Do Charlotte Natives generally dislike Northerners?

[Casey123]

To the original poster, I'd say most natives do not inherently "dislike" Northerners or anybody else.

There have long been transplants in this region. My experience is seeing it going back to the big IBM relocation from New York to Charlotte in the late 70's, and Royal Insurance in the early 80's. That brought in Northern families and kids in schools, and never an issue.

But yes, there are natives here of many generations who don't like what was once a quiet, quaint city of neighborhoods become an area of exponential growth. I'm sure it's the same with western states residents who hate the influx of relocating Californians, etc.

But most of the dislike of the regional change is sentiment expressed quietly among friends and family, not the open hosility I've read in some parts of this forum.

And yes, there are some local bad eggs, with a outwardly hostile "Yankee Go Home" attitude. But that's not the norm at all.

But it works both ways. At the Lowe's grocery in Tega Cay two weeks ago, a very obnoxious guy in his 50's asked for the location of the nearest Target store. When I explained where it was (down 160 in Charlotte) he didn't like how far it was and said in snotty fashion that in "Long Island, we have one every 3 miles."

Nobody cares about how it was in Long Island, jerk. If it's so great there, why are you here?

But I and the cashier rolled our eyes and pleasantly gave him directions

What's funny to me is the "Last Person In" syndrome that exists, when transplants who like it here want to be the "Last Person In," to enjoy the area...and then THEY complain about new development, arrivals, competition for services, tax raises, and crowded roads etc. They want it to stop with their arrival....when their new presence in itself is a piece of the growing congestion and tax puzzle!

In my view. better to be in a growing region, as imperfect as its being managed, than to live in a decaying area. After spending time recently in the struggling Massillon/Canton Ohio area on business, I'll take our influx issues anyday.

[bandibadji]

Originally Posted by solnechko

In the past week I have heard native Charlotteans gripe about "yankees" -- meaning people from NY, NJ and Ohio -- on three separate occasions. And they didn't use the term "yankee" in an endearing manner.

They also know that most people with FL plates are also "yankees." I've also been cut off on the freeway by someone with NY plates -- when i honked at them they flipped me off. Doesn't help north/south relations.

The last part could apply anywhere.

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Casey123

To the original poster, I'd say most natives do not inherently "dislike" Northerners or anybody else.

There have long been transplants in this region. My experience is seeing it going back to the big IBM relocation from New York to Charlotte in the late 70's, and Royal Insurance in the early 80's. That brought in Northern families and kids in schools, and never an issue.

But yes, there are natives here of many generations who don't like what was once a quiet, quaint city of neighborhoods become an area of exponential growth. I'm sure it's the same with western states residents who hate the influx of relocating Californians, etc.

But most of the dislike of the regional change is sentiment expressed quietly among friends and family, not the open hosility I've read in some parts of this forum.

And yes, there are some local bad eggs, with a outwardly hostile "Yankee Go Home" attitude. But that's not the norm at all.

But it works both ways. At the Lowe's grocery in Tega Cay two weeks ago, a very obnoxious guy in his 50's asked for the location of the nearest Target store. When I explained where it was (down 160 in Charlotte) he didn't like how far it was and said in snotty fashion that in "Long Island, we have one every 3 miles."

Nobody cares about how it was in Long Island, jerk. If it's so great there, why are you here?

But I and the cashier rolled our eyes and pleasantly gave him directions

What's funny to me is the "Last Person In" syndrome that exists, when transplants who like it here want to be the "Last Person In," to enjoy the area...and then THEY complain about new development, arrivals, competition for services, tax raises, and crowded roads etc. They want it to stop with their arrival....when their new presence in itself is a piece of the growing congestion and tax puzzle!

In my view. better to be in a growing region, as imperfect as its being managed, than to live in a decaying area. After spending time recently in the struggling Massillon/Canton Ohio area on business, I'll take our influx issues anyday.

Terrific post!!! Love your "Last Person In" syndrome reference!!! You explain things very well and I agree w/ your assessment. I especially agree that it is better to be in an area that is growing -and where people want to move.

[chicagocubs]

When my son went to university in Staffordshire, England a few years back, he was a curiosity as he was the only American enrolled as a full time student. He had a few altercations with professors who were anti-American who called him a Yank. My son, who, was (prior to this) quite shy, began to take the offensive, saying that he was born in North Carolina and, thus, could not be defined as a "Yank" which was translated into American as "Yankee". He was questioned about American politics, war record, etc. In the end, he had quite a few retorts when he was poked at about being an American.

However, the most startling thing that he learned was that England ALSO has the north/south divide; but, it is opposite of ours. So, when he came back home, one of our friends from London jabbed him with "Quite the Manchester accent you have there!"

So, this is everywhere, unfortunately. We have to be ones to make the difference!

[CouponJack]

Originally Posted by jmm051

And just to throw it out there..there are many great people on this board-from all over- that are friendly and give great advice and colorful commentary to those seeking information. Thanks to all of you (especiall you Ani) for the info you give on a regular basis!

That's exactly what I was thinking....

[anifani821]

CouponJack and JMM: I agree - we have a great C-D "family." I learn things here nearly every day . . . and often, it is a newcomer revealing something to me that I did not know about the area. Whenever a question comes up, my family says - "Okay, Mom, go check it out w/ your C-D buds!!!"

Charlotte is not a sleepy burg . . . might have been a while back . . . but no longer. I find the changes exciting (for the most part) and the things that I find aggravating - everyone finds aggravating (crowded highways, driving habits, crime, etc).

I maintain that this is the New South, and we are bringing the best together here in Charlotte. Sure . . . some things might be lost in the translation . . . but what I hope is happening . . . will be that newcomers find whatever is charming about the South and incorporate those things . . . and that they give to us new insights, "new" traditions . . . heck, NEW FOOD!!!! LOL!!!

The thing that has to go would be stereotypes . . . and that goes both ways.

LOVES: Awww heck. You know my family is related on both sides. All that inbreeding . . . just dumbed my family down. I accepted it long ago. Sets my heart a-flutter to think how much Simpson is helping raise the standards here.