New England Stereotypes (Boston, Harvard: middle-class, home, schools)

[New Englander]

So I was speaking with a Texan buddy of mine who had gone to school up here. During the conversation he said to me "your such a new englander." Now usually I don't mind and even like the fact that I am from the best region of the US, but it got me thinking of the stereotypes (some which I am a part of):

- Snooty/Standoffish
- Well off (Banking, Publishing, Law)
- Elite Schools (Ivy League)
- Clever

At least these are the stereotypes that came up in our discussion. I had a few of my own for Texans but I am not going to mention them

So, please add your own!

[LeavingMA]

Impatient...New Englanders always seem to be in a rush.

[CaseyB]

Cheap - or as we Yankees say, Frugal.

[tamiznluv]

Arts and craftsy come to my mind for New Englanders.

[professorsenator]

I know that the Hollywood chiche of New Englanders is often that of pretentious WASP snobs, but I think the reality far, far more often is one of modesty, particularly in matters of taste and aesthetics. This I think is especially so compared to Texans who are known for flamboyance and braggadocio.

[willdufauve]

New Englanders read a lot more and are less aggressive about their religious beliefs than Texans.

New Englanders are more inclined to listen and Texans tell you what they think (because they know they're right).

Texans are somewhat culturally inclined toward Mexico and Southern California. New Englanders are Europeans.

[Valerie C]

I agree with this to a point. New Englanders will listen, and if you ask, they will THEN tell you what they think. Yup we're blunt and we speak our mind.

We don't say "Bless your heart" when what we really mean is "You're a moron". We just come out and say "You're a moron..."

Originally Posted by willdufauve

New Englanders are more inclined to listen and Texans tell you what they think (because they know they're right)

[brightdoglover]

Genuine New England detests flashy shows of anything, especially money.
I'm a blue-collar person who has come to a nice middle-class income in Massachusetts. I know a lot of "old money" people because I usually work somewhere affiliated with Harvard. Without question, I find that genuine New England old money has real class, that is, modest, not flashy, and attentive to making others comfortable, not snooting on 'em.
That said, there are clunkers in any group.
I do find a lot of reading and intellectual interest, at least in and near the city, which is very nice.

When Copley Plaza opened in the 1980s, there was quite a lot of controversy, as in, "We're not Dallas, it's so glitzy." I still think that.
While there is a lot of education and professional people, I hardly think the average New Englander is in that kind of work.
The aesthetic is sort of the opposite of, say, Miami. Very little Hispanic influence. The second-largest linguistic group is actually Portuguese, and then I think Haitian Creole, at least in the city.
Housing is old. That is considered a good thing.

[elijahwilliams]

Crappy drivers comes to mind. When it's raining and your wipers are on, turn the headlights on people. It's not that hard! Also I've never lived anywhere but here (in the states or abroad) where people didn't stop and let a person parallel park. I'll admit to being guilty on this one though.

My southern family slams New England for being liberal (thank god) and me personally for saying, "I'm going to the Cape." instead of Cape Cod.

[NY'er lost in MA]

...somewhat one-dimensional/geographically challenged . When first coming to the area I was surprised at just how many New Englanders hadn't been abroad, to other NE states, or even traveled at all. Sort of a niche culture/society. I remember running into a family on the Green Line that was from Western, MA headed into Boston for the day. They kept exclaiming, "ok kids- we're headed into the BIG city". "It's a BIG city, so make sure we stick together etc.."

I got to talking with them and through the conversation pointed out that NYC was closer to their home than Boston. They literally could not believe it. They said they had been to Boston once before and mostly traveled to NH to visit some cousins....and that was about it.

Over the years I have heard many similar stories....