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To Tama: I think it's wonderful that you would offer the two titles which relate to this thread, but I can't help but wonder one thing: If the thread (and by implication, the people posting here) is "simplistic" and "uninteresting", then what are you doing here wasting your time reading and responding? Is the payoff in making yourself feel superior by putting others down? I read all the time, so I am not terribly impressed by your presentation of yourself as a super-intellectual type. Your posts are just dripping with contempt. Once one has been on City-Data for a while, one realizes that there is a certain amount of crap to be waded through as the price to be paid for the worthwhile posts. (And I think that is true of just about all publicly available forums). So why get worked up about it? Perhaps you are in the wrong place and would be happier somewhere else?
Most 500-page books contain very little more of substance than the summary that is on the dust jacket. There is nothing wrong with reading books, but there are tens of thousands in the average library, and I don't see a compelling need to read the ones that stereotype my neighbors whom I already know. Reading two or three entire books about every topic in every forum here is not my idea of productive use of my time. And most of all, I resent your suggestion that anyone who has not read the books on your reading list is ignorant.
I don't suggest you have to read to post an opinion. This particular thread--with people clearly wanting answers and clearly not having a clue seems to be the appropriate place to suggest some resources that would clarify things. You find reading a chore and that is your problem.
To Tama: I think it's wonderful that you would offer the two titles which relate to this thread, but I can't help but wonder one thing: If the thread (and by implication, the people posting here) is "simplistic" and "uninteresting", then what are you doing here wasting your time reading and responding? Is the payoff in making yourself feel superior by putting others down? I read all the time, so I am not terribly impressed by your presentation of yourself as a super-intellectual type. Your posts are just dripping with contempt. Once one has been on City-Data for a while, one realizes that there is a certain amount of crap to be waded through as the price to be paid for the worthwhile posts. (And I think that is true of just about all publicly available forums). So why get worked up about it? Perhaps you are in the wrong place and would be happier somewhere else?
You are making a lot of assumptions about me. Since you asked--I happened to notice the OP's question and browsed through the comments as we all do.The ideas expressed were astounding in their lack of information. Thus, the suggestions. I know about reading through all sorts of junk while browsing a forum.
But I think it is a great place to shed some light. I learn all the time. And if you were to check my posting record, which I am sure you have no interest in doing, you would see that this is the first time out of hundreds of posts that I "got worked up" Did you read those comments?? But you are right. It isn't for me to correct anyone and certainly I butted into the thread. But what you are perceiving as "superiority" is frustration. Your point is well-taken, however.
I didn't say anyone was simplistic, I said the analysis of the topic was simplistic. As far as your suggestion that I would be happier somewhere else, you are right--
Do you believe that White People in the Midwest are significantly different culturally than White People on the East Coast?
Here in suburban Washington DC they say that even with all the ethnic diversity we have that WHITE PEOPLE still are in the majority. Maybe but these are not the type of white people I am familar with. But here in the Urban Northeast, most of the so called White People come from Italian, Greek and Middle Eastern Ethnic Backgrounds and bring their culture to the area. For example, in suburban New York the US Census says that most white people have Italian Ancestry. Ever seen the TV Show Jersey Shore? You know the type.
But go to a place like Ohio, Iowa, Minnesota or Nebraska and most of the White People come from a German ancestry and the regional culture is completely different.
Do you see what I am talking about? Why does everyone lump all white people together acting like they are all the same? Whites in the Urban Northeast Cities and the Midwest are completely different. Don't you agree?
Hm. I live on the Jersey shore. I am of Dutch and English descent.
As you can imagine, that stupid show is hugely popular in New Jersey because it's SO accurate.
Probably the most polite white people live on Cape Bretton NS Cdn. I have toured Canada and most of the USA, and found the nicest folks were Scotts and on Cape Bretton NS Cdn.
Nothern New England is a salt and pepper area with everyone.
Probably the best city in North America is Montreal, for peacable diversity.
All the word Yankees is is French accent and native American accent mixed is such a way as it seems in this time to not be the word English.
Yankees are both north and soputh of the Mason Dixon Line. There is about 1,000 ways to spell it too. Yanglaise (more french) Yungquis (more native) Yanguees Yunquwish (more native) and etc.
Try selling T-shirts with those spellings in New York and let me know how you make out.
I grew up in Illinois, spent 11 years in Pennsylvania, and 10 years in Florida--different everywhere I have lived. Don't like mid-western winters, but do like the people there the best.
Wade through my crap post and you might realize that I am not terribly interested in this topic. There are so few topics that are worth getting your panties in a wad over. As I was implying, culture over there and culture over here and down there are all what we surmise them to be, and probably not even that.
I have visited many places in North America and the biggest differences I have noted well enough to remember concern food in low key roadside diners. In much of Canada they serve "French" fries with breakfast with vinegar is available at the table. Vinegar on French fries? I prefer the brown gravy more typical of the western part of Canada and into the US. Go to the south west and they put green chile on everything. Good green chile but on pancakes? Up here in Yankee land some places serve real maple syrup on French Toast. Some places in upstate NY will add a dash of whiskey.
I have always wanted to travel in Newfoundland and now that I have a reasonably comfortable motorcycle I have put it back on the list.
For what it is worth during a cross country motorcycle trip, I was invited to stay on a couple's couch in Espanola, NM after telling a couple of funny stories. That evening, before getting to sleep, but after settling down in an overstuffed chair I met their half dozen Doberman "puppies". 50 lb puppies! I was nearly slobbered to death. Quite a memory.
The place I met Americans from all over the country was in the Navy. That was a memorable time. so was 'Nam but the memories are not really funny and some of the dreams worse.
At first I misread the OP's post and thought you were talking about white Midwesterners.. I then realized you were actually talking about white East Coasters.. Weird, huh?
Chicago got the nickname "city of Big Shoulders" because of all the different ethnic groups in the city. And by ethnic groups, I mean Poles, Italians, Greeks, the Irish, etc. Most white people in Chicago city and suburbs are not WASPs, imagine that!
Not so sure about the rest of the Midwest but I doubt it's THAT different..
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To Tama redux
