[imagardener]

Originally Posted by JMadison

I'd say from experience though, that northeasterners that come down to Florida, typically from around NYC *do* have a coarseness and rudeness about them. A good portion are jewish. ...
So it may not neccesarily be bigotry.

Just out of curiousity, are factual observations of behavior a defense to the charge of bigotry?

(No flames intended.)

I think it's prejudice when you label ALL people of one type as being a certain way. So no I do think your bigotry is defensible to attach a label to an entire ethnic group,(or religion or race or sexual preference).

Prejudice is "pre-judging" based on lumping everyone together. That's what engenders hate crimes.

I'm blonde and female. Not dumb. Not ditsy. But a lot of people judge me by the way I look until they know me better. My schooling taught us to treat everyone equally and not pre-judge until their actions gave us reasons otherwise. It's worked out pretty well.

[Scientifical Madness]

I find JMadison's comment to be pretty accurate. Think about it, if there werent some truth to it, would it really be a problem?

[TANaples]

Ok, as a New Yorker let me give my two cents on New Yorkers who move to Florida. I cannot stand them. They think their your know what doesn't you know what all because they have moved to "paradise". They look down on all their neighbors, friends, acquaintances back up in NY. That is why I started that thread on the General Forum, "Are you jealous of people living in Florida". I was specifically referring to the transplants from NEW YORK who I have heard say that. No, I don't like living here, but when these people attempt to paint ME in the same light as THEM just because we are from the same state, I give it to them, FLAT OUT. You want to give NY attitude, well then you better be able to take it, from one of your OWN. I have never experienced this attitude from the MidWest transplants. It just the New Yorker transplants I have met.

It it like all the snobby, obnoxious ones are the ones that move to Florida. Just get away from me. I have nothing in common with you and your attitude except we happen to have been born in the same state.

I cannot stand New York transplants to Florida. Period.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Ok, as a New Yorker let me give my two cents on New Yorkers who move to Florida. I cannot stand them. They think their your know what doesn't you know what all because they have moved to "paradise". They look down on all their neighbors, friends, acquaintances back up in NY. That is why I started that thread on the General Forum, "Are you jealous of people living in Florida". I was specifically referring to the transplants from NEW YORK who I have heard say that. No, I don't like living here, but when these people attempt to paint ME in the same light as THEM just because we are from the same state, I give it to them, FLAT OUT. You want to give NY attitude, well then you better be able to take it, from one of your OWN. I have never experienced this attitude from the MidWest transplants. It just the New Yorker transplants I have met.

It it like all the snobby, obnoxious ones are the ones that move to Florida. Just get away from me. I have nothing in common with you and your attitude except we happen to have been born in the same state.

I cannot stand New York transplants to Florida. Period.

HA! LOVE IT!!!

[Reptoid Humidian]

Remind me NEVER to step on your bad side?

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by TANaples

Ok, as a New Yorker let me give my two cents on New Yorkers who move to Florida. I cannot stand them. They think their your know what doesn't you know what all because they have moved to "paradise". They look down on all their neighbors, friends, acquaintances back up in NY. That is why I started that thread on the General Forum, "Are you jealous of people living in Florida". I was specifically referring to the transplants from NEW YORK who I have heard say that. No, I don't like living here, but when these people attempt to paint ME in the same light as THEM just because we are from the same state, I give it to them, FLAT OUT. You want to give NY attitude, well then you better be able to take it, from one of your OWN. I have never experienced this attitude from the MidWest transplants. It just the New Yorker transplants I have met.

It it like all the snobby, obnoxious ones are the ones that move to Florida. Just get away from me. I have nothing in common with you and your attitude except we happen to have been born in the same state.

I cannot stand New York transplants to Florida. Period.

You either lost your sense of humor after living there, or you didn't have one to begin with.

