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I doubt it's possible to get culture shock anywhere in the US, but I'll admit it took me off guard how everyone says "pop" instead of "soda" or "soft drink" when I visit Colorado.
As a New Englander, I think it's very difficult to get culture shock, I mean true SHOCK, within the United States. One exception that comes not from my own experience but what I've heard from family members and friends, and I know people who have been just about everywhere (I live in LA, know people who live(d)/work(ed) in Bay Area, Texas borderlands, New Mexico, Alaska, South Florida, rural Virginia, the Michigan handle, NYC, Hawaii, etc.), is Utah. Especially outside of Salt Lake City, it can be very uncomfortable for people not raised there, and is probably one of the most stigma-inducing places anyone in my family has lived or visited. In general, especially people from the eastern side of the US, I think Utah could be a culture shock. Anywhere else, generally, may be at max discomforting, but it's not that much of shock to the system.
Based on my travels and conversations with people, as well as my personal experiences, I would say that all of the states colored in orange in the map below have caused me to experience a sensation of culture shock. Some states are more shocking than others, but these are the ones where I just felt a bit different in speech, appearance, custom or behavior compared to the people in that state. One time I had stopped in Delaware at an auto shop and the mechanic even said to me, "I knew ya had some yankee in ya!" To me, being from Connecticut, anything south of Philadelphia feels SOUTHERN. In fact, much of PA feels Midwestern/southern to a New Englander, even. All of those states in the Midwest feel different as well. Certainly a lot more accents compared to New England. And the ancestries are just different (a LOT less Italians to the point where it's super noticeable out in public).
All of the white (non colored) states seem to feel like minimal culture shock to a New Englander, at large. I had to guess with the states out west though. I have a feeling that CO might be a culture shock to a New Englander as well, but I just guessed on that one.
So, how accurate do you think my portrayal is? At least that's how it feels to me when travelling.
You forgot all the white colored states that aren't in New England.
I doubt it's possible to get culture shock anywhere in the US, but I'll admit it took me off guard how everyone says "pop" instead of "soda" or "soft drink" when I visit Colorado.
People in Nebraska says "pop" also. I had to change how I said that when I moved to Maine. Another difference is that people in Colorado and Nebraska say "sack" and people in Maine say "bag".
I am still amazed that you can still pump your gas before paying down south. To me that is a shock,as well as all the flea markets, the painfully slow drivers and as well as all the church talk .
It's not just down south. There are lots of gas stations here in rural Michigan that will still let you pump first, then go inside and pay. It's actually kind of nice when you want to pay cash, but don't want to go through the hassle of pre-pay and trying to guess how much you need. I think pretty much all of the urban gas stations have converted to pre-pay only, though.
I think it's a sign that the area still has a certain level of "trust" of all people, strangers or not. Unfortunately, I think there will be a day when no such place exists anymore. I am thankful to live somewhere that can still operate that way.
It's not just down south. There are lots of gas stations here in rural Michigan that will still let you pump first, then go inside and pay.
Yep, so true. In this area there is only one station that is pre-pay and then it is only from Midnight to 6:00 AM. Nobody gets gas there between those times and just go down the road a bit to several who don't demand pre-pay. I can't think of a single station within 40 miles that is strictly pre-pay all the time.
I am pretty sure that the entire East coast from Virginia to Maine is pre pay. I haven't pumped first since I was in high school and that was over 20 years ago.
I would assume mississippi and most of the deep south would be a huge culture shock to a new englander. The culture is so much more different and bizzare then new england. Also, i would assume the great plaines, and interior west would be significantly different from new england. I dont think the midwest is THAT different from new england. Its not all farmers, conserative bible belt and white people.
I would assume mississippi and most of the deep south would be a huge culture shock to a new englander. The culture is so much more different and bizzare then new england. Also, i would assume the great plaines, and interior west would be significantly different from new england. I dont think the midwest is THAT different from new england. Its not all farmers, conserative bible belt and white people.
The South isn't all White people either. Hence the reason why a New Englander would feel awkward down South.
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