I have a question for St Benard and Chalmette folks.. (Livingston: fit in, house)

[junkintrunk]

I have a question..

I just bought a house in a new subdivision and 60 to 80% are St Benard folks.

I am a friendly person and I have been in my town all my life, so why do I feel like an outsider in my neighborhood ?

I try to be nice and I try talk to them but I feel slighted.

I am not trying to be ugly because some of them are really nice, but I get this feeling I am invading thier territory..

Are St Benard people miserable here in Livingston parish ?
Why do they stick together and refuse to accept outsiders/locals ?
I know they have been through a lot but something has got to give !

P.S its not just me that feels this way, others that are not from there feel the same way.

[smittyjd]

I hope I can give you a little insight. Chalmette is a good sized city with a small town feel. Everybody knows everybody (and their business). It is all about FAMILY. Most folks go to Mama's for dinner every Sunday. Please understand that our way of life, family members and social connections are scattered all over the place. Most of us feel lost. We have lost everything, including friends and family (literally). Please give us time. I think you will find that we are sociable. We have heard lots of comments that indicate we are not wanted in our new neighborhoods. I am sure that attitude gives some a tendency to be guarded when making new friends.

[Drouzin]

Part of it is that after Katrina we are just plain throwed of, and part of it is the culture.
St. Bernard people have the reputation of being cliquish(sp) and rude, in the NOLA metro area. I can remember as a kid people saying, "Boy, that was one Chalmette Charmer, (a play on the High School Dance team)," when they felt someone had been rude. I have found this not to be true. I have heard a lot of, "Thank you, hon's," and "Have a good day my heart's" in the time I have lived here.
Being a Gentilly kid it was difficult for me to fit into the "Chalmette" culture at first, but once you gel with them you'll find them to be a loyal and loving lot. My advice is to just give them some time and everyone will adjust.

[sumwunzma]

Like previous posters said, those people have lost everything. You'll find that a great majority of them have roots that go back to when St. Bernard was first established. They're all related or know each other intimately. It's a very, very close-knit community. Try to have a little compassion. Ask them to tell you about their home and you'll find someone with a lot of heartbreak. It could give you some insight and give them much needed release!