Flashes of Panic

I should say, right up front, that up until a few weeks ago I couldn’t have pointed out Downtown Crossing on a map (unless it was labeled.) Had I ever surfaced at the relevant T stop (my red line to orange line transition) I would not have recognized where I came up.

But honestly, who in their right mind thinks they can rename Downtown Crossing? Certainly they could try, but this is coastal New England. We still refer to the ring highway around the city by its pre-Interstate route number. We refer to houses by the names of, not the previous occupants, but long-dead occupants of twenty or more years ago. (“The old Babkirk house,” etc.) Hell, there are still people around here who will give directions including Scollay Square, which I don’t think has existed by that name in my lifetime. (And if you think the “Square” naming system around here isn’t a plot to make directions more obscure and difficult for out-of-towners, you’re underestimating the character of people around here.)

They can name it whatever they want. The “Downtown Crossing” name will be around for decades. This has to be a New York idea; no New Englander would bother trying.

Now Playing: Good Man Gone from Too Close to Heaven by The Waterboys

Technorati Tags: Boston, boston drivers, branding, mbta, downtown crossing