Vermont in Review
Posted 08-09-2009 at 06:57 AM by LookinForMayberry
Updated 08-21-2009 at 03:50 AM by LookinForMayberry
Updated 08-21-2009 at 03:50 AM by LookinForMayberry
We've enjoyed the scenic beauty of its rolling pastures, wooded highlands, and streaming waters. We've loved the old buildings, dams, and waterfronts. We've appreciated the street art, the storefronts, and it's definitely a book lover's paradise!
What has confused us is the people. Admittedly, we've noticed since Virginia that as we move north the public reception has gone from the Southern smiling greeting: "Hi, how're ya?" to a reserved nod, and in Maine the nod's disappeared to leave a neutral impassivity, but in VT, our smiles are greeted with scowls.
One would think we grabbed for one of the kids, or a purse!
Maybe the natives are just "touristed out." (We've been told that it's one of the most visited states.) Perhaps it's thought that if we like it too much we'll move here, because those that DO talk to us inform us quickly that there are no jobs. (It's like Asheville, in that regard.)
Whatever the reason, the reception to strangers by a few Vermonters is most definitely unwelcoming. Too bad, but one must accept each area for it's realities. No people or place exists to suit me, they are who they choose to be, and I welcome that reality, for certain. I have to say, too, that while some were unfriendly, the majority were only "reserved," maybe I should say "neutral."
Still, as we leave VT tomorrow, returning to Boston to pick up BW's firearms (stored to allow our travel into Canada), I will regret leaving. I would've liked to think it might be home to my Mayberry, rather than just a nice place to visit.
What has confused us is the people. Admittedly, we've noticed since Virginia that as we move north the public reception has gone from the Southern smiling greeting: "Hi, how're ya?" to a reserved nod, and in Maine the nod's disappeared to leave a neutral impassivity, but in VT, our smiles are greeted with scowls.
One would think we grabbed for one of the kids, or a purse! Maybe the natives are just "touristed out." (We've been told that it's one of the most visited states.) Perhaps it's thought that if we like it too much we'll move here, because those that DO talk to us inform us quickly that there are no jobs. (It's like Asheville, in that regard.)
Whatever the reason, the reception to strangers by a few Vermonters is most definitely unwelcoming. Too bad, but one must accept each area for it's realities. No people or place exists to suit me, they are who they choose to be, and I welcome that reality, for certain. I have to say, too, that while some were unfriendly, the majority were only "reserved," maybe I should say "neutral."
Still, as we leave VT tomorrow, returning to Boston to pick up BW's firearms (stored to allow our travel into Canada), I will regret leaving. I would've liked to think it might be home to my Mayberry, rather than just a nice place to visit.
Total Comments 2
Comments
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There is an old saying: Don't do unto others what you don't want others to do unto you.
So I think it is not very well for the people who greeted with scowls .Posted 08-09-2009 at 11:48 PM by haller32
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i spent a week in Vermont in early July, traveling with my father on his motorcycle from Indiana. We had just the opposite reactions from the native Vermonters. Maybe it was the fact that we were on a motorcycle for a week and traveled 1000 miles one way so i could get a bottle of maple wine, i don't know. we met very friendly people. We even had to have a repair done on the bike in the Stowe area, pulled in with no appointment, in hopes to get it repaired. not only did they repair it, but they did it for free. we met friendly people all over, in restaurants, gas stations, and at hotels. Too bad your experience wasn't as pleasant as ours. I would love to live in that area of the country (native Indiana resident now). hope the rest of your travels are good.Posted 08-20-2009 at 03:25 PM by Joyceanne73
