The "Me First" Culture of Huntsville/Northern Alabama (hear, start)

[LCTMadison]

Originally Posted by Becky2517

Bwahahahahaahahahah! This oughta be fun

PS. I come from a socialist country, no permissions needed

Oh, I thought you were a Marxist. Thanks for clearing that up for us

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

I will smile and say "'cuse me Ma'am, do you mind if I pass?". Most of the time

The REAL question is, do you say it with a thick Southern accent and bat your eyes? Because, you need to do that. THEN you would be the total package of pure Southern hospitality

[Reactionary]

Socialists are Marxists. Yep, they killed tens of millions of people, no permissions needed...

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by LivingSouth

Thank you all for your responses to my post. I very much appreciate hearing both the positive and negative responses. It helps me to understand my own perspective within the context of the discussion.
Last night I was driving back from the grocery store. I was doing the speed limit and was passed on the right side (the shoulder) of the road. Amazing disregard for safety, particularly since I needed to make a right turn myself to enter the road to my apartment. (did I just use too many "I's" and "me's"...?...lol)
Compassion allows us to accept one another, regardless of how different we each may seem to one another. It is my hope and desire to help others realize the potential of their own compassion.
It is truly an amazing thing when people demonstrate regard, respect, understanding and compassion for one another.

Are you're sure you're not in Florida? Because I referred to FL as the "land of me first". I have only visited Alabama, I found just like Georgia people to be polite and friendly for the most part. In fact it was a very noticeable difference how nicer people were in stores in restaurants in GA, AL,NC compared to FL.

Maybe you should visit FL, go to Orlando or Tampa, you might mind find you have it pretty good in AL.

Had a relative visit one time when I was still in FL and said "boy they sure do love to tailgate here", you can be doing 10mph over the speed limit and they're still on your bumper.

Seriously, check out Tampa or Orlando for a couple of days, drive down and do a comparison.

[folkguitarist555]

Being from Seattle, and having traveled the country a lot, I can say that the PNW, tends to be more polite/introverted/reserved, in my opinion, a lot like the plains states and the upper Midwest maybe. It can be hard to make friends in Seattle, as a result. But people mind their business. I spent time in southern MO, at one point, and it was a difference imo. People were more chatty, outgoing..outwardly, imo. I think it is just something folks from the Pacific Northwest are not culturally used to.

[Becky2517]

Originally Posted by LCTMadison

Oh, I thought you were a Marxist. Thanks for clearing that up for us

Maybe I should rephrase the "socialist" part, Norway is a social democratic country - not to be confused with Marxism or any other "ism" Since it is absolutely filthy rich, it can't be too much of "ism" anything

BTW - Socialism and Marxism, while the same foundation, should never be interchanged...

The Differences Between Marxism, Socialism & Communism | The Classroom | Synonym

[Becky2517]

Originally Posted by LCTMadison

The REAL question is, do you say it with a thick Southern accent and bat your eyes? Because, you need to do that. THEN you would be the total package of pure Southern hospitality

Much as I have tried to do that, LCT, I start giggling, 'cause I can hear and picture you...every. freaking. time!!

[Reactionary]

Becky - "should never be interchanged"

That's not quite what your link says:

...they have important distinctions...

Each philosophy builds upon the other. Marxism is the theoretical framework which lays the foundation for the economic and political philosophies of socialism and communism.

Also suggest that next time you find a more rigorous source:

Sandra L. Campbell | Demand Media Studios

Norway's (until recently ruling) Labour Party is affiliated with Socialist International and the Party of European Socialists. That's usually a reliable indicator of socialism...

I find myself more in line with Progress or maybe Høyre (the current PM's party).

***

Some of my favorite Vikings:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsO84nmeeSk

[Becky2517]

Norway really isn't Socialist (at least not how Americans understand socialism) - just ask most Norwegians: "As everyone else has said: the premise is wrong. Norway is not, and never was, a socialist country. On Heritages Economic freedom index we are ranked "Mostly free," same as the United States and United Kingdom." How did Norway become so rich despite being a socialist country? - Quora

Fremskrittspartiet or Høyre could be compared to liberal/conservative moderates, the only party that has somewhat similar ideologies to conservatives is Kristelig folkeparti, and even they are "fairly" moderate compared to many of todays GOP'ers. It's like comparing apple and oranges - Norwegian and US politics. Two completely different countries with 5 mill in one and 300 mill in the other.

But, we are totally OT now and not talking about the "me first" culture

[sheena12]

Originally Posted by LivingSouth

I have been living in Madison, Alabama for six months now. I lived in Seattle for 25yrs before relocating for a job.
The culture here in Northern Alabama is certainly different than Western Washington State. I have come to a perception of the people that live in the greater Huntsville area that can be described best in two words - "ME FIRST".
The behavior of the people that live here is demonstrated on the roadways, in grocery stores, at movie theaters, in restaurants, bars, gyms, and retail stores. It can be best described as intolerant, impatient, self-centered, incredibly unaware and generally rude. I have seen demonstrations of behavior on the roadway that border on dangerous and nearly lethal. I see it every single time I get into my car to drive anywhere. Yesterday, I was in a restaurant having dinner and went to use the men's room, it is a very well known and reputable establishment (according to what I read and hear), and there was a woman in the men's room, flirting with the men that entered. It shocked and angered me that someone would have that much disregard for others privacy. I have had to purchase insurance here to cover my vehicle and home. I found an agent that provided both, but chooses not to respond to requests for information by email. When I call the office, he does not take my call. I make sure that all my communication is polite and respectful. Walking through parking lots of retails stores, I often find large amounts of trash, simply thrown on the ground. How could someone have that much disrespect for others to leave their garbage for someone else to deal with?
For the last six months, I have witnessed a culture that appears to be void of compassion, respect, patience and understanding for others here in the Huntsville area. I am not exactly sure why this behavior exists or what it would take to help people understand that everyone matters and that everyone deserves the respect of others, and that compassion for making the culture a safe, inclusive place is the most important thing for children, seniors, the disadvantaged and the working class.
When I moved here, I did not expect to find a culture of this nature. All I can do at this point, is try to bring that compassion to everyone I meet. Perhaps demonstrating it will help to develop it in others.

Do you seriously think that this entitled "me first attitude" is unique to northern Alabama? I have been there twice. I didn't notice anything unusual.

However, that was 20 years ago. You need to travel more. That attitude seems to permeate American culture. Everyplace.

[LCTMadison]

Originally Posted by folkguitarist555

PNW more polite/introverted/reserved,

All that pot mellows them out.


JUST KIDDING.....well, maybe....