[Suncoast Guy]

Originally Posted by wildpalm

Ten years ago, I chose to relocate to Naples, Florida. I, like so many others, was immediately wowed by the wonderful subtropical weather, and natural beauty of the region. I consciously chose Naples over Florida's east coast, based on the demographic, and the relatively small population, thinking that life would be, "laid back". Literally, from the very first day I moved into town, my ideal image was shattered. I was so surprised to see how blatantly hostile the average resident was, and furthermore, how incredibly impatient most residents were. I'm not only referring to the resident wealthy, or the "snow birds", I'm talking about the average person you will run into on the street or in a store. Driving in Naples has been described as a blood sport for good reason. The road rage is serious here. I've witnessed people screaming at each other from their cars, lots of middle fingers, constant blaring horns in season, and even the occasional fight- yes, I've seen guys get out of their cars, and on one occasion, a guy even took a baseball bat out of his trunk to threaten another hostile driver in the road during rush hour. Need to merge? Forget it. Trying to get out of an establishment on a busy US 41? F-U. Do you stop at red lights before making a right turn? You'll get the horn, and probably more. Do you drive the speed limit, or slightly over? The average driver here will tale-gate you mercilessly, flash their lights, and honk, then pass you at high speed, deliberately cutting you off to make you think they are going to collide with you, glaring at you the whole time. That's the REAL Naples.

Ironically, I've had a number of relocated individuals- nearly always from the Northeast or Midwest, tell me that this place is "paradise". I cannot imagine what hell life there must be like, if this is paradise to them. Most people who have been here for more than a few years, such as myself, can attest- this is NO PARADISE! Now, to make things clear- I am a very well educated professional, I own a home here, I own a small business, and have friends in Naples. I'm connected to the community, and know first-hand the in's and out's of living here. I cannot imagine how much harder life must be for those who have a lower income. I can tell you this with the utmost honesty- you must be wealthy to live in Naples, or you will work yourself to death to have a decent lifestyle. If you serve others in a restaurant, work in a retail establishment, or provide any domestic service, God help you. The rich here love the showy display of their wealth. That alone isn't enough for many of them. They like to stare at you, glare at you, look down on you, and put you "in your place". You get fingers snapped at you, threatened in numerous ways, and generally treated as an inferior being. I have a great many friends who work in these fields, and I cannot tell you the number of horror stories. It's unreal how many of the locals behave. Of course, not everyone is so cruel, but I can attest- it is real, and very sad.

There are positive aspects to living in Naples, and it wouldn't be fair if I did not mention them. However, please realize that the positive aspects of living in Naples, Florida are primarily superficial, and not meaningful. The standard of living is extremely high. Housing is abundant, if not quite expensive. The recreational activities are abundant, however, many public marinas have disappeared, and now it's becoming increasingly difficult to launch or rent a boat. The beaches are truly beautiful, however, the surrounding waters of the Gulf of Mexico are increasingly polluted with runoff from the God knows how many golf courses and mansions with chemically treated landscapes. As a result of this environmental onslaught, the gulf beaches are not what they once were. The water is murky, and Red Tide (a condition in which marine life dies and piles up on the beaches to decay due to a toxic algae), is on the rise. The community is quite small. The population of permanent residents is unbelievably small. Check out the US Census details. Unfortunately, when tourist season arrives, the number of tourists dwarfs the local population so much, that life here becomes surreal. It's like moving to another, severely overpopulated town with an undersized infrastructure. Think, traffic jams, long commutes over short distances, and constant accidents. The sound of sirens is the prevalent ambient sound of tourist season.

There is so much more to add, but I'm curious what others think. I'd rather find out what other local residents think, but it might be interesting to contrast that with opinions of tourists. I can draw from my own experiences, and tell you right away that when I used to come here as a tourist, my impression of life in Naples was far from accurate. I'm also sure that there will be those with vastly contrasting experiences. There's always someone here who thinks this town is paradise, as I mentioned in the onset of this thread.

Yes, Naples is nice. Yes, the crime is low. And yes I believe the people are snobby. It's because they have all that money and don't care what other people think. My best advice: If you like Naples, hightail it out of there and go to a less rich city. Let the people who like Naples live there, and you go to a town that you would like more.

[hiknapster]

Originally Posted by Suncoast Guy

Yes, Naples is nice. Yes, the crime is low. And yes I believe the people are snobby. It's because they have all that money and don't care what other people think. My best advice: If you like Naples, hightail it out of there and go to a less rich city. Let the people who like Naples live there, and you go to a town that you would like more.

You don't have to go to a city with people that are less rich. You just have to go to an old money area where people have manners.

[Scientifical Madness]

Originally Posted by hiknapster

You don't have to go to a city with people that are less rich. You just have to go to an old money area where people have manners.

aka "Northward." LOL.

[imagardener]

Originally Posted by Scientifical Madness

aka "Northward." LOL.

There are many areas of south Florida where people have old-fashioned manners.

I just didn't see it in Naples generally. Of course there are some pleasant people there, just not enough of them.