--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I come by my alarmism honestly. I have…" description: "\"“I come by my alarmism honestly. I have learned this custom over the years as I have settled into being a true New Yorker. This is how we welcome forei..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/david-rakoff-3308_fear_i-come-by-my-alarmism-honestly-i-have-le_520991.png" --- # I come by my alarmism honestly. I have learned this custom… ![“I come by my alarmism honestly. I have learned this custom over the years as I have settled into being a true New Yorker. This is how we welcome foreigners to our shores. Because we are so often frightened by living here, we are annoyed and offended when visitors fail to show the proper signs of…” quote by David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/david-rakoff-3308_fear_i-come-by-my-alarmism-honestly-i-have-le_520991.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/david-rakoff-3308_fear_i-come-by-my-alarmism-honestly-i-have-le_520991.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/742/david-rakoff-3308_fear_i-come-by-my-alarmism-honestly-i-have-le_520991.png) > ““I come by my alarmism honestly. I have learned this custom over the years as I have settled into being a true New Yorker. This is how we welcome foreigners to our shores. Because we are so often frightened by living here, we are annoyed and offended when visitors fail to show the proper signs of terror. So we try to scare the living daylights out of them.”” [David Rakoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-rakoff/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A satirical observation about New Yorkers’ hostile hospitality, using fear to test newcomers and asserting cultural identity through intimidation. **In simple terms:** New Yorkers test outsiders with fear to protect their culture. Key Takeaway Recognize cultural defenses and respond with empathy. Themes culture hostility identity Mood wry critical Type satirical observational When to use this quote - travel - immigration - community integration Key Concepts social dynamics urban life Questions to Reflect On - How do you respond to cultural intimidation? - What healthier ways exist to welcome newcomers? 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