wHAT IS WRONG WITH THE LOCALS? (Crosby: tornadoes, wages, restaurants)
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to /trickey280..I really hope that you can get past this hurt and anger, it will not help you. Seriously, take your children by the hand, and keep them safe, talk to them about how wonderful they are, how we should overlook some hateful things ppl say to us out of ignorance. They will get through this, by following your example. The answer to your question, you never feel like a local, this is not unique to N.D. it is a given in small towns. I live across state now, Fargo & Grand Forks are larger, more used to differant cultures, and don't freak out at strangers. On the other hand, if you being there is temporary, job related...maybe try the things I suggested. Start some sort of group, you are proubibly not the only new arrival that feels the way you are describing. God bless
to trickey280...Actually, your statement about "we are all in this together" seems a bit biased. You do need to realize that the ppl that have traveled to the small towns for the big oil money, made the choice to do so. The ppl that have been raised in the small towns didn't choose the influx and the disruption. You do need to try to see the point of view of the hometown ppl. That is not to say I condone treating ppl badly, just sayig try to put yourself in their shoes. The differances now, is that this boom is bigger, there are more opportunities to voice our complaints (either side) thru media. The jobs information is much broader with the net, causing more ppl to come to places they previously proubibly never even heard of. I do hope that being able to voice your opinions helps relieve your stress and anxiety. I do see that many locals are responding to you w/ valid suggestions & kindness.
it really is your "in your face defensive attitude that getting in your own way. No matter where you move, if you have that kind of attitude, you aren't going to get far. I won't even get into the "chased the locals comment" but as far as being hardworking, go where you can give a good life to your family, you can't get better than the hardworking north dakota people. Historically or otherwise. As far as calling all of anyone names, like your "friend" you are doing the same. Because of a very ill mannered individual, who obviously isn't a friend, you shouldn't judge all north dakota people as you have her. Give yourself a chance, go slower, it takes time to make friends. Go and do volunteer work at a senior center, or anywhere that needs a helping hand. Give yourself time to adjust. Look at all the very nice comments from north dakotans that you have received here. There is no better, more giving folks than a friendly neighbor. Be a friendly neighbor, shovel an older persons sidewalk this winter, things that we do here to be neighborly. Don't be so quick to butt heads, I know that you care what people think of you, otherwise you wouldn't be so hurt by that individuals comments. But it serves no purpose. Get folks together that have your philosophy in common. It may be that you moved to a very bad area, because most people just wouldn't be in your face like you are describing. The good news is that hopefully there will be more housing this summer, and perhaps you could move to a better location, with neighbors that also work in the oil industry. Take support from web sites like this, maybe develop your own to vent. Karma; their karma is what they do to you, your karma is what you do in response. Be happy that you have somewhere to live, that you have incomes, there are ppl living in their cars not far from you. Peace be with you.
Honestly... I haven't been met with the same animosity of other posters. I don't know why. I went to the Curves up here for awhile and got along with the locals that were there, I've gone to community events and had no problem. Most of my friends are actually from Williston or North Dakota. Sure, I've met a couple of angry people who don't like "outsiders", but for the most part everyone's been nice to both my daughter and I.
The kids in her class don't know their heritage for the most part (they're only in first grade so maybe that's it), but one of my friends has older kids that were all born and raised here as was she. I don't think they've ever once mentioned that they're Norwegian, and the only time it's come up with any of my friends or co-workers (all of which are natives of ND) is when we're talking about people's last names.
I'm also a big believer that you get what you give. I walk around with a smile on my face, I say hi to people, and I am generally friendly and polite as is my daughter. To be entirely honest, the grumpiest people I've dealt with are the people who are here from out of town. They complain about everything and are constantly putting down the area. I understand their frustration, sometimes even I have my moments where I get angry or tired of the constant lack of available items at the grocery store or the huge amounts of traffic. But hey, it could be worse.
One other thing, I try and understand where the locals are coming from. At a lot of my daughter's school parties and other events there are some local parents that I'll talk to. While they enjoy the economic prosperity, it's difficult for them because their home is getting taken over. I try and empathize with them, but I've seen a lot of out of towners become defensive. I think this is also something that creates a lot of friction.
Anyway, that's just my 2 cents on what I've seen and experienced.
Honestly... I haven't been met with the same animosity of other posters. I don't know why. I went to the Curves up here for awhile and got along with the locals that were there, I've gone to community events and had no problem. Most of my friends are actually from Williston or North Dakota. Sure, I've met a couple of angry people who don't like "outsiders", but for the most part everyone's been nice to both my daughter and I.
The kids in her class don't know their heritage for the most part (they're only in first grade so maybe that's it), but one of my friends has older kids that were all born and raised here as was she. I don't think they've ever once mentioned that they're Norwegian, and the only time it's come up with any of my friends or co-workers (all of which are natives of ND) is when we're talking about people's last names.
