In Philadelphia, there's no delineation, they address me as Rocky, for real. They'll say things like: "Rocky, do you like this coat?" Or: "Rock, say hi to my sister. " Or: "Yo Rock, I know a great restaurant. " There's no Sylvester. Even the Mayor goes: "It's good to have Rocky here today. "
The ideology of hardness and cruelty runs through American culture like an electric current.