NC culture -What exactly is it? (Charlotte, Lexington: purchase, high school, college)

[autumngal]

Without me getting teary eyed as I love NC, and could go on for years about how patriotic and protective I feel over it, its people and the culture I opted to say outhouses! Wellllll they are a part of the NC culture, hee hee.

Oh I would say in one word to decribe the NC Culture. ....Peace.....

[muse1110]

Originally Posted by SunnyKayak

I like pets and kids are able roam free in the neighborhoods.

I really hope you don't mean this categorically about pets! Part of good manners is law abiding.

The City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County have strict leash laws that apply to all animals except cats (see the nuisance animal section for laws pertaining to cats). Animals must be on a leash, contained within a fence or an operable and marked invisible fence. An animal may be loose in its own yard if there is an adult (18 years or older) present with the animal and the animal responds to direct verbal commands of the person.

All regulations aim to protect the health and safety of our citizens. Please be a responsible pet owner and abide by the law. Violations will be investigated and stiff fines may be applied. Fines range from a $50.00 citation for the first violation and up to a $500.00 citation and permanent seizure of the animal for a fifth violation.

The NC state law forbids dogs to 'roam free' between sunrise and sunset. Further, they are not allowed to 'run large' (aka 'roam free') at night. Penalties apply for those who violate these laws (it's a Class 3 Misdemeanor).

[southward bound]

Originally Posted by muse1110

I really hope you don't mean this categorically about pets! Part of good manners is law abiding.


The NC state law forbids dogs to 'roam free' between sunrise and sunset. Further, they are not allowed to 'run large' (aka 'roam free') at night. Penalties apply for those who violate these laws (it's a Class 3 Misdemeanor).

I'm glad to haer this. No animal should be allowed to roam free not only for the safety of the citizens, but for the animal's own safety as well. It's disturbing to see the number of dogs and cats that get hit in the roads, when they shouldn't even have been there.

[debct]

Originally Posted by southward bound

I'm glad to haer this. No animal should be allowed to roam free not only for the safety of the citizens, but for the animal's own safety as well. It's disturbing to see the number of dogs and cats that get hit in the roads, when they shouldn't even have been there.

I agree. My nighbors cat runs free, unfixed too. He pees on my car, lovely small that is. Still I worry about the poor little thing too, we have had foxes and cayotees seen around here not mention being hit by a car. Some people are just to iresponsbile to being caring for a living thing.

[clodhopper]

I like the swamps and marshes, fields and woods, deserted two lane roads, rivers and bays, beaches, cookouts, pitchers of margaritas on the back decks of beachfront bars with girls in bikini top and sunglasses, bonfires at night on the beach or out in the woods, the view from hawksbill mountain into the linville gorge at sunrise, a strong fighting rockfish on my line, lazy dogs lying in the grass all day, children playing outside in the twilight, cold a/c and a cold draft beer in a dark poolroom when it is 90+ outside, frosted fields in winter, a pack of hounds on a hot track down in the swamp, the sunlight and calm air after a hurricane, wrenching on my truck under a shady tree with a big sweating glass of tea or pepsi, listening to old folks tales of days gone by.

[dsobotta]

I'm a native North Carolinian who has lived as far north as Canada. We have also lived in cities and on the farm.

My mother's family has been in North Carolina since the late 1700's. My father came to Mount Airy, NC a little after 1900.

Though it is very easy to over generalize, I think what I value most in North Carolinians is acceptance of change. NC was a very agricultural society that has changed greatly since the fifties when I grew up near Winston-Salem.

Yet a majority of North Carolinians still value hard work and remain close to the land. I hope our North Carolina neighbors never lose that characteristic.

Still North Carolina is changing. Among our many relatives in Yadkin County, NC only the older generation still cans and preserves foods in the time honored traditional ways of the south.

We can still get a meal of home canned green beans and cornbread when visiting.

We are in our late fifties and likely our generation could be the last to remember how to can beans and make strawberry freezer jam. We even gave up trying to make fried chicken like my mother used to cook almost every Sunday.

