Finally Made It To Huntsville (employment, military, metro)

[AJBarney]

Originally Posted by brianjb

We can't just assume that everyone in Alabama loves football, drinks nothing but sweet tea, and eats pork by the pound.

Absolutely true......many of us drink beer.

[HB2HSV]

The key to survive in Alabama is to PRETEND that you like football. That can be done by 1). dress code, 2). decals on your car/truck windshields, and 3). learn a few buzzword like ROLL TIDES. After you've done all that, you will be instantly recognized as "one of us" and be accepted into the fraternalty of brotherhood, be it at work, church, or local shooting ranges.

Football jersey is an accepted "business casual" in a work place as long as it is one of the two accepted teams. Get a haircut as if you're still in high school will get you accepted faster regardless of your age.

Now you are well-armed to fit in.

[AJBarney]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

The key to survive in Alabama is to PRETEND that you like football. That can be done by 1). dress code, 2). decals on your car/truck windshields, and 3). learn a few buzzword like ROLL TIDES. After you've done all that, you will be instantly recognized as "one of us" and be accepted into the fraternalty of brotherhood, be it at work, church, or local shooting ranges.

Football jersey is an accepted "business casual" in a work place as long as it is one of the two accepted teams. Get a haircut as if you're still in high school will get you accepted faster regardless of your age.

Now you are well-armed to fit in.

Best advice I've heard on this yet. Well done

It could always be worse.....you could be an Ole Miss fan like me

[y8tiger]

Thanks for the welcome everyone!

I'm stoked to be able to get sweet tea in resaurants again and I'm drinking it like it going out of style. Having grown up in Dixie this is a homecoming for me. This area is absolutely beautiful and not far from my folks in Marietta, GA.

As far as teams go, I am intereseted is seeing some Huntsville Havoc and Rocket City United games to get started. Can you tell I was stationed overseas for over half my Naval Career?

It's great to be here humidity and all! Now, I just got to find a new career.

[elephant08]

Originally Posted by padmaster

Welcome to the south and to Huntsville, Alabama. First things first......You MUST choose a football team!!!

Alabama or Auburn?

I was told by my neighbor I must do this. We've been here for 2 years now and I still haven't done it. Ok I like Auburn because they have prettier colors

[Keeper]

I have to agree with the football. It is amazing how everyone disappears on Football Sat. We have animal adoptions on Sat during the fall and we know what time the game starts because everyone disappears. LOL

No matter where you went to school you must still choose an AL team.. You don't have to cheer for either team just choose one. I think it is a state law.

BTW.. there are a lot of FL folks up here. I lived in Tampa for 30 years.

Roll Tide

[writerwife]

Originally Posted by elephant08

I was told by my neighbor I must do this. We've been here for 2 years now and I still haven't done it. Ok I like Auburn because they have prettier colors

Been here 36 and haven't chosen one. Nor have I ever watched a game.

Roll Eagle !

[harry chickpea]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

The key to survive in Alabama is to PRETEND that you like football. That can be done by 1). dress code, 2). decals on your car/truck windshields, and 3). learn a few buzzword like ROLL TIDES. After you've done all that, you will be instantly recognized as "one of us" and be accepted into the fraternalty of brotherhood, be it at work, church, or local shooting ranges.

Football jersey is an accepted "business casual" in a work place as long as it is one of the two accepted teams. Get a haircut as if you're still in high school will get you accepted faster regardless of your age.

Now you are well-armed to fit in.

The first time through Alabama, I was given the tour, by an employee of my new employer, of the cemetery where a famous coach with a houndstooth hat was buried. (I'm NOT making that up. Having come from Vermont where you like the Redsocks or hockey, I was totally confused by this weird combination of red and religion.)

I was very careful to weigh the situation and choose UAT as the team to root for. I subsequently found myself fired twice from that employer (actually the son of the owner, the old man was great, the son was a dweeb who kept hiring thieves (literally) who didn't like me). I do have a signed autograph photo from Gene, but I now follow tiddlywink competition with great fervor.

[y8tiger]

Update:

After living here for only a short period of time, it has become readily apparent that Huntsville really is a smart place to live, work and play. I absolutely love living here.

On the other hand, it is taking longer than I expected to find employment. I have been told quite often lately that getting a job in the local Space and Defense industry is all about who you know.

[lizinva]

I am fairly new here myself. I landed in Huntsville last August. There are a few things I have learned since moving here from up North.

Pick a team. If you aren't sure which one to pick just say "Roll Tide" and you should be safe

If you ask for Iced Tea it is going to be sweet. They won't ask like they do in Virginia. If you want it unsweetened you better let them know upfront and taste it before adding any sugar free sweetener. I have learned this the hard way

Be prepared to stop at Yield signs and people will slow way down or come to a stop on the freeway to change lanes. I don't know why but this seems to be the way it is

If you want to have a restaurant or mall to yourself go during the football games. There is no traffic and you will have your own personal shoppers because all the stores are yours alone!

Stay away from Cheddars on Sunday after church. Better yet, just stay away or prepare to wait an hour to eat there except late at night

Be prepared to talk. Everyone is really friendly here and they really do want to know all about you.

Everyone wants to know how you love Huntsville and they really want you to like it. This is particularly endearing to me.

Enjoy the traffic report every morning because you appreciate that someone has a job reporting no traffic! (I am from the D.C. area)

Everyone will tell you how awful the heat and humidity are. It isn't that bad to me. I loved this Summer!

Enjoy the harsh winter. (NOT!)

Accept the fact that you are going to have to be forced to eat BBQ and other Southern delicacies. Someone has to do it!

You will love your neighbors hands down because no matter where you live or who your neighbors are, most are great. People are very friendly here.

I am very happy with our move here. It was hard to leave a large city and move to a smaller city in some ways but they were mostly selfish reasons. This has been a wonderful change of pace for us and we are forever grateful to the Huntsville People for making us feel welcome.