A Bit Off Topic: Philly Area Natives...Help Me Find the Perfect Gift!
 

My daughter and her fiance have just accepted a work transfer to the Philadelphia area in the spring. I thought it would be a good idea to buy them the Fodor's Philadelphia and Dutch Country Travel Book to help learn about the area.

I would also like to get them something fun...I thought perhaps one of those word-a-day calendars to learn "Philly Speak" but I can't find such a thing.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,
Linda

Welcome to your daughter and her fiance! One thing that you can do is "A Taste of Philadelphia"; we're very serious about good street food here :) and you can get some traditional Philadelphia favorites shipped to them.

There are many articles on the Web about the Philadelphia dialect; perhaps that's why the books aren't as readily available? Anyway, I was thinking you could print out some of the Philadelphia threads here that talk about what to do and some of those dialect articles and put them in a three ring binder...along with some serious info and maps. (The Philadelphia Visitors' Center might be able to help you there.)

Here are some threads to get you started:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34850988
This one has a search for "uniquely Philadelphian items":http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34859911
Best of Food/Attractions:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34664097
Living in Philly:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=35056212

There are more Philadelphia threads, but this should be a good start.

Very best wishes to the new Philadelphians!

In addition to the Fodor's book, this "non-tourist" guidebook might prove useful:

Not for Tourists 2008 Guide to Philadelphia

~Liz

Thank you both for your responses! I'm going to check out the threads right now.

How about a copy of the Zagat Surveys' PHILADELPHIA RESTAURANTS. It includes nearby Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware.