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Some Southerners do make the distinction, but not all. Being called "yank" isn't really derogatory, it more or less simply means that the person in question is a non-native or an outsider. Now being called a "carpetbagger" is derogatory - more on that in a second.
I've lived in Alabama long enough to know that Southerners generally don't mind Northerners one bit. In fact, they really appreciate the Northerners (and even foreigners) that come down South because they appreciate Southern culture, and not because they want to change the South into something they're accustomed to (that's what a carpetbagger does - brings the North with them when they head southward).
Really? I find that interesting, because Wisconsin is one of the geographically northernmost states in the country. Is it because you consider being a Northerner as more of an attitude or a mindset, something that you identify more with people from NYC and other areas of the Northeast?
I don't really think of Oklahoma as the South, per se, either, but it does seem like people from Wisconsin would be considered Northerners, unless there's something that I don't get. I do know that I see a lot of comments on the forums for the southern states where Southerners differentiate between people from the Northeast and people from other parts of the North, so is that what I'm missing here?
I'm not arguing with your assessment at all, or in any way negating it. It really just intrigues me, because I live in Michigan, another state that is geographically quite far north (although comfortingly full of pickup trucks with gun racks and redneck attitude), and now I'm wondering if people in the South would consider me a Northerner or if that distinction is reserved for the "Noo Yawkers" out there. I don't mind either way, just curious.
I can dig it...I think most people live in the East so most people generally think of the Northeast and the Southeast when talking about North and South. While we all know Michigan, South Dakota, Montana and such are north of here (Va.) we generally have a history of interaction with the people of the immediate northern areas. I think most people consider everything past Pittsburgh the Midwest...why its still called Midwest and not North Central or Eastern Central or whatever, I do not know.
As a native Southerner, anybody NOT from the South is a Yankee.
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Being called "yank" isn't really derogatory...
Yes, it is. Every time I've heard it since moving from New Jersey to the south 19 years ago (Charlotte, NC; now Jacksonville, FL area), it's been said with a sneer.
We call ourselves Northerners. We call people from the south Southerners. We don't call you Rebels, so stop calling me a "Yankee." A Yankee is a baseball player.
I love living in the south, but that's one thing that I despise. That, and meeting a Southerner for the first time who, when she learns I'm from NJ (I no longer have a strong accent), has a chip on her shoulder because she automatically assumes I'm going to be one of those "how we did it up north" people. DON'T ASSUME. We might bemoan the lack of good pizza, delis and diners, but many of us actually like the fact that things are different than "up north."
True, Minnesota and Wisconsin are both in the Midwest. They are still considered as northern states because they are located in upper half of the country. You do not have to be from the Northeast to be a true northerner.
I'm only doing a comparsion between the North and the South. It is not my intention to sound like I'm saying that the North is better or I want to leave Oklahoma. I enjoy my life in Oklahoma!
Oklahoma may feel southwestern culturally but Okies consider themselves southerner, especially in Tulsa. Like southern states, the state is also very religious and conservative.
True, Minnesota and Wisconsin are both in the Midwest. They are still considered as northern states because they are located in upper half of the country. You do not have to be from the Northeast to be a true northerner.
I'm only doing a comparsion between the North and the South. It is not my intention to sound like I'm saying that the North is better or I want to leave Oklahoma. I enjoy my life in Oklahoma!
Oklahoma may feel southwestern culturally but Okies consider themselves southerner, especially in Tulsa. Like southern states, the state is also very religious and conservative.
I've lived in a few places: IL, GA, OK, LA and TX. Been to even more and spent enough time at a few more places to know if I'd want to live there or not: MN and CA.
Having originally been from IL, it was definitely a change. LOL.
My impressions: GA-big difference, life just seems a little slower paced down there but in a good way. Great food but I couldn't stand the heat and humidity.
OK-loved OK, the OKC area is where I'd want to live outside of the military. It's just a great area, just far south enough to not get winters that are too bad but yet centrally located pretty well in the country. Okies are some good people, I love the gun laws and car laws. More specifically how there are a lot of good folks with guns and cars only require a front license plate (I can't stand front plates) and no emissions or inspections.
