the future of Buffalo. We are behind other citieis in terms of technical education and savvy, just look at the Information Technology groups, and other professional groups, as examples of where our priorities are.

The collective malaise and lack of esteem is as pervasive in the workforce as im other areas of the area's culture. I am not sure that this is something that is going to be fixed if we continue to focus on our 'blue collar heritage', a heritage of collective bargaining where tenure supercedes ability and motivation. If we shift focus to individual contribution, motivation, and innovation, then we might just stand a chance.

Where did you get that shirt?!?! I live in Chicago now and people out here have no clue where Buffalo is. When I tell them I went to school there they just look at me with a blank stare.

Where the hell is that hottie? :-P

I totally agree with griffin. High end cuisine doesn't have any reflection of culture of place specificity. They just follow national trends and attitudes about food irrespective of place. They can try and blend local flavor into their dishes but in the end you are still yearning for more.

the fact that we have so many corner bars and restaurants is one of the reasons I like Buffalo. You have plenty of options to go for food where an individual cooks food they like as best as they can and think that the culture of Buffalo comes through much more. Whether you go to places like Niagara cafe, CPG's, The Dalmation, Casey's Tavern Gabriel's Gate, or Anchor bar you are always a welcomed guest and good company for those around you.