Part of the NC small town life can be a little intimidating. I can still remember when we came back to Mount Airy, how it took a while before the diners at Snappy Lunch stopped interrogating us to make sure we were okay.

Yet even that is a small price to pay for living in area where you can still drop in to visit friends with just a few minutes notice. I am still amazed that I can call relatives in NC and by the time we have driven from Roanoke, Va about two hours, they can manage to arrange a meal at a local restaurant like the Dinette in East Bend, NC.

North Carolina has lots of things worth keeping, but the people are the best. I love watching people mellow as they live in North Carolina.

[lookaround]

I'm from Central IL and this thread has made me more in touch with my Southern roots, roots I didn't know I really had. I knew I was Southern-ish when I lived in NE WI for many years, but all this talk about what makes NC NC makes me realize there is more of the South in me than I thought. And I have to say this string of comments was simply delightful. Civilized, kind, thoughtful and warm. It is a terrible shame that this relocation wave is threatening the charm and culture of NC. All you can do is stay true, teach by example...and continue to drive slow.

[Bethanytedder]

I am a native North Carolinan and I fear nothing about the newcomers changing the way of life here. Most of us are a stubborn bunch and have roots that run deep at least where I come from. I am the 11th generation of my family to be from Greene County and there are two generations still here after me. I would be slow to attempt to cram something down someone's throat so to speak. But I would be open to seeing something different and exciting particularly in the culture and food departments. If you gain trust first, then the rest is easy, well, easier than if you come in guns a blazing with a bunch of things that aren't up to your standards. The pace of life is slower. But there are places particularly in the Piedmont area of the state and the cities that would probably not be that much of a culture shock. The eastern part of the state is flat as a pancake and the towns are typically small with mulit generational residents that know everyone and what everyone ate for breakfast. It can take some getting use to if you are a very private person. It has it's advantages though. I mean if I called into the the sheriff's department for emergencies services, I would only need to give my name and they would know exactly where to come. If you come here and go through say a hurricane with major loss, you will see what the "family" atmosphere is like. We take care of our residents.

[robin from Oregon]

Originally Posted by Bethanytedder

I am a native North Carolinan and I fear nothing about the newcomers changing the way of life here. Most of us are a stubborn bunch and have roots that run deep at least where I come from. I am the 11th generation of my family to be from Greene County and there are two generations still here after me. I would be slow to attempt to cram something down someone's throat so to speak. But I would be open to seeing something different and exciting particularly in the culture and food departments. If you gain trust first, then the rest is easy, well, easier than if you come in guns a blazing with a bunch of things that aren't up to your standards. The pace of life is slower. But there are places particularly in the Piedmont area of the state and the cities that would probably not be that much of a culture shock. The eastern part of the state is flat as a pancake and the towns are typically small with mulit generational residents that know everyone and what everyone ate for breakfast. It can take some getting use to if you are a very private person. It has it's advantages though. I mean if I called into the the sheriff's department for emergencies services, I would only need to give my name and they would know exactly where to come. If you come here and go through say a hurricane with major loss, you will see what the "family" atmosphere is like. We take care of our residents.

Hi Bethany - You're from Snow Hill, right? You answered many of my early questions when I was first considering relocating, and your answers were really helpful. I live in Goldsboro now and work just north of La Grange, off of Hwy 903. When I turn onto Hwy 903 on my way to work I see a sign for Snow Hill, and sometimes think of you. I haven't gone up that way yet, though. One of these days I will visit Greenville - I hear there's a skate park there that my teenage son would like to see. Maybe we'll meet someday!

Thanks again for all the advice,
Robin from Goldsboro

[Bethanytedder]

Hey Robin. Be sure and come into Snow Hill one day and call me. I will PM you with the number. If you are around LaGrange and in the 903 area, you probably aren't much more than 12 miles from me. I would love to meet you. I am glad that things worked out for you. I hope you are enjoying North Carolina. If you need anything, let me know. I will be more than happy to help you.