Why do people think redneck is the same as being Southern? (college, live in)

[vasinger]

Im tired of people thinking that redneck and southern is the same thing it isnt. Southern is laid back and in many ways more genteel than the North. Southerners are taught to have proper manners, and be hospitable. Also, we speak slower and not through our noses like some do in the North. Rednecks are just a class of people. But when I tell people Im from Virginia, they start making "redneck" jokes. Why?

[elfyum]

Originally Posted by vasinger

Im tired of people thinking that redneck and southern is the same thing it isnt. Southern is laid back and in many ways more genteel than the North. Southerners are taught to have proper manners, and be hospitable. Also, we speak slower and not through our noses like some do in the North. Rednecks are just a class of people. But when I tell people Im from Virginia, they start making "redneck" jokes. Why?

Because they're ignorant.
(Or just playing around... )

[KewGee]

Originally Posted by elfyum

Because they're ignorant.
(Or just playing around... )

I agree; because they're ignorant.

[Pixie Dust]

Originally Posted by vasinger

Im tired of people thinking that redneck and southern is the same thing it isnt. Southern is laid back and in many ways more genteel than the North. Southerners are taught to have proper manners, and be hospitable. Also, we speak slower and not through our noses like some do in the North. Rednecks are just a class of people. But when I tell people Im from Virginia, they start making "redneck" jokes. Why?

I personally would never consider Virginia a southern state. I would think from the Carloinas down would be southern, of course I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
This of course would be excluding Florida which is southern but, in a class all to its self.

[Ms.Charlotte]

Originally Posted by vasinger

Im tired of people thinking that redneck and southern is the same thing it isnt. Southern is laid back and in many ways more genteel than the North. Southerners are taught to have proper manners, and be hospitable. Also, we speak slower and not through our noses like some do in the North. Rednecks are just a class of people. But when I tell people Im from Virginia, they start making "redneck" jokes. Why?

The same reason Southerners stereotype Northerners. Ignorance.

I grew up in NJ and never really heard anyone mock Southerners. That is, until I went back to visit for Thanksgiving. All I heard from friends and family was fake Southern drawls and sentences starting with exaggerated "y'alls". It was very annoying.

[domergurl]

It doesn't help when you have folks like Jeff Foxworthy and Larry the Cable Guy doing their bits ...

[ontheroad]

I always thought it was because the sun was beating down hard(er) on their necks while out farming!

But then I am ignorant!

[vasinger]

Originally Posted by confused and relocating

I personally would never consider Virginia a southern state. I would think from the Carloinas down would be southern, of course I could be wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.
This of course would be excluding Florida which is southern but, in a class all to its self.

Virginia is very southern. Its just not the deep south. Its Upper South But its southern enough for these people I know.

Besides, Im from Richmond We're only about an hour's drive from NC anyway.

I personally dont consider Florida a Southern state. At least not south of Orlando.

[vasinger]

Think of how us Northerners feel when we move South.


I went to college in Virginia (UVA to be exact) for 4 years and I couldn't wait to get out. Everyone kept calling me a "Yankee from Massachusetts". They kept bringing up the Civil War. Sheesh. In Massachusettes the war is long over. Of course maybe its changed. This was back in the 1970s.

But yeah, I mean, its all relative. I have a friend who lived in Richmond and they said it was the same thing. Always fighting the war down there.

[Amavel]

It's the same reason why if you live in NYC or LA you're labeled as a liberal.

There's no difference... except that being called a liberal doesn't directly discount your intelligence?