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There's also the appearance of a place. To a New Englander who is used to green hills, small towns, some mountains, woods, seeing a place like LA is really a shock. LA is dry and if there is any grass, it's brown, the hills are brown and dry and ugly compared to the gentle New England landscape.
The OP is from a town that is largely Italian so that enters into his idea of shock. Other New Englanders who are not Italian, feel more at home in places where the people eat apple pie and meat and potatoes.
I start to feel that I'm in the south when I'm in Maryland. It's a beautiful state and in appearance, it reminds me of New England but then I see huge horse farms and architecture that looks different and I hear the different accent.
From what most people have told me, New Englanders feel most at home in the Pacific Northwest and would prefer to live there if they didn't have family back here. (better climate, friendlier people.)
Thank you. To a New Englander, the culture shock DOES begin when you enter Delaware/Maryland. It really starts to feel a little southern down there. That's also interesting that you pointed out the landscape...that's true. New Englanders are used to the 98% forested and hilly landscape that much of the rest of the country just doesn't have.
I disagree, however, with your comment that the climate is better in the Pacific Northwest. It doesn't get warm enough in the summer, and it's gloomy for LONG periods of time...even worse than New England. But if we're talking about winter, then yeah, it's better over there, as New England winters SUCK!
You should add Maryland/D.C. to your list, because that area acts more East Coast than American.
Except for a couple spots in Florida, you should feel out of place in that state, too. It's plenty Dixie. Outside of the Northeast states you marked in white, you should feel eyes watching you when you travel in the remaining white states, because those states do not appreciate northeast attitude, less'n you keep it in check. When a lane is ending, that's not a cue to run up in the lane as far as one can and jam over. When a car is trying to get on the highway, one is supposed to move over and let it on. When a price is fair, don't continue bargaining. Outside of the Northeast and a couple spots in Florida, pushiness will get you in trouble, sometimes, in deep trouble.
Pause a piece to hold the door for the next person.
New Mexico is very Hispanic. They deal simply and honestly. Best not to play city boy with them, either.
Remember, "We say grace. We say Ma'am. And if you ain't into that we don't give a damn."
It's funny you say "some parts in Florida" assuming the parts of Florida you're talking about comprise South Floirda, a New Englander would probably feel out of place in many parts of South Florida. Considering how Anglo New England is, Miami would be a COMPLETELY different city than what they're used to.
To be clear, I specified that I found Albuquerque to be extremely White, and at 42%, Albuquerque is way Whiter than the place I grew up in in New York which is about 12% White and most of that is very ethnic Italian-Americans. Much more Baked Ziti and Cannolis than Hot Dogs and Apple Pie, and that surrounded by a plurality of Jamaicans, Brazilians, Puerto Ricans and American Blacks. So yeah, I thought (and still think) of Albuquerque as being very middle-America, middle-class 'White' by comparison.
Haha well then I would hate to see what you consider Omaha, Topeka, Colorado Springs, Evansville, Fargo, etc...
Albuquerque is "middle-America, and White"? You say you grew up in NYC. but the OP's from New England. Very different demographics for the most part. But even then, Albuquerque, nor anywhere in the Southwest is "middle-America". Especially considering that NM is only 1 of 4 states that is a minority-majority states. Honestly, what's middle-American about Chicano-Culture and Native-Americans?
Actually, I think the assumption is flawed. Culture shock is less a state-to-state thing than a city/rural thing.
You are wrong. For example, when I travel to the Atlanta area from CT, it is noticeably more southern. I hear southern accents more often, the people are a bit slower, etc. Despite what others may say, Atlanta feels fairly southern to someone from Boston, for example. Moving from Boston to Atlanta WOULD be culture shock! Or Boston to Houston, for example. Now, moving from Atlanta to Houston might not be a noticeable culture shock, because they are both southern vibed cities.
When a lane is ending, that's not a cue to run up in the lane as far as one can and jam over. When a car is trying to get on the highway, one is supposed to move over and let it on.
That sounds like a way to create a traffic hazard, traffic in a road has the right of way.
Well I seriously have considered living in the South. One of my choices would be Raleigh, NC maybe. I thought it was a very nice area, although half of the people had southern accents, which is something I'd have to get used to, since NO ONE in New England has that accent. My real concern is what southerners would think of me. Would THEY be bothered by someone who doesn't have the southern accent? Would they not care to make friends with me?
Oh come on...you wouldn't be the first person we've encountered from outside of our region - quite the contrary. There have been hordes of
"outsiders" relocating to the South for many decades. We are extremely accustomed to it here.
So no one in New England has a southern accent? Not even the relocated southerners who live there?
You sound like you think we are too backwards to accept people from other regions of the U.S., but in reality it sound like you are the one with a narrow mind. It's 2012, not 1900.
Anyone who fears that Southerners would not "accept them" because of their accent is an ignorant fool living under a rock! Seriously? Really?! Gimme a break!
This thread is ridiculous ... the OP is completely uneducated and / or untraveled.
I'm simply amazed that people in the United States still harbor this kind of ignorance in this day and time.
This thread seems a little fishy to me...it's hard to imagine anyone being that sheltered. Someone needs to broaden his/her horizons.
Oh come on...you wouldn't be the first person we've encountered from outside of our region - quite the contrary. There have been hordes of
"outsiders" relocating to the South for many decades. We are extremely accustomed to it here.
So no one in New England has a southern accent? Not even the relocated southerners who live there?
You sound like you think we are too backwards to accept people from other regions of the U.S., but in reality it sound like you are the one with a narrow mind. It's 2012, not 1900.
I've only known 2 or 3 people ever during my entire life in New England (26 years of my life) that had some sort of southern accent. Two were from Texas and one from Kansas. But that's it. It's VERY uncommon up here. I haven't heard one in years around here. Probably because more northerners relocate to the south than southerners relocating to the north.
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This thread seems a little fishy to me...it's hard to imagine anyone being that sheltered. Someone needs to broaden his/her horizons.
