Are there racist people there? Redneck, etc..? Please I do not mean to offend anyone. (sales, landscaping)

[calculus]

Wow Sharon R. You are someone that is so ignorant with your statements. I suppose in your world blacks are drivers and maids and chinese only own laundrys and Indians are drunks. People like you with your stereotypes make me sick. How many rednecks do you know to make this statement? Or is it based on ignorance? I bet it's based on ignorance. Where are you from and where do you live?

[Steve W]

Having moved down from MA near the NH border, I can so far say that I've seen more prejudiced people in MA and NH than I've seen here in NC.

Sure, there are rednecks here. They're in NH, too, and in every rural area.

There was a very interesting program on the UNCTV station (PBS) last night about class in the US. It was far more illustrative of the cultural differences in the US than the simple "North vs South" dichotomy. I recommend it to anyone who is curious about our American culture. I came away from it feeling that we haven't removed ourselves as far from the old English system as I had previously figured.

One thing I've found here is that the divisions are more along class lines than racial lines. Just what I've seen and observed and YMMV.

The "church thing" I think is blown out of proportion. If you politely tell a new acquaintance that your beliefs are different, I've found that you don't generally get a ration of grief.

[Miker2069]

Originally Posted by Steve W

Having moved down from MA near the NH border, I can so far say that I've seen more prejudiced people in MA and NH than I've seen here in NC.

Sure, there are rednecks here. They're in NH, too, and in every rural area.

There was a very interesting program on the UNCTV station (PBS) last night about class in the US. It was far more illustrative of the cultural differences in the US than the simple "North vs South" dichotomy. I recommend it to anyone who is curious about our American culture. I came away from it feeling that we haven't removed ourselves as far from the old English system as I had previously figured.

One thing I've found here is that the divisions are more along class lines than racial lines. Just what I've seen and observed and YMMV.

The "church thing" I think is blown out of proportion. If you politely tell a new acquaintance that your beliefs are different, I've found that you don't generally get a ration of grief.

Steve, good to hear another MA transplant is doing well!

[maureen1]

I 'd rather deal with people who would tell you right up front that they don't like youthan some of those supposedly educated people who are good at pretending then turn around and stab you in the back. At least if you know that someone doesn't like , you'd be careful . I've experienced living with Rednecks and educated Northerners , but I' d live next to the Rednedcks anytime, if they don't like you they let you know , at least you 'd know where you stand . So far I've only lived close to the kind, decent Rednecks.

[Weis02]

There is an old saying "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer."

Unfortunately we live in a world where we are judged by the color of our skin, how much money we have, how we keep our homes, etc...

People will always sterotype entire race or even by where we come from geographically -

But another reason for the divisions is people want to fit it...no matter where you go, areas will always somewhat divided as has been even discussed on this forum...

areas are white, black, aisian etc, why because while we all are people and we all may have been born here in the USA - there are cultural differences between different races and people want to live in areas of similar culture. People want to feel comfortable in an area. I would not fit nor feel comfortable living in Harlem (predominately black area in NYC for those not familair) as I am a 5'2 100 lbs white girl)

Manhattan is probably more defined by income as the boroughs (Brooklyn, queens, bronx) are more predominately divided by race

Even if New York City probably one of the most ethnically diverse areas in the world, many areas - races are clearly divided.

and yes in some areas there is more of a mix but there is always a predominant race...

People are also sterotyped by income -

...that doesn't mean we cannot be friends with each other and get along. When I worked and became friendly with many of my co-workers (some I still am) of other races, I actually enjoyed learning about our similarities and differences. It opened by eyes to a lot of things.

But is there really a need to call people names and give their defintion of a redneck or yankee - my def and yours may vary. I have no problem in good fun poking fun at each other...we all do it... but some of the comments and things said here are really uncalled for -

[Niki]

Wow. I never realized anyone had a different definition of what a redneck is. I don't really consider being a redneck a bad thing. (Racist, yes. But not redneck.) I'm not a redneck and wouldn't want to be, but that's only because me and rednecks have different taste in things. lol


Jeff Foxworthy actually does a pretty good job of describing rednecks. A person doesn't have to be all those things mentioned by Foxworthy to be considered a redneck, but being many of those things definitely makes you a redneck.


I myself do consider a person a redneck who listens to country music (though not everyone who listens to country music is a redneck; it's just that a true redneck will not listen to anything other than country music and maybe bluegrass as well), drives a pick-up truck (usually an old, beat up one), goes huntin' or fishin', might chew tobacco or smoke, might have bad teeth, doesn't wear up-to-date and/or classy clothes (the men like old jeans or overalls & wore out t-shirts & flannel shirts), might live in a trailer or an old house in need of some repair (or they might live in a nice house, but I've never met a redneck who lives in a nice house lol), usually doesn't use proper grammar (and I don't mean Southern slang or whathaveyou; I mean really butchering it), usually have a pack of dogs in the yard, like to drink lots of beer, and so on.


I mean no offense by any of this. I have redneck relatives and a couple redneck aquaintances. lol A person doesn't have to be all those things to be a redneck and just being a couple of those things doesn't make you a redneck.


Listen to Jeff Foxworthy, watch the Blue Collar stuff (which I do not watch as I don't think it's funny) and watch Cops and you'll get an idea of what rednecks are.


I seem to recall Foxworthy describing them as having a supreme lack of sophistication or something similar.


By the way, rednecks are not only found in the South. They're up north (I used to live up north, so I know lol), out west, everywhere.


I also want to add (I apologize for the length of this post) that there's a difference between country, redneck and hillbilly (mountain dwellers) even if the differences are subtle. Every true Southerner will have at least a touch of country, but we're not all rednecks.

