How "southern" is NC these days? (Charlotte, Raleigh: homes, neighborhood)

[anifani821]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

It is. You've just got to understand that there's a rural version of Southernness and an urban version as well. It's always been that way in the South, although for some reason we like to equate rural with Southern when it's not quite that simple.

That is the best explanation I have ever seen, Ak. Totally agree.

[Akhenaton06]

^I'm glad someone else understands.

[rubber_factory]

Originally Posted by mackinac81

Hey all, I'm considering moving to NC to teach, and have gathered that it's kind of a watered down southern state because of the influx of outsiders. Is this true? The answer has no bearing on my choice, but I'm just curious:

So would you still consider NC culturally southern or not, or in between.

Thanks!

mackinac

Parts of North Carolina are as "southern" as places in SC, Alabama, Mississippi. NC just has the added benefit of plenty of good urban areas, which are indeed "watered down" when it comes to southern culture.

Really the only southern thing it is missing is SEC football.

I would suggest that anywhere in the south, moving toward the mountains, or toward the ocean will create bigger changes (people and places) than going from state to state will.

[uncletupelo]

just a few years ago we had more outhouses and more trailers than any other state. There is nothing wrong with either imo. We are and have always been a southern state. Backwards does not equate to more southern. that is insulting to me.

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by uncletupelo
just a few years ago we had more outhouses and more trailers than any other state. There is nothing wrong with either imo. We are and have always been a southern state. Backwards does not equate to more southern. that is insulting to me.

I meant no offence and I never called the south "backwards". but it's a different region from the north, culturally and historically. And I was wondering if NC was a "southern state" or "watered down southern" Not if it was backwards.

[uncletupelo]

mackinac- I was not replying to you at all. Just that some people say that we are not as Southern as the very deep south states(which i love). It seems that many non southerners really have a misconception of what southern is. Just my opinion. Most of the fine old in-town neighborhoods in Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington etc are still very southern. They are filled with southern traditions and multi-generational families. NC also has Ayden, Tarboro, Wilson, Williamston, Scotland Neck, Wadesboro, Clinton, Murphy etc etc that are as southern as anywhere in the old CSA. The Old North State is without a doubt southern. But we are also the most progressive CSA state and have been since at least the 1950's.

[mackinac81]

Originally posted by uncletupelo
mackinac- I was not replying to you at all. Just that some people say that we are not as Southern as the very deep south states(which i love). It seems that many non southerners really have a misconception of what southern is. Just my opinion. Most of the fine old in-town neighborhoods in Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington etc are still very southern. They are filled with southern traditions and multi-generational families. NC also has Ayden, Tarboro, Wilson, Williamston, Scotland Neck, Wadesboro, Clinton, Murphy etc etc that are as southern as anywhere in the old CSA. The Old North State is without a doubt southern. But we are also the most progressive CSA state and have been since at least the 1950's.

Ah, I see. Sorry I misunderstood you

[NCgirl]

Originally Posted by Akhenaton06

It is. You've just got to understand that there's a rural version of Southernness and an urban version as well. It's always been that way in the South, although for some reason we like to equate rural with Southern when it's not quite that simple.

Originally Posted by uncletupelo

mackinac- I was not replying to you at all. Just that some people say that we are not as Southern as the very deep south states(which i love). It seems that many non southerners really have a misconception of what southern is. Just my opinion. Most of the fine old in-town neighborhoods in Raleigh, Charlotte, Wilmington etc are still very southern. They are filled with southern traditions and multi-generational families. NC also has Ayden, Tarboro, Wilson, Williamston, Scotland Neck, Wadesboro, Clinton, Murphy etc etc that are as southern as anywhere in the old CSA. The Old North State is without a doubt southern. But we are also the most progressive CSA state and have been since at least the 1950's.

Exactly! It seems that a lot of people equate rural/country with Southern. I'm a native in my 30s and NC doesn't feel less Southern to me than 20 years ago. My family members say the same. Both sides of my family have been in NC for over 200 years.

[NCN]

When you go into the Charlotte area you will hear more car horns than in most Southern places. Yes, they brought their horns with them. I wish there was an automatic disconnect at the state line. Of course that would be against the law. Shame on any native that blows the horn. That is really rude and should not be done. I wish the HP would give tickets for unnecessary blowing of horns in a high traffic area. Now in the country, we sometimes do a little beep to get the attention of our neighbors, so we can wave at them. So if you blow the horn at someone, don't think it strange that they wave at you. I always wave at people that blow when they are behind me. LOL

[nyxmike]

Originally Posted by NCN

When you go into the Charlotte area you will hear more car horns than in most Southern places. Yes, they brought their horns with them. I wish there was an automatic disconnect at the state line. Of course that would be against the law. Shame on any native that blows the horn. That is really rude and should not be done. I wish the HP would give tickets for unnecessary blowing of horns in a high traffic area. Now in the country, we sometimes do a little beep to get the attention of our neighbors, so we can wave at them. So if you blow the horn at someone, don't think it strange that they wave at you. I always wave at people that blow when they are behind me. LOL

There are horns on a car for a reason. If there was no use for them they wouldn't bother installing them in every single vehicle. If someone is changing lanes, doesn't see me, and there is a chance of an accident what am I suppose to do - wave at the person? No, you should try to avoid the accident and one way of doing that is blowing your horn. Since the person obviously can't see you, they will then be able to "hear you" and hopefully an accident is avoided. I've had to do it before, it worked, and if I hurt somebody's feelings or ruined their day because they heard someone blow their horn, too bad... it was worth not getting into an accident. If the light turns green and a person in front doesn't go for a good amount of time - atleast give the person a chance to realize but if they don't - I'm going to tap my horn to alert them that the light is green. How is that rude? I think it's rude when someone isn't paying attention and they are just sitting there wasting other peoples time.