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Just curious... what exactly about Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan would cause culture shock for a New Englander?
There are differences, obviously. But the Upper Midwest shares quite a few similarities with New England. Snow, cold winters, lush and green, lots of lakes, forested areas (not as heavily in the midwest, though), accents are different but not remotely southern (a shared "non-southern" feel), maple syrup, hunting, fishing, dairy farms, blue states. You can even find Dunkin' Donuts here.
If the Upper Midwest causes culture shock, then basically every place on Earth outside of New England should cause you culture shock.
I think we all should start a collection fund so Nep can get the hell out of Connecticut and see the rest of the country. This is sad.
I have already visited 30 states. I have visited all states east of the Mississippi River, as well as Texas and Arizona. I have travelled by car to these states, as well (except for AZ and TX), so I have seen PLENTY of the south and Midwest. And yes, they are culturally different. Some to a larger degree than others, but nonetheless, different.
Just curious... what exactly about Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan would cause culture shock for a New Englander?
There are differences, obviously. But the Upper Midwest shares quite a few similarities with New England. Snow, cold winters, lush and green, lots of lakes, forested areas (not as heavily in the midwest, though), accents are different but not remotely southern (a shared "non-southern" feel), maple syrup, hunting, fishing, dairy farms, blue states. You can even find Dunkin' Donuts here.
If the Upper Midwest causes culture shock, then basically every place on Earth outside of New England should cause you culture shock.
The upper Midwest would only have mild culture shock. My map doesn't take into account the degree of culture shock, but I didn't want to make this freekin' complicated.
The upper Midwest would only have mild culture shock. My map doesn't take into account the degree of culture shock, but I didn't want to make this freekin' complicated.
Though, I'm curious what you found culturally different in the upper Midwest, not having been there myself. I'd assume it wouldn't be too much more culturally different than the Pacific Northwest.
The biggest cultural shock of the Pacific Northwest was the prevalence of men having mustaches non-ironically.
You have culture shock because the media portrays anything outside of the urban experience as something backwards and to be derided if they cover it at all. It's why at election time, ideas/opinions that are not within the urban bubble seem so foreign to you.
You have culture shock because the media portrays anything outside of the urban experience as something backwards and to be derided if they cover it at all. It's why at election time, ideas/opinions that are not within the urban bubble seem so foreign to you.
though, i'm curious what you found culturally different in the upper midwest, not having been there myself. I'd assume it wouldn't be too much more culturally different than the pacific northwest.
the biggest cultural shock of the pacific northwest was the prevalence of men having mustaches non-ironically.
You have culture shock because the media portrays anything outside of the urban experience as something backwards and to be derided if they cover it at all. It's why at election time, ideas/opinions that are not within the urban bubble seem so foreign to you.
not really. Not all of New England is urban, but it's still different from other parts of the country. But most New Englanders (and the rest of the country) don't live in rural areas, but there are still regional differences. As said earlier in the thread, it's not just an urban vs rural thing.
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.
Maryland a "culture shock"... but Florida isn't? What a bizarre map.
A lot of people I have met and spoke with from the Northeast are so oblivious as to how the rest of the country is aside from their region. Some people are shocked that people need cars and cities aren't walkable in the south. Or in Texas, a buddy of mine was surprised that there were actual cities in Texas and not everyone was a cowboy. I have met people, not only from the Northeast, that are surprised that Texas isn't all desert and cactus. My mom is an immigrant from Europe and was devastatingly shocked as to how different things were in Texas. I have met several North easterners that are the same way. I don't know what it is, but I'd guess it's because the Northeast is a very liberal area and believes what is portrayed on the media about the different regions of the country.
I've always thought how funny it is how such educated people are so gullible and can have such a misconception to how the rest of the country really is outside of their region.
Luckily for me, I have traveled throughout the southern United States and throughout Europe and have grown up with such an open mind to new places. I've also learned to NEVER believe the media, or any television for that matter, and never travel to a new area without an open mind.
I have never been to the Northeast, but would love to go one day. Hopefully 19 years from now, or maybe longer, depending on when I want to retire and begin a new career, I can get an opportunity to move to a region of the United States I have never been to before, (preferably a major metropolitan area). That is one of my life goals.
Just remember, every region of the US will be different than yours. If you go in with an open mind, and are willing to meet new people and adapt to a new area and climate, there shouldn't be such a "culture shock" within the same country you live in.
Very well said. It always amazes me how some North easterners are so ignorant about the South and other areas of this country.
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