Why do Wisconsin folks dislike us? (Chicago, Geneva: condo, hotels, vacation)

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by trizkutt

We are simply different than them. We have different values, different personalities. It seems (though this is a gross generalization) that most Illinois people feel a need to constantly show-off and show-up the competition. They have an incessant need to stand out and be flashy. They value money over almost everything else, and it shows in their lifestyle. Wisconsinites on the other hand (including me) really don't see things that way. We are taught to be courteous, humble and gracious...or at the very least not "flashy."

So your world travels have amounted to a huge pile of stereotypes? Did you learn anything while visiting other cultures, or just learn to appreciate their vernacular beer traditions?

I also grew up in Wisconsin and went to college at the UW and grad school elsewhere. I've now lived in Chicago for many years after stints in other major cities in the U.S. and Europe. And I can say that Chicagoans are not significantly different from Wisconsinites in their outlook on life. Yes, there is definitely more wealth in Chicago. But I've met some really down-to-earth Chicagoans and some real money-loving egotistical jerks from Wisconsin. Making sweeping generalizations about the entire population of either state is really really stupid, and doesn't serve to help anyone.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Steve-o

Truth be told, WI drivers down here also drive like jerks for the most part. The door swings both ways...

In terms of driving, you will certainly see a lot of Illinois plates driving north on 39/51 and 41. And 95% of those Illinois cars will be driving in a perfectly decent manner. But it's the smaller percentage of jerks who weave in and out of lanes frantically and zoom at 90 mph in the left lane that give Illinois drivers a bad name in Wisconsin. Because when you live in Wisconsin and see this behavior on the road, the car has an Illinois plate 9 times out of 10.

It goes both ways, of course. You have to expect that urban drivers are more aggressive and seasoned towards battling traffic. I know my own driving style has completely adapted to the tough urban driving environment in Chicago, and I get frustrated with drivers from out of state that hesitate at all or seem unaware.

[computerguysd]

This reminds me a lot of the Chicago / Southern IL thread. For the most part, it's the difference between the urban / rural cultures.

Some folks like living in big cities, some folks don't. To each, his own.

[nanannie]

Originally Posted by computerguysd

This reminds me a lot of the Chicago / Southern IL thread. For the most part, it's the difference between the urban / rural cultures.

Some folks like living in big cities, some folks don't. To each, his own.

I think this post sums it up nicely. I cant beleive this thread is still chugging along.

[SixFive175]

I got cut off, hitting the Enter button by mistake. I probably have to repeat here what I posted, or tried to, 15 minutes ago: in case it didn't go through.

An important disclaimer: Stereotypes are rude, but they're also based on a grain of truth (I hate to say it). The problem comes when you apply it to individuals: it never works. When you apply it to groups, someone always gets offended. However, the stereotypes do remain, no matter how hard you or I try to erase them.

That said, I should also mention that only a significant minority, I believe, will hold the views mentioned below. But they exist, and if you're in an area for a week or more, you'll likely hear some of this.

So here goes.

It the risk of repeating, here goes: Everywhere I've gone, and most people I've talked to, seem to look down on their immediate southern neighbors. Some examples:

1. MINNESOTA-IOWA: Minnesotans have numerous Iowa jokes. Iowans are looked on as hick. A Northern Minnesota saying goes: "An Iowan comes up here with a clean shirt and $5 and never changes either".

2. IOWA-MISSOURI: I lived in Des Moines for almost 50 years. I always heard about Southern Iowans (hick), and Northern Missourians (even more hick).

3. MISSOURI-ARKANSAS: When I was in Kansas City, I heard about Arkies (hick) all the time.

4. CHICAGO-INDIANA: I've listened to enough Chicago talk stations to hear occasional references to Hoosiers being hick, inbred, and so forth. I'm sure there's a similar sentiment about Downstate Illinois (I live in E. Peoria).

