Must one be mormon to be happy in SLC? (Millcreek: fit in, universities)

[Katiana]

I know this is off-topic, but I feel compelled to respond to the following:

I have frequently gone into a store or fast food restaurant and not been greeted or even thanked - just received a cold stare.

The quote is in reference to the northeast, but I am telling you, it happens everywhere! The places that employ lots of young, inexperienced workers are the worst, e.g., fast-food restuarants, low-end retail stores, etc. (Guess you can tell where I shop, LOL!) Lest you think I am biased against young people, I am the parent of two young adults. These kids need to be trained in customer service. A simple "thank you" would be appreciated, IMO. The grocery stores seem to have improved their customer service in the past 10 yrs or so, the checkers usually say hello these days, which they didn't when I first came here. I have lived right next door to Utah in Colorado for the last 27 yrs.

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

It is called an "Eastern attitude" by natives and long-time residents of the Rocky Mountain West. As you say, the discourtesy may come from urban Easterners being crowded together, people not knowing each other, or whatever, but ask most Westerners if they have come across someone with an "Eastern attitude" and they will know what you mean. Unfortunately, we are now starting to see a "California attitude," which is pretty much like an eastern attitude, just without the accent. I think it stems from some of the same conditions becoming prevalent in California that are present back East. Enough people from both places are moving to the Rocky Mountain states who bring that unfriendly attitude with them that the bigger cities in this region are not as friendly as they used to be. Maybe they are getting crowded enough themselves that the "attitude" sets in.

If you have a New Jersey or New York City accent (and, yes, I know there is more than just one New York City accent), you may be assumed to have the "attitude" by many Westerners--until you prove otherwise. Right or wrong, it may affect your ability to make acquaintances easily or even affect your ability to get a job. Some people may want to deny this, but I have seen it in action, often subtly, all over the Rocky Mountain West over the years.

As to LDS, their religion may not be everyone's cup of tea (I'm not LDS), but I have nearly always found Mormons to be polite, courteous folks.

Fortunately, I pretty much have no accent! Not to be a snob, but for the most part it's more of a working class thing, and is seen a lot less among people of higher education levels. I think a lot of the worst of the worst of those with an "Eastern attitude" are the ones who would never think of moving out west, so I look forward to getting away from the majority of them! I am sure it's true about some of the CA people, but I have to say that my experience every time I have visited CA is that the people seem much friendlier and more down to earth than Easterners.

Originally Posted by pittnurse70

I know this is off-topic, but I feel compelled to respond to the following:

I have frequently gone into a store or fast food restaurant and not been greeted or even thanked - just received a cold stare.

The quote is in reference to the northeast, but I am telling you, it happens everywhere! The places that employ lots of young, inexperienced workers are the worst, e.g., fast-food restuarants, low-end retail stores, etc. (Guess you can tell where I shop, LOL!) Lest you think I am biased against young people, I am the parent of two young adults. These kids need to be trained in customer service. A simple "thank you" would be appreciated, IMO. The grocery stores seem to have improved their customer service in the past 10 yrs or so, the checkers usually say hello these days, which they didn't when I first came here. I have lived right next door to Utah in Colorado for the last 27 yrs.

Here is the thing, though, the young ones that you speak of are not that bad compared to the older ones, many of whom are Spanish, that drive me a little nuts. A lot of them barely speak English, so they don't understand you and often mess up your order. And they are often not very pleasant to the non-Spanish customers. It may sound like a generalization or being racist, but it's really pretty universal in this entire area.

My comment was based mostly on the difference I see when I am out of the area. I spend a lot of time in VT and upstate NY, and when you get into these more rural areas it's a completely different experience with how you are treated (and yes, I eat a lot of fast food!)

So I realize that my entire post makes me come across like a racist snob - really I'm not,(I am a Social worker!). I am just stating my honest observations. No one is perfect, and rude people of any ethnicity can be found in any area... But I feel fairly certain that a move to Utah is going to be a refreshing change for me.

[jazzlover]

Fortunately, I pretty much have no accent! Not to be a snob, but for the most part it's more of a working class thing, and is seen a lot less among people of higher education levels.

I'd bet most Rocky Mountain natives would spot your accent by the end of your first sentence, just like everyone back East said that I had an accent when I visited there.

Here is the thing, though, the young ones that you speak of are not that bad compared to the older ones, many of whom are Spanish, that drive me a little nuts. A lot of them barely speak English, so they don't understand you and often mess up your order. And they are often not very pleasant to the non-Spanish customers. It may sound like a generalization or being racist, but it's really pretty universal in this entire area.

Don't expect to escape that anywhere in most of the Rocky Mountain West. Many food service, lodging job (maids, etc.), and the like are predominantly held by aliens, legal or otherwise, all over the Rocky Mountain West. Also, there is a substantial population of native-born Hispanics in much of the region--many of whom can trace their heritage back to when this part of the US was part of Mexico. In the Rocky Mountain West, all of New Mexico, about 3/4's of Colorado, most of Utah, and about a quarter to a third of Wyomiing was part of Mexico until 1848.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

I'd bet most Rocky Mountain natives would spot your accent by the end of your first sentence, just like everyone back East said that I had an accent when I visited there.

On rare occasions, people have asked me if I'm from the east. I am, from Pennsylvania.

