Connecticut stereotypes (New Haven, Hartford, Fairfield: work, house, diversity)

[sevdie]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Saw the thread on the Massachusetts forum- titled 'Stereotypes of New Englanders' --- any thoughts?
What are some stereotypes of us here in Connecticut?

I am not from CT...but the things I have heard on this forum repeatedly is that it is hard to make friends in CT if you are not a native. Many have also said that people from New England in general do not travel much and have never been outside of their "back yard" so to speak....now I don't know if there is any validity to any of this because I have never been to new england. I AM and have been VERY interested in relocating there because of the positive "stereotypes" I have heard like New Englanders are very intelligent and open minded compared to other parts of the country and are relatively color blind as you don't have the same racial tension issues on the same level as other parts of the US. I like to make up my own mind about how I feel about some place or someone and take all of this info with a grain of salt. I will go to CT and see for myself. Everyone on this forum has been very helpful to me.

[sevdie]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I hate to tell you but even towns like Greenwich, Westport, Weston and New Canaan have people of modest means. You can't even stereotype these towns because they are pretty muck all diverse. Jay

I agree with you and see in this thread that there are even stereotypes about CT residents AMONG CT residents! This is a very interesting thread...Greenwich does have "affordable housing" or a "ghetto" if you will I have not seen it in person, but have reseached housing in this town and found this to be true...so again, there is always an exception to the rule and stereotypes are just that.

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by sevdie

I am not from CT...but the things I have heard on this forum repeatedly is that it is hard to make friends in CT if you are not a native. Many have also said that people from New England in general do not travel much and have never been outside of their "back yard" so to speak....now I don't know if there is any validity to any of this because I have never been to new england. I AM and have been VERY interested in relocating there because of the positive "stereotypes" I have heard like New Englanders are very intelligent and open minded compared to other parts of the country and are relatively color blind as you don't have the same racial tension issues on the same level as other parts of the US. I like to make up my own mind about how I feel about some place or someone and take all of this info with a grain of salt. I will go to CT and see for myself. Everyone on this forum has been very helpful to me.

There is racism here moderator cut

[Cruikshl]

Originally Posted by notjustamom

Okay, I assume you guys mean tattoos on the lower back? If they start to sag "when gravity kicks in", that is just icky. LOL! Whose lower back flesh sags?? Ewwww....I would have thought that would be the last place to sag.

(and no, I have no tattoos, I don't care for them personally )

I'm with you. I was in Waterbury and saw this young girl who was a little over weight with a Playboy bunny tattoed there. I thought to myself, that is just wrong. And please why can I see it???

[skytrekker]

Racism, sexism and other types of discrimination do in fact exist everywhere, including here.

[cool_mommy]

Originally Posted by Cruikshl

There is racism here it is just that they are closet racists.

Cruikshl, I couldn't agree with you more. I grew up and spent most of my life in CT. I know for a fact that there is plenty of racism in CT but it is what you referred to as "closet racists". People are more concerned with being "politically correct" out in public but it can be a totally different story in private. Racism is dangerous whether its right out there or kept hush hush.

[JViello]

Having said that, "racism" and for that matter discrimination is far and above less of an "issue" here in CT than many other places in the country.

Having lived for many years in other parts of the country, I can say without blinking that "minorities" and others find a much more acceptance and opportunity than they EVER would in a place like SC, NC, GA, MS etc.

Are there ignorant people everywhere? Of course, you can't change that.

But BY FAR racial tension here is not what it is in the South.

What IMHO you find in CT more than not are cultural differences. Meaning, those black, white, tan in Glastonbury who work hard to better their lives may not agree with those black, white, tan in a Hartford neighborhood who embrace the "thug life".

You will not find Black, Asians or Latino's who are good citizens in Glastonbury being "shut out" based on their race. We have moved past that in CT. I'm sorry but I found that NOT to be the case in the "prestigous" neighborhood I lived in Charlotte NC. Those of "color" where always on the outside looking in...heck, I'm a olive skinned Italian and was at times looked at "funny" and/or treated differently.

I would ask those who "know" people are "closet racists" HOW you know that since they are "in the closest". Do they have "shifty eyes" or maybe "that look"? I guess you can pick a "gay guy" out of a lineup too just by how he acts right?

[sevdie]

OKay,

Back to the subject at hand....another stereotype out there about CT is that it is full of WASPy country clubs....and that is just because of the way CT is portrayed on TV and in the media. When you turn on the TV, you see a bunch of people in thier tennis outfits having Tea by the pool or something like that. I am sure that is not the case in real life for most CT residents.

[sevdie]

Originally Posted by JViello

... "racism" and for that matter discrimination is far and above less of an "issue" here in CT than many other places in the country...

That's all I was trying to say in my earlier post.

[notjustamom]

Originally Posted by sevdie

OKay,

Back to the subject at hand....another stereotype out there about CT is that it is full of WASPy country clubs....and that is just because of the way CT is portrayed on TV and in the media. When you turn on the TV, you see a bunch of people in thier tennis outfits having Tea by the pool or something like that. I am sure that is not the case in real life for most CT residents.

Ugh, I hate the term WASP. And why in the world would anyone assume country clubs were full of Protestants? LOL!