Do Charlotte Natives generally dislike Northerners? (Star: fit in, homes, buying)

[lisaf]

I'm definitely in agreement that if you're born somewhere, that is your "native" home. I am not a native personally, but I gave birth to a native Charlottean--my 11 month old son. So, I'm working on adding to the native population. LOL! That should count for something!

And yeah, given the number of transplants in Charlotte, I think refering to the issue at hand as "native southerner" versus "native northerner" is correct. And I still hold my ground, that if the northerners can come to the south and not whine about how things are not like what they're used to in the north--everything will be fine. I have not been subjected to any comments or issues by any native southerner while here the last three years. I've never been called a "yankee," etc. But, I guess that's because I'm embracing my new southern-ness in a big way!

I have found the southerners to be largely super friendly folks. And I'm trying to be more like that (and shake my aggressive New York ways). I'm loving life in Charlotte! THis is a great place to be!

[flyingscotsman]

Originally Posted by lisaf

I have found the southerners to be largely super friendly folks. And I'm trying to be more like that .I'm loving life in Charlotte! THis is a great place to be!

That there sum it up perfectly.

[muse1110]

Originally Posted by 3johnsons

For instance, I work with a lady from New Jersey who constantly talks about how her children do anything they can to NOT adopt a southern accent, and we are always hearing about how "back in Jersey, blah blah blah..."

Someone can learn more about NJ on this forum than any other non-NJ state forums! Seems like you can take the NJ person out of NJ, but....

I agree with respecting the culture into which one integrates. Though we're all prone to say how it is where we currently are, once a person moves to a new place, I don't think anyone gives a damn about how it is 'back in (fill in the blank). Best to have those conversations with family or others from that area.

[marvinnative]

Originally Posted by nyxmike

Honestly, why should you care if they don't like you. It is a very small group of people and as long as you don't associate with them, you will never have to worry about it. Just my two cents.

Seeing this post leads me to turn the question around and ask,
"Do Northerners generally dislike the Southern natives?"

I'm sure most don't, but there is a condescending tone and smugness about the way some newcomers relate to the natives. Sometimes I feel like I'M the newcomer!

Watching the morning shows today, NBC did a story about "chair hogs" at resort locations. (You know, those folks who send a runner down at 6 AM to put a book or towel in a chair, then sleep until noon, thus "hogging" the chair from allowing others to use it.) I had to laugh. I actually experienced this once at Myrtle Beach, SC. My family walked up from the ocean and we were looking for a chair at the pool area. EVERY chair was covered with a towel. NO ONE was sitting in one. So, I moved a towel and sat down. Later, the person who had saved the chair came up from the ocean and accused me of being rude to her! Her comeback was - "You must be from the South!" Since I was standing in South Carolina, I just wasn't quite sure what was wrong with that? Still, from my perspective (and that of today's program), "hogging" up the chairs that were clearly for ALL hotel guests seems rude to me. Does it not seem rude to you? Just wondering... How did my being Southern have anything to do with it? Seriously interested to know.

[lisaf]

I think chair hogging is a high level offense--no matter where you're from! LOL! That woman was nuts...SHE was the rude one, not you. I refer to those people as having a serious entitlement issue. She must have thought that simply because she paid good money for that hotel room, that she has 'right' to that chair for her entire stay. That drives me crazy!! Also, those folks that put their jackets over the chair in front of them at the movie theater so no one sits in that seat. Rude, rude, rude. Doesn't matter who you are or what neck of the woods you're from--it's rude! LOL!

People need to think about others, and not just themselves. That really would help the world get along a wee bit better.

[stmaarten]

Don't even get me started on the chair hogging thing! It's most offensive to me in church, when people "save seats" for those idiots who show up 20 minutes late.
Wow! How Christian of me....sorry, just had to vent...

[Carolina_native]

I hear the phrase that "you dont have to worry because you couldnt find a Charlotte native if you tried" - or something along those lines.

Thats true.

