If there were to be a symposium of house cats trying to understand dogs, it would look a lot like last week’s Urban Vibe Forum, sponsored by the Symphony Park Lecture series.

Mostly a cheerleading session for Downtown development, the panel of Downtown business owners and residents advocated living and working Downtown, as opposed to in the suburbs, and panelists summed up differences between residents in the different areas: Downtowners are invested in their neighborhoods, know their neighbors and eat and drink among them at independently owned restaurants. Suburbanites “eat at McDonalds,” don’t greet their neighbors, spend hours in their cars, don’t have roots and love the stucco landscape.

Different species, different needs, different wants. Not a big deal, one would think. Yet the audience reminded me of prejudices and hostilities between those who reside in different areas of the valley. Anti-Downtown rants are plentiful, particularly in response to Downtown news stories. Downtown pride often turns into Downtown arrogance. In fact, once, while chatting with someone at a Downtown cocktail party, I mentioned that I live in Henderson, to which she passive-aggressively responded: “I’m so sorry.” I realized she was an idiot and let it go. But the truth is I get that a lot from people who live Downtown. I like the bland suburbs. I like walking for miles in quietude. And I’m that introvert who doesn’t want to chat with neighbors. But I also spend a good amount of time Downtown. I love Downtown and have no animosity for those who live there. It’s rich. It’s colorful and storied, and the businesses there have created a community in the midst of a sprawling area composed mostly of newcomers and strangers. Maybe it’s time everyone dropped insecurities. Downtown businesses need suburban dollars, and suburbanites want the community hug only gritty Downtown can offer.