My first time in Buffalo was to see my first NFL game (Bills vs 49ers). I knew nothing about the sport and didn’t know which team to support, but after a Bills sticker adorned car let us cut in the line up at the border when we inadvertently drove too far without realizing we were meant to be in that lane, I decided to root for the home team.
At the stadium, someone took the tag off the Bills beanie I had bought as I stumbled through the crowd back to my seat. A cute encounter. Then, the family sat behind us explained all the rules and what was happening after overhearing our confusion. Very nice. Fans randomly high fived us when seeing our new gear, and carried conversations beyond the surface platitudes I would usually expect.
Post-game bar, more pleasant experiences. We were offered to stand at a table since there wasn’t any more room, they bought all of our beers as gracious hosts. We repaid the favor by giving our socks to the underdressed lady and got their Uber to their hotel since they were too old to navigate it comfortably.
We made time to get wings, see the town, and every encounter made us feel welcome. People were even nicer when realizing that we were foreigners - one French guy, one Botswanan and one English. That day, though, we all felt Buffalonian. Since then I always root for Buffalo teams in any sport.
Then I’m watching the hockey today, and see the entire stadium sing the Canadian anthem when the mic cuts off. Honestly, with the current political climate, I actually let myself become the guy that wouldn’t expect that courtesy anymore. Maybe I’d be right if it was any other city in the US, maybe not.
Either way, it just further proves that Buffalo is a classy town filled with classy people. Not the pretentious type of class built on snooty and questionable social norms or a sense of superiority (I’m French, so I’m familiar and can easily spot the difference). You’re good people, accommodating, curious. I hope you guys know that you’re a cool fanbase and a dope town for anyone to visit.
I love Buffalo!🦬