RI Attitude (Cranston, Newport: rental, homes, gated)

[traceyr13]

Well, I grew up in South Kingstown, worked and lived in Barrington for 8 years, and my husband's entire family grew up in East Providence ("Riverside rats", to be exact) and have lived in Cranston for many years, with a stint in Coventry in between. I feel like I have a good grasp on Rhode Islanders (of course, generalizing) from different parts of the state.

I certainly don't think Rhode Islanders have the market cornered on stupidity, or ignorance - you'll find that anywhere! I will reiterate that Rhode Islanders have a provincial mindset - there is a "small state, small minds" aspect to Rhode Island that I did not like at all. I tell my Texan friends that instead of "6 degrees of separation", in RI there are "2 degrees of separation" - unless you are a recent transplant, I guarantee you that you can "connect" almost anyone with anyone else via 1 or 2 people. Some people find that charming - my husband and I found that stifling and insular. It's personal preference.

But I DO wonder if defensive Rhode Islanders who take offense to the "rude, unfriendly, not welcoming" comments have really lived in other, more friendly parts of the country. I don't think it's unfair to say parts of the country have a "flavor" to them - and after living in Texas for 2 years, I don't see how ANYONE who has lived in RI for a good amount of time and then a place like Texas could NOT agree that Rhode Islanders are crankier and less welcoming. People are just HAPPIER here.

My sister, who lived in RI until she went to college in 1995 in Texas and never moved back to the state, calls it the "RI attitude" also. She says that whenever she comes back to the state, within 24 hours she FEELS herself complaining and being more negative. I always laughed at her...until I moved to Texas and came back to visit RI.

[Crispo]

Thanks for the many interesting comments.

Hollytree - Ok, I see your charming side now , although your history is still a bit off. Roger Williams didn't reject Puritanism, but rather preached a different version of it from the other Mass. Bay Colony ministers.

I read a fascinating book called "Albion's Seed" by DH Fischer that traced the cultures of English settlers here back to England. Those that settled the South brought a more chivalrous attitude with them, while the Puritans brought a more moralistic one. There were several other differences, but the point is that many of these cultural differences continue today. I hope by understanding the RI attitude better, I can better accept it (if not totally embrace it.)

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by traceyr13

Well, I grew up in South Kingstown, worked and lived in Barrington for 8 years, and my husband's entire family grew up in East Providence ("Riverside rats", to be exact) and have lived in Cranston for many years, with a stint in Coventry in between. I feel like I have a good grasp on Rhode Islanders (of course, generalizing) from different parts of the state.

I certainly don't think Rhode Islanders have the market cornered on stupidity, or ignorance - you'll find that anywhere! I will reiterate that Rhode Islanders have a provincial mindset - there is a "small state, small minds" aspect to Rhode Island that I did not like at all. I tell my Texan friends that instead of "6 degrees of separation", in RI there are "2 degrees of separation" - unless you are a recent transplant, I guarantee you that you can "connect" almost anyone with anyone else via 1 or 2 people. Some people find that charming - my husband and I found that stifling and insular. It's personal preference.

But I DO wonder if defensive Rhode Islanders who take offense to the "rude, unfriendly, not welcoming" comments have really lived in other, more friendly parts of the country. I don't think it's unfair to say parts of the country have a "flavor" to them - and after living in Texas for 2 years, I don't see how ANYONE who has lived in RI for a good amount of time and then a place like Texas could NOT agree that Rhode Islanders are crankier and less welcoming. People are just HAPPIER here.

My sister, who lived in RI until she went to college in 1995 in Texas and never moved back to the state, calls it the "RI attitude" also. She says that whenever she comes back to the state, within 24 hours she FEELS herself complaining and being more negative. I always laughed at her...until I moved to Texas and came back to visit RI.

Texas is responsible for and elected Bush twice.

RI voted for Gore/Kerry by an overwhelming margin.

You may not care, and it may not have anything to do with your argument - but that alone gives the victory to Rhody in my book thank you very much.

TX sucks.

[Rnrboy]

Originally Posted by Crispo

Thanks for the many interesting comments.

