Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Don't liberals espouse tolerance of and respect for differing beliefs? If you're a tolerant, respectful liberal, you should be fine anywhere in the US - including the South.
There are umpteen threads about people talking about moving someplace that isn't a "nanny state", doesn't have gun control, populations that are lacking in diversity or is more dominated by religious principles ...all of which are by definition "conservative values". Nice try though...
I've noticed these as well, but the numbers pale in comparison. The "nice try" comment is unnecessary, though. Such sarcasm has no place with me: I don't talk politics on CD anymore. Too much hyperbole and refusal to respect someone else's opinion. In some cases a refusal to even acknowledge one has a right to a differing opinion. So, yeah, I don't talk politics. The comment about liberals wanting to live among other liberals is just an observation. No need to be defensive about it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-apple-less
I don't so much care about living among like-minded people; in some ways I actually prefer conservative people, I just want to make sure my tolerance is reciprocated.
The surliness and political correctness of the West Coast and Northeast can be almost stifling, in a way a place that still believed in God and things like courtship and small talk would be refreshing.
I found the West Coast to be pretty "live and let live" with some exceptions. I've never been to the NE so can't comment. I think you can find what you're looking for (just in smaller pockets) on the West Coast, but it'll likely be in higher volume in the South.
Quote:
Originally Posted by KathrynAragon
Don't liberals espouse tolerance of and respect for differing beliefs? If you're a tolerant, respectful liberal, you should be fine anywhere in the US - including the South.
So you're a libertarian? I wouldn't say you're that different from the average Portlander at all. Most Portlanders are indifferent or favorable to things like weed, guns and gay marriage, but don't like the idea of paying a lot of taxes or the concept of welfare very much and are generally faithful to the concpt of capitalism. A higher minimum wage is about the most progressive it gets anywhere in the USA for most people.
In some respects I suppose I am.
Politically I may be similar to Portlanders, but in general probably not. Indifferent is a good way to put it.
I tend to be direct, non-PC, sarcastic, flirtatious, and social. I mix freely with people of all races and socioeconomic backgrounds. If I have an opinion I'll let it be known (which really doesn't fly in the south).
Since I'm working to set up my own business you could infer I'm pro capitalist. Don't really believe in recycling (I'm in favor of quality products that last & are meant to be reused). Most social programs should probably go away. Gay marriage is a moot point since I don't really believe the institution is that useful anymore.
As far as that goes I dislike the hippy thing mainly because it's lazy. If you need an "ism" to live your life come up with a new way and stop clinging to a failed ideology. Granted there are ways that are worse, but to continue to follow something that you know doesn't/hasn't worked drives me bonkers.
I could go on...
But to get back on topic, in the south, you basically keep stuff to yourself.
Outside of downtown Asheville if you're weird the polite southern thing to do is to ignore you. A lot of people from other places see this as being rude. Not the case here.
Go to the bigger cities and it gets better, but only so far as the vibe of that particular city fits somewhat with what you're looking for.
Take Charlotte. Charlotte feels like a southern city that was taken over by northerners, but at the same time NASCAR is big and you'll run into gridlock on Sunday morning getting to church.
And you'll notice another poster suggested a more secular church, but it was still a church. It's just part of the fabric of the south.
Last edited by Port Pitt Ash; 06-19-2015 at 09:27 PM..
Can a liberal be happy in life in general should be the question. MOST LIBERALS I know are angry not tolerate at all of others views ( Fascist come to mind ) and yet they will call that progressive. But iam sure one would say the same of Conservatives minus the progressive part. But then again i dont see socialism and big goverment as progressive but recessive.
I do not care what some posters say. No! A liberal cannot be happy in the South. Been there and though tolerated, was always on the outside looking in. Worst yet, when at cookouts after people had been drinking and their inhibitions lowered, I have been subject to ridicule and unwanted blame.
My experience with the south is that they are more polite one on one, but when when someone riles them up in a crowd then they are down right nasty. Even the apologist when defending you for your views will in turn tell you that they are sorry that everyone was so rude to you but that they would not be that way if you were not so wrong.
I believe that this country would be a lot happier if the South left the union and became it's own country...... I know a lot of people in the South that would like to see that happen too.
I do not care what some posters say. No! A liberal cannot be happy in the South. Been there and though tolerated, was always on the outside looking in. Worst yet, when at cookouts after people had been drinking and their inhibitions lowered, I have been subject to ridicule and unwanted blame.
My experience with the south is that they are more polite one on one, but when when someone riles them up in a crowd then they are down right nasty. Even the apologist when defending you for your views will in turn tell you that they are sorry that everyone was so rude to you but that they would not be that way if you were not so wrong.
I believe that this country would be a lot happier if the South left the union and became it's own country...... I know a lot of people in the South that would like to see that happen too.
You can't speak for every liberal as your experience is just that--your own. There are lots of liberals living in the South who do just fine.
You can't speak for every liberal as your experience is just that--your own. There are lots of liberals living in the South who do just fine.
Fair enough. My experience may not represent everyone else's experiences when dealing with southern culture. However, I have found that overall, northerners are more acceptable to liberal thinking......of course, there are always exceptions to the rule.
I like Southern culture in general, but I'm not a fan of conservative politics. Are there areas in the South where me being a liberal atheist would not offend people? I'm not particularly fond of the culture of the West Coast and Northeast, as I prefer people who are more outgoing and don't beat around the bush.
Depends on where you go. If you go into Atlanta proper or DeKalb County(not the surrounding outer ring suburbs) it might work out.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
