describe the people in tampa (Miami, Clearwater: hotel, homes, neighborhoods)

[D-R-B]

Originally Posted by odman13

Do you consider the red-necks middle class rednecks or white trash rednecks?

Well,

There is both, there are even "rich" rednecks here.

In regards to "middle CLASS"- the word CLASS in my opinion, has absolutely nothing to do with money. Class can not be purchased. Class describes behavior in public and in private.

There are plenty of "rednecks" that make a very good living for themselves, but that doesn't change their behavior/attitude.

So.......... to answer the question, I consider a redneck.... a redneck, regardless of how much money they make.

[mary54mi]

Lived and work in Tampa 6 months now, find most people pleasant, one-to-one. 95% thus far are relocated beings from virtually everywhere. We are renting in a southern suburb of Tampa, 5 miles from the city, it is nice to see such a nice mix of people.
There are a lot of spanish speaking people who don't speak any english, this is the most disturbing thing to me, as I feel they are really holding themselves back and their children back from truly becoming Americans. And they can't assist you at Walmart for example. There are large spanish neighborhoods without any english spoken. It is culture shock to me. Also at work there are nurses that cannot communicate very well in english even when there is something important to communicate, scarey dangerous and threatening to my license to practice in theis state.

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by NYC1DAY

My Questions

#1 Are there rednecks/hicks in the Tampa metro area?

I think you know the typical redneck = nascar, hunting, fishing, country music, mudding, etc.

Many ppl like one or two of the above but that doesn't make them a redneck. In fact Tampa Bay only has 2-3 country music stations, if it were a true redneck area you would have many more country music stations.

#2 Would you consider Tampa the Deep South? Do you see stupid bumper stickers like "Southern pride", "the south will rise again" and "rebel flags"?
No.. Apparently some ppl do but I surely haven't seen an abundance of those bumper stickers

#3 I know that Fl is known for snowbirds. Is the Tampa Bay metro area considered apart of the snow bird community?
No

Definition of a redneck
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redneck

In California, descendants of resettled white southerners whom are self-identified as Okies and Rednecks are widely numerous in agricultural and rural sections of the state such as San Joaquin Valley, areas of the Sacramento Valley the Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert and the North Coast. Those areas are deemed more politically conservative and more devoutly religious; lower in household income; and its cities tend to have fewer ethnic minorities vis-a-vis metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more recently, urban Sacramento.

Central Pennsylvania (also referred to, pejoratively, as "Pennsyltucky") is often seen as redneck country, as in Democratic Party strategist James Carville's reputed description of the state: "Philadelphia at one end, Pittsburgh at the other, Alabama in the middle."

By your definition of a redneck I know 1 person who liked to do all of the things you listed and I know lots of ppl in Tampa Bay having lived in Tampa 30 years. Honestly, I guess I am trying to figure out why the obsession with rednecks all of a sudden on this forum.

Tampa Bay is not a hick or southern town mainly because the majority of ppl are transplants from the mid-west or the north. There is also a large Hispanic population mainly from Cuba and Puerto Rico. You are much more likely to see a car with a flag from PR on it than a rebel flag.

If you want to find rednecks go north up to around Perry. You will find them there.

Do you consider all men who ride motorcyles in groups, wear black leather jackets, some maybe long hair with beard 'hells angels'?

[D-R-B]

There are a lot of "snowbirds" here. Always have been. Especially is Pinellas County.

[gypsychic]

Originally Posted by Keeper

Definition of a redneck
Redneck - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In California, descendants of resettled white southerners whom are self-identified as Okies and Rednecks are widely numerous in agricultural and rural sections of the state such as San Joaquin Valley, areas of the Sacramento Valley the Sierra Nevada, Mojave Desert and the North Coast. Those areas are deemed more politically conservative and more devoutly religious; lower in household income; and its cities tend to have fewer ethnic minorities vis-a-vis metropolitan areas such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more recently, urban Sacramento.

Central Pennsylvania (also referred to, pejoratively, as "Pennsyltucky") is often seen as redneck country, as in Democratic Party strategist James Carville's reputed description of the state: "Philadelphia at one end, Pittsburgh at the other, Alabama in the middle."

By your definition of a redneck I know 1 person who liked to do all of the things you listed and I know lots of ppl in Tampa Bay having lived in Tampa 30 years. Honestly, I guess I am trying to figure out why the obsession with rednecks all of a sudden on this forum.

