For those who have problems with rural Nebraska (Omaha, Bellevue: how much, new home)

[tpabes]

Dave hit it right, alot if it spurs from politics and economic issues, and we are not alone in this, think of Eastern Colorado and the rest of the state. The east/west, city/country divide will always be there because of politics, economics, money and some people won't let it go. There will always people who think west of Lincoln is a barren wasteland, and rural people who think if you step into Lincoln and Omaha, you will be snarled at and then mugged. A lot of it is stereotype that gets ingrained into someones mind. I played sports for Kearney High. When we played schools from Lincoln or Omaha, you heard the stereotypes. Those hicks don't belong here and they think are so big being from Lincoln and Omaha and show us no respect. So in away in kinda gets ingrained in your mind as a youth. But you grow up, go to college, some move, some marry and alot of those stereotypes get washed away, but a few will always remain. I got no problem with both, I grew up and currently live in Central Nebraska, but also lived in Omaha and don't know what we would do without Lincoln and Omaha for their emenities.

[Sandhills Guru]

Through my years, I lived small town Nebraska, was raised there, lived in Lincoln, Denver, & Vancouver, WA plus a couple other smaller to larger towns in Nebraska.

My experience with people is you get what you give.

[DTO Luv]

Originally Posted by bgrams7

This is just to ask why, and with specific examples. As someone who was born and raised in a small town in central Nebraska, my personal opinion is that people from this area are pretty simple to figure out. People are hard workers in whatever they do and don't tolerate slacking off. With all the hard work they put in, when they get the chance, they have as much fun as possible with their family and friends. Finally, all they ask for in return from anyone, whether its someone from there or elsewhere is respect. I've been reading all these posts about people from Omaha, Lincoln, or wherever else claiming that people from rural towns in central and western Nebraska are "arrogant", "ignorant", "rude", and "have an attitude." I'd personally like to disagree with that, but maybe its because I've lived in a small town most of my life and the main value that I was instilled with from a young age was respect for others. I'm less than two years out of high school, but whenever we'd travel to other small towns for sports like football and baseball, some towns even smaller than where I'm from (Minden, pop. ~ 3000), whenever I'd stop at a gas station, restaurant, or wherever else, I was polite and respected the people there. I've never personally had a bad experience with the people in any town outside of Lincoln, where I currently live for school. When I go into a gas station in a small town in NE, I usually get a "hey, how's it going?" from the moment I walk in the door, even at towns that I rarely go to. When I go to a gas station only a few blocks from my apartment here in Lincoln, a place that I've gone to numerous times in the year and a half I've lived in this part of town, depending on whose working, sometimes they'll be an assh*** working or sometimes the person will be decent. I've never had to worry about that in any other town. And for those that claim central- and western-Nebraskans have attitudes, have you ever thought for a moment that you might be the one coming in with an attitude? For example, my mom graduated high school from a small town near Minden, but she has lived in Lincoln for the past 13 years or so (I lived with my dad in Minden), but every time she comes back to Minden and we go out to eat at a restaurant, I can tell that her attitude towards people is different and more arrogant. It's not to the point of disrespectful, but it's obvious that people from Lincoln and Omaha especially view themselves in a higher regard than us "hicks" or whatever you want to call people from rural parts of the state. I am personally proud of being a Nebraskan and proud of everything and every town this state has, but for those of you who feel that you're better than the people from the small towns in this state, realize that the values and hard work that is still present in every small town in the state are the same things that built Nebraska, including Lincoln and Omaha. Take your disrespect elsewhere, because there's not a group of people that deserve respect more than most people from small towns throughout the state. But, for those of you that have had a bad experience or two with small towns, try this for once: next time you're in a small town and stop somewhere to eat or get gas, when you talk to someone, be polite, courteous, and respectful, and I'll bet you $100 that you'll be treated with the same politeness, courteousness, and respectfulness that you have shown them. Just try it, because all this talk degrading the people in the western 2/3rds of the state is a load of B.S. and proves to me that some people from the eastern part of the state, especially Omaha in particular, have over-inflated egos that think they're better than they are.

1. Learn what a paragraph is.

2. This is a perfect example of the outstate Nebraska arrogance I talked about in another thread. You claim that just because you're from small town Nebraska that you're endowed from birth with values like hard work, respect, and being friendly. So small town Nebraska is the only place to learn that? Please.

