Longview, Texas and rednecks. (Dallas, Canadian: private school, university, bill)

[Muhnay]

Why did you leave New Zealand? I have seen many pictures of the country and I found it to very pretty.

But onto your question.. People come from all backgrounds and ways of thinking. Most Texans are Hardworking, fun loving kinda people.. we have very strong views of things and the courage to tell you to your face what we think. And that can put people off. We have big hearts and big attitude. Everything is bigger and better in Texas. =)

As for the term RedNeck.. here are 3 web pages that will help..

http://members.lycos.nl/jurgenspage/newpage28.html

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/redneck

http://www.answers.com/topic/redneck

[lizareja]

I came from New Zealand after I met my 2nd husband on the Internet. He was from San Francisco and he came over to meet me. We eventually married and after all the legal red tape....I moved here with my 2 children and had another child.And yes, New Zealand is a beautiful country with plenty of sunshine and heat and plenty of rain to keep things naturally green all year long. But my life is here now, and until I feel the need to go back, I will stay here and go on. I like the big heart, and the straight up tell you attitude because that is very much how the indigenous people of New Zealand are.
I do appreciate the support I am getting though.....thank you

[Muhnay]

My Pleasure ma'am. (tips make believe cowboy hat) =)

Good luck on your move, and your new life in Texas. Maybe someday I will make it over to your homeland and see it first hand. Oh yeah, be ready for a culture change.. Texas is not California.. and we think thats a good thing. =)

[lizareja]

I like it already *smiles

[rhondakaye1]

My husband and I have been here for 10 years and love Longview. We are currently contemplating a position in another state, and am terribly saddened about the prospect of moving from Longview. If you do come, check out the Spring Hill area. It's becoming very popular for families with children. We will be building there if we stay here. (Gosh, I hope we do.) Oh and a few additional notes: my neurologist friend, owner of several local restraunts, the top commercial land developer in this area and my OB/Gyn all drive pickup trucks. None of them are the least bit redneck and have probably all been to Napa Valley! Oh, and I have 3 friends who have moved here from NYC. Separate cases, and wouldn't leave. You may have culture shock moving here from California, but it will only be because people are so nice and it's a small town, family feel sort of place.

Good luck!

[KewGee]

Quote RhondaKaye1:Oh and a few additional notes: my neurologist friend, owner of several local restraunts, the top commercial land developer in this area and my OB/Gyn all drive pickup trucks. None of them are the least bit redneck and have probably all been to Napa Valley!

Driving a pickup truck doesn't have any bearing on the definition of a redneck.

[txgrl]

There are so many definitions of a redneck. I've never associated the term with racism or white trash before myself but since living in Texas for a few years have heard others that do. I'm originally from Missouri and used to refer to myself as a redneck, still do on occasion even though I've left the country life behind. I'm with you on thinking it refers to country folk, never thought anything bad of the term. There are good people and bad anywhere you move. I love east Texas, my parents live up that way and there are some really good people there. Most seem super friendly and I truly think you and your kids will enjoy it. Best of luck!

[easttxmomma]

Originally Posted by momof2dfw

Ah, the stereotypes of Texas and Texans. No, not everyone is racist. The term "redneck" can mean many things. To some that are not familiar w/ the South it has a negative image planted in their head. To those of us from the South it means simply we are hardworking, value family, etc. The image that some equate to the term "redneck" in our neck of the woods is more often referred to as simply "trash". Hence the term "trailer trash" comes about or even "white trash". But realistically, you will see people that fit all of these descriptions EVERYWHERE in the country. I'm in a more upscale area of the Dallas metroplex and there are many here that would even say they are "redneck" but it is in the way I described being hardworking and value family and such. So don't worry about it at all. Be yourself most importantly and if your friendly and outgoing (which most people from NZ tend to be that I have met) you will be fine. I actually LOVE their accents. I was just a bit earlier today speaking w/ a neighbor that just returned from a trip to New Zealand visiting family over the holidays. I'm in the Dallas area and I know of many people that live very close to me that have family in the South Pacific be it New Zealand or Australia.

If moving to Longview means that your children will have both parents close by w/o having to deal w/ crosscountry flights for visits and such, I'd do it in a heartbeat. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the acceptance level here. Granted there may be the very few that will not be but that is everywhere and don't pay those people any attention.

Good luck

i have to say i agree with you on this. i am texan born and raised in a small town in cherokee county. to most of us around here we take pride in it when people call us rednecks or hicks cause it to us means we are country folk who love the country, hardworking, family and friends are the most important people in our lives...etc. of course there are some racist people around here just like everywhere but they aren't exactly the ones we call rednecks. from the bottom of my heart we rednecks are some of the nicest, most polite people you will ever meet. hope you find happiness where ever you decide to live.

[stargazer]

Hey there, sorry to be so late on this thread. Just wanted to say that to me personally with all my family being from East Texas, that redneck is such a general term. Hey there is a song called Red Neck Girl. So if a song can be named this, I don't think it is all that bad.

For me, it just means a country person, more often a man with a flannel shirt on and has a cowboy hat and boots. That is just the image. A redneck would not be trailor trash. If someone is trailor trash, well more than likely they will be called that but I personally I don't call people this. LOL. Just people with a simple life but it doesn't mean they are going to simple in the head, ignorant or prejudice.

As far as what your husband is saying. I know exactly where that stems from. He doesn't want you to leave San Fransicso. In my mind's eye, I see him trying to hold on to you or just wanting you close by so he can see his child. I too would be upset if my husband decided to go with our kids somewhere. It would take the life out of me to know I would be far. Sound like he just trying to hold on. I don't know anything about your relationship with him and it could just be bad and you have to get out , that is your business but I do know just from reading your post that he said the redneck comment just trying to influence you not to come. Now enough of that.

If you come, I think you will be in culture shock at first but in my heart I can see you adjusting fast because you have moved and had to transition before.
I know too you will love Longview. It is such a charming town. Every Christmas, they have the best lights and people even go from Dallas to there just to see them. Hey Matthew McCounahay is from there and I believe his family is still there. That could be interesting. LOL. I have always heard it is a very nice place to live and if you like small towns, this could be right up your ally.

In my heart of hearts, I wish you peace and hope you will find the happiness you crave and deserve. Bless Bless!

[Just Lookin]

Oh yes, I know that one. When I first told my hubby I wanted to move to Texas he almost fainted. He yelled, you will get along real well with the Texans but I don't understand a thing they say. I laughed. What do you mean I said? He is a quiet kind of guy and stays to himself.

You can call anyone a Redneck. I dress the way all of you do. I am country and I like country music, drive a truck, ware jeans and a sweat shirt and tennies. No big deal. To dress up would make me feel uncomfortable. So, anyone could be a Redneck and be from any place.

We started watching Country Reportor and I said, see I can understand everything they are saying.

SO now he watches it when I am not even looking at tv. He said, they talk different. Not one person talked different from us on that show.
Oh how nuts that was.

Now he can't wait to go. People are afraid of the unknown that is all. I am never afraid of people. I like everyone.

Now the trip to Texas is soooo scary to me. Not Texas itself.