I always get a kick out of new people that move to my hometown of Binghamton.  While I may be a naturally inquisitive kind of person, I really don't mind answering the same question over and over again.  Other people I know are not that patient.

If you have traveled outside New York State, especially down South, the one question I always seem to get is,  'Where are you from?'  When I say Binghamton, nine times out of ten you get a blank look that seems to last forever.  If you add "New York," they ask if you can see the Empire State Building from outside your window, to which I usually return the blank look.

One thing Binghamton is known for is its' beautiful carousels. The confused face is usually changed to a smile and then comes a series of questions:  'How many carousels do you have?', 'Where are they located?' 'Why are you known as the 'Carousel Capital of the World,' 'How did "they" get here?' and my favorite, 'Why don't you keep them open all year?'

Then the Spiedie always comes up:  'What the hell is a spiedie?' 'Where do you buy them?, 'Who invented the spiedie?' 'Isn't it really the same thing as a shish kabob?' 'Why aren't speidies sold outside of Binghamton?' 'Who makes the best spiedie?' and my favorite, 'Why would you have a festival for a sandwich?'

Rod Sterling is another one that prompts a lot of questions.  People have asked me if I knew him, what he was like, where did he live and what's the Twilight Zone, to which I usually respond, "it's Binghamton."

There are probably a bunch more questions that people are sick of answering about our beloved city.  Don't get me started about the weather!  Or why Binghamton doesn't have a "P" in it.  Binghamton is home.  My home. And I never get tired of the questions.

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