Threads Pertaining To People Disliking PA (Scranton, Washington: how much, landscaping, theater)
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By my count, I have now seen two different threads where the topic is people expressing why they don't like Pennsylvania get closed.
Granted, maybe their manners and how they express their opinion plays a role in the threads closure, but these people are also entitled to their opinion, even if it is a negative one regarding Pennsylvania.
Myself, as you can likely tell from my screen name, I am one of those people who don't like Pennsylvania, and I have thrown out here my reasons why in past threads.
To me, one of the main reasons why I don't like this state is the attitudes of the people in general. Elaborating on this, no state, company, home, etc. can truly operate unless it has people doing the operating. To that end, the attitudes of the people are a huge factor in what makes a state liveable.
Unfortunately, the people in Pennsylvania tend to reinforce plenty of negative stereotypes in society. The three main ways are as follows:
-Seniors who continually act like "grumpy old men(or women)" that think the 1950's were so much better. Tend to be bitter, opinionated, and so tight with a buck that when they open their wallet, George Washington squints at the light.
-Country people who live and act like "poor white trash". Y'know, can't hold a job, abuse gov't and state welfare programs, conceive kids at an alarming rate when they can't even BEGIN to afford them, almost always in some kind of trouble with the law, etc.. Usually live in some trailer park way up in the mountains or back in the woods. Have no self-respect or dignity, and it shows in their actions and the way they live their lives.
-Industrial laborers who are so into the blue collar macho tough guy lifestyle that their job isn't just their job, it's their whole life and identity. Spend a good bit of their off time at the bar, club, VFW, etc. drinking. Sometimes show bully tendencies and pick fights with people. A prime example is construction workers here working on PA's badly deteriorated roads. Always cursing, telling dirty jokes, sometimes even outright picking on and mocking motorists who are stopped in their workzones.
Now, I have met many GOOD people here as well. It just seems that PA is a dumping ground for these type of people, and their actions, deeds, etc. tend to overshadow any good that PA residents do. Seems as though it infests PA like a cancer. And personally, I'm tired of it.
I know that these type of people exist anywhere you go, and maybe a positive mindset might help out somewhat in dealing with this, but many natives of this state tend to be "hardened" in these respects, and will act badly toward you no matter how much you try to treat them the way you would like to be treated yourself. Also, how can these attitudes exist in one place so much?
From reading threads on the PA forum, it seems that everyone who makes a negative post about PA gets flamed. And although some of the posters could tone down their posts when posting something negative about PA, I"ve seen people make calm sounding, well-written and thought out posts stating their opinion on why they dislike PA, and they still get flamed regardless. These discussions should remain civil.
EDIT: Also, I'd like to point out that having and stating a negative opinion about this state doesn't automatically make somebody a "troll". Furthermore, I'd like to think that most of these "trolls" you all speak of are trying to leave PA and start over or try and enact change to make it better. They're just hitting dead ends.
Last edited by IHATEPA!!!; 09-26-2008 at 06:59 PM..
Reason: Wanted to include more info.
I agree, for the most part, w/ IHATEPA's comments. I have lived here for 40 years, and after visiting other states, I can see how rude we are. I am planning on moving out of PA, as I cannot stand the mentality/mindset that most have here. There is nothing wrong with stating one's opinion!
I'm interested in your context, Ihate. Did you grow up in Pennslylvania, did you move to Pennsylvania as a kid or adult? Do you still live in Pennsylvania or have you moved away? Have you ever lived in Pennsylvania or just spent time here? What parts of Pennsylvania have you had the most to do with? (Because it's a very big state with very distinct sub-regions) I don't think you're a troll, but providing us this context might make your posts more meaningful.
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I'm a supporter of PA, but IHATEPA is most certainly entitled to his opinion. I happen to agree that many residents of PA are rather rude and standoffish. Nevertheless I'll miss Scranton dearly if I have to leave in a few months to pursue greener economic pastures.
-Seniors who continually act like "grumpy old men(or women)" that think the 1950's were so much better. Tend to be bitter, opinionated, and so tight with a buck that when they open their wallet, George Washington squints at the light.
-Country people who live and act like "poor white trash". Y'know, can't hold a job, abuse gov't and state welfare programs, conceive kids at an alarming rate when they can't even BEGIN to afford them, almost always in some kind of trouble with the law, etc.. Usually live in some trailer park way up in the mountains or back in the woods. Have no self-respect or dignity, and it shows in their actions and the way they live their lives.
-Industrial laborers who are so into the blue collar macho tough guy lifestyle that their job isn't just their job, it's their whole life and identity. Spend a good bit of their off time at the bar, club, VFW, etc. drinking. Sometimes show bully tendencies and pick fights with people. A prime example is construction workers here working on PA's badly deteriorated roads. Always cursing, telling dirty jokes, sometimes even outright picking on and mocking motorists who are stopped in their workzones.
