The Western United States and "live and let live" social attitudes (transplants, how much)
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Often times (on this forum and other sites), I hear the Western states of Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, etc., as well as the West Coast states of California, Oregon, and Washington, described as more "libertarian" and "live and let live" in their social attitudes than other states, particularly when it comes to religion, but also (to some extent) politics, community ties, and also in everyday social situations, where people often seem less formal out here in the West.The common theme seems to be one of social and cultural individualism in the Western states.
How true would you say this is, in your experience? In my experience as a native of California, there is a definite "libertarian" flavor to the culture here, by which I mean that there are so many different personalities and cultures and subcultures represented here, with many transplants and people from all over the world, that it's hard for one single social attitude to dominate (I also think that a lot of people don't know their neighbors out here in coastal Northern CA, so that might have something to do with it too).
Location: northern Vermont - previously NM, WA, & MA
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As a gay man living in New Mexico I haven't encountered any homophobia here or any religious zealouts. There is a heavy catholic contingent here but even that doesn't really make life opressive here by any stretch. This state seems to have a higher native population than most western states but even with that factored in it's still laid back and very live and let live out here, I love that.
As a gay man living in New Mexico I haven't encountered any homophobia here or any religious zealouts. There is a heavy catholic contingent here but even that doesn't really make life opressive here by any stretch. This state seems to have a higher native population than most western states but even with that factored in it's still laid back and very live and let live out here, I love that.
Absolutely correct. In fact, there is evidence to back up your theory. I remember a sociology textbook of mine that said, generally speaking, the western half of the US is more "live and let live", while the eastern half is more "community minded".
The drawback to each of these situations, if there is any, is that "live and let live" means there's less feelings of community and togetherness, while in the community-minded eastern half of the US, people are more likely to pry into your personal business.
I have lived all over the Western U.S most of my life. What you say is true. The one drawback in my opinion is it's easy to become invisible. Nobody gets in your business because they are not interested in learning about you. Privacy yes that's good but I would also guess there are more lonely people out here too. Aren't suicide rates highest in Western states? Rugged individualism can sometimes go too far.
I felt freer in the West than living anyplace else, but the freedom had its' own price. It was that people were somewhat indifferent to you also like above poster said. As I got older, I felt I needed more of a feeling of social community, which I didn't get in the West. I get it more in the East. What goes w/ that, though, is more intrusiveness, which I'm not crazy about.
This doesn't apply in Utah and Southern Idaho. The attitude of that region is anything but "Live-and-let-Live" and a lot more of, "Live how I do or I'm going to judge the crap out of you and make your life difficult."
But that region developed in relative cultural isolation for generations and the culture there had a much less tolerant perspective than your typical mining company or pioneer train headed to the west along with others from varying, diverse backgrounds with the intent of making it big. The Mid-1800s history of the west is really fascinating, and its application to culture 150 years later can still be seen in so many ways.
This doesn't apply in Utah and Southern Idaho. The attitude of that region is anything but "Live-and-let-Live" and a lot more of, "Live how I do or I'm going to judge the crap out of you and make your life difficult."
But that region developed in relative cultural isolation for generations and the culture there had a much less tolerant perspective than your typical mining company or pioneer train headed to the west along with others from varying, diverse backgrounds with the intent of making it big. The Mid-1800s history of the west is really fascinating, and its application to culture 150 years later can still be seen in so many ways.
It is that way in Utah, but not in Southern Idaho (except for maybe the extreme SE corner near Logan).
The Boise area is a refreshing live and let live region. I know you are referring the LDS government and it's empire, but Southern Idaho, especially within LDS culture, is a different beast when compared to the peculiarities of Utah.
This doesn't apply in Utah and Southern Idaho. The attitude of that region is anything but "Live-and-let-Live" and a lot more of, "Live how I do or I'm going to judge the crap out of you and make your life difficult."
But that region developed in relative cultural isolation for generations and the culture there had a much less tolerant perspective than your typical mining company or pioneer train headed to the west along with others from varying, diverse backgrounds with the intent of making it big. The Mid-1800s history of the west is really fascinating, and its application to culture 150 years later can still be seen in so many ways.
Similar attitude in much of the Puget Sound area. Making it even worse, this pressure to conform to their allegedly-nonconformist "community" parades under various PC fronts to hide what is, essentially, a form of bullying, albeit without the physical threats.
Whether left wing or right wing, gang mentality lives on.
But then again, having lived in Connecticut almost my whole life, people are very reserved and don't butt into the business of others, either. Here in CT, people can go for a whole year without even interacting with their neighbors, etc. There is virtually no sense of religious oppression here in New England, either. I have never ever been judged negatively for being an atheist (except from my Catholic parents, lol) or being LGBT, here in New England. So I really question as to how much this difference between the east and the west really exists. The South and Midwest, however, is a different story, based on what I've heard. So, I really think the northeast coast and the west are similar.
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