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My wife is from southern California. I'm not "Scared". I'm simply uncomfortable with the ideology of southern California found on the coast. It doesn't mean that I'm anxious in such a place. It means that I find the people of the place at odds with how I view the world. Out in the inland empire, the desert, or valley, and it's not as much of an issue.
By the way, this isn't a "small town issue". I live in a fairly populated suburban area that is very conservative, on the order of voting for Republicans by a 90-10 margin. Politics aren't spoken of in most instances, much like you claim. However, if you bring up the conversation, people will give their opinion. Ideology and culture is simply known and understood for all who choose to see.
Normally I don't discuss politics with random strangers or even friends. That isn't a large topic of conversation among 90% of the population in Socal.
You probably come here looking to argue or start a confrontation and that's why you haven't enjoyed it.
He makes some good points. Political (ideological) and religious differences are some of the biggest differences between the regions. I can't deny that I feel uncomfortable being around so many left wing socialists in certain places of such states as California, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Then again, I feel comfortable being around people in Missouri and Kansas, a more conservative and religious environment, granted it's in the southern midwest. That's not to say that leftist places give me anxiety, I simply don't care being in an environment that seems a bit insane, in my opinion.
Outside of politics and religion, general differences include accents, language, expressions, colloquialisms, a more friendly atmosphere, traditional cuisine and some aspects of music (country and contemporary Christian are more popular in the South than other regions.) There's also certain traditional architectural styles of development in town centers. History also gives a region more of an identity and it becomes part of the overall culture. Hence, the Civil War history of the South.
I don't think that's what he was saying though. Or he probably didn't say it correctly. The bolded above quickly proves his logic inaccurate as well. He said. . .
Quote:
Outside of politics and religion there isn't much of a cultural difference between the northeast and the south.
Yea because food, language, and way of life isn't culture.
You just made my point. This is why I don't think there's much difference between the two regions. I think all three of these things will be about the same between the south and the northeast. Both places speak English just with different accents. Both places eat the same food with a few differences. The way of life is the same. If you live in a tiny town in Vermont it's not going to be any different than living in a tiny town in TX.
LOL you sound like you are some Okie from the 1920s. Afraid of California or Massachusetts. Do you honestly think that all people do all day here in CA or out in MA preach "leftist" or "socialist" ideology? Most people go to work or are too preoccupied to worry about such things like they do in small Southern towns where that is their entertainment for the day.
This is why I don't think there's much difference going from region to region other than politics and religion. The average Joe works a lot and then goes home to more work and crap. Living in NYC or living in Atlanta or LA for the most part is going to be the same. You work you go home. You work you go home. It's a broken record player. Other than watching the news and deciding if you like Democrats better or if you like Republicans better there's not a lot going on in life.
That doesn't make any sense to me, especially in that area.
Like I said, it just seens that way to me. I don't think Louisiana has to think twice about whether or not it is southern. I don't notice people trying to show the world they are southern around here. Just is. In Texas, southern seems more noticeable to me- maybe I've been around here to long but I don't see it so much on a daily basis. Texas certainly is southern but they do it with more flair than what I see in La. Little shops of souvenirs, cafes all scream the south. Think Jefferson, Marshall, etc. They revel in that southern historic culture.
All that confederate flag waving is not that big a deal anymore around here. I see it on occasion but not everywherre you turn. Or all the time. If any thing, I would call much of NW La "non-descript" Bland, whatever, too comfortable for its own good. No local color.
I don't think that's what he was saying though. Or he probably didn't say it correctly. The bolded above quickly proves his logic inaccurate as well. He said. . .
Which is completely false, In my opinion.
The bolded text you refer to is way over-emphasized in my opinion. This is why I don't see much difference. These very minor differences are way over-emphasized by a lot of people. People look for differences when they shouldn't. I still think that politics and religion are the only major differences. All these other differences are very minor in nature.
I've been all over the country and I haven't noticed much difference anywhere. This just reinforces my belief.
I've been to China and Taiwan. Now that's a difference! If you ever go to Asia you'll see a much larger difference. When you go to Asia, now we're talking a "real" difference!
The bolded text you refer to is way over-emphasized in my opinion. This is why I don't see much difference. These very minor differences are way over-emphasized by a lot of people. People look for differences when they shouldn't. I still think that politics and religion are the only major differences. All these other differences are very minor in nature.
I've been all over the country and I haven't noticed much difference anywhere. This just reinforces my belief.
I've been to China and Taiwan. Now that's a difference! If you ever go to Asia you'll see a much larger difference. When you go to Asia, now we're talking a "real" difference!
I honestly think you're just contradicting yourself. You say there aren't difference but then when someone names a few you claim, "they're minor". Regardless how you may rate the difference, it's still present. The average joe will vary based upon what they are exposed to.
Furthermore it shouldn't matter. The differences is what makes USA. Everyone doesn't want urban-madness and everyone doesn't want to live in a small-town forever. It's based upon the person, but for you to neglect to see differences between regions is sort of comical.
Like I said, it just seens that way to me. I don't think Louisiana has to think twice about whether or not it is southern. I don't notice people trying to show the world they are southern around here. Just is. In Texas, southern seems more noticeable to me- maybe I've been around here to long but I don't see it so much on a daily basis. Texas certainly is southern but they do it with more flair than what I see in La. Little shops of souvenirs, cafes all scream the south. Think Jefferson, Marshall, etc. They revel in that southern historic culture.
All that confederate flag waving is not that big a deal anymore around here. I see it on occasion but not everywherre you turn. Or all the time. If any thing, I would call much of NW La "non-descript" Bland, whatever, too comfortable for its own good. No local color.
I repsect your opinion and all, but it still makes no sense to me. To me, Shreveport, Ruston, and Monroe are just as southern as Texarkana and Tyler. Very strange I must say...
I honestly think you're just contradicting yourself. You say there aren't difference but then when someone names a few you claim, "they're minor". Regardless how you may rate the difference, it's still present. The average joe will vary based upon what they are exposed to.
Furthermore it shouldn't matter. The differences is what makes USA. Everyone doesn't want urban-madness and everyone doesn't want to live in a small-town forever. It's based upon the person, but for you to neglect to see differences between regions is sort of comical.
No I'm not contradicting myself. I know I said there aren't any differences other than religion and politics but what I really meant is there aren't any major differences. The differences are very minor and won't have much effect on day to day life. I just don't see much difference in day to day life living in one place versus another. That's my point. I usually feel like people really exaggerate things and try to make something out of nothing.
Yeah differences are fine. They're good actually. Life would be boring if everything was the same everywhere. I'm glad I provided some comic relief.
Normally I don't discuss politics with random strangers or even friends. That isn't a large topic of conversation among 90% of the population in Socal.
You probably come here looking to argue or start a confrontation and that's why you haven't enjoyed it.
Yeah I agree most people don't discuss politics too much. It gets old after a while and you don't want to pi** off too many people. I don't see eye to eye on politics with some of my family members and my co-workers so I usually don't bring up politics.
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