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Growing up (when I was young) in rural Virginia, and later spending the vast majority of my life (thus far) in Richmond, I've always considered myself a Southerner. I'm living in Louisiana now, though, and most people (especially those who have never been out of state) think I'm from the "Northeast". A lot of times, I get questions about snow or politics (the latter being from people who assume I'm from the DC area). So no, I don't particularly like pulling out my ID.
Why would anyone be ashamed of where they live?
How shallow can that be
Ashamed? I don't know about that. But I can see how people don't like where they live and don't really want to dwell on it with someone looking at their ID. I felt that way when I lived in Maine. I wasn't originally from there, I couldn't wait to leave and I didn't really like the association because I wasn't really a Mainer.
Why would anyone be ashamed of where they live?
How shallow can that be
As the poster above me just put it, negative or embarrassing connotations with where you were raised.
For instance, I was first brought into the world of firearms when I was stopped over briefly in Utah and Wyoming during trucking trips in the past.
Due to the measured level excitement that was visible from me during my first shooting trip in '06 at the age of 23, the other shooters were just curious to "why so late in life?"
I mentioned being raised in the desert and having parents that didn't favor weapons a whole lot. Then I told them where the desert was located and they sort of took that to mind.
Anyways, I've already made a full vow to myself that once I've gotten to the point where I'm fully moved out of CA and no longer required to venture to or through it, then it'll be out of sight/out-of-mind.
Until then, I'll vent steam where I see fit so that it doesn't give me a stroke. You can only keep things bottled up for so long.
Why would anyone be ashamed of where they live?
How shallow can that be
I can’t speak for the original poster, but I think I know what he/she might be driving at. From a specifically CA perspective however, “shame” is not the most accurate descriptor. Perhaps “feeling unwelcome” is more apt, especially when traveling in the West. I think the reasons for this are many, primarily among those is a resentment caused by the sheer size and population of CA. There’s a palpable sense of “not another one of you”, which in itself likely has many explanations. The talk radio nonsense that shapes our political consciousness about the state’s fiscal problems also infects CA residents. CA is lazily blamed for everything, to the extent everybody ignores the hundreds of billions of dollars the state spends subsidizing more sparsely populated states. I’m as big as booster of this place as you will find. However, if you were raised with an appropriate sense of humility, you don’t travel and boast to the locals. There is a difference in being proud and being prideful, even though residents of certain cities and states notoriously wear the later as a badge of honor.
It didn't really bother me, but I've had people make "Jersey Shore" related jokes when they'd see my plate or id. Typical remarks such as "Jersey stinks" is also common. Overall, most people have fun with their reaction when I say I'm from NJ- It's an easy target these days. No real hostility though.
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Why would anyone be ashamed of where they live?
