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Location: The western periphery of Terra Australis
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No, I don't think the PNW culture is more regionally distinct than the South, although I agree some parts of the South, particularly the cities, are becoming more generically American. I see more of an urban rural divide in culture and attitudes in the US, as reflected in voting patterns and regional accents.
Some Northwesterners have strong regional pride but I doubt they're as blindly pariochal as some good ol boys can be. Culturally the PNW is an emerging culture, though, but is mostly defined by environment. There's nothing unique about liberality, environment or boutique breweries. Cascadia isn't as unique as you keep asserting.
We can't let you in unless you own a Subaru, Prius, or old VW Westfalia. The only reason I got in is because I don't own a car at all, but bike instead.
I thought Priuses and Suburaus are New England cars not PNW cars! In the PNW, I was surprised that Priuses are not normal rural cars.
Bicycle riding seem a bit scarcer in rural PNW areas than in New England and even Upstate NY.
I've barely been to the south, but the PNW does feel like it has its own identity. But it was hard to tell if it was a general "western" identity or specific PNW. Distinct maybe, but a subregion in the west. Oregon felt a bit more distinctive than Washington, it felt like I was in a bit of a bubble (super mellow) while Washington felt more normal to me. It felt at least half of the people came somewhere else made it harder for it to be distinct, though the new locals seem to adopt their place quickly. The South has long roots to get a separate identity so I'd say no.
I'm guessing someone coming from the North (especially New England, maybe Upstate NY and the Upper Midwest) would find the Pacific Northwest a lot less different than someone from the south.
I thought Priuses and Suburaus are New England cars not PNW cars! In the PNW, I was surprised that Priuses are not normal rural cars.
Bicycle riding seem a bit scarcer in rural PNW areas than in New England and even Upstate NY.
I've never been to New England or Upstate NY, and I've only ridden in true rural areas here twice. And neither time did I see any other cyclists. There are lots of bikes in town, and there seem to be a lot of mountain bikers. In TN you were very unlikely to see many cyclists around town, but there would be a few on the paved trails and the more hardcore road bikers would often do long rides out in the rural areas. Riding in town there can be a very dangerous and terrifying experience, though, so I guess it makes sense.
PNW speech is essentially Canadian speech minus the 'Canadianisms' imo.
Is there such a thing as PNW speech? It is spoken in a neutral form up there, but still noticeably different from the Canadian accent.
Regionally, the South is much more developed and stronger as a "regional identity"- the Pacific NW is distinct in its own way but as has been mentioned, the geography and relative isolation from the rest of the country is more of the factor to this.
Is there such a thing as PNW speech? It is spoken in a neutral form up there, but still noticeably different from the Canadian accent.
Regionally, the South is much more developed and stronger as a "regional identity"- the Pacific NW is distinct in its own way but as has been mentioned, the geography and relative isolation from the rest of the country is more of the factor to this.
It's different from the Canadian accent because it lacks the raising of /ou/, but I find the tonality very similar, especially when comparing to Canadian speakers born in 1970 and later or so. I also never hear anyone here say 'eh', though most people do call soda 'pop' (I was born in California, and I've never adopted this and still call it 'soda' but my brother calls it pop now). The accent from central California to BC forms a dialect continuum.
Why isn't a culture based on the environment a 'real' culture? I'd say it's a stronger foundation than the South which is based on the Civil War in many ways, or on something as superficial as an accent (which the PNW does have, it's just not one with really strong obvious features).
Why isn't a culture based on the environment a 'real' culture? I'd say it's a stronger foundation than the South which is based on the Civil War in many ways, or on something as superficial as an accent (which the PNW does have, it's just not one with really strong obvious features).
Have you been to the South? Its a lot more complex than just the Civil War factor and there are definitely more-than-subtle differences between each state and its cities. People can see the similarities between Seattle, Portland and San Francisco and the vibes feels very similar. The same can't be said of New Orleans, Charleston, Atlanta and Miami.
And why are you so focused on the South region? Why isn't the midwest and the northeast brought up and compared? They're just as distinctive and pronounced... they even have their own accents.
Have you been to the South? Its a lot more complex than just the Civil War factor and there are definitely more-than-subtle differences between each state and its cities. People can see the similarities between Seattle, Portland and San Francisco and the vibes feels very similar. The same can't be said of New Orleans, Charleston, Atlanta and Miami.
And why are you so focused on the South region? Why isn't the midwest and the northeast brought up and compared? They're just as distinctive and pronounced... they even have their own accents.
I strongly disagree ... Seattle, San Francisco, and Portland are all unique and imo each city feels completely different. Of course New Orleans, Atlanta and Miami are different. Miami is not even in the South, it's in the Caribbean for one thing. New Orleans is also a very atypical southern city, again more of a Caribbean city. Charleston is a unique charming old town, it's like if I said Astoria feeling different from Portland made the PNW more culturally distinct than the South. And Atlanta well, I could compare it to Nashville or Richmond or most other Southern cities and they would be at least equally similar as Seattle and Portland.
You're right though, there's more to southern identity than just the civil war. But the fact is it is gradually becoming less and less distinct from Yankee identity, while the identity of the Pacific Northwest is gradually becoming more and more distinct from the rest of the United States, including from California because despite the fact many Californians, including myself, moved here, newcomers tend to embrace the regional culture very quickly.
That's the difference right there. The provincial attitude about keeping others out. The South got over that a long time ago and major cities in the South have increased their business base, while keeping their cultural fabric reasonably intact and giving up the animosity toward newcomers. Atlanta's motto is "The City too Busy to Hate." That's something to be proud of.
There's no crowding in the PNW. The statistic I like to use is that the ENTIRE state of Oregon, for example, has about the same population as the city of LA (479 sq. mi.), where front and back yards and trees on the lawn strips between the sidewalk and the curb are the norm. Taking it further, ALL 6 of the New England states fit into Oregon, and New England is not at a loss for scenery and serenity.
The biggest turn-off about the PNW is NOT the rain, but the fact that the word "granola" is the most common word to describe its "green" residents. I rarely heard this word in Atlanta, but boy is it a common moniker in the PNW.
Ive lived in the south...I don't think theres any reason to worry about people getting in. The PNW is a special place with unique beauty. It is getting crowed though.
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