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I grew up in the South and have lived most of my adult life in the Pacific NW. One thing that I think makes a huge difference is the immigrants that settled in the South (mostly Scots Irish & English) versus the North (mostly German & Scandinavian) and how the culture has differed because of that ever since. Of course the fact that the South had slavery and the large number of blacks also caused a huge difference in the two regions. I also think climate affects the outlook on life as well.
In general, Southerners value enjoyment of life and relaxing and Northerners are more focused on work and achievements. I think from a long time now it's been, go North if you want to advance your career and lifestyle, go South if you want to enjoy life.
You're right about the North being so heavily populated by later waves of immigrants and that therefore many Northerners are descendants not from Civil War era folks, but later immigrants. However, the same cannot be said for Southerners in general, many of whom ARE directly descended from people who have been living in the South since long before the Civil War, black and white alike. It's a totally different personal history. My ancestors fought in the Revolutionary War (both sides) and the Civil War (also both sides, but predominately the southern side). Many Southerners know their ancestry and who fought in which wars very well, and that plays into their interest in the Civil War. (For instance, family lore has it that one of my ancestors was shot through the jaw in the Civil War, and they soaked a rag in whiskey, ran it through the wound, and he lived another 40 or so years! His name was Lafayette. That's pretty cool. I also had a great great great great great grandmother and grandfather who were medics together and who treated the wounded of many major battles, traveling the tragic road to each bloody battlefield together.)
Maybe since many northerners DON'T have that connection to the Civil War, that's one reason why they're just not as interested.
Yeah, when it comes to the war, I don't really feel much of a personal connection. No part of my family even lived in this country at that time.
That has its benefits. I can easily disassociated myself from the North if any Southerner ever wants to talk about the war with me.
My view of the North is generally positive to neutral. I have traveled all over the country and find that there are good people, and bad people, in ever city and state.
I mainly think of the North in terms of geography and climate. I don't think I could handle living in a colder climate than I already do. The idea depresses me, frankly.
As far as some general stereotypes about the people, I'll admit that my general inclination is that people in the north and upper midwest seem to be less-friendly overall. I also find midwesterners to be rather staid and lacking in some of the joie de vivre that I find more common in the South. I seem to find less "characters" and story-tellers up North and more passive aggression and formality.
Sobbing, tears streaming from my eyes, I fall to my knees with my gaze up towards the rain, screaming the name "LINCOLN!" from the top of my lungs whenever I think of the North.
While I'm not from the South but I'm from the Southern part of the country.....New Mexico. People from here don't venture out much and probably never even think about the North or the South or any state that's not bordering it. If someone from here goes on vacation, most likely it's to Texas, Colorado, Arizona, CA or Vegas.
I remember thinking that Cleveland seems so foreign to me that I'm surprised people live there lol. We just never hear anything about the Northern states and don't ever meet people from up there.
I think it's just a place in another part of the country. I think of the northeast in particular being diverse and urban. Has it's plusses and minuses.
My home town has a population of slightly over 10,000 people and is the largest town in the county and the surrounding three counties. I live outside the city limits and have no access to broadband internet which is only a slight inconvenience where in a (CITY) metropolis it would be an emergency situation. In the (COUNTRY) I know we live a slower paced life more disconnected and unconcerned by the rest of the country. We are more free I often shoot my guns in my backyard and can carry a pistol in my truck without a concealed carry permit because it is commonplace and considered a persons right in the small town south. People often ride ATVs and tractors on the highways. people who don't hunt and fish are uncommon and most people here think that (CITY FOLK) would die within a week in the woods even if they were armed and outfitted with the best survival gear. i myself have been hunting and fishing since I was very young like around 6 I had my first rifle when I was 5 a ruger 10/22 and most kids down here get the same, while in the north most probably never get at gun until they are adults.
Your post has zero to do with "The South" - the whole spiel could have come from anyone in my state's northwoods. I altered all the south/yankee to display the actual difference you're trying to explain - city vs rural.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rock Climber
As far as some general stereotypes about the people, I'll admit that my general inclination is that people in the north and upper midwest seem to be less-friendly overall. I also find midwesterners to be rather staid and lacking in some of the joie de vivre that I find more common in the South. I seem to find less "characters" and story-tellers up North and more passive aggression and formality.
I disagree with all of this, but you did say it was a "stereotype." So many good storytellers and characters around the state. I haven't found it to be any different in the south at all. And as for "joie de vivre?" Have you only visited depressed areas? I find the north far more energetic, though perhaps it's my own stereotypes coming through? Likely, there is very little difference between the regions on the points listed.
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