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I recently had a debate with someone regarding their use of the word "slow" to describe an area and its people. This individual was from a northern city/metro and used this word to describe a more southern city, and basically southern cities in general. They referenced fashion (.. of all things) and a few other reasons to back up their claim as to why a certain city is slower than another. I do believe objective comparisons can be made between cities to determine likeness and differences or which has more of this and that, but in my opinion that doesnt equate to one being slower than the other, at least not in the context of how the word is used by majority of people from larger cities and metros. Normally the word slow has negative connotations when used to describe a city or its people and in my opinion is sort of disrespectful. Especially when talking about silly subjective topics such as fashion. Each city has its own culture and should be respected, even if one cant relate.
Even when looking at objective items (such as transportation, 24hr diners, shopping, etc.), expectations have to be grounded in reality. When I go to visit somewhere, my expectations are in line with the type of area I am visiting. For example, I do not expect big city amenities when going to visit midsize cities, smaller metros, or rural areas. So it would be sort of ridiculous on my end to even point out that a place is "slower". And to say such is sometimes elitist in my eyes.
So the question I have for C-D is how do you feel about the word "slow" being used as a descriptor for a place and/or its people?
Whether you have used the word or have heard it used, do you believe it has negative connotations or not?
And are some people, such as myself, just overly defensive ?
There is no precise definition of 'slow' when used to describe places, but I think the collective idea of 'slow' is similar enough that it makes for an apt descriptor. It seems a fairly neutral word to me, with negative or positive connotations given by individuals. Some people will like a 'slower' metro area while others will not. We're each looking for different things. It's also a relative term. Someone in NYC might say they are seeking a 'slower' city and they might be thinking something like Boston or Baltimore while someone in Pittsburgh asks for a slower city recommendation and is looking for places like Raleigh or Austin. This relativity can even exist between two towns of roughly the same size.
If an individual does not like "slow", then the idea of moving to a slow place can certainly be a negative. It's about personal taste and desire. Fashion is not silly to a lot of people. It's a multi-billion dollar artistic industry that nearly ever person in the country partakes in. Some people find family-oriented cities to be silly and dreadful, but this does not mean that using that descriptor is objectively negative.
In short, "slow" is a fairly neutral word. It's also relative and subjective. Different strokes, different folks.
I recently had a debate with someone regarding their use of the word "slow" to describe an area and its people. This individual was from a northern city/metro and used this word to describe a more southern city, and basically southern cities in general. They referenced fashion (.. of all things) and a few other reasons to back up their claim as to why a certain city is slower than another. I do believe objective comparisons can be made between cities to determine likeness and differences or which has more of this and that, but in my opinion that doesnt equate to one being slower than the other, at least not in the context of how the word is used by majority of people from larger cities and metros. Normally the word slow has negative connotations when used to describe a city or its people and in my opinion is sort of disrespectful. Especially when talking about silly subjective topics such as fashion. Each city has its own culture and should be respected, even if one cant relate.
Even when looking at objective items (such as transportation, 24hr diners, shopping, etc.), expectations have to be grounded in reality. When I go to visit somewhere, my expectations are in line with the type of area I am visiting. For example, I do not expect big city amenities when going to visit midsize cities, smaller metros, or rural areas. So it would be sort of ridiculous on my end to even point out that a place is "slower". And to say such is sometimes elitist in my eyes.
So the question I have for C-D is how do you feel about the word "slow" being used as a descriptor for a place and/or its people?
Whether you have used the word or have heard it used, do you believe it has negative connotations or not?
And are some people, such as myself, just overly defensive ?
1. Don't like it
2. No, Yes, Yes
3. No.
And I don't like the phrase"You have a THICK Southern accent" or being called hick, redneck, etc.
Using a single word to describe place/people is usually only appropriate if you're in a "describe something in one word" contest. Using "slow" is just lazy shorthand for "slower-paced, laid-back, not brimming with nightlife" or something similar. I find it ambiguous, not offensive. Calling a place "fast" (which I'd bet happens less frequently than "slow") is also ambiguous and also, to me at least, inoffensive. If someone wants to either disrespect or praise a place, the least they can do is dig into their vocabulary and be descriptive and specific :-) Text messaging and social media encourage quick, rapid-fire and often poorly constructed wording that carries over into non-screen communication. Paraprhasing the waiter in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" - "I weep for the language's future"
It means it has a slower pace than the place from which they came. That's it. Since they don't know everybody, they can't label every person from any place really.
I hate the "We're better than you" attitude many northerners have. I'm from Michigan, I moved to Portland, or for a while and moved back (didn't like the culture in portland). Portland is a very "hip and now" city and everyone was curious why I didn't like it. Now I'm planning on moving down south somewhere, and everyone is asking "why? have fun with the rednecks" I just don't understand that mindset. First off, I'll take rednecks over hipsters and damn day, but regardless, to group EVERYONE in the south as a redneck is INSANE. There's so much great culture in southern cities! Amazing music, food, architecture, friendly people. Honestly there's just as much white trash in Michigan than in southern states, or any state for that matter, I just don't get the sentiment that somewhere if you cross that Kentucky border suddenly people become more and more uneducated.
"Slow" and "fast-paced" are the same to me - basically meaningless terms. I have no idea what "fast-paced" means yet everyone describes the area I live in as just that. It doesn't feel "fast-paced" to me, it feels normal. I try to avoid using "fast-paced" and "slow-paced" to describe places.
^ Fast-paced are cities and regions where everyone is crowded and in a rush all the time and seem not to care about the next person. Slower-paced cities don't really have that problem, even if the problems that do exist can also be common to faster-paced areas.
The locations don't matter, because you have these places everywhere in america. Some people just don't realize it.
^ Fast-paced are cities and regions where everyone is crowded and in a rush all the time and seem not to care about the next person. Slower-paced cities don't really have that problem, even if the problems that do exist can also be common to faster-paced areas.
The locations don't matter, because you have these places everywhere in america. Some people just don't realize it.
I do know what people mean, but I think it's subjective. And I think all cities are a degree of "fast-paced," I think it's more of a rural/urban divide rather than North/South strictly.
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