Really sick of Arkansas stereotyping!!! (Hot Springs, Branch: work, art, land)

[NOEM1226]

Well, Thank you people for having something nice to say about Arkansas! How refreshing.

I do agree there are many states that have those infamous stereotypes. I guess I'm still shocked when outsiders just state these out loud and just laugh hysterically like I have never heard these things before. I just can't imagine blurting out something like "OH, you're from Texas- yall must save alot of gas money ridin those horses to work" I would be the one feeling like an idot.

I do wonder- what is the official term for a Yankee redneck?? Anyone?

Personally I wish people would not play up the countrified hick image to make money around here- I'd like to move beyond this.

I think I am probably a freakish Arkansan- I've never eaten o'possum or squirrels and I don't shop at Wal-mart. It's not that I'm too good or "anti-walmart" its that by the time I walk through the place I have spent more on stuff I don't need than I have saved!!I just want in and out. I also fear that other businesses will not come to our area if they feel they can't compete.This is not an insult to those of you who do.I am glad wal-mart exsists.

I also notice we are the same in so many ways no matter where we are from. When my children say "yall" or "aint" I'm like "hey now, is that proper English"!? Recently I have heard a mother from Brooklyn say "you will not talk with that Brooklyn slang, I taught you better".

A couple of things I strongly agree with...
Jersey Man- You are right- Your state gets SO MUCH crap! I would say even more than ours. I have been there a couple times and I thought the little towns were quaint and charming and have learned not to associate the state only with organized crime. Although the Sopranos was one of the greatest shows in history. (IMO)

And I agree about the speed traps in Arkansas- Yikes.

I can say I am so proud of our improvements in education.

I also hope that the stereotypes of all states fade as people become transient, so that we will basically HAVE to visit a state to form any opinion of it.

[Navyman]

I have to tell you that ever since I started telling people I was going to be moving to Arkansas the lack of knowledge people have of the state has amazed me. The common impression that I am getting from people is that Arkansas is full of tootless rednecks that couldn't spell their names without using the patch on their short as a reference. I am really getting frustrated trying to explain to people that they have no idea what they are talking about and that they need to pull their heads out of their @ss and do some research. I can't say it is a new thing, after all I grew up in Utah so automatically everyone assumes that I am a Mormon or that my dad has multiple wives. It stuns me that in the age of computers and with the access to information we have that so many people can be so clueless about the real world.

[JoyinMo]

I dated a man from Arkansas several years ago. I'm from Missouri and actually fell in love with the state while spending time there. I've never met such nice people anywhere and what a beautiful place!

[luvarkansas]

Originally Posted by JustT&Me

Whatcha doin' Owl? Followin' me around C-D? Lol. Jk.

Are you another perpetual traveler? Wish I hadn't lost my post for it. You might have liked it. It had *lots* of personal info within it's borders! Lol. Have a great night!

(And say "Hey" to your wife for me, will ya'?) Btw, is she on CD, too?

I hope you get the time to redo the post you lost....I LOVE reading personal info about Arkansas. Locals know all the good stuff. I'll be waiting.......

[CESpeed]

Everytime I tell someone I'm moving to Arkansas, people look at me as though I've lost my mind and ask me, "Why?" I can't wait to get out of L.A.

[GetmeoutofAR]

Its an interesting state, I'll give it that. As far as many different types of scenery etc, its extremely diverse...just a little too southern for me

[Capt. Dan]

Originally Posted by NOEM1226

Well, Thank you people for having something nice to say about Arkansas! How refreshing.

I do agree there are many states that have those infamous stereotypes. I guess I'm still shocked when outsiders just state these out loud and just laugh hysterically like I have never heard these things before. I just can't imagine blurting out something like "OH, you're from Texas- yall must save alot of gas money ridin those horses to work" I would be the one feeling like an idot.

I do wonder- what is the official term for a Yankee redneck?? Anyone?

Personally I wish people would not play up the countrified hick image to make money around here- I'd like to move beyond this.

I think I am probably a freakish Arkansan- I've never eaten o'possum or squirrels and I don't shop at Wal-mart. It's not that I'm too good or "anti-walmart" its that by the time I walk through the place I have spent more on stuff I don't need than I have saved!!I just want in and out. I also fear that other businesses will not come to our area if they feel they can't compete.This is not an insult to those of you who do.I am glad wal-mart exsists.

I also notice we are the same in so many ways no matter where we are from. When my children say "yall" or "aint" I'm like "hey now, is that proper English"!? Recently I have heard a mother from Brooklyn say "you will not talk with that Brooklyn slang, I taught you better".

A couple of things I strongly agree with...
Jersey Man- You are right- Your state gets SO MUCH crap! I would say even more than ours. I have been there a couple times and I thought the little towns were quaint and charming and have learned not to associate the state only with organized crime. Although the Sopranos was one of the greatest shows in history. (IMO)

And I agree about the speed traps in Arkansas- Yikes.

I can say I am so proud of our improvements in education.

I also hope that the stereotypes of all states fade as people become transient, so that we will basically HAVE to visit a state to form any opinion of it.

The official name for a Yankee redneck is---TED NUGENT!!!

[Stormcrow73]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

The official name for a Yankee redneck is---TED NUGENT!!!

LOL, I don't know...IMO I have a hard time calling anyone from the midwest a yankee. That term is particularly reserved in my mind for someone from north of the Mason-Dixon and east of Indiana.

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by luvarkansas

I hope you get the time to redo the post you lost....I LOVE reading personal info about Arkansas. Locals know all the good stuff. I'll be waiting.......

Thank you, but I think that one was meant to be "lost"... some things are simply meant to be lived in the moment. But have you ever heard of the Foxfire books? They weren't specifically AR but Appalachian, I believe.

Let me see if I can find a link for you...

Foxfire books - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia -

Once you read the Wiki entry, if it's of any interest to you, then maybe you might try clicking one of their other links. A lot of folksy "stuff" there!

Enjoy!

[JustT&Me]

Originally Posted by CESpeed

Well Arkansas people aren't the only ones stereotyped. Since I'm from California everyone expects me to be a vegetarian, act like I'm better than everybody or rub elbows with celebs and party all the time. The complete opposite is true.

Hey... from a past Arkansas person to a new one ingoing - Congratulations! I don't know if they'd still *do*, but when I was there..., they'd called 'em Arkansans.

Have a safe voyage and a great time!