All those people exist in PA. I have at least one relative that would fall into each of those classes.
For me I am surprised I ended up living here. When growing up I lived all over the USA, but would visit relatives in West PA frequently in the summer. The only plus I saw was that it was usually cooler than where I came from. I saw it as a scruffy, living in the past, negative place and that was my opinion from 10 years old.
In the mean time, I had always wanted to live in Colorado. Did that. Live overseas. Did that. Etc.
My parents found a nice town here in a part of PA more reminiscent of New England without the price tag. I decided to live here as well. I think now from my experience of living all over is that no matter where you live there are positives and negatives. It's up to you what you are willing to live with. For me right now the benefits are better than what I find elsewhere and the downside I either accept or find ways around it.
Personally what I find is an element of people that have not moved on from the decline of the steel and coal industries. They don't want any responsibility in their part of it such as unions demanding unreasonable wage increases or investing in new technology to compete. It's hardened and shaped their attitudes and to them it never can be a successful place again. Hence some of the attitudes.
In addition you have a lot of welfare attitudes and everywhere you find welfare you find crime. Why? Well, when people have nothing to wake up to and to do everyday, they get into trouble. Pennsylvania's failure to reform welfare has inspired other lackeys to move here and live off the system. If one wants to argue that government has to make payments to "needy" people, I say fine IF you put them to work cleaning the streets or doing landscaping or construction, or train them for a job or if they aren't mobile put them behind a desk answering phones. Whatever, they need something to do. I would say the welfare system is the states biggest failing. It is a factor I feel I either need to get involved politically on or possibly move elsewhere. I don't see the state moving ahead otherwise.
Also PA is plagued with cronyism which needs to be purged from our governmental system. It creates huge amounts of wasteful spending and corrupts the political system. This state needs serious reform. The governor is a perfect example of it. He needs to be voted out next go around.
LOL! And clinging to their guns and religion. PA has a lot to offer, but shares similar trates to some other northeatern/mid Atlantic states. It's a great place to live, but there is no such thing as perfect. It is what you make it.
By my count, I have now seen two different threads where the topic is people expressing why they don't like Pennsylvania get closed.
Granted, maybe their manners and how they express their opinion plays a role in the threads closure, but these people are also entitled to their opinion, even if it is a negative one regarding Pennsylvania.
Myself, as you can likely tell from my screen name, I am one of those people who don't like Pennsylvania, and I have thrown out here my reasons why in past threads.
To me, one of the main reasons why I don't like this state is the attitudes of the people in general. Elaborating on this, no state, company, home, etc. can truly operate unless it has people doing the operating. To that end, the attitudes of the people are a huge factor in what makes a state liveable.
Unfortunately, the people in Pennsylvania tend to reinforce plenty of negative stereotypes in society. The three main ways are as follows:
-Seniors who continually act like "grumpy old men(or women)" that think the 1950's were so much better. Tend to be bitter, opinionated, and so tight with a buck that when they open their wallet, George Washington squints at the light.
-Country people who live and act like "poor white trash". Y'know, can't hold a job, abuse gov't and state welfare programs, conceive kids at an alarming rate when they can't even BEGIN to afford them, almost always in some kind of trouble with the law, etc.. Usually live in some trailer park way up in the mountains or back in the woods. Have no self-respect or dignity, and it shows in their actions and the way they live their lives.
-Industrial laborers who are so into the blue collar macho tough guy lifestyle that their job isn't just their job, it's their whole life and identity. Spend a good bit of their off time at the bar, club, VFW, etc. drinking. Sometimes show bully tendencies and pick fights with people. A prime example is construction workers here working on PA's badly deteriorated roads. Always cursing, telling dirty jokes, sometimes even outright picking on and mocking motorists who are stopped in their workzones.
Now, I have met many GOOD people here as well. It just seems that PA is a dumping ground for these type of people, and their actions, deeds, etc. tend to overshadow any good that PA residents do. Seems as though it infests PA like a cancer. And personally, I'm tired of it.
I know that these type of people exist anywhere you go, and maybe a positive mindset might help out somewhat in dealing with this, but many natives of this state tend to be "hardened" in these respects, and will act badly toward you no matter how much you try to treat them the way you would like to be treated yourself. Also, how can these attitudes exist in one place so much?
From reading threads on the PA forum, it seems that everyone who makes a negative post about PA gets flamed. And although some of the posters could tone down their posts when posting something negative about PA, I"ve seen people make calm sounding, well-written and thought out posts stating their opinion on why they dislike PA, and they still get flamed regardless. These discussions should remain civil.
EDIT: Also, I'd like to point out that having and stating a negative opinion about this state doesn't automatically make somebody a "troll". Furthermore, I'd like to think that most of these "trolls" you all speak of are trying to leave PA and start over or try and enact change to make it better. They're just hitting dead ends.
You should definitely post more often.
This is one of the best posts I've seen. You are so right!
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