New England Stereotypes (Boston: school, moving to, horse)

[brightdoglover]

Elitist on what count?
Yes, there are wealthy/successful/educated people with bad manners, who would be elitist.
I personally am uncomfortable in the small fashionable area downtown, as I feel the Fashion Police are about to swoop down and send me home in all my frumpery. But I feel that way about any sleek neighborhood in a downtown city.

[robertpolyglot]

I've noticed it, too. I'm from LA but have traveled extensively and have lived in other areas, the furthest away being ATL where I had many friends from the Northeast.

The New Yorker (or "tri-state" area) person, assuming they are not an exec or doctor, is pretty much a "salt of the earth" open book who can be animated, confrontational and direct. I found them easy to get to know. Most of my friends were from this area when I was in ATL.

The New Englander is a lot more stiff uffer lip and stoic, and therefore less animated, less confrontational and less direct. I've met and worked with some Bostonians and from suburbs of that area that are even a little touchy on certain subjects. In short, they are not bawdy like some NYers I know. The "Maudes" or "Rhodas" aren't as prevalent in Boston. And, for God's sake, as soon as you get way up in, say Burlington, VT, there is NO connection to New York-type behavior and style AT ALL. Up there (which I visited while in Montreal), it's smug and collegiate...it wouldn't be my choice. I'm considered too obnoxious.

[NY'er lost in MA]

Very well put- NY'ers put all their cards on the table (so to speak) while New Englanders are more reserved and much harder to get to know....

Originally Posted by robertpolyglot

I've noticed it, too. I'm from LA but have traveled extensively and have lived in other areas, the furthest away being ATL where I had many friends from the Northeast.

The New Yorker (or "tri-state" area) person, assuming they are not an exec or doctor, is pretty much a "salt of the earth" open book who can be animated, confrontational and direct. I found them easy to get to know. Most of my friends were from this area when I was in ATL.

The New Englander is a lot more stiff uffer lip and stoic, and therefore less animated, less confrontational and less direct. I've met and worked with some Bostonians and from suburbs of that area that are even a little touchy on certain subjects. In short, they are not bawdy like some NYers I know. The "Maudes" or "Rhodas" aren't as prevalent in Boston. And, for God's sake, as soon as you get way up in, say Burlington, VT, there is NO connection to New York-type behavior and style AT ALL. Up there (which I visited while in Montreal), it's smug and collegiate...it wouldn't be my choice. I'm considered too obnoxious.

[ontheroad]

Feel free to join us any day, crazyworld.

Originally Posted by crazyworld

I like a Dunkie medium regular.........hehehehehe

[lorilou]

Originally Posted by MovingForward

Agreed. Texans--especially the rich ones--have little to no sense of propriety in the manifestation of wealth. If they've got it, they flaunt it--in the most classless ways imaginable. Speaking generally, of course. . . .

Just curious, MovingForward...
did you have a miserable time growing up in TX? Have you no fond memories?
Most of your TX references seem to be miserable. You seem much happier here in New England.
Lorilou

[nomadlifestyle]

Not going to generalize to people from New England since I've only lived in Massachsetts. But I heard this joke from my husband and I thought it was rather true of people in MA:

Guy's car has a flat tire and he pulls to the side of the road. His phone battery is dead...he has a spare but not the tools to change the flat. So he tries to flag down passing cars for help. One car stops and the guy comes over and grunts that his car is beginnging to stall traffic. The first guy explains that his car has a flat and needs help changing it.

Second guy turns around and starts walking. First guy is confused and ask if he would help him. Second guy looks back and says, "yah I'm going to help but no one says I have to be happy doing it"

I had a good laugh. People around here may not be the most jolly folks you meet but you can count on them for help when you need it

[crazyworld]

Thanks ontheroad

[HookEm']

Ok, this is great! I was on the site because I am thinking about moving North and then I found this thread... Well, I'm from Dallas, Texas ya'll!!! I have to admit I laughed a few times reading everyone's post, most are true.