I'm also a big believer that you get what you give. I walk around with a smile on my face, I say hi to people, and I am generally friendly and polite as is my daughter. To be entirely honest, the grumpiest people I've dealt with are the people who are here from out of town. They complain about everything and are constantly putting down the area. I understand their frustration, sometimes even I have my moments where I get angry or tired of the constant lack of available items at the grocery store or the huge amounts of traffic. But hey, it could be worse.
One other thing, I try and understand where the locals are coming from. At a lot of my daughter's school parties and other events there are some local parents that I'll talk to. While they enjoy the economic prosperity, it's difficult for them because their home is getting taken over. I try and empathize with them, but I've seen a lot of out of towners become defensive. I think this is also something that creates a lot of friction.
Anyway, that's just my 2 cents on what I've seen and experienced.
Great post. I'm from here and I totally agree with the "you get what you give". I work in the oil industry but it has changed this town (good and bad) forever.
I think you have to take this from both sides. Yes, for you it may be frustrating that the locals are not accepting the "outsiders" right away and that unacceptance may be in the form of gossiping about the new riffraff moving into town. Please understand that it takes one bad egg to ruin the dozen and with the increased bar fights, rapes, local robberies, and pure rudeness from the "outsider" this can tarnish anyone's reputation before even moving into the community.
The city's residents are overwhelmed with the increase in construction, traffic and city ordinances that have to be passed. After all we did not know the oil boom was going to start up this fast. So before you jump to conclusions about the "ignorant" Watford Citians, walk a mile in their shoes.
My husband has been in ND (Max Bass and Bottineau) since April of this year (2012). He has met quite a few people and also talked with people in passing. He has ALL GOOD to say about all the people in ND. Everyone has been VERY nice and helpful. We rented a house in Bottineau and will be there full time in October (Family of 3) and are really looking forward to it. Since we are born and bred Californian's I figured we would catch a lot of crap but no one has said anything or done anything to make him feel the least bit unwelcome. We are really looking forward to relocating to ND, you really dont know how lucky you have it, California is a melting pot of PCBS, the 1% and every slimy politician out there (they all want to come to Ca for hollywierd's backing and money). Even our small towns in the mountains are now full of dope heads, thieves and low lifes which has not been the case in the last 47 years I have lived in the Mountains of California. I am having dreams about being in a place where you can call a spade a spade and not be bullied because you arent being PC and being able to protect your family and property without incompetent on the take law enforcement making it harder by the day. Funny story, my Husband left part of his groceries at walmart in Bottineau after paying for them. He couldnt reach the store for about 4 days by phone and finally got ahold of them. They told him to come on down and they would replace the groceries and THEY DID! In California, they would have laughed, told you to F.O. and hung up....... The good thing about California is the scenery, probably some of the prettiest in the world, the bad is the PEOPLE, probably some of the worst in the world and the most self centered (Atleast New Yorker's flip you off with a smile).
My husband has been in ND (Max Bass and Bottineau) since April of this year (2012). He has met quite a few people and also talked with people in passing. He has ALL GOOD to say about all the people in ND. Everyone has been VERY nice and helpful. We rented a house in Bottineau and will be there full time in October (Family of 3) and are really looking forward to it. Since we are born and bred Californian's I figured we would catch a lot of crap but no one has said anything or done anything to make him feel the least bit unwelcome. We are really looking forward to relocating to ND, you really dont know how lucky you have it, California is a melting pot of PCBS, the 1% and every slimy politician out there (they all want to come to Ca for hollywierd's backing and money). Even our small towns in the mountains are now full of dope heads, thieves and low lifes which has not been the case in the last 47 years I have lived in the Mountains of California. I am having dreams about being in a place where you can call a spade a spade and not be bullied because you arent being PC and being able to protect your family and property without incompetent on the take law enforcement making it harder by the day. Funny story, my Husband left part of his groceries at walmart in Bottineau after paying for them. He couldnt reach the store for about 4 days by phone and finally got ahold of them. They told him to come on down and they would replace the groceries and THEY DID! In California, they would have laughed, told you to F.O. and hung up....... The good thing about California is the scenery, probably some of the prettiest in the world, the bad is the PEOPLE, probably some of the worst in the world and the most self centered (Atleast New Yorker's flip you off with a smile).
I have a sister-in-law who is is head of radiology at the hospital in Bottineau. They live in town with their kids in Bottineau schools. They love it there.
I came upon this and had to tell about Watford City. I have lived here for most of the past 35 yrs. The core group that runs the community are all in the elite group here. They try to control who works here who lives here and who is profiting from this boom. I have also been oil trash all my life 3rd Generation and damn proud of it. I still do not fit in in Watford City. I raised a child and now have grandchildren. These people will tear you down one way or another and you will never be good enough.
I have been let go from jobs for their rumors, blackballed from oil companies that I had worked for for 15 yrs. Butt you know what I quite enjoy putting one of them in their place when they stick their nose in my business.
I own property here would like to do something with it. They prevent some of us from being able to. I urge all of you if you want to change take the time to see who is in office Not difficult to tie any to a business. The names profiting are the same as the names in the 80's boom.
Some of us are still here trying to change things. Also, I would gladly leave if someone wrote a check for my property So if you want to change vote for someone other than those running the show
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