Then you go on to say that you only know small town Nebraska and make generally sweeping statements about "especially Omaha". I have actually lived both sides of the coin so I feel I can say with more certainty that small town Nebraskans definitely buy into their own hype and aren't as virtous as they make themselves out to be.

[mattpoulsen]

Well, DTO, I'm not trying to pick a fight here, but I think the poster is referring to the arrogance that you're displaying. Furthermore, the guy was responding to the posts he has read that condemn rural NE. There aren't many of them but there are some out there. There used to be a lot more too (back when Mattden was posting). He is doing that much in the same way your recent thread brought up the topic of "arrogant and holier than though" (I'm paraphrasing) rural Nebraskans. Then one of your responses is to tell him to "learn what a paragraph is"...you don't think that sounds phenomenally arrogant?

You condemn him for being categorical and you do the same thing by saying, "this is a perfect example of the outstate Nebraska arrogance I talked about in another thread."

and

"small town Nebraskans definitely buy into their own hype and aren't as virtous as they make themselves out to be."

How are you any better than him?

I have also lived on both sides of the rural vs. metro street and I can say with absolute certainty that you're both off base. There are arrogant jerks from both sides and there are thoughtful people from both sides. I see absolutely no difference in the distribution. Yes, the life experiences are vastly different, but that's it.

[star_gazer]

I think we've seen more than enough examples of 'arrogance' on both sides here.

I 'vote' that we just drop it... and recognize that there is an proportionate representation of humanities best and worst examples... in both urban and rural America... and likewise on this forum.

[DTO Luv]

Originally Posted by star_gazer

I think we've seen more than enough examples of 'arrogance' on both sides here.

I 'vote' that we just drop it... and recognize that there is an proportionate representation of humanities best and worst examples... in both urban and rural America... and likewise on this forum.

Exactly.

[mconzemius]

For the record...I live in Lincoln. I LOVE my "big town". I love going to Omaha and visiting for a day of shopping, etc..that isn't offered here. I also LOVE going to the small towns in western Nebraska and being embraced by the slower pace of life and the small town friendliness!

Big town or small town, each place has it's ups and downs. Wherever you are, embrace it and enjoy the adventure and experience that comes with it!

[Happygolucky]

I'll bet you $100 that you'll be treated with the same politeness, courteousness, and respectfulness that you have shown them. Just try it,


I'll take you up on that bet.

I also will agree that a person will probably be treated the same way they treat others, but there is still the OUTSIDER factor that comes into play here and that is what I think the majority of peoples concerns are when they talk about people from small towns.

People from small towns do not like outsiders, sure they like when they come into town and spend money and leave that is fine and dandy. Stay in a small town for a week or even a month and you will be treated alot differently than if you were just passing through.


I have traveled this state of Nebraska more than most and I can tell you first hand that folks that move into a small town are not treated the same as natives.

It's the outsider factor.

[mattpoulsen]

I have lived in small towns and the "outside factor" is a function of your own paranoia. People from big towns (and I'm now a big city guy) go to small towns and don't feel like they fit in and because they don't know anybody or don't understand the slower pace they seem to think that people are accepting them. My experience has always been that small towns are very accepting of outsiders. But they're not going to be if you have a chip on your shoulders about it. It goes both ways.

[ColeSD]

I must be paranoid too, as well as all the other people who had bad experiences. And I really think Happygolucky hit it on the head:

it would sound stupid for people to say "we hate you because you're not local" so they find other reasons to hate you.

We gave our neighbors home made salsa, introduced ourselves, some (FEW) of their kids played with my son, but the giggles, the whispers, and the STUPID rumors that got back to us were absolutely ridiculous.

My FAVORITE one, and I've since found out it's very common is that we were in the Witness Protection Program.

My Minneapolis born wife was "illegal" (which is one of the NICER labels she had), as was my son, and I was actually called a "race traitor" in an anonymous email from some d***less wonder while we lived there. (it didnt' scare me because I figured whoever did it was too chicken to say it to my face, yet other things WERE said to my face).

We are FAR from the only ones who've experienced this, and I find it kind of judgmental to refer to people who've put up with this as paranoid, with all due respect, Matt.

And here's what's bad for the entire state: we told our friends about our experiences, and they told their friends, etc. Multiply that by all the people this has happened to.

I actually just read an old article in the Lincoln star about us "outsiders" who moved there and left within a year's time.