Lets' see, Texans might travel more but mostly because it takes us 6 hours to get to another part of the state... (takes me 3 hours to get to my Dad and 5 to my one of my brothers, both in Texas). We don't talk slow, I just add 8 vowels for every one ex: Hiiiiiiii yaaaaaa'll! There are parts of Dallas where people spend a lot of money on things that should not be bought, Dallas has more plastic surgery done than L.A. (scary)! Oh yes, catch some Texans on a bad day and everything is those, D%&$ yankees fault. You also have to remember we consider anyone North of the Red River (what separates TX and OK) a Yankee!!! haha! Our oldest buildings are missions, we learn Texas history form K to College (I had to take Texas history in order to Grad. UT), and we love our red meat!!!

We do have our.. "oddities", but I love the state! So why do I want to move...
It is so freaking hot here all year round, we have four season (not too hot, hot, hotter, and freaking hot) and I just need a change.

The biggest thing I saw about MA when I was up there in Sept... people did seem in a hurry, everyone did not say "hi" just because you were there, haha and homes/buildings were a lot closer together (you truly utiliz your space!).

[capecodcathy]

Well, this thread has been fun to read!
A woman from Houston I met online and have spoken with regularly over the phone, told me she thought New Englanders were snobs. She said she has since discovered she was wrong. Same thing with people I have had the pleasure to speak with from W.VA, MD, GA, CA, AZ.
I find that there are stereotypes by regions in New England. Vermont is considered artsy and "crunchy" or dairy farmers. A friend who visited asked "do local women shave? Ever?" A lot of New York vacationers.
New Hampshire, somewhat artsy but more crusty with a lot of MA exiles who aren't very social (that would be my family!). Concord is a bit different. I have rellies there, too.
Maine, hmmmmmm. Depends on where you go. A lot of the above but get closer to the coast and people either think salt-o'-the earth fisherman or elitist with sailboats and estates on the coast. Many people's only impression of Maine is the Bush Family's summer white house. I, myself, prefer Booth Bay Harbor. One of the most beautiful and friendly towns I have ever had the pleasure to visit. Ever been to Moscow, ME? Yes, it does exist and they serve up a mean breakfast with a host of friendly locals.
Rhode Island? Think Newport, mansions, etc. Providence has come a long way. Buddy may have served a little "time" for it, but he did the city a lot of good. Many MA exiles, too. Just try to get to and from Boston on 24 at rush hour. Yikes.
CT is a split. Western is considered suburban NYC, like NJ. Eastern is more New England. I can't say I've spent much time in CT, but as I've driven through, I see more CT and MA license plates when I enter the Eastern part of the state and gradually see only NY tags as I enter the Western part.
MA is a different story entirely. We are characterized as Brahmin, Kennedy or Old Salts. Depends on who you talk to and whether you're talking about North or South Shores, Western 'burbs, Springfield and other "western" towns, or South Coast and Cape Cod.
Let's face it, we're all characters in our own right and revel in it!
I, myself, have gone from being the big hair, heels on Revere Beach girl in the 80's to the little makeup and somewhat crunchy Cape Codder.
Give me a medium iced regular from Dunkies, even in the dead of winter.

[dscans]

Interesting thread.
I was curious about the "untraveled" comment regarding new englanders. It's funny because as a former massachusite, I have that view of my coworkers here in Virginia. My friend who was born in this city (Roanoke), grew up here, went to college here, and now works here told me has no interest in traveling anywhere else. This is true of most of the locals.

At the same time, another one of my coworkers was born in Springfield, MA, about 20 minutes from where I grew up. Then I discovered I have several distant cousins in the area.

Furthermore, I was born in Cali, my brother was born in Maine, he's been to every continent but Antarctica, and my sister has been to two other continents and she's still in high school!

So in my particular experience, the opposite has been true. However, with some of the best colleges and so many great vacation spots, there isn't a whole lot of reason to leave.

To get back on topic: we're all thought of as "lib-ruhls" we all love "chowdah" the "sawx" and we want to tax everyone to death. Also, growing up in the western part of the state, when people find out I'm from Mass, they always ask "why don't you have a Boston accent?"