What makes a Rhode Islander a Rhode Islander? (Providence, Newport: hotel, travel)

[mikey2]

Let me just say this in the STRONGEST of terms:
before moving anywhere, including but maybe especially Rhode Island, you should be spending a lot of time there and talking with as many different people as you can.

Any forum is full of opinions, but I would strongly disagree with a lot that get posted here.

Sometimes I show my wife what gets posted and we just laugh.
They're peoples' opinions and they have a right to them.

Some forums are influenced by people that are overly positive, others by people that are overly negative.

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by TheJickler

Hey Rnrboy,

I moved here from Florida myself about 5 years ago. I agree that to most Rhode Islanders, twenty minutes is a LONG drive. In Florida, that's what I expected it to take just to get to the grocery store!
I hear about the coffee milk, but I've yet to try it.
I think going to P-Bruins games makes someone a RI'er as well.
People here talk about "bubblers" and "jimmies", but I refuse to use those terms!

Wow! Another Florida transplant. Good to see you post.

Do you get people you used to know down there saying "How can you live up there in the COLD?" Besides my sister, everyone I know down there thinks I'm nuts for moving up here, but I much prefer it.

Totally different type of people too, really.

[TheJickler]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

Wow! Another Florida transplant. Good to see you post.

Do you get people you used to know down there saying "How can you live up there in the COLD?" Besides my sister, everyone I know down there thinks I'm nuts for moving up here, but I much prefer it.

Totally different type of people too, really.

Oh yes, all the time. My friends in Florida say things like, "How about that snow? Man, that stinks."

I'm originally a Northeasterner anyway (Long Island) so I knew what I was in for! This actually brings up another thing about Rhode Island: Many people hear "Rhode Island" and say, "That's part of New York, right?" It makes RI'ers want to yell, "IT'S A STATE!!! HOW CAN YOU NOT KNOW THAT???"

Where did you live in Florida?

[Guywithacause]

What I have noticed about native RIs is that they mindlessly follow tradition to the bitter end..and I mean bitter! Everytime I hang in RI I am forced to relive everyone's memories of the great restaurants of their childhood, that unfortunately still exist today.

I have had the great displeasure of eating at Twin Oaks, Greggs, Cassertas, clam cakes @ Aunt Carries, and others...all of which are WELL past their prime..yet true RIs continue to go there..because..well...that's what they do. No matter how bad the place...the service...the people...Twin Oaks...will always be Twin Oaks. That is what makes a true Rhody in my book...life in a time warp.

[Rnrboy]

I grew up in the St. Pete/Clearwater area.

[TheJickler]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

I grew up in the St. Pete/Clearwater area.

That's cool. I lived in Pasco for a while, then in Pinellas and Tampa. I cann't say I miss it, though it wasn't bad. Overall I'm glad I moved, even with that ridiculous storm yesterday!

[Rnrboy]

Yeah, my parents used to live in Pineallas and now they live out in Dade City in Pasco.

We're pretty much from the same area! You got a year on me though, I've only been here a little over four years.

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by mikey2

Let me just say this in the STRONGEST of terms:
before moving anywhere, including but maybe especially Rhode Island, you should be spending a lot of time there and talking with as many different people as you can.

Any forum is full of opinions, but I would strongly disagree with a lot that get posted here.

Sometimes I show my wife what gets posted and we just laugh.
They're peoples' opinions and they have a right to them.

Some forums are influenced by people that are overly positive, others by people that are overly negative.

Very true ..and if you have lived in RI long enough you will understand the following without needing a translator : Sazeech his own

[Ice_Wolf]

You know, the funny thing is, is that my parents, my brother, and myself don't have the infamous non-rhotic accents you hear so much about. And we were all born and raised here in RI. Some people actually ask ME where I am from, and get shocked to learn I have lived in RI my whole life! They think I'm a westerner...I guess it's something to do with my personality as well. It's funny becuase my dad lived in Alabama for several years when he was a kid (was born here, however and came back), and still says the "s" word like shee-yit!

[RuralCoastalGuy]

Originally Posted by Ice_Wolf

You know, the funny thing is, is that my parents, my brother, and myself don't have the infamous non-rhotic accents you hear so much about. And we were all born and raised here in RI. Some people actually ask ME where I am from, and get shocked to learn I have lived in RI my whole life! They think I'm a westerner...I guess it's something to do with my personality as well. It's funny becuase my dad lived in Alabama for several years when he was a kid (was born here, however and came back), and still says the "s" word like shee-yit!

Ice Wolf: You are one of the many exceptions,,but I think it is because you live in Tiverton and not up in the Greater Providence area (Providence, Craaaanston, Johnston and Nawt Providence) Maybe you were taught better in your school system, I don't know. I have several friends in Tiverton, Portsmouth, Jamestown and Newport and they talk like you described you do.