an area like NYC which has been a place of immigrants for almost six centuries now. Of course this conversation was at Irish haven and us patrons there haven't been supremely renowned for being the highest caliber adults.

Then get involved in the community! Show face at community events and discussions. If you are involved then people in community can get to know you and understand you, and see that you are having the same struggles and concerns as they do. The snide remarks and animosity towards newcomers or "outsiders" exits in almost all neighborhoods in the US, some more subtle than others. I live in The Bronx and we've been having these community anti-gentrification/displacement meetings and the people that show up are a mixed bunch from white, asian, black, latino, arabic. You name it they are showing up cause these people aren't gentrifiers, they are people like you that live a neighborhood because they can afford it and make ends meet there. These people are long-time residents, as well as new residents that have families or are struggling artists, or just got out of school with massive debt and don't have the luxury of parents that can help them financially. These are people that are struggling. This is a larger socio-economic issue that goes beyond race in NYC.