Resistance against "Yankees" (Charleston, Welcome: mover, university, tax)

[porchlight]

Originally Posted by steelersgirl

Unfortunately you'd be suprised how many "Yankees" can be racist too. Just because they aren't waving a flag around doesnt mean they arent thinking it.

Never the less I'm from PA looking to move to the South. I'm in sales and have been told that some of the Southern folk (particularly in my rural accounts if i got any down there) wouldn't take too kindly to my strong Northern accent and therefore it'd be harder for me to form relationships and do business with them. Is that true?

I'm from Pgh too, Steelergirl. And still have trouble making a different sound for the words collar and color...all sound like "keller" to me. Nobody gives me a hard time about my accent, although occasionally someone recognizes me as a pgher for the way I talk. They do call pop "soda" down here, and nobody knows what a "jagoff" is, lol. but you'll love it!

[hapscat]

what is a "jagoff" ?

[nickbrec]

I am also a Yankee. I moved to Charleston from Pittsburgh right after Christmas. I haven't been called Yankee too many times, but I have been called "snow bird" a few times because when it's 50 degrees out, I'm warm.. compared to most of the locals that are all bundled up like it's freezing outside. That's a trait of northerners moving south I would imagine.

But I lived in Pittsburgh for 29 years and just up and decided to move to Charleston for the business opportunities. I gave up a good job, all my friends and family, and just decided to do this.

I LOVE Charleston. I LOVE the south and all of the people. I have not yet felt any negativity since I've been down here from any of the people, just based on where I was from. Southern Hospitality is definitely alive and well.

take care,

Nick B.
Dimension Media Services, LLC

[Luvsdabeach]

Originally Posted by scdreamer

It could just be because we're in an SC forum, but...

I find it interesting that people from the North are expected to learn the Southern customs and adapt to them when they travel or move South. However, Southerners can continue to use the yes sir/no ma'am phrases in the North, even if it offends the Northern natives.

Seems a bit unfair, in my opinion.

My mom was 6 yrs old at the time how was she to know? lol It was a long time ago so I'm sure things have change....At least with some people as I was in NYC back in 2001 and used it all the time and noone seemed offended. It's just a habit that even at my age I still say it.

[Luvsdabeach]

Originally Posted by Annabelle

I wasn't implying that you were confused but that the waitress was confused.

Ah, sorry for the confusion.

[Annabelle]

Same here!

[wordzgirl]

Originally Posted by porchlight

I'm from Pgh too, Steelergirl. And still have trouble making a different sound for the words collar and color...all sound like "keller" to me. Nobody gives me a hard time about my accent, although occasionally someone recognizes me as a pgher for the way I talk. They do call pop "soda" down here, and nobody knows what a "jagoff" is, lol. but you'll love it!

Hahahaha!!! Jagoff is my absolute FAVORITE Pittsburgh expression, and I also miss the expression "I'm just jaggin' ya." I've only been here a couple of months, but I totally love it here. I just miss my friends terribly, but hopefully I can convince them to come on dahn.

Another thing that Pittsburghers do (and I can recognize it anywhere), is when they ask a question, the inflection goes down at the end, instead of up, so everything sounds like a statement instead of a question.

[wordzgirl]

Originally Posted by hapscat

what is a "jagoff" ?

A jagoff is a goofball or someone that is just kind of a jerk. When used as a verb, "jag" is to kid someone; i.e., I'm just jaggin' ya.

Not to be confused with a "jaggerbush", which is a bush with lots of stickers on it that hurts if you fall into it

[luvnthebeach]

If u consider bumper stickers that state "Go back to Ohio" and "We don't care how you do it up north" old south, than yes this area is old south. We've been here for 2 years and I can't tell you the number of times that people ask where we're from and when we say Ohio the reply is "Are any of you still left up there"?...and not in a nice tone.

[Cobabana]

This may be off point, but I have to add my 2 cents (or perhaps I am venting??)
...I think Northerners just say what they think without thinking about it first or they just don't care what they say? Please note I am only going on my personal experience (that is all I have).
My husband was born in Delaware and lived most of his youth in Ohio, close to MI. I live in central KY. He moved here after college because of a job opportunity. After we met and married I received so much grief about my accent and about how all Kentuckians are "redneck" from my husbands parents friends and family when we visited. His parents would say to my husband, "Oh my gosh, you are picking up THAT accent; that is hillbilly."
I must say, we are far from redneck, and I know you probably can't determine that from a simple post, but trust me on this. It always amazed me that they would be so rude and consider only people from the south "redneck". When, to be quite honest, they were way more "redneck" that anyone I had encountered before. Their actions and lifestyles are what we would consider to be redneck, but would we ever say that to someone?
I really have no point here...Just wanted to say now my in laws live in the South (NC). They still poke fun at "ya'll" and southern slang. It is just so annoying!
Okay, I am finished.