LA-not my favorite place or maybe it's where I lived in Leesville/DeRidder. That area made me miss Afghanistan. Horrible heat and humidity. Winters were pretty good as I walked around in shorts and t-shirts while my neighbors looked at me like Low cost of living. It seems like there can be a language barrier at times. Lots of people go to Wal Mart in camo, lots of shotgun racks with shotguns in pickup trucks. First and only place I've heard car tires referred to as tennis shoes.
TX-awesome place! It's down to TX and OK of where I'll stay long term. This is a very diverse state in terms of terrain. It's about a 11-12 hour drive from one end of TX to the other. You have just about every different type of city you'd want in TX. I'm in El Paso and it's very hot but it's a dry heat and I can deal with that all day long.
I also loved MN as well. Lots of pretty girls, beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities to do outdoors. If it weren't for the horrible winters, MN would be a great place for me to stay.
CA-high cost of living and extreme liberal mentality would never allow me to live there no matter how great the weather is.
The thing I absolutely do not miss at all about the north are the winters. I vowed to myself that I'm done with winters filled with sub zero temperatures, snow and slush.
Yes, it is. Every time I've heard it since moving from New Jersey to the south 19 years ago (Charlotte, NC; now Jacksonville, FL area), it's been said with a sneer.
No, it's not always derogatory, if you always hear it said with a sneer there is something else going on.
I've been down south for over 20 years and rarely hear it used that way, use of 'bless your heart' otoh.... that CAN be very derogatory, if used just right.
Other than the killer humidty of deep south summers I have enjoyed living in the south for the most part. Now that I have found my little southern niche in east TN I'm about as happy as can be.
I've lived in a few places: IL, GA, OK, LA and TX. Been to even more and spent enough time at a few more places to know if I'd want to live there or not: MN and CA.
Having originally been from IL, it was definitely a change. LOL.
My impressions: GA-big difference, life just seems a little slower paced down there but in a good way. Great food but I couldn't stand the heat and humidity.
OK-loved OK, the OKC area is where I'd want to live outside of the military. It's just a great area, just far south enough to not get winters that are too bad but yet centrally located pretty well in the country. Okies are some good people, I love the gun laws and car laws. More specifically how there are a lot of good folks with guns and cars only require a front license plate (I can't stand front plates) and no emissions or inspections.
LA-not my favorite place or maybe it's where I lived in Leesville/DeRidder. That area made me miss Afghanistan. Horrible heat and humidity. Winters were pretty good as I walked around in shorts and t-shirts while my neighbors looked at me like Low cost of living. It seems like there can be a language barrier at times. Lots of people go to Wal Mart in camo, lots of shotgun racks with shotguns in pickup trucks. First and only place I've heard car tires referred to as tennis shoes.
TX-awesome place! It's down to TX and OK of where I'll stay long term. This is a very diverse state in terms of terrain. It's about a 11-12 hour drive from one end of TX to the other. You have just about every different type of city you'd want in TX. I'm in El Paso and it's very hot but it's a dry heat and I can deal with that all day long.
I also loved MN as well. Lots of pretty girls, beautiful landscapes and plenty of activities to do outdoors. If it weren't for the horrible winters, MN would be a great place for me to stay.
CA-high cost of living and extreme liberal mentality would never allow me to live there no matter how great the weather is.
The thing I absolutely do not miss at all about the north are the winters. I vowed to myself that I'm done with winters filled with sub zero temperatures, snow and slush.
Great comparsions! I'm glad you also enjoyed your time in MN and didn't become negative about harsh winters. Which part of MN did you live in? I'm from Eau Claire, WI near MN State Line/Twin Cities Metro.
That's funny, I usually don't think of Wisconsonians as Northerners and I don't think of Oklahomans as Southerners...
It is: Wisconsinites and Wisconsin is in the Northern part (top half) of the US.
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Horrible heat and humidity. Winters were pretty good as I walked around in shorts and t-shirts while my neighbors looked at me like 
Low cost of living. It seems like there can be a language barrier at times. Lots of people go to Wal Mart in camo, lots of shotgun racks with shotguns in pickup trucks. First and only place I've heard car tires referred to as tennis shoes.
