Wondering about Columbia's culture?

[mettler]

Originally Posted by Ceezer

What about underground/alt country? Hellbilly stuff like Hank III, Those Poor Bastards, Joey Allcorn, J.B. Beverley, Drive-By Truckers, .357 String Band, etc...

New Brookland will have that, as will the Art Bar, and The Hunter Gatherer - not on a regular basis though. The Whig has a band every now and then, so you might want to look into that place as well.

[HopDude]

My main advice would be this; if you come here and there are things that you don't like about the culture, keep it to yourself. You will not make many friends if you complain about how things are not like where you came from. And rightly so.

My main complaint about Columbia isn't the culture necessarily, it's just that as a city Columbia doesn't really live up to it's potential. Most of the amenities are just so-so. IMO.

I came from California two years ago and the first thing people would say to me is, "Wow, must be culture shock, huh?".

It took me a while to really understand what they were talking about.

On the surface people are exceedingly friendly and polite, but in order to fit in you're going to have to understand their value system - which is very different here than in some other parts of the country. I think most SC natives will be less welcoming to you if they think your values are at odds with theirs. And most of theirs revolve around families and church.

As a parent, I truly appreciate being surrounded by folks who think and act like that, but as a Californian it's really taken some getting used to. I've found that many people are very literal here and so my facetious, dry, sometimes cynical sense of humor just falls totally flat. There's also noticeable absence of hipness which makes just kidding around with people somewhat risky. So, just better to play it safe than risk offending anyone.

I may be a conservative, but sometimes my "inner liberal" likes to go out and play . Not all Republicans think and act alike. In SC most conservatives are of the social/Christian variety.

Living in this environment is starting to take it's toll on us because we've found it hard to make friends who we can really click with. But for you being a Northerner, you should have no problem finding other ex-pats to hang out and commiserate with.

BTW; people down here will tell you there's two kinds of Yankees: regular Yankees (the ones who don't stay), and Damn Yankees (the ones who do!).

Good luck!

[Palmetto Heel]

^Fair post, HopDude.

[HopDude]

Here's the scenario: You're out in your yard working on your rose bushes - which are dying - and your neighbor comes over to say hello.

What will they say?

1. California - Strategy: Unhelpful but unfiltered sympathy, or "Feel their Pain".

"Dude, your rose bushes are totally dying. Bummer!"

(Keep in mind, the salutation, "Dude", can be substituted with the common variation, "Bro", depending on whether or not you live in beach community. And, while people who say "Bro" often also say "Dude", people who usually say "Dude" almost never say "Bro".)

2. New York - Strategy: Direct. Feed their anger, or "Tough Love".

"Roses! You're better off without 'em. I had 'em for years and they gave me nothin' but headaches. Fuggedaboutit!"

(Of course, this only applies to people who live in the outer boroughs because not too many Manhattanites grow roses, and if they did they'd be perfect. And, of course, your neighbor would never just come over to say hello)

3. South Carolina - Strategy: Covert disapproval disguised as pleasantly unaware, but helpful.

"Hey y'all, I didn't realize you HAD roses. (unconsciously shaking head) They are so nice when they bloom up. Hey, you might want to try this stuff called "SuperRose Grower". It is AMAZING. They've got it at Home Depot. You know how to get there?"

[dgfurman]

Originally Posted by HopDude

Here's the scenario: You're out in your yard working on your rose bushes - which are dying - and your neighbor comes over to say hello.

What will they say?

1. California - Strategy: Unhelpful but unfiltered sympathy, or "Feel their Pain".

"Dude, your rose bushes are totally dying. Bummer!"

(Keep in mind, the salutation, "Dude", can be substituted with the common variation, "Bro", depending on whether or not you live in beach community. And, while people who say "Bro" often also say "Dude", people who usually say "Dude" almost never say "Bro".)

2. New York - Strategy: Direct. Feed their anger, or "Tough Love".

"Roses! You're better off without 'em. I had 'em for years and they gave me nothin' but headaches. Fuggedaboutit!"

(Of course, this only applies to people who live in the outer boroughs because not too many Manhattanites grow roses, and if they did they'd be perfect. And, of course, your neighbor would never just come over to say hello)

3. South Carolina - Strategy: Covert disapproval disguised as pleasantly unaware, but helpful.

"Hey y'all, I didn't realize you HAD roses. (unconsciously shaking head) They are so nice when they bloom up. Hey, you might want to try this stuff called "SuperRose Grower". It is AMAZING. They've got it at Home Depot. You know how to get there?"

Now that is funny!!!! Thanks for making me chuckle out loud.

[HopDude]

Originally Posted by dgfurman

Now that is funny!!!! Thanks for making me chuckle out loud.

Thanks, glad someone did.