Hollytree - Ok, I see your charming side now , although your history is still a bit off. Roger Williams didn't reject Puritanism, but rather preached a different version of it from the other Mass. Bay Colony ministers.

I read a fascinating book called "Albion's Seed" by DH Fischer that traced the cultures of English settlers here back to England. Those that settled the South brought a more chivalrous attitude with them, while the Puritans brought a more moralistic one. There were several other differences, but the point is that many of these cultural differences continue today. I hope by understanding the RI attitude better, I can better accept it (if not totally embrace it.)

Only if "chivalrous" means disingenuous 'politeness'. Bush fooled us with his "southern charm" and look how that turned out. I also wouldn';t call a history of mass slavery and lynchings 'chivalrous'.

A little cheesy.

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

Texas is responsible for and elected Bush twice.

RI voted for Gore/Kerry by an overwhelming margin.

You may not care, and it may not have anything to do with your argument - but that alone gives the victory to Rhody in my book thank you very much.

TX sucks.

lol - okay, well, I moved to Austin, which steadily votes for the Democratic candidate, historically. Most people I know here are rooting for Obama. And I care very much - I'm very politically and socially active, AND critical of a lot of Texas politics. Unlike many on this board, I readily accept and acknowledge the negatives of places.

But your response cracked me up...and exemplified exactly what I am talking about with Rhode Islanders. Rather than entertain the possibility that what I'm saying has validity, you come back with "Texas sucks".

Ah...love Rhode Islanders! lol.

[Rnrboy]

And of course in TX you have far more incidents like this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/us...as.html?ref=us

I guess I've just had it with people coming here and bashing Rhody.

Let me be clear though, I'm not referring to you Tracy. Your comments are pretty balanced an everyone's entitled to their opinion.

But when you have people making outrageous claims like "RI will be divided between CT/MA" and pawning it off as fact, enough is enough!

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

And of course in TX you have far more incidents like this:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/31/us...as.html?ref=us

I guess I've just had it with people coming here and bashing Rhody.

Let me be clear though, I'm not referring to you Tracy. Your comments are pretty balanced an everyone's entitled to their opinion.

But when you have people making outrageous claims like "RI will be divided between CT/MA" and pawning it off as fact, enough is enough!

Oh, I'll totally give you the "RI being divided by CT/MA"!

But in all honesty, you simply can't compare news stories that you can google about Texas (like the link you provided) with Rhode Island as a viable example of "see, Rhode Island's better". C'mon. Rhode Island has just over 1 million people in the entire state, Texas has close to 24 million. Talk about apples and oranges! Of course there's going to be more examples of violence, etc.

I will say that my local community has not lost 1 high school student (to my knowledge) to drunk driving or violence since I moved here (2 years ago). In Barrington, there were more years than not where at least one of my students was/were killed. And I live in a suburb of Austin with over 100,000 people. As a mother of 3 children who will all be teenagers before I know it...I have to tell you, I prefer the environment here.

Even with the conservative politics and Bible belt mentality! I can indoctrinate them in liberal Unitarian agnostic thinking at home!

[Crispo]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

Only if "chivalrous" means disingenuous 'politeness'. Bush fooled us with his "southern charm" and look how that turned out. I also wouldn';t call a history of mass slavery and lynchings 'chivalrous'.

A little cheesy.

Chivalrous means formal courtesy. My point was that these traits did not spring up in the States, but originated in the various English cultures. I know you're venting a bit here, but not listening before attacking just confirms the stereotype.

[Rnrboy]

Again, Im from FLORIDA.

Now what was that about not listening?

[Rnrboy]

Tracy, per capita Rhode Island is consistently ranked one of the safest states in the Nation. It one million people in a very tiny area, remember!

I encourage you to look up the Morgan Quitno studies I've posted on here in the past. Rhode Island was just voted 12th safest State in the Nation - and we were the first to come onto the list with any real population density.

(Most of the safest states were sparsely populated. Inf act the three Northern New England States made the top 5.)

TX? You don't wanna know.