Tampa Bay is not a hick or southern town mainly because the majority of ppl are transplants from the mid-west or the north. There is also a large Hispanic population mainly from Cuba and Puerto Rico. You are much more likely to see a car with a flag from PR on it than a rebel flag.

If you want to find rednecks go north up to around Perry. You will find them there.

Do you consider men who ride motorcyles in groups, wear black leather jackets, maybe long hair with beard 'hells angels'?

Thank you for that, Keeper! I too, do not understand the obsession with "rednecks" in Tampa. I'm not going to say there are none here, sure there are a few - but Tampa was settled by the Spaniards (my grandparents came here from Spain in the 1800's) and Italians, Germans and African Americans, none of which would ever even remotely referred to as a "redneck." Tampa is a diverse melting pot of people from all over the country and even other countries. My hubby works for the county and it is like a mini-United Nations there!

As to rednecks, in Florida you will mostly find them in smaller towns or the outskirts of some larger cities, nearer to agricultural areas.

And one last thing - SO WHAT if there are some "rednecks" anywhere - does being a "redneck" make someone a bad person? I sure don't think so - we lived in Dade City for 10 years, that is a redneck town IMO ( but not entirely so, it is the county seat) due to all the agriculture - but some of those people were the nicest, friendliest and honest people I have ever met. And yes, there are bad ones too, just like any other group of people who are labeled as something.

Some of the people on this forum really need to get out more and expand their horizons!

[Keeper]

Originally Posted by D-R-B

There are a lot of "snowbirds" here. Always have been. Especially is Pinellas County.

You are right Pinellas county has a lot of snowbirds. You will also find them in Pasco and Hernado county.

[D-R-B]

Originally Posted by Keeper

You are right Pinellas county has a lot of snowbirds. You will also find them in Pasco and Hernado county.

Yeah, at one time I think Pinellas was "snowbird" central. There is still a lot, but they have expanded into other counties. Probably because Pasco and Hernando have been growing for the most part and Pinellas has become EXTREMELY CROWDED.

In recent years, I think the "snowbirds" were able to get a lot more for their money by heading North a county or two.

They have also started going to other states..... such as Arizona, Tennessee, The Carloinas, ect. Probably looking for cheaper real estate and less crowds.

[dmccauley]

what is this considered? I went to get gas (here in Sarasota) decided to get my car washed. I waited while the truck in front of me washed their couch. It was an open truck with a tweed couch attached with bungie cords. OMG I've now seen it all.

[Kathleen1971]

Originally Posted by mary54mi

Lived and work in Tampa 6 months now, find most people pleasant, one-to-one. 95% thus far are relocated beings from virtually everywhere. We are renting in a southern suburb of Tampa, 5 miles from the city, it is nice to see such a nice mix of people.
There are a lot of spanish speaking people who don't speak any english, this is the most disturbing thing to me, as I feel they are really holding themselves back and their children back from truly becoming Americans. And they can't assist you at Walmart for example. There are large spanish neighborhoods without any english spoken. It is culture shock to me. Also at work there are nurses that cannot communicate very well in english even when there is something important to communicate, scarey dangerous and threatening to my license to practice in theis state.

Don't ever go to Miami then lol. You think it's bad in Tampa with regards to spanish speaking? It's not even close to Miami. And as for assisting you at Walmart? That is not exclusive to spanish speakers. The english only ones are just as bad if not worse. It's Walmart. What do you expect?

[D-R-B]

Originally Posted by dmccauley

what is this considered? I went to get gas (here in Sarasota) decided to get my car washed. I waited while the truck in front of me washed their couch. It was an open truck with a tweed couch attached with bungie cords. OMG I've now seen it all.

Not to "beat a dead horse" so to speak........... but they are mixed in EVERYWHERE. The exceptions would be DOWNTOWN Tampa and St.Pete.

People on this forum will say that's not true. I'm not sure where they live- I'm in Pinellas (heavily crowded-definitely not the "country") and there are LOTS of them here. No one can tell me different-I see it with my own eyes.

Pinellas (especially NORTH pinellas) has a long history of that culture. Palm Harbor- where I live, a desirable area full of nicer neighborhoods..... has a long and proud history with the KKK. Most people don't know that. It is a disgusting history in my opinion.

If you want to see for yourself, go to Dunedin Causeway and look at the "jet ski area" on a weekend..... Rebel flags abound.

You could also check out Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, ect.