5. NORTHERN CALIFORNIA-SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: Northern California looks on Southern Californians as being a bunch of rude, Right Wing, Okies and Texans, not to mention crazy drivers.

6. FLORIDA-CUBA: I've heard nasty things said about Cubans when I visited Tampa-St. Pete.

7. NEW ENGLAND-DIXIE: I visited Connecticut recently, and my host talked disparagingly about people from Virginia and North Carolina (hick, Bible thumpers, intolerant).

8. ENGLAND-FRANCE: I watched a BBC special, while in London, about negative stereotypes both countries have of each other. The French see the British as a bunch of mouth-stuffing gluttons (French cuisine is much better than British cuisine). The Brits see the French as smelly, promiscuous, and so forth.

9. NORTHERN EUROPE-SOUTHERN EUROPE: You know the stereotypes as well as I do.

10. TEXAS-MEXICO: The stereotypes here can get racist.

11. YANKEE VS. DIXIE: The latest manifestation of this is how the Blue States look down on the Red States. Many of my friends in Iowa and Minnesota (who have never been South) view Dixie as a bunch of rednecks driving pickup trucks and employing chain gangs, etc. "What we have hyar is a fai-ure to com-muni-cate", goes the line in the movie "Cool Hand Luke". The ignorance the North has of the South is appalling.

12. PACIFIC NORTHWEST VS. CALIFORNIA: When I was in Washington State, I got the impression Northwesterners viewed California and Californians much like how Romans viewed The Great Mongol Horde.

13. CANADA-USA: When I visited Canada, the impression I got from some could best be expressed as: "We're just glad we live in Canada".

So examine yourself. What do people in your area say about the state or country immediately to your south?

So yes, a certain percentage of Wisconsonians will look down on Illinoisans. But don't be too smug: Canadians look down on Wisconsonians and Minnesotans............

So the choice is yours. Do you want to live way up north, at the top of the map? You'll be "king of the heap", as it were, but you'll have lousy weather and an endless winter. Or would you rather live south, to be looked down by your northerly neighbors?

But you southerners can have the last laugh: you have better weather and less winter. Oh yes, and better taxes, as a general rule.

[Avengerfire]

God, it lives! It lives! Can this thread ever die?

[SixFive175]

Well, I came upon this thread yesterday. I'm new to this forum. So all this stuff is brand new to me, actually.

[BUalumni]

Originally Posted by Avengerfire

God, it lives! It lives! Can this thread ever die?

LMBO! So true! Who cares, I mean really. I have never actually though that the entire state of Wisconsin hates Illinois. I mean, let's get real folks. Maybe her should have posted the question in the Chicago forum. I have a feeling it would have been more appropriate.

[Mamico]

Rudeness isn't regional. I have been a Chicogan all of my life. I own 41 acres in Wisconsin and pay plenty of taxes in both places. I have been to NY and 30 other states and I have seen rude people and kind people. I have made many friends in Wisconsin and others are still rude. Jealously plays a big part in the "rudeness for no apparent reason" attitude of some Wisconsin residents because they believe that if we have property in both places we must be wealthy. I was born in Chicago, not my choice, but I chose to buy property in WI because is it beautiful and I will retire there. I thought your post was a bit rude and very short on perspective. I hope you find a place to settle where everyone treats you with respect. Good luck finding that place.

[ccjarider]

Born educated, married and raised kids in WI. Now living in Chicago area. Both are great, but I can state that that there IS an anti IL attitude that permeates most of WI.

My experience is that overall WI has a "victim" mentality. Many people live with jealosy of others who have more than they do and thus feel it is best to criticize. They do not necessarily figure out how to improve their own lot in life. Instead they vote democrat and hope government redistributes others bounty to them.

When a "flatlander" comes in and buys lakefront or acreage that they would have liked but cannot afford, they express their "victimization" through rudeness or dislike of the Illinios people.

Some will say I am wrong but I lived in WI for the first 47 years of my life and I know what I write is truth.