Don't expect to escape that anywhere in most of the Rocky Mountain West. Many food service, lodging job (maids, etc.), and the like are predominantly held by aliens, legal or otherwise, all over the Rocky Mountain West. Also, there is a substantial population of native-born Hispanics in much of the region--many of whom can trace their heritage back to when this part of the US was part of Mexico. In the Rocky Mountain West, all of New Mexico, about 3/4's of Colorado, most of Utah, and about a quarter to a third of Wyomiing was part of Mexico until 1848.

That was my reaction, too, when I saw your response to my post. Though I don't think it is negative.

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

I'd bet most Rocky Mountain natives would spot your accent by the end of your first sentence, just like everyone back East said that I had an accent when I visited there.

lol You're probably right about that! I will sound different because I don't have an accent, and everyone else does! I believe they have a slight variation of mid western accent out there? So yes, I think it will be apparent that I'm from the East. Oh, well! I'll just have to be nice so I don't get labeled with having an "eastern attitude". I can see it being different in the sense that although I am not rude to anyone, I am not particularly friendly to strangers either (no one around here is - people are more reserved), but given that I am making this move completely alone, I will be looking to meet people, so I'll have to make an effort.

[OhioNative]

Originally Posted by cinnabon

lol You're probably right about that! I will sound different because I don't have an accent, and everyone else does!.

So you are assuming that NJ is the standard accent in the United States and that "everyone else" has an accent? Actually, the midwestern accent is considered by linguists to be the most neutral in American English - news broadcasters are sent to places like Indianapolis and Columbus OH to learn how to speak in a neutral accent. I can spot a NJ accent, and yes it is an accent, within about 15 seconds!!!

[chazcrew]

ROFL, that's what I was thinking, OhioNative. There is a certain Utah accent in some places (saying things like Fark instead of Fork) but it's the old-timers that speak that way. This is actually a very accent-neutral area.

[Katiana]

There is a thread over on "General US" about accents right now. It's very interesting.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/gener...e-accents.html

[Moving2UtahfromNJ]

Originally Posted by cinnabon

Fortunately, I pretty much have no accent! Not to be a snob, but for the most part it's more of a working class thing, and is seen a lot less among people of higher education levels. I think a lot of the worst of the worst of those with an "Eastern attitude" are the ones who would never think of moving out west, so I look forward to getting away from the majority of them! I am sure it's true about some of the CA people, but I have to say that my experience every time I have visited CA is that the people seem much friendlier and more down to earth than Easterners.



Here is the thing, though, the young ones that you speak of are not that bad compared to the older ones, many of whom are Spanish, that drive me a little nuts. A lot of them barely speak English, so they don't understand you and often mess up your order. And they are often not very pleasant to the non-Spanish customers. It may sound like a generalization or being racist, but it's really pretty universal in this entire area.

My comment was based mostly on the difference I see when I am out of the area. I spend a lot of time in VT and upstate NY, and when you get into these more rural areas it's a completely different experience with how you are treated (and yes, I eat a lot of fast food!)

So I realize that my entire post makes me come across like a racist snob - really I'm not,(I am a Social worker!). I am just stating my honest observations. No one is perfect, and rude people of any ethnicity can be found in any area... But I feel fairly certain that a move to Utah is going to be a refreshing change for me.

I gotta tell ya I moved here from the east coast six months ago and their are just as many rude people here then on the East Coast. I dont think it matters of your race, religion, beliefs whatever you want to call it. I think that people are just to caught up in themselves and what they are doing that they dont take a minute to realize that someone is trying to be nice to them. I held the door for so many people during this holiday season and I can tell you that more people walked through as if it was my job to hold it for them instead of saying thank you. Majority of the people I work with are LDS and they are not one bit nicer than say a catholic. I think it's how you are brought up. It's up to the parents to teach their children to say thank you and please when someone does something for you. I hate to hear that East Coasters are rude people b/c it's not true. We just come from an area where it's hustle and bustle and we are used to things getting done quickly. Here, they are in no rush and that's fine, that's one of the reason why I had moved here. But if you think you are going to get away from rude people well.. you gotta another thing coming. Go take a walk through Costco tell me how many rude people you run into!

Happy Holidays!

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by OhioNative

So you are assuming that NJ is the standard accent in the United States and that "everyone else" has an accent? Actually, the midwestern accent is considered by linguists to be the most neutral in American English - news broadcasters are sent to places like Indianapolis and Columbus OH to learn how to speak in a neutral accent. I can spot a NJ accent, and yes it is an accent, within about 15 seconds!!!

No, that's not what I'm saying. There is a quiz online - I'll have to look for it, that tells you based on how you pronounce certain words what region you are most likely from. I really don't have a Jersey accent - I know many people who do, I was not denying it's existence. Mine was considered mid-land, (see below). I have lived in PA (originally from Philly area), different parts of NJ, and CT, so I'm sure people can tell I'm Eastern, but not necessarily NJ. I'll look for the quiz & post the link - it's kind of cool!

Found it - here's my result:

What American accent do you have?
Your Result: The Midland

"You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.

This is interesting because many parts of the Midwest have an accent that is very noticeable to me.
Here's the link:
http://www.gotoquiz.com/what_america...nt_do_you_have

Happy Holidays, everyone!