[anonymous]

I completely agree with Niki on this. And I think this is a perfectly good discussion - I'm sure this thread can be helpful to people who are not accustomed to these areas and people.

At least where I come from (redneck central), there are different 'groups', and if you've lived around them, you know what the differences are. Hillbillies, rednecks, good ol' boys, hicks, and poor white trash are not all the same thing. Not all are insults. "Good ol' boy" is a compliment, "poor white trash" is an insult. "redneck" can go both ways. Many people self-identify with these words. But they all have variable and slightly different meanings. I believe all are limited to white people. I've heard 'good ol' boy' applied to black folks before, but that's it.

On a side note, it's more common for wealthier southerners to use redneck as a term that means 'anything improper'. I saw a post earlier that expressed this perfectly.

Anyway, I was always taught to show respect towards rednecks. Even though I don't self-identify as one, I believe they are the working class people that make America great. *I almost forgot - NONE of these words imply that someone is racist. I think this idea comes from TV and movies about the south, but I'm not real sure.

[AdamAndTerri]

WOW is this ever an eye opener! Thanks for all of the input. I think based on what I am reading the term varies a LOT based on where a person is from. To further explain, I'll provide a situation:

"Jayson" is a constructon worker, he gets dirty and wears jeans and T-shirts to work. He drives a 2006 Ford F-250 because of all of his tools (and because he just loves a truck.) He's a skilled carpenter and can literally do anything. He listens to country music 100% of the time, makes good money, pays his bills on time, insists on living out of the hustle and bustle because living 10 ft. from the next door neighbor would drive him insane. The yard and landscaping he does himself and it's always nice. He loves motorsports, football, and does drink beer socially, but the last time he had too much was 2 years ago. He loves his family and kids, is dependable and reliable, insists on his kids having respect and manners. He doesn't go to church because he can't find one that he likes, but he keeps looking. He is just a few college credits from a degree. He visits the dentist regularly. When you need help because your car broke down, he is right there. When you need help moving something because he is the only one with that big truck, he is there as well. He describs himself as somewhat shy/reserved and a man that doesn't like too much life "drama", is simple and uncomplicated. His explaination for racism is "you can't fix stupid." (Meaning the people that are racist) You would never find him at afternoon tea and hates his wife's company Christmas party, but goes with a smile. However, he will host a great BBQ and pool party. He doesn't own a gun and really doesn't want one, doesn't hunt, but doesn't mind if you do....but OH, he does smoke (outside) and has tried quitting 100 times. If it bothers you, he won't smoke because he knows it's offensive. He has 3 dogs...all rescued from the pound and all a different size and all mixed breed. He likes Foxworthy because he thinks he is just plain funny. Is "Jayson" a "redneck"? Here in Arizona, the answer is yes...however, he may need to be careful to tell anyone that in south as it could hold a different meaning based on what I am reading here.

Oh, and "Jayson" is my dear husband, Adam. I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. Would you want us living next to you?

[Mvn2nc]

Originally Posted by AdamAndTerri

WOW is this ever an eye opener! Thanks for all of the input. I think based on what I am reading the term varies a LOT based on where a person is from. To further explain, I'll provide a situation:

"Jayson" is a constructon worker, he gets dirty and wears jeans and T-shirts to work. He drives a 2006 Ford F-250 because of all of his tools (and because he just loves a truck.) He's a skilled carpenter and can literally do anything. He listens to country music 100% of the time, makes good money, pays his bills on time, insists on living out of the hustle and bustle because living 10 ft. from the next door neighbor would drive him insane. The yard and landscaping he does himself and it's always nice. He loves motorsports, football, and does drink beer socially, but the last time he had too much was 2 years ago. He loves his family and kids, is dependable and reliable, insists on his kids having respect and manners. He doesn't go to church because he can't find one that he likes, but he keeps looking. He is just a few college credits from a degree. He visits the dentist regularly. When you need help because your car broke down, he is right there. When you need help moving something because he is the only one with that big truck, he is there as well. He describs himself as somewhat shy/reserved and a man that doesn't like too much life "drama", is simple and uncomplicated. His explaination for racism is "you can't fix stupid." (Meaning the people that are racist) You would never find him at afternoon tea and hates his wife's company Christmas party, but goes with a smile. However, he will host a great BBQ and pool party. He doesn't own a gun and really doesn't want one, doesn't hunt, but doesn't mind if you do....but OH, he does smoke (outside) and has tried quitting 100 times. If it bothers you, he won't smoke because he knows it's offensive. He has 3 dogs...all rescued from the pound and all a different size and all mixed breed. He likes Foxworthy because he thinks he is just plain funny. Is "Jayson" a "redneck"? Here in Arizona, the answer is yes...however, he may need to be careful to tell anyone that in south as it could hold a different meaning based on what I am reading here.

Oh, and "Jayson" is my dear husband, Adam. I wouldn't trade him for all the money in the world. Would you want us living next to you?

Absolutly- anyday!! Sounds alot like my husband minus the smoking and owning guns because he does own guns,like to hunt and do the whole bird dog thing with his Lab.And his truck is an 04 Dodge Ram full of tools

[anonymous]

I wouldn't call him a redneck. Probably a good ol' boy. Most rednecks I know don't drive brand new F-250's, definitely didn't go to college, and probably wouldn't care if their cigarette smoke offended you. I also don't know a redneck that doesn't hunt or fish. But, like I said, that's just my local definition of it. I'm sure rednecks from Oregon or Long Island or Jersey, if they exist, are completely different.

Pretty much everything else would peg him as your average rural southern guy: country music, BBQ, good manners, goes to the dentist (lol), light drinker, likes football & NASCAR, drives a truck. If everyone who fit that description was a redneck, we'd have to come up with a new word to describe the real rednecks.

But yea, y'all seem like you'd be good neighbors.