For the average Harvard student, Cambridge is little more than a backdrop to the drama of college life. Every year, thousands of students eat pizza at Pinocchio's, buy tuxedos at Keezer's and stroll through the Common, but the closest they usually come to Cambridge residents is across a cash register.

But beyond the gates of the Yard is a city of nearly 100,000 people, who play ball in the front yard, shop for groceries and relax in cafes within sight of the University.

The two groups rarely meet--Cantabrigians say they rarely encounter Harvard students in their daily lives. As a result, the stereotype of smart rich kids is hard to shatter.

Many people interviewed in Harvard Square say that students they've met were polite and thoughtful.

"As individuals, most [Harvard students] are highly regarded," says Cambridge city councillor Henrietta Davis, a graduate of the Kennedy School of Government.

But the popular image of Harvard students--like those in the movie Good Will Hunting--persists for locals.

Dennis Bellach, a flower vendor in front of Au Bon Pain, wraps a single iris for a woman as he talks about his impression of Harvard students.

"Being someone who put himself through school, a lot of them have a silver spoon in their mouths," Bellach says with a mischievous grin. "A lot are from poor backgrounds and work their butts off, and others are just daddy's little boys. They have the same thing at BU, but here they have more Gucci bags."