Why Is It? (Salt Lake City: landlord, live, moving to)

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

That people who don't live here, have never lived here, and will likely never live here feel the need to explain UT life to those who do live here? Or to give their opinions about some aspect of Utah culture/life? I don't see that happening on the other states' forums where I have an interest - lived there, was planning to move there, am planning to move there. I don't randomly read forums just to express an opinion on someone else's life.

[markg91359]

I think it has to do with Utah's reputation. Even though it may be wrong, our reputation has largely been formed in other states by the following:

1. Warren Jeffs and FLDS Cult.

2. The LDS Church's financial support for Proposition 8 in California.

3. Shows like "Big Love" which are interesting to watch, but definitely portray life in Utah in a most bizarre way. (actually most of it is filmed in California)

4. Contact with missionaries which shows that in terms of prosletyzing the church is different than many churches other people are in contact with in their own states.

5. Whackjobs like Senator Buttars who actually make into the national media because comparing gay people to Islamic terrorists is so over the top he sounds mentally ill.

Most of us who live here understand how unrepresentative of Utah these things are, but they do get alot of attention and lead to some very distorted views.

[frogandtoad]

I haven't seen people come on and comment when they don't live here. Who does that? With an exception of a post once in a blue moon, it all seems to come from people who live, or have lived, in UT. Not everyone agrees with each other, but that's fine. Let's people know of different experiences, imo.

[irman]

@southernbelle:
Remember the game telephone, or maybe you called it a different name.
You whisper something into your neighbour and then he/she repeats what was heard onto the next neigbour. By the time it went around, .......

Just read their comments and they mostly say:
*I heard ....*

There is also a great difference to know about a place if you *just visited*,
or if you *lived and worked there* for quite a while.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by SouthernBelleInUtah

That people who don't live here, have never lived here, and will likely never live here feel the need to explain UT life to those who do live here? Or to give their opinions about some aspect of Utah culture/life? I don't see that happening on the other states' forums where I have an interest - lived there, was planning to move there, am planning to move there. I don't randomly read forums just to express an opinion on someone else's life.

It's because a lot of people hate Mormons and Mormonism -- plain and simple. I don't believe I am being touchy or overly-sentitive. I just think it's a fact of life. Sometimes it bugs me. Sometimes it annoys the hell out of me. Sometimes it just amuses me. It all depends on my mood. One thing I've noticed about this particular site, though, is that a lot of non-Mormons have a lot of good things to say about their Mormon neighbors and co-workers and about life in Salt Lake City and Utah. When I read those things, it makes me happy.

[kaytidid]

Originally Posted by katzpur

one thing i've noticed about this particular site, though, is that a lot of non-mormons have a lot of good things to say about their mormon neighbors and co-workers and about life in salt lake city and utah. When i read those things, it makes me happy.

Do I make you happy, Katzpur??

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by kaytidid

Do I make you happy, Katzpur??

You make me happy, kaytidid!

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

I haven't seen people come on and comment when they don't live here. Who does that? With an exception of a post once in a blue moon, it all seems to come from people who live, or have lived, in UT. Not everyone agrees with each other, but that's fine. Let's people know of different experiences, imo.

I haven't seen it either.

Originally Posted by Katzpur

One thing I've noticed about this particular site, though, is that a lot of non-Mormons have a lot of good things to say about their Mormon neighbors and co-workers and about life in Salt Lake City and Utah. When I read those things, it makes me happy.

Well the reason for this is that a lot of LDS people are extremely nice! I work in a very liberal setting, granted, but all the LDS people here are great. It actually took me quite a while to even know who was and who wasn't. But most of all, my landlord and his wife, who are very involved with the church are seriously the nicest people in the world. I attribute some of this to the fact that they are LDS and from Utah - I never met people like this in NJ. Oh, and not one LDS person I have met has in any way tried to sell me on joining the church.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by cinnabon

Oh, and not one LDS person I have met has in any way tried to sell me on joining the church.

I'm glad to hear that. I'm LDS and have lived in Utah all my life. I can't even imagine trying to convert one of my neighbors or co-workers. On the other hand, I know that the President of the company where I work did tell one of the department heads, a wonderful Catholic woman, that she would not attain the same blessings in Heaven as he would, so I know that kind of thing does happen. I do think it's a small minority of LDS people who are that way, though.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by frogandtoad

I haven't seen people come on and comment when they don't live here. Who does that? With an exception of a post once in a blue moon, it all seems to come from people who live, or have lived, in UT. .........................

Several in Tim Tim Tim's post about moving to UT, one in moving from LA - maybe you call it once in a blue moon but I see it every other day or so. Well, maybe not so often but it seems like it! I guess I notice them b/c they irk me so much.