What are stereotypes of what people in the Upstate, Midlands, Lowcountry think of each other? (Columbia: chapel, living)
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One cool thing about growing up in Columbia. We don't have much of an accent. Folks up here (Twin Cities) are surprised when I tell them I'm from SC. They say you don't have an accent, and I tell them to the contrary not everyone in SC has an accent. My mother who is from Spartanburg has a southern belle accent. My father who is from Walterboro doesn't have much of an accent at all. Of course I speak in generals and would gladly accept and challenge any opposing views.
Also unique about Columbia and the midlands, and what contributes to that northeast feel is that fact that so many people (at least African Americans) moved north during the Great Migrations, and are now moving back south. Both of my grandfathers lived up north (Pittsburgh, and NYC), as I'm sure many others have had relatives who lived or are currently living in NYC, Philly, and DC as well.
Last edited by sandlapper; 10-14-2013 at 01:55 PM..
I've lived all over the state. And this was supposed to be a FUN thread about stereotypes, true or false. So, just from my experiences, here is what I've encountered people thinking or assuming:
Charleston/Myrtle/Hilton Head coastal areas:
By far the hottest, most abundant number of single women in the state
Military bases, hotels, bars, restaurants, beaches, tacky hotels
Heat, humidity, bugs
Grown men who think they are still 22 and in a fraternity
TRANSPLANTS...no one is from here originally
Charleston is very dense for a city that isn't a pro sports size town, maybe the millions of tourists that inflate the daily population vs the resident population
Expensive to live there, no real job opportunities outside of the service industry, government, military (again, just perceptions)
Roller coaster crime waves- from very violent to very peaceful
Historic, once religious Holy City....but with a dark, sinful underbelly
Columbia:
College town revolving around USC
Military bases
Lots and lot of government jobs
No mountains or ocean, but a lake
Lots of corporate jobs you wont find on the coast
HOT weather
Cops everywhere...not that its bad, probably because the state academy is there and you always see them around
More affordable than Charleston
Crime could be a problem at times
Greenville/Upstate:
Conservative, religious areas
More spread out, room to breathe a bit
Growing
High school football is huge
Lots more people are originally from the area, generations living in same place, family roots
History of textile, farming that went under over time
Lots of strip malls and chain restaurants
Just perceptions I've seemed to encounter myself and from others.
If you are 25 and single, Charleston is the place to be.
If you are 35 and married or looking to be, and/or with kids, go for Columbia or Greenville.
If you are 55 and looking for a great place to settle in, go upstate.
One cool thing about growing up in Columbia. We don't have much of an accent. Folks up here (Twin Cities) are surprised when I tell them I'm from SC. They say you don't have an accent, and I tell them to the contrary not everyone in SC has an accent. My mother who is from Spartanburg has a southern belle accent. My father who is from Walterboro doesn't have much of an accent at all. Of course I speak in generals and would gladly accept and challenge any opposing views.
Also unique about Columbia and the midlands, and what contributes to that northeast feel is that fact that so many people (at least African Americans) moved north during the Great Migrations, and are now moving back south. Both of my grandfathers lived up north (Pittsburgh, and NYC), as I'm sure many others have had relatives who lived or are currently living in NYC, Philly, and DC as well.
being in SC now 5 years after living our 40+ yrs in WI, what we seemed to find for accents is those we've met who came to SC as transplants have little to none (well we do sneak in some y'all to fit in lol); those who's parents transplanted down but were born and raised here have some accent, and those who come from generations of SC families can have quite a strong accent; especially those raised in smaller towns.
On the flip side, some here think my wife talks like she's from MN/ND (and no she does not sound like Marge in Fargo)...
I actually have done a lot of biz up in the twin cities over the years and found a decent % of my contacts were transplants to MN from around the US so depending on where they came from it's possible your SC speech may sound normal to them and not out of place.
being in SC now 5 years after living our 40+ yrs in WI, what we seemed to find for accents is those we've met who came to SC as transplants have little to none (well we do sneak in some y'all to fit in lol); those who's parents transplanted down but were born and raised here have some accent, and those who come from generations of SC families can have quite a strong accent; especially those raised in smaller towns.
On the flip side, some here think my wife talks like she's from MN/ND (and no she does not sound like Marge in Fargo)...
I actually have done a lot of biz up in the twin cities over the years and found a decent % of my contacts were transplants to MN from around the US so depending on where they came from it's possible your SC speech may sound normal to them and not out of place.
To your point I agree. Being that so few people from the Carolinas travel regularly to the Upper Midwest many would not know if someone was from ND, MN, WI, the Upper Peninsula (Yoopers), or IL. Before I moved to Minneapolis they all sounded very similar. I didn't know what a "Yooper" was. I've been here 4 years now and I have been able to pick up on the distinct differences between the MN and WI accent. Just curious where in "Sconnie" are you from?
Greater Appalachia is characterized by opposition to the slave plantation economy but also distrust of the government. Sounds about right!
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