RI Attitude (Providence, Cranston, East Providence: houses, living, vacations)

[Crispo]

Originally Posted by Rnrboy

Again, Im from FLORIDA.

Now what was that about not listening?

Huh? You never said in this thread that you were from FL. Your location says Cranston.

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by 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.

I will totally agree that Rhode Island is safer than Texas, but I would still argue that even taking into account the difference in size and population per capita, that there are factors that separate them that are mitigating factors.

I'll give you an example - when I lived in Rhode Island, I was completely derisive (to my sister who was settling in Texas) about public education in Texas. As an educator myself, I knew ALL the research, and knew exactly how bad TX public education is (hello birthplace of NCLB). Unlike a few posters on this forum, I personally believe that RI is better than a lot of states out there when it comes to education. Are there states that I think are doing it better? Yes. But do I think Rhode Island is still better than at least half the states? Yes.

Fast forward to me living here for 2 years...I still have a lot of issues with TX public education (speaking as a parent AND educator in the system here). But I have grown more understanding and less derisive than I was when I was a "Rhode Island know-it-all" because I understand the myriad of issues that Texas is dealing with here that RI does not contend with. Our immigrant population (with ESL, or LEP as they call it here, issues), our large rural population, our size and sheer numbers... educational policy in Texas is dealing with issues that Rhode Island just doesn't have.

Does that mean I excuse it and justify it? No - I still don't like the "solutions" that TEA arrives at...but it means I'm less likely to just dismiss Texas as being subpar and tout that as one more reason why "Texas sucks". I guess that's what I meant by it not being fair to compare the two.

Now, I ask you...what is the excuse for the Rhode Island attitude? Is it a "Napoleon complex" based on the size?

[MikeB4681]

Being someone who as lived/traveled all around the North East, I think its fair to call it a North East Attitude. It is really not just a RI thing.

[Want-to-be in NC]

Originally Posted by ljd1010

As a Native RIer who relocated to NC 3 months ago, I understand what Crispo is saying. I lived in a great neighborhood in Cranston for the last 20 years. For the first 17, my neighbors all kept to themselves and were not in the least very friendly. Then something happened - people retired, died and moved away. Young families bought most of the homes and the neighborhood was transformed into the most welcoming place imaginable. The last couple of years there, we had annual block parties and pub crawls. It was terrific! The woman who bought my house moved in 4/15. I keep in touch with my old neighbors now and none have yet to meet her! Maybe they should knock on her door.....

On the other hand, I find people here in NC to be incredibly friendly and welcoming. Our first day, neighbors knoed on our door with baked goods in hand. We've already made several friends on our block, been out for dinner, over for barbecues etc. It is refreshing. People in the service industries as well as drivers are much more courteous here. I'm not knocking RI, I love it - my family is still there. Many in RI could learn something from southern hospitality.

I'm with you!!!!!
There are so many wonderful things about RI, but in general, friendlieness isn't one of them!!!

[Rnrboy]

I guess it depends on a person's disposition/needs.

Like most people I like having friends around sometimes, but I also value my solitude. If you want baked goods and people knocking on the door asking stupid questions, trying to get to "know you", by all means the South is probably for you.

My neighbors are friendly but they also don't intrude unnecessarily. They don't feel obligated to "get to know me". If I have a concern or just want to talk they're all ears (and I live in Cranston, actually.) But they don't come ringing on the bell saying "Oooohhh, I just made you a cake, come on over and we'll gossip about the neighbors!"

Some people are into that, that's cool. For me, Rhode Island works a hell of a lot better! It's just different strokes.

[traceyr13]

Originally Posted by MikeB4681

Being someone who as lived/traveled all around the North East, I think its fair to call it a North East Attitude. It is really not just a RI thing.

I agree.

[dawni2u]

We visited RI last year and were really expecting some rude people (based entirely on what I've read on these posts).

I was pleasantly surprised at how nice people were to us. I have a little one who uses a wheelchair, and I was fully expecting stares, comments (again because of what I read here).

Not that way at all. I smiled at people and they smiled back. I'm a very personable person and love to talk to strangers - we didn't encounter anyone who replied rudely or otherwise.

I truly believe - what you give is what you get.

[MikeB4681]

Originally Posted by dawni2u

I truly believe - what you give is what you get.

Yes! Most people are not mean up North, they just usually keep to themselves (which comes across as cold to some) unless someone brakes the ice.

[ProvGuy]

My friend from the south loves how blunt and real everyone up here is. She says that people up here don't bull***** you, they tell you how they feel and that's that, unlike people she knows back home who sugarcoat everything and talk bad behind everyone's back. This I can agree with.

[jpicard]

There is no comparison between NY and RI or Boston area, so you really cannot generalize the "North". NY/NJ is far more friendly. People talk about NY but I live in NY and have more rude people stories to tell about the few times I have been to Boston than in my life time living near NYC.

As far as RI, I also used to visit Newport but when unfriendliness started to translate into real problems decided not to go back. My last visit to Newport albeit 8 years ago I almost had an altercation with the local boat patrol.

I was in a pontoon rental (clearly a rental) sight-seeing historic sailboats and in no hurry therefore looking back to be sure not to create any wakes around them as I sight-see. But I had this one boat patrol guy keeping a close eye on me the whole time meanwhile locals (pretty young guys and gals) in speed boats were creating huge wakes blowing past me way too fast. All this in plain sight of the boat patrol who decided to do nothing about them but rather harrass me and physically threaten to take me in for creating wakes. huh?

Talk about a rude a cop, he even said I was intentionally trying to antagonize him by making wakes. Apologetically I tried to tell him that was not my intention and was going out of my way not do so but he tried to escalate it there so I just kept quiet. This guy was so disrespectful to this day I sometimes think rather than letting it go it may have been more satifying long term not to shut up but let him come up to the boat and crack him in the mouth with a closed fist. Then letting the chips fall where they may. (that is allot coming from me since I never get into fights and not looking to start trouble).

But I digress, bottom line I was clearly singled out as an outsider. Ultimately that was the straw that broke the camels back in deciding to longer chose RI as a vacation spot.