Growing up in metro ATL vs. metro NY (Atlanta, Duluth: middle-class, how much)

[ltohang]

What do you think the differences are that comes with growing up in a place like Duluth/Johns Creek vs. growing up in a place like Long Island, NY?

[VJP]

Having grown up in queens and long island....it took me a long time to figure out the southern way of doing business. But ive got it now.

[Tarzanman]

There is a pretty big difference in culture. You're comparing a borough of one of the most international cities in the world to a fairly insular, shopping center ridden suburb which probably has more enclosed subdivisions than traffic signals.

Slower pace of life in Johns Creek, less stressful, and a lot less going on.

[ElleKaye]

Originally Posted by VJP

Having grown up in queens and long island....it took me a long time to figure out the southern way of doing business. But ive got it now.

Well, what is it? I'm not sure how much business you did growing up, but what do you find the differences(s)_to be?

[Staysean23]

I don't know how people can raise kids here in NY these teens and kids are so rude and disrespectful especially to older people.

I loved my up bringing down south.

[roxyrn]

No shoveling snow....

[glovenyc]

Although it's evident growing up in NYC (Queens) was much different than if I would have grown up in Atlanta whether it be the COA or Duluth, but also when you grew up is a major factor. The world is much smaller now, and the different regions of the country are much more homogenous now. I'm sure it's much different growing in NYC now, than when I grew up there in the 70s/80s. The major difference that stands out about my childhood in NYC compared to different regions and/or generations is how independent we were as children. Nowadays these kids can't sneeze without mommy and daddy there to wipe there noses. All children need to be watched after and taken care of, but you also need to give kids an opportunity to grow, socialize with there peers and learn how to figure things out. I grew up at a time when NYC had hit rock bottom financially, the city was filthy and it was the most dangerous city in the country but I would not trade it for the world.

[vwgto]

I agree the differences in raising children in all suburbs that have developed over the last few decades is much more prevalent than geography now. In the end, most middle-class city suburbs today are interchangeable pallets.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by Staysean23

I don't know how people can raise kids here in NY these teens and kids are so rude and disrespectful especially to older people.

I grew up in Queens, and I take exception to your characterization. I was brought up with manners and to be polite and respectful to elders and to say "please and thank you" and we even called adults Mr. and Mrs. My children were raised in Massachusetts, and the same is true. They have manners and respect.

Now...if you're equating thugs, ghetto, and rap types, you'll find those also in Atlanta. Not sure what you mean by "NY teens and kids" or how they are "rude and disrespectful."

Now...if you mean that kids up north don't call teachers and parents "ma'am" and "sir"...then you'd be correct. I am fine with that, as my kids aren't in the military and need to be respectful, but saying "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" to teachers and parents is over the top. That is one difference between southerners and most northerners.

As has been discussed many times, I think there is a general and broad difference in the mentality of many people in NY (and the northeast generally) and people in the south. Direct communication and a more sarcastic sense of humor is more normal in NY. In the south, directness is considered to be "rude" and people tend to be more nuanced and more subtle in their communication. People in NY are not actually being rude, but they don't try to sugar coat or use passive aggressiveness.

In NY, generally what you see is what you get, and I like that, and I try to encourage my kids to be polite yet be assertive. It's a balance between appearing confident...or appearing arrogant. I think some southerners assume arrogance when it's not the case.

[Staysean23]

Originally Posted by neil0311

I grew up in Queens, and I take exception to your characterization. I was brought up with manners and to be polite and respectful to elders and to say "please and thank you" and we even called adults Mr. and Mrs. My children were raised in Massachusetts, and the same is true. They have manners and respect.

Now...if you're equating thugs, ghetto, and rap types, you'll find those also in Atlanta. Not sure what you mean by "NY teens and kids" or how they are "rude and disrespectful."

Now...if you mean that kids up north don't call teachers and parents "ma'am" and "sir"...then you'd be correct. I am fine with that, as my kids aren't in the military and need to be respectful, but saying "yes ma'am" and "yes sir" to teachers and parents is over the top. That is one difference between southerners and most northerners.

As has been discussed many times, I think there is a general and broad difference in the mentality of many people in NY (and the northeast generally) and people in the south. Direct communication and a more sarcastic sense of humor is more normal in NY. In the south, directness is considered to be "rude" and people tend to be more nuanced and more subtle in their communication. People in NY are not actually being rude, but they don't try to sugar coat or use passive aggressiveness.

In NY, generally what you see is what you get, and I like that, and I try to encourage my kids to be polite yet be assertive. It's a balance between appearing confident...or appearing arrogant. I think some southerners assume arrogance when it's not the case.

I'm going by what I see everyday here in NYC but I would put money on it that kids down south are more mannerable than kids in NYC.. Your just one person, these kids I see on the trains. The way the talk back to parents. I'm like my goodness. I can't even get decent customer service around here.. I've gotten so used to it that I don't even worry about it or expect it..


The kids don't give up there seat on the train for elderly or pregnant women. They will knock u down trying to get down the stairs to the train and never will say excuse me. It's about being courteous. Courteous and NYC don't go together