west virginians? what the heck are you? (Charleston, Huntington: travel, work)

[millersangel]

Originally Posted by GottaHerdOn

Opps.. lol I was just naming the counties I could remember from my WV history class, which was like 10 years ago.. ha ha But yes I agree Mercer would be too.

Know what you mean. Those classes were a long time ago for me too. A lot longer than 10 years.

[middlesis]

Originally Posted by millersangel

I'd like to address the issue of people in WV being unfriendly. In small towns and cities, everyone knows everyone else's families and there is some cliqueyness (yes, I made that word up.) Wvians are somewhat standoffish with outsiders. However, if you ever broke down along the road, I guarantee you, within 5 minutes, several people would have stopped to see if you need a hand.

I think when you move anywhere new, it takes a certain amount of time to be accepted. But at least, in southern WV, people will go out of their way to help you no matter where you came from.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I can't imagine asking for more from folks than what millersangel has said right here. We are very excited about our move to West Virginia from Colorado this year. WV and it's lifestyle is exactly what we're looking for and we hope to be an asset to the community. I'll be thrilled so see some earthy greenery too, this climate is just too dry!!

[Ash2417]

I consider us just West Virginians...

[beenaround]

I agree GottaHerdOn with your division of the state. Sometimes I would travel from Bridgeport to Charleston and I was amazed how different it was down there. Not in a bad way, just different. West Virginia is not like any other state I lived in, and that's good! It's just West Virginia. My mother lived in Clarksburg a while back (before I was born, and who knew years later I would live there) and she said there was a sign at the Courthouse that said: "Clarksburg...You're in Friendly Country. Too South to be Yankee, Too North to the Rebel. We love everybody!"

[Georgia]

Originally Posted by beenaround

[b]. Too South to be Yankee, Too North to the Rebel. We love everybody!"[b]

Well like a friend in Lynchburg, VA called me, "TRAITOR"

[LovinTheMountains]

Wvirginians are the nicest people of any state I ever met. I live in NJ and I'm moving to WV the end of next month - and I can't wait.

[RedneckJedi]

West Virginia is a gem. We are unique. Many of the rural folk consider themselves southern and so do many out of staters as we have a "southern" accent. Does the accent make the person?

[David Kennedy]

We are HILLBILLIES!
Part of our rich proud heritage is this simple fact.
It is also the basis for many of the social mores and feelings that we as a distinct, separated people carry with us today.

In the early 1700's, religious division sent many of out ancestors to the mountains to live or die. They were catholic or hugenot and did not fit in with the politically correct government of eastern Virginia. Taken in to the mountains at gunpoint, they were given a rifle and an axe. Their survival story and mountain prowess was the beginings for the legendary storys and actual exploits of Daniel Boone (early Kanawah settler), Lewis Wetzel (Wetzel county) and the Morgans (Morgantown). They survived because they assimilated with the Cherokee and Shawnee.
When the Revolutionary War began, they were needed because they knew the land, could kill with their squirrel rifles at 200 yds, (Read Gen. Hamilton's letter from Detroit to Washington complaining that all of his officers had been killed in the most humiliating way, by these backwoods indigents and not in actual battle) and they were tough as nails.
Their attitude was: I can do anything myself and need no one to help me.
Their farms proved this and they were self sufficient and provided for themselves and families. They worked together and freely gave a helping hand to anyone.
When organized business came into our areas during the turn of the 20th century imported labor had to be brought from Italy, Middle Europe and the south to work in the mines. The hillbillies were reluctant to give up their freedom. The event of WW2 brought them out of their shell and forced down many ethnic barriers.
Those people mixed...and have produced a beautiful and wise generation.
Now, as much of America realizes that the values they desire are here...they flood in...and they are welcomed...they bring their intelligence and their love to be free...
They will appreciate and be wise stewards of our land and in time become HILLBILLIES (or the old phrase, Hill-William's...because of the support for King William and Mary...catholics) too!

Remember..WE ARE WHAT WE ARE...It's like a word in a foreign language...only the language is local...and there is something in the blood of being a West Virginian...once a part of it, your ALWAYS a part of it and its your home..
Who gives a #### what the flatlanders think anyway, we never have...this is OUR soil! Our blood and sweat bought it! Montani Semper Libre

[Threerun]

My mom grew up in rural northern Ohio and my dad grew up in rural southern North Carolina and I grew up and lived in Maryland until I was 28, then my wife and I moved to WV.

The people of WV are nicer than anywhere else I've been, and I've never felt more welcome and 'home' in all my life.

Even if my wife and I move elsewhere, I'd still consider WV as my 'home'.

[KnoxBrian]

Being originally from TN and having lived in Greenbrier Co for 3 years and Berkeley Co. for 3 years and counting, I can say that WV from my experience is a northern state. I am basing this on the people and their attitudes and culture, more so than geographically speaking. I am not sure how to put it into words, but most people I have encountered while here are noticably different than people down south. Its almost a stand-offish attitude of which I have not encountered elsewhere in Southern Appalachia. WV a northern state for sure in my book.