But you miss out on true Southern hospitality, and, well..Southerners. There is no Southern culture in Charlotte, or the surrounding areas. Its all been bulldozed and paved over. The population is heavily diluted by all the growth from all over the country, particulary from the North.

So first of all I would challenge you to find a native Charlottean. In that respect, you will have nothing to worry about.

[flyingscotsman]

Thats easy for me, my boss is a charlotte native.

[niknaxx]

Originally Posted by lisaf

I'm definitely in agreement that if you're born somewhere, that is your "native" home. I am not a native personally, but I gave birth to a native Charlottean--my 11 month old son. So, I'm working on adding to the native population. LOL! That should count for something!

And yeah, given the number of transplants in Charlotte, I think refering to the issue at hand as "native southerner" versus "native northerner" is correct. And I still hold my ground, that if the northerners can come to the south and not whine about how things are not like what they're used to in the north--everything will be fine. I have not been subjected to any comments or issues by any native southerner while here the last three years. I've never been called a "yankee," etc. But, I guess that's because I'm embracing my new southern-ness in a big way!

I have found the southerners to be largely super friendly folks. And I'm trying to be more like that (and shake my aggressive New York ways). I'm loving life in Charlotte! THis is a great place to be!

Charlotte has a very large influx of people from other areas. I have lived in some areas in NC that Yankees can be given a very hard time because of fast walking/talking, accents, etc., and it can happen anywhere down South. I haven't had a problem here and I believe it's less likely because of Charlotte’s transient nature. But there are some Southerners that do not like Northerners and, from my experience, more likely are in less transient areas or smaller towns/cities. I imagine there are some here in Charlotte, I just haven’t found them. But just because you love Charlotte and don’t have problems with others in Charlotte, does not mean that you won’t run across that a Southerner that will give you a hard time and call you a Yankee to your face, meaning it as a derogatory remark. Not all are as accepting of Northerners, trust me.

I’ve always treated people with respect until they show me they deserve otherwise. My mom brought me up to treat others the way I want to be treated myself. I’ve been called a damn Yankee to my face because of how fast I walked, without incident or even opening my mouth, and heard about job stealing, the War of Northern Aggression, the second invasion, and just had a Southerner go off on me while I was hurrying through a parking lot at a plaza. My tags were noticed and apparently someone was having a bad day, or just does that to every Northerner met. You learn to grow a thick skin and blow it off. I understand there’s history there but I’m an American. Just as a Southerner is an American, I'm an American, too.

I’ve also been out of NYS for over 9 years now, so I’m not new to the South and have acclimated well from my husband moving years before me and providing a crash course and warnings. I do know that Northerners can be rude, swear, considered aggressive, etc., and I can be just as Northern as anyone else if I choose to be, but I’ve found that typically if you treat everyone with respect, you will most likely be treated well. There can be that one person that just doesn’t like you because you are a Northerner, not because they know anything about you or you’ve personally done anything to them, just because you are a Northerner, plain and simple.

I also know a wife that had her kids at a fair in SC that had a problem with a man giving her bad directions and then laughing about it. She had her kid in tow, and he sent her on a wild goose-chase to the other side of the fairgrounds, because of her Northern accent. She was asking for directions in front of her child, it’s not like she was cursing at him, she was requesting assistance. Granted, there are so many Southerners that are accepting or tolerating, but there are those that are not. From my experience they are few and far between, but they do exist and don’t be disillusioned.

My overall experience has been very positive, and I wouldn’t move back North. I believe this is part of the meaning of diversity that CMS strives to obtain and teach children, note I say part. But diversity and CMS are a topic for another day…

[miklaur]

I clicked on this forum because it definitely will be pertaining to me in the next few months and I wanted to thank you all for your input. I feel that it seems I won't be judged by most just because I am from a particular area and that makes me feel so much better. I have said it in other posts. I would hate to be judged as a northerner like it is a bad thing because of a few idiots that